A new study suggests that rogue supernovas that explode in deep space were likely kicked out of their galaxies at high speeds and then ejected into space by the gravitational pull of a binary black hole. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, used data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to trace 13 h...
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 13, 2015
Researchers discovered that brown dwarf stars, which are difficult to detect and classify, host powerful auroras similar to Earth's display. The study used radio and optical telescopes to observe a brown dwarf 20 light years away, providing evidence that these stars act like supersized planets.
SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015
A recent study suggests that dense star clusters in the universe could be 'factories' of binary black holes. Researchers predict that advanced observatories will detect over 100 merging black holes per year from these clusters.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2015
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Astronomers have discovered a powerful aurora on a brown dwarf, 10,000 times more powerful than any seen before. The discovery reveals a major difference in magnetic activity between low-mass stars and planets.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015
A team of astronomers led by Gregg Hallinan has discovered that brown dwarfs, which are cool and dim objects, host powerful auroras near their magnetic poles. The findings suggest that these so-called failed stars behave more like giant planets with highly active magnetic fields.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015
Researchers at the University of York have revealed a new understanding of nucleosynthesis in stars, providing insight into massive star evolution and the origins of the Solar System. By studying radioactive aluminium production, scientists can now better understand gamma radiation maps of the galaxy and simulate star behavior.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2015
Researchers have detected lithium in material ejected by a nova, resolving a long-standing puzzle about its abundance in young stars. The finding sheds light on the chemical evolution of the Milky Way and could inform models of the Big Bang.
SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 29, 2015
A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that sea stars have an immune response characterized by various types of immunities, including the first melanin gene ever recorded in a sea star. The team also found changes in genes related to collagen and nervous system function, which may contribute to the disease's effects.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 28, 2015
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Astronomers discovered jets of material ejected by still-forming young brown dwarfs, confirming they form through a scaled-down version of star formation. The presence of these jets was detected by the VLA and confirmed with Spitzer and Herschel space telescopes.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new 3-D model of a giant star's last moments, which could help explain how these stars explode. The model addresses previous limitations, including the shape of the star and the lack of fuel source, paving the way for a deeper understanding of supernova mechanisms.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 21, 2015
Researchers have discovered a unique binary star system, Gaia14aae, where one star eclipses the other. The system is an important laboratory for studying ultra-bright supernova explosions, which help measure the expansion of the Universe.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 16, 2015
A study of over 20,000 merging galaxies found that when two galaxies collide, the larger one can stop the smaller one from forming new stars. However, when two galaxies of similar mass collide, they both increase their stellar birth rate.
SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 12, 2015
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A new study has precisely measured the ages of 33 Kepler stars with solar-like oscillations, revealing that even stars older than 11 billion years have Earth-like planets. The research uses asteroseismology to analyze tiny variations in starlight and provides a large sample for studying galactic archeology.
SourceAarhus University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 29, 2015
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate distances to X-ray sources using the geometry of light echoes and dust clouds. By analyzing the timing and deflection of X-rays as they pass through interstellar space, astronomers can calculate the distance to Circinus X-1, a binary system located in the plane of the galaxy.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 23, 2015
Astronomers have solved a mystery over blue hook stars, which form when a star's outer layers are destroyed by rapid rotation. The international team found that these stars consume hydrogen fuel more slowly due to their high spin rates.
SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2015
A team of astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered the brightest galaxy yet found in the early universe. The galaxy, CR7, contains massive blue stars - the first generation of stars that forged the heavy elements necessary for life.
A team of astronomers has discovered a massive star cluster in the NGC 5253 dwarf galaxy, containing over 7,000 massive O-type stars. The cluster, dubbed Cloud D, is incredibly efficient at forming stars and creating dust, with a gas cloud rate that is ten times greater than in our own Milky Way.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature·DateJun 9, 2015
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Astronomers confirm three supernovae existed in the dark emptiness of intergalactic space, far from their home galaxies. This discovery provides crucial insight into the formation and evolution of galaxy clusters.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateJun 4, 2015
A Queen's University PhD student is conducting the first systematic population study of magnetosphere-host stars, finding that plasma density within all such magnetospheres is far lower than predicted. This suggests that plasma might be escaping gradually, maintaining magnetospheres in an essentially steady state.
Researchers found a pulsing quasar in the Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey, which could be evidence of a binary supermassive black hole system. The discovery sheds light on the end stages of galaxy mergers and may aid in pinpointing thousands of merging supermassive black holes.
SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 20, 2015
Astronomers observed 22 massive elliptical galaxies using the VLT and Hubble Space Telescope, revealing that star formation in their centers stopped around three billion years ago. The newly discovered inside-out nature of this shutdown may be due to a galaxy's central supermassive black hole or lack of fresh gas.
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Researchers at RIT studied binary spinning black hole interactions, revealing a long-term spin dynamic that continuously flips the spin until merger. This process may affect the growth of black holes surrounded by accretion disks and alter galactic and supermassive binary black holes.
SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 9, 2015
Researchers found two ancient stars in Sculptor dwarf galaxy with unusual chemical content, suggesting a single supernova explosion may have seeded the gas cloud. This discovery provides an unprecedented view of the earliest history of another galaxy.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 23, 2015
Researchers used the Titius-Bode law to calculate planetary positions and found billions of stars with 1-3 planets in their habitable zone. This suggests that a significant number of these planets could have liquid water and support life.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 18, 2015
An international team of astronomers has discovered a hot, dusty cloud of molecular gases in a dwarf galaxy near our own, where over 1 million young stars are forming. The star cluster is buried within a supernebula and contains massive 'O' stars that are a million times brighter than the sun.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2015
Theoretical astrophysicists discovered that gravitational waves from merging binary neutron star systems have a characteristic spectrum similar to atomic spectral lines. This allows for the inference of neutron star properties, including equation of state and stellar structure.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 10, 2015
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A new survey of Carina Nebula helps astronomers understand the processes that may have contributed to the formation of our sun. The region contains dozens of examples of forming stars at various stages of development, providing insights into how solar-type stars evolve.
Researchers at MIT and Michigan State University have developed a theory explaining how galaxy clusters regulate star formation. The study found that hot intracluster gas cools rapidly, condenses, and collapses to form new stars, but also triggers conduction and precipitation-driven feedback, which prevent excessive star birth.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateMar 4, 2015
A team of astronomers has found that galactic 'rain' may be the key to understanding why some galaxies are more productive at creating stars than others. The researchers analyzed X-rays from over 200 galaxy clusters using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and discovered that massive black holes can slow down gas that helps form stars.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature·DateMar 4, 2015
Astrophysicist Dr. Michael Kesden's research provides new insights into binary black hole mergers and their connection to gravitational wave detection. The solutions can significantly impact the study of black holes and the search for gravitational waves in the cosmos.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 26, 2015
International team of astronomers observes multiple-star system forming in Perseus constellation, revealing how stars are separated during early stages of formation. The discovery advances understanding of conditions governing the type of star systems to develop.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature·DateFeb 11, 2015
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A team of astronomers has discovered the most massive pair of white dwarf stars yet found, which will merge in the future to form a runaway thermonuclear explosion leading to a Type Ia supernova. This discovery provides new insights into astronomical distances and dark energy, shedding light on the expansion of the Universe.
Astronomers validate earlier prediction of dark-matter dominated dwarf galaxy's location by discovering young Cepheid variables in the Norma constellation. The discovery sheds light on the nature of dark matter and confirms Newton's theory of gravity.
SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 6, 2015
Researchers tracked the motion of a binary pulsar to measure the space-time warp caused by its two highly compact stars. The study provided new information on the effects of extreme gravity on neutron stars and binary systems.
A study of Andromeda's stellar disk reveals a more disordered population than the Milky Way's, suggesting recent mergers with smaller galaxies. The researchers found that younger stars have relatively ordered rotational motion, while older stars display much more disordered motion.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateJan 8, 2015
Researchers have developed a method to calculate the ages of individual stars by measuring their spin periods and masses. The technique, known as gyrochronology, uses mathematical relationships between mass, rotation rate, and age to determine stellar ages with precision.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2015
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The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the sharpest large composite image of the Andromeda galaxy, revealing over 100 million stars in a 61,000-light-year-long stretch. This panoramic view provides unprecedented insights into the galaxy's structure and evolution.
A University of Texas at Arlington astrophysicist has created a new online tool called BinHab that can calculate the regions of binary systems favorable for life. The tool uses a comprehensive mathematical approach to consider both stellar radiation and gravitational influence, directly relevant to NASA's Kepler mission.
Researchers found that stars in large middle-aged clusters are of similar age, suggesting a complex formation process. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and may require re-evaluation of models.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding galaxy evolution by modeling the effects of stellar activity on star formation. By running complex supercomputer simulations, they found that feedback from stars plays a crucial role in regulating galaxy growth.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 11, 2014
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Planets close to low-mass stars may have formed with water and atmospheres burned away, reducing habitability. These 'Mirage Earths' could resemble Earth from afar but lack essential components for life.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAstrobiology·DateDec 3, 2014
A new virus, Sea Star Associated Densovirus (SSaDV), has been identified as the cause of a widespread disease affecting sea stars along the Pacific Coast. The study found that the virus was present in museum specimens dating back to 1942 and had likely existed at low levels for over 72 years.
SourceNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014
A genomic analysis of a newly discovered virus prevalent in symptomatic sea stars has linked Sea Star Associated Densovirus to the devastating wasting disease, potentially triggering an unprecedented ecological upheaval. The research lays the groundwork for understanding how the virus kills sea stars and what triggers outbreaks.
SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014
Astronomers find compact, young galaxies shut down their prodigious star production due to a lack of cool dense gas, rather than supermassive black holes. The energy from the star formation itself creates a shortage of gas within the galaxy.
SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 13, 2014
Researchers detected a diffuse cosmic glow originating from stripped stars flung out into space after galaxies collided and merged. The findings suggest previously undetected stars permeate dark spaces between galaxies, forming an interconnected sea of stars.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 2014
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A team led by Andrea Ghez determined that G2 is most likely a pair of binary stars that had been orbiting the black hole in tandem and merged together into an extremely large star. The research suggests that many of the stars at the center of the galaxy are massive and mostly binaries.
SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 3, 2014
The Hubble Space Telescope has observed the faint glow of stars ejected from ancient galaxies torn apart within the Pandora's Cluster. The scattered stars are estimated to contribute approximately 10% of the cluster's brightness and are rich in heavier elements.
Researchers have discovered a 'wheel in a wheel' of dust and gas in the binary star system GG Tau-A, indicating that material is being transferred between the outer and inner disks. This finding has major consequences for potential planet formation, suggesting that multiple-star systems can form planets despite their complicated dynamics.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2014
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that massive black holes can block the formation of new stars in mature galaxies. The study suggests that these jets of radio-frequency feedback streaming from central black holes prevent hot gas from cooling and collapsing into baby stars.
SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 21, 2014
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Researchers from around the world have successfully explained the formation and propagation of stellar jets emitted by young stars. The team used a patented experimental device and numerical simulations to demonstrate that interstellar magnetic fields play a key role in confining these jets, which can travel vast distances.
SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2014
Researchers used simulations to study primordial supermassive stars that may have exploded as supernovae, leaving no black hole behind. This process could create a distinct observational signature detectable by upcoming telescopes and enrich their host galaxy with heavy elements.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateSep 29, 2014
A long-term laboratory experiment showed that young sea stars grow more slowly and eat less in acidic conditions, even after a prolonged acclimation period. The study suggests that young sea stars may not adapt to the effects of ocean acidification, potentially affecting entire ecosystems.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateSep 26, 2014
New modeling studies show most stars were formed from unstable protostar clusters that broke up, leaving behind single or binary stars. These clusters, however, rarely form stable multi-star systems, instead ejecting stars to achieve stability.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 24, 2014
Researchers found a star with extremely low iron content, which could be evidence of the universe's first supernovae. The star's unusual chemical composition supports the theory that massive stars formed in the early universe and exploded as supernovae.
SourceThe Kavli Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 24, 2014
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Researchers have found that stars that oscillate at the same frequency as gravitational waves can absorb energy from those waves and brighten temporarily. This effect could provide scientists with another method to indirectly detect gravitational waves.
SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 22, 2014
A team of astronomers led by Gastón Folatelli at the Kavli IPMU, University of Tokyo, has found evidence of a hot binary companion star to a yellow supergiant star, which had become a bright supernova. The discovery provides the last link in a chain of observations supporting the team's theoretical picture for this supernova.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 11, 2014
A study published in Nature found that the chemical uniformity of stars in the same cluster is due to turbulent mixing in star-forming clouds. This mixing occurs before much of the gas has turned into stars, resulting in nearly identical chemical signatures among sibling stars.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·DateAug 31, 2014
Astronomers used computational simulations to show that rapid mixing in cloud formation creates uniform chemical composition among born stars, supporting the idea of 'chemical tagging' and potential discovery of Sun's siblings. The study also found that even clouds without many stars produce similar abundances.
SourceUniversity of California High-Performance AstroComputing Center·JournalNature·DateAug 31, 2014
Astronomers used a global network of radio telescopes to measure the distance to the Pleiades star cluster, resolving a long-standing controversy. The result is a precise measurement of 443 light-years, accurate to within one percent.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2014
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Astronomers have observed the earliest stages of massive galaxy construction, dubbed 'Sparky', which contains about twice as many stars as our Milky Way. The discovery was made possible through combined observations from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2014