The Australian government is funding a project to develop renewable energy technologies for the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory and the Pawsey High-Performance Computing Centre. The Sustainable Energy for SKA facility will support solar and photovoltaic technology and direct heat geothermal demonstrator to cool supercomputers.
Researchers use X-ray diffraction microscope to image the 3D internal structure of yeast spores and cells. The technique overcomes limitations of previous methods, enabling quantitative 3D imaging of whole biological specimens at nanometer-scale resolutions.
A team of researchers has made the first detailed observations of 'halo' gas clouds in our Galaxy, finding they contain hydrogen gas 700 times the mass of the Sun. These clouds are linked to earlier star formation and can fall back into the main body of the Galaxy, recycling material.
Hydrogen gas clouds found near Galactic bar exhibit distinct properties, indicating they originated from supernova explosions and young star winds. This discovery sheds light on critical process of material movement between Galaxy's disk and halo.
Researchers have identified numerous previously unknown star-forming regions in the Milky Way, shedding light on the galaxy's structure and chemical evolution. The discovery allows for a better understanding of star formation processes and the distribution of heavy elements across the galaxy.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country and American scientists publish first results of a study on the impact of a large-sized celestial body on Jupiter last July. The impact created a massive ash cloud of around 5,000 km in size, with surrounding halo effects.
A recent study by UCI astrophysicists refines predictions for the detection of dark matter, suggesting that current models cannot account for excess high-energy positrons. The research leaves room for future experiments to potentially detect dark-matter evidence in the near future.
The SKA is a $1 billion+ international project to create a 1 million sqm radio telescope, addressing fundamental questions in physics and astronomy. Experts expect significant economic and societal benefits from this massive scientific research infrastructure investment.
A team led by Charles L. Bennett will build an instrument to measure cosmic microwave background radiation, searching for unique polarization patterns that could confirm the 'inflation' theory. The five-year project is expected to create 39 full-time jobs and support further research.
A team of Princeton University scientists tested Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at cosmic scales, concluding it works as well in vast distances as in local regions. They analyzed over 70,000 galaxies and demonstrated that the universe follows Einstein's rules up to 3.5 billion light years from Earth.
The study of co-orbital motion in natural bodies, including asteroids and satellites, has significant research value. The authors have developed a new method to design and optimize LISA orbit with an extended applicable region of over 1000 years.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to fly next-generation suborbital experiments with crew on state-of-the-art vehicles. The program aims to advance space science and sensor technology, enabling researchers to conduct experiments in microgravity and space astronomy.
The University of California, Berkeley team's paper published in Science won the 2009 Newcomb Cleveland Prize for outstanding contributions to the field. The award recognizes the first visible-light picture of an extrasolar planet and its potential to change our view of how planets originate.
Researchers from Uppsala University have found that Moringa seed extracts can effectively remove particulate impurities from water through flocculation. The protein molecules in the seeds bind strongly to surfaces, causing contaminant particles to aggregate and be easily removed.
Researchers have made the first direct radio image of a stellar coronal loop at star Algol, which may aid in understanding how space weather affects Earth. The coronal loop is roughly similar to those at the sun but with a more powerful magnetic field and larger size due to tidal effects.
Drake Deming, a Senior Scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, has won the prestigious Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize for his pioneering work detecting thermal infrared emission from transiting extrasolar planets using the Spitzer Space Telescope. The prize recognizes Deming's outstanding research contribution to astronomy and astr...
Astronomers have created a breakthrough in finding natural cosmic tools to detect gravitational waves. Gamma-ray telescopes have guided radio astronomers to specific locations in the sky where they can discover new millisecond pulsars, which can serve as precise and stable clocks for detecting gravitational waves.
Astronomers found that only 10 percent of stars host planetary systems similar to our own, with several gas giant planets in the outer part of the system. The discovery was made using gravitational microlensing and is based on 10 years' worth of data from the MicroFUN survey.
The ALMA team successfully linked three antennas, correcting errors that can arise when using only two antennas, paving the way for precise, high-resolution imaging. The successful test shows that the completed ALMA system of 66 high-tech antennas will produce astronomical images of unprecedented quality.
Researchers found two brown dwarf-sized masses around an ordinary star, which is extremely rare. The discovery suggests that planets may assemble around stars more quickly and efficiently than thought possible.
