The Department of Energy's Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program has awarded 28 projects at Argonne National Laboratory with $400 million hours of computing time. These projects will focus on various fields including energy, biology, climate change, astrophysics, and more.
A four-minute animated movie created by University of Calgary's Barry Sanders explains the nature of quantum computing, its power and underlying science. The animation uses state-of-the-art techniques to convey quantum concepts in an accurate and exciting way.
Research focuses on transport phenomena in heterogeneous media, exploring anomalous transport and its role in hydrogeology. The study highlights the importance of concentration tails in assessing radioactive waste disposal reliability.
Researchers found that all active galactic nuclei have a similar physical structure, independent of the black hole's size. The observation constrains current ideas on how glow around black holes is produced, allowing for further study of these enigmatic objects.
A team of Caltech researchers proposes a mathematical model explaining an anomaly in the universe's radiation and matter distribution. The model predicts more cold than hot spots in the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation, which could offer insights into what happened during inflation and potentially even what came before the Big Bang.
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams will attract top researchers to conduct experiments in nuclear science, astrophysics, and applications of isotopes. The facility is expected to bring $1 billion in economic activity and 400 jobs to Michigan.
The University of Delaware is part of an international team building the IceCube neutrino telescope, which will study high-energy cosmic events. The $150 million project will detect neutrinos passing through the Antarctic ice, opening new insights into astrophysics.
Astronomers discovered strong evidence that brown dwarfs form like stars using the Submillimeter Array. Brown dwarfs are on the line between planets and stars with masses between 15 and 75 Jupiters.
A team of astronomers discovered a new planet closely orbiting the giant star HD 102272, nearly six times the mass of Jupiter. The planet's location near the star raises questions about how aging stars influence nearby planets.
Researchers have captured the first-ever images of three giant planets orbiting the star HR 8799. The planets, each about ten times the mass of Jupiter, have complex atmospheres with dusty clouds that trap and re-radiate heat.
The new solar system orbits a dusty young star named HR8799, with three planets roughly 10 times the mass of Jupiter. The discovery allows scientists to study planets as individuals, providing insights into their atmospheres and composition.
Gemini Observatory's groundbreaking discovery reveals two planets orbiting a young, massive star called HR 8799. The system consists of three planets, including the 'first family' member, which are still glowing from heat released as they contracted, and are about seven and ten times the mass of Jupiter.
Researchers used a massive computer simulation to 'see' gamma-rays given off by dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy. They predict that these gamma-rays should glow in a characteristic pattern near the Sun, which could help detect invisible clumps of dark matter.
Rochester Institute of Technology will develop a zero-noise detector with the Moore Foundation's $2.8M award, promising to enhance telescope sensitivity and astrophysics discoveries. The project aims to resolve noise limitations in existing detectors.
Researchers have discovered two distant galaxies with massive black holes at their centers, challenging previous assumptions about the formation of these cosmic objects. The study reveals that these colossal black holes were present even 12 billion years ago, when the universe was just 1.7 billion years old.
Scientists will explore chemical reactions in extreme space conditions using a new research center combining laboratory experiments, theoretical studies, and radio-telescope observations. The Center for Chemistry of the Universe aims to expand our understanding of molecule formation that may seed young planets with life.
The Arizona State University team will focus on characterizing life's elemental requirements, moving beyond water and energy as criteria for the search. This approach aims to identify more habitable worlds within our solar system and beyond.
Researchers have directly measured a nascent galaxy's magnetic field, finding it is at least 10 times stronger than the average value in the Milky Way. This unexpected result presents a challenge to the leading theory of magnetic field generation and suggests that magnetic fields may play a key role in the evolution of galaxies.
A team of astronomers has discovered a potential 'wild cousin' of the infamous exploding star supernova 1987A in a nearby galaxy. The newly found supernova, SN1996cr, exhibits similar characteristics to '87A and is an impressive 1,000 times brighter.
A $70 million CU-Boulder instrument will be installed on the Hubble Space Telescope in mid-October to study the 'fossil record' of gases in the early universe. The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph will gather information from ultraviolet light, allowing scientists to reconstruct the physical condition and evolution of the early universe.