Lowell Observatory Director Eileen Friel has been selected as an AAAS Fellow for her contributions to the astronomical community. She is recognized for her diligence in mentoring young scientists through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.
Kelly Holley-Bockelmann's NSF award will support her research on supermassive black holes and the university's innovative program for underrepresented minorities in physics. The grant also funds initiatives to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered a potential signature of nitrate and ammonia that can be found in ice cores corresponding to suspected impacts. This finding could help scientists better understand the frequency of comet strikes on Earth, providing valuable insights for future predictions.
Ray Jayawardhana, a University of Toronto astronomer, has been awarded the 2009 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to astrophysics research. His discoveries have made headlines on several occasions, including capturing the first direct image of a giant planet revolving around a young sun-like star.
Astronomer Dan Dicken uses Spitzer Space Telescope data to study heat energy from distant active galaxies, aiming to distinguish between starbursts and supermassive black holes. His research could help understand galaxy evolution, co-evolution of black holes and their host galaxies, and the diversity of active galactic nuclei.
An international team of scientists has made the first direct observation of a planet-like object orbiting a star similar to the sun. The object, GJ 758 B, is estimated to be 10-40 times as massive as Jupiter and orbits its star at a distance of approximately 300 trillion miles.
Astronomers are using a record-breaking 35-telescope array to measure the sky with extreme precision. The project aims to create a stronger, more precise reference grid for celestial positions.
Astronomers have discovered a possible new type of supernova that occurs when helium flows onto a white dwarf, causing a thermonuclear explosion. The object, dubbed SN 2002bj, is characterized by its rapid rise and fall and strong helium signature.
The University of Utah has celebrated the 'first light' of its new research telescope at 9,600 feet elevation on Frisco Peak. The 32-inch reflecting telescope took initial pictures on Oct. 15 and will be used for scientific observations starting next spring.
Researchers at NIST and University of Konstanz create a frequency comb that can be visually observed, allowing for precise measurement of visible light frequencies. The new comb has approximately 50,000 distinct 'teeth' separated enough to be seen with the naked eye, enabling applications in astronomy, communications, and other fields.
Astronomers use VLA to study GRB 090423, a stellar explosion 13 billion light-years away, and discover it was more energetic than typical GRBs. The team also finds that the blast expanded into a uniform gaseous medium surrounding the star, providing unique insights into the early universe.
Dr. Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy director, has been awarded the Karl Schwarzschild Prize for his contributions to galaxy research. The prize recognizes his work on studying very bright stars in distant galaxies to understand their chemical composition and distance.
The ALMA telescope has successfully transported its first antenna to a high-altitude site in Chile, marking the start of the next phase of the project. The move allows for improved astronomical observations using millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, key to exploring cosmic origins.
The Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program has received significant funding to increase diversity in the physical sciences. With new grants totaling $3.7 million, the program aims to expand its focus to include materials science and strengthen research infrastructure at participating institutions.
Katherine Rhode's five-year NSF CAREER award will fund a wide-field imaging survey of globular cluster systems in giant galaxies up to 65 million light years away. The goal is to quantify properties and test theories on galaxy formation.
A new analysis by LIGO and Virgo Collaborations has set the most stringent limits yet on gravitational waves from the Big Bang, offering insight into the universe's earliest history. The study constrains models of cosmic strings and provides new constraints on the behavior of the infant universe.
Rice University has received $11.1 million in federal stimulus funding to construct the Brockman Hall for Physics, a new research facility supporting fundamental and applied physics research. The building will enable Rice to remain on the cutting edge of physical science research with state-of-the-art facilities.
Using a worldwide VLBA collaboration, scientists pinpoint the origin of superenergetic gamma rays coming from M87's core near the supermassive black hole. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms powering galaxies' energetic jets.
Jay Pasachoff's review article highlights the importance of ground-based solar eclipses for observing unique phenomena. The upcoming total solar eclipse on July 22 will allow scientists to advance our understanding of the solar atmosphere and make important observations.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new technique to measure cosmic distances, extending the range to 300 million light years. They found that ultra long period cepheids (ULP cepheids) can serve as powerful distance indicators and provide insights into the evolution of very massive stars.