Researchers used VLBI technique to combine signals from multiple telescopes and detected structure 30 million miles away from the galactic center. The observations provide unprecedented view of the region near the black hole event horizon.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed its first all-sky map in gamma rays, showcasing the glowing gas of the Milky Way and pulsars in unprecedented detail. The telescope's high-energy capabilities will enable discoveries of new pulsars and reveal powerful processes near super-massive black holes.
The Large Hadron Collider is poised to generate a bonanza of experimental data, putting hotly debated theories to the test. Potential breakthroughs include an explanation of mass and identification of dark matter.
Researchers are investigating SEP transport in 3D heliospheric magnetic fields to understand why some events occur without magnetic connection to the Sun. The goal is to assess cross-field diffusion's role in charged particle transport.
Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate the halo of dark matter surrounding the Milky Way, finding dense clumps and streams in the inner region. The study may help scientists understand what dark matter is and could detect evidence of its particles through gamma-ray signals.
The Computation Institute has received a $1.5 million grant to develop the Petascale Active Data Store (PADS), enabling researchers to analyze massive datasets in new ways. The system will provide rich data for computer science research and enable collaborations across disciplines.
Researchers at MIT have achieved a significant advance in nanoscale lithographic technology, enabling the creation of finer patterns of lines over larger areas. The new technique has the potential to lead to commercialization of many new nanotechnology inventions that have languished due to manufacturing limitations.
Researchers confirmed Einstein's theory of general relativity using observations of a unique pulsar system. The discovery shows that one pulsar is 'wobbling' in space, a effect precisely as predicted by Einstein.
Researchers at McGill University confirmed Einstein's prediction that a binary-pulsar system's spin axis should precess due to general relativity. The team observed the unique PSR J0737-3039A/B twin-pulsar system and found that one pulsar's spin axis is indeed precessing as predicted.
The High-Resolution Soft X-Ray Spectrometer (SXS) will investigate dark matter, galaxy formation, and explore the nature of matter in extreme environments. NASA's Explorer Program Mission of Opportunity has awarded $44 million for the instrument and operations.
GLAST successfully launched on June 11 and is now safely in orbit approximately 350 miles above the Earth's surface. Engineers are conducting daily checks to ensure all systems function correctly before turning on its instruments.
J. Richard Bond is honored for his theoretical framework to interpret the observed inhomogeneities in the Big Bang's fossil radiation and understand galaxy evolution. His research has helped us transition from a nearly featureless early Universe to the structured world of galaxies, stars, and planets.
NASA's GLAST mission was launched successfully aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The observatory is now on-orbit, with all systems operating as planned.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is scheduled to launch on a United Launch Alliance's Delta II Heavy rocket on June 11. The launch window opens at 11:45 a.m.-1:40 p.m. EDT, pending weather conditions. GLAST will survey the universe over an energy range of 20 million electron volts to over 300 billion electron volts.
Mathematicians Dmitry Khavinson and Genevra Neumann describe how their work on the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra led them to questions in astrophysics, specifically gravitational lensing. Their result resolves a conjecture of Sun Hong Rhie, establishing that the number of zeros of certain rational harmonic functions is 5n - 5.
A team of astronomers led by David Bennett discovered a planet with a mass about three times that of Earth, orbiting a star with a mass 6% of the sun's, potentially hosting conditions suitable for life. The discovery was made using the gravitational microlensing method and confirms predictions made in 1996.
Maarten Schmidt's discovery of high redshifts in quasar 3C273 led to a new understanding of quasars as compact halos surrounding massive black holes. He shares the award with Donald Lynden-Bell for their contributions to astrophysics.
Dr. Joan M. Centrella and Dr. John G. Baker received the John C. Lindsay Memorial Award for their pioneering computer simulations of black hole mergers, a crucial step towards understanding cosmic evolution. The simulations have spurred rapid progress in predicting observable signatures of these events.
A team of researchers, led by Stephanie Wachter and Vikram Dwarkadas, investigated the mysterious ring surrounding magnetar SGR 1900+14. They concluded that a powerful flare from the magnetar formed the ring, which measures seven light-years across.
Seven pioneering scientists recognized for transforming human knowledge in nanoscience, neuroscience and astrophysics. The Kavli prizes have been awarded to seven scientists who have advanced our understanding of ultra-small matter properties, brain circuitry and quasars.
Pasko Rakic's work has revealed how neurons in the developing cerebral cortex are generated and assembled into highly ordered circuits. His discoveries have transformed our understanding of brain function and development, with implications for treatments of brain disorders.