A team of astronomers has directly measured the distance to a galaxy, providing a precise tool for unraveling the mystery of Dark Energy. The technique uses water molecules in disks orbiting central black holes to amplify radio waves, enabling measurements up to 160 million light-years away.
Freedman, Kennicutt, and Mould's work resolves decades-long debate on the Hubble constant, revealing the universe is 14 billion years old. This finding enables scientists to estimate the density of the universe and understand its fate.
A rare radio supernova has been detected in the nearby galaxy M82, providing valuable opportunities for studying star formation and supernovas. The discovery was made using the Allen Telescope Array, which will also search for intelligent life signals around other stars.
Astronomers have discovered a unique double-star system that represents a 'missing link' stage in the birth process of millisecond pulsars. The system, J1023, shows evidence for an accretion disk surrounding the neutron star before it disappeared and the pulsar emerged.
The rover Opportunity has revealed new insights into Mars' geologic history, including the presence of hematite spheres, sulfate-rich sandstone, and minerals commonly found in meteorites. The data supports previous findings that water once flowed on Mars' surface, with a likely underground source.
The new value of the Hubble constant is 74.2 kilometers per second per megaparsec, derived from observations of Cepheid variables in seven galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope. This refined measurement provides a more precise understanding of dark energy's nature and its role in accelerating the universe's expansion.
Tabetha Boyajian, a GSU astronomy graduate student, has been awarded the prestigious Hubble Fellowship to pursue postdoctoral research on stellar sizes and planetary systems. She will use the CHARA Array to measure the size of stars and determine their effective temperature, shedding light on the habitable zones of planets.
The Fermi telescope captured a hypnotic froth of gamma rays, revealing active galaxies called blazars flare up and fade out. The movie shows the entire sky as northern and southern halves, with bright colors indicating greater numbers of detected gamma rays.
Astronomers have used the world's biggest radio telescope to study the brightest galaxies that NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope can see. The team found a correlation between active galaxies with the brightest gamma-ray emission and those with the fastest jets.
Scientists reveal that half of the Universe's starlight originates from young, star-forming galaxies billions of light-years away. The discovery was made using a two-tonne telescope carried by a balloon, and analyzes data from the Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope (BLAST) project.
The Deep Sky project develops a user-friendly database system and interface to serve high-resolution cosmic reference images to astronomers worldwide. This enables instant access to processed observations for analysis, facilitating research in various scientific disciplines.
Sandra Faber is being honored for her extraordinary advances in understanding the properties of distant galaxies, dark matter, large-scale structure, and black holes. Her innovative leadership has driven significant discoveries in modern cosmology, including the role of dark matter in galaxy formation.
Researchers have discovered complex organic molecules in interstellar space using powerful radio telescopes. Detailed images of protoclusters reveal a complex mix of stars in different stages of formation.
The ALMA Observatory has accepted its first North American antenna, marking a significant milestone in the project. The 12-meter-diameter antenna was delivered by General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies and will enable astronomers to probe phenomena beyond the reach of visible-light telescopes with unprecedented sharpness.
In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered that stars were forming at an incredible rate in the core region of an infant galaxy. With a diameter of just 4000 light-years, the star-forming core of J1148+5251 is incredibly productive and reaches its physical limit.
New research demonstrates how laser-based techniques can create micron-sized light pathways in three dimensions, enabling the detection of faint light from extrasolar planets and galaxies. This technology has the potential to improve the sensitivity and precision of future telescopes, such as the planned European ELT.
SkyView's latest survey is now available in WorldWide Telescope, with visitors generating 300,000 images a month, up from 20,000 ten years ago. The project provides a single interface for accessing over 36 surveys covering nearly 100 wavelength bands, making astronomy accessible to everyone.
Peter Serlemitsos, a NASA astrophysicist, has made significant contributions to the development of X-ray detectors and telescopes. His work enabled decades of scientific advances in high-energy astrophysics, including pioneering instruments aboard OSO-8 and ASCA missions.
Astrophysicist Neil Gehrels receives the Henry Draper Medal for his groundbreaking work on gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei. His leadership of NASA's Swift Mission has significantly advanced astronomers' understanding of these phenomena.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have found a way for massive stars to grow despite radiation pressure that should prevent it. Gravitational instabilities cause companion stars to form around massive stars, allowing them to feed on gas and dust.