Astronomers have observed a rare 'normal' supernova for the first time at its moment of birth, thanks to NASA's Swift satellite. The discovery provides unique insights into how these massive star explosions occur, with the radiation pattern giving scientists the clearest picture ever.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new method to predict the properties of light nuclei, allowing for better understanding of element origins and star behavior. This breakthrough enables more accurate calculations of nuclear reaction rates, which are crucial for astrophysics experiments.
A study published in INFORMS journal Interfaces found that US polar bear research is flawed due to inadequate forecasting methodologies. The researchers concluded that the studies do not adequately support assumptions about sea ice changes and polar bears' ability to adapt, making it difficult to justify listing the species as endangered.
Astronomers used VLBA to watch material winding a corkscrew path and confirm twisted magnetic fields accelerate particles. The team observed BL Lac, a blazar, with unprecedented view of the innermost portion of its jet.
Researchers used XMM-Newton to observe four polar BAL quasars, finding two of them emitted more X-rays than anticipated, suggesting a lack of absorbing gas. This discovery may indicate that BAL quasars are more complex than initially thought, with both equatorial and polar outflows potentially occurring simultaneously.
Astronomers have identified the smallest known black hole, with a mass of 3.8 times that of our Sun and a diameter of just 15 miles. The black hole resides in a binary system in the Milky Way Galaxy and was measured using archival data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) satellite is nearing its May 16th launch date as it prepares to provide electrical power with its newly attached solar panels. GLAST's twin solar panels will ensure continuous operation and enable the telescope to explore extreme environments in the universe.
The Naval Research Laboratory will design a lunar telescope, the Dark Ages Lunar Interferometer (DALI), to study the last unexplored epoch in the Universe's history. The telescope aims to detect signals from hydrogen atoms in the Dark Ages, which can provide insights into the first stars, galaxies, and modern Universe.
Researchers have discovered a neutron star that undergoes a dramatic transformation from a pulsar to a magnetar, providing insight into the evolutionary connection between these two types of ultradense objects. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and Chandra X-ray Observatory satellites.
The Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology (LARC) project aims to explore the 'Dark Ages' of the universe when stars and galaxies first formed. The new telescopes will study cosmic background radiation and test current theories about the universe's formation.
Astronomers have discovered that many nearby sun-like stars may form rocky planets, with potential for life being more common than thought. The study suggests that at least 20 percent to 60 percent of stars similar to the sun are candidates for forming terrestrial worlds.
The discovery of the double planet system provides crucial evidence for the presence of multiple planet systems similar to our own solar system. The findings suggest that if OGLE-2006-BLG-109L is typical, it is possible that other systems have Jupiter- and Saturn-sized planets.
An international team of astronomers has discovered two planets resembling smaller versions of Jupiter and Saturn in a solar system nearly 5,000 light years away. The newly-discovered planets appear to be gaseous planets with masses similar to those of the giant planets in our own solar system.
The GLAST observatory will explore extreme environments and search for new laws of physics, with a scheduled May 16 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket's first stage has arrived at the space station, joining the second stage and solid rocket motors.
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) has awarded the 2008 Dannie Heineman Prizes to Mitchell Feigenbaum for his work on deterministic chaos and Andrew Fabian for his pioneering research in X-ray astronomy. These awards recognize their significant contributions to their respective fields.
Researchers suggest that unusual supernovae could confirm the existence of intermediate-mass black holes in globular clusters. The proposed mechanism involves tidal disruption of a white dwarf star by a black hole, causing explosive burning and a unique signature.
A giant cloud of antimatter surrounding the galactic center has been traced back to binary star systems containing black holes or neutron stars. The cloud's imbalance matches the distribution of these binaries, suggesting they are churning out most of the antimatter.
Astronomers at Rutgers and Penn State universities discovered galaxies in the distant universe that are ancestors of spiral galaxies like our Milky Way. The newly discovered galaxies are small and have fewer stars, but were fertile breeding grounds for new stars that ionized hydrogen atoms and emitted Lyman alpha light.
The Suzaku X-ray observatory has provided new insights into cosmic powerhouses, identifying pulsar wind nebulae as the source of high-energy gamma rays. The observations also suggest that these objects are accelerating mostly protons, leading to a better understanding of the origin of cosmic rays.