A team of scientists has used data from the TESS satellite and ground-based telescopes to determine an ancient collision between our galaxy and Gaia-Enceladus occurred early in its history. The study reveals new insights into the history of the Milky Way, providing a timeline for the collision.
Astronomers have pinpointed an early galactic merger that helped shape the Milky Way, occurring 11.5 billion years ago when Gaia-Enceladus slammed into what then existed of the galaxy. This discovery provides important insights into the accretion process that formed the Milky Way.
The Royal Astronomical Society has awarded its highest honors to Professor Sandra Moore Faber and Professor Yvonne Elsworth for their groundbreaking research in galaxy structure, cosmology, and solar physics. Their achievements have significantly advanced our understanding of the universe.
The NEID instrument has made its first observations, detecting the subtle effect of exoplanets on their parent stars. With a precision three times better than previous instruments, NEID aims to determine the masses of exoplanets as small as Earth and characterize their atmospheres.
Researchers have identified a repeating Fast Radio Burst source in a nearby spiral galaxy, which is radically different from previous studies. The discovery challenges assumptions about the origin of these mysterious radio pulses and may indicate that FRBs are produced in a large zoo of locations across the Universe.
Astronomers have identified overlapping bubbles of hydrogen gas ionized by the stars in early galaxies, providing direct evidence for the reionization of the universe. The earliest detected stars formed around 680 million years after the Big Bang and began to light up the cosmic dark ages.
Thirteen massive black holes have been discovered in dwarf galaxies less than a billion light-years from Earth, with an average mass of 400,000 times that of the Sun. These findings suggest that half of these massive black holes are wandering in the outskirts of their galaxies, indicating galaxy mergers earlier in their history.
Scientists successfully simulated the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) data at a scale of the massive future telescope using the Summit supercomputer and Adaptable IO System (ADIOS). The simulation generated 2.6 petabytes of data, highlighting ADIOS's efficiency in processing large datasets.
Researchers have created an algorithm to simulate electromagnetic wave interactions with materials, reducing simulation time from months to hours. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and accurate equipment in fields like biology, astronomy, and telecommunications.
Researchers at Southern Methodist University have developed a more efficient algorithm to simulate the interaction of electromagnetic waves with devices, reducing simulation time from days to hours. This breakthrough has significant implications for various scientific fields, including biology, astronomy, and military applications.
Astronomers used ESO's VLT to observe the Milky Way's central region, revealing a burst of star formation that occurred around one billion years ago. This intense event resulted in over 100,000 supernova explosions and is similar to 'starburst' galaxies.
The NGC 5394/5 galaxies are engaging in a slow and intimate dance, fueled by their gravitational interactions. This process has already led to the coalescence of hydrogen gas into regions of star formation, resulting in the sparkling of new stars.
A study published in Nature Astronomy found 19 dwarf galaxies dominated by baryons at radii beyond their half-optical radius, challenging standard galaxy formation models. The results encourage a reevaluation of dark matter's nature.
The Heising-Simons Foundation implemented changes to its 51 Pegasi b Fellowship selection process, incorporating best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The revised method led to a significant increase in female applicants, with four women receiving awards in 2019, exceeding the original goal of 30%.
A new review analysis published in Nature Astronomy finds that increasing diversity among astronomers can lead to significant research discoveries and improved innovation. The study highlights progress in gender equity, with initiatives such as the Pleiades Awards leading to a culture change in Australian astronomy.
Fourteen Penn State faculty members have been named AAAS fellows for their exceptional work in various scientific disciplines. These new fellows were recognized for their contributions to fields such as physics, astronomy, computer science, and entomology.
A radio telescope in the Western Australian outback has captured a new view of the Milky Way's centre, revealing remnants of 27 massive stars that exploded as supernovae. The data comes from the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky MWA survey, which used low-frequency radio waves to map the sky.
The UTSA program is a cross-disciplinary collaboration to prepare students for careers in nuclear security, utilizing experimental and computational technologies. The project will support diverse students with strong backgrounds in nuclear science and technology, providing opportunities for research and career advancement.
A new study from Vanderbilt University presents a compelling roadmap for capturing multiband observations of gravitational waves emitted by intermediate-mass black holes. This could help fill in the gaps in our understanding of these enigmatic objects, allowing scientists to 'hear the entire song' when it comes to black holes.
A study led by Dr Jeremy Lim and his team has discovered that a few thousand globular clusters formed over at least the past 1 billion years, and perhaps many more over cosmic history. This finding explains why these clusters are not as ancient as previously thought.
Researchers from Cardiff University have discovered metastability in gallium arsenide compound semiconductor material, a phenomenon that could affect device stability. The findings could lead to improved materials and structures for electronic devices, such as smartphones, GPS, and satellites.
A study published in Nature Astronomy reveals thousands of new globular clusters have formed over the last billion years, primarily from a cool gas network surrounding giant galaxies. These clusters are thought to be the result of precipitation from hot gas and aging of stars.
Researchers confirm Voyager 2's entry into interstellar space with a plasma density jump detected by an Iowa-led instrument. The spacecraft crossed into the ISM at a distance of over 11 billion miles from the sun, providing valuable clues to the structure of the heliosphere.
A team at the University of Wyoming has successfully used the spin Seebeck effect to detect light across a broad optical range. This breakthrough technology has implications for novel spin current-based devices, which could transmit energy and information without significant loss.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has begun testing its capabilities, capturing light from distant galaxies and preparing to map 35 million galaxies across 1/3 of the sky. DESI aims to study 10 million stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way, tackling one of physics' most profound problems: the nature of dark energy.
William Zhang won the Goddard Technology Award for developing ultra-lightweight and sensitive X-ray mirrors using mono-crystalline silicon. This innovation could represent a paradigm shift in X-ray astronomy, enabling more efficient and detailed observations of celestial targets.
Researchers used simulations to show how supermassive black holes' powerful jets are disrupted by hot gas and galaxies, preventing gas from cooling and forming stars. The team found that this 'weather' mechanism may solve the long-standing 'cooling flow' puzzle plaguing astrophysicists.
The graphene nanomechanical bolometer is the fastest and most sensitive in its class, detecting nearly every color of light at high speeds. It has wide-spread use potential in astronomy, medicine, industrial manufacturing, and more.
Researchers at UNM's Department of Physics and Astronomy have discovered that decreasing the density of nanoparticles in ordered arrays produces exceptional electric field enhancements. By making particles smaller and farther apart, interactions between nanoparticles are strengthened, resulting in stronger collective responses.
Researchers at UC Riverside discover large-scale winds associated with active black holes in small galaxies suppress star formation, impacting galaxy evolution. The team used the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data to identify 50 dwarf galaxies and found six of them showing signs of winds emanating from their active black holes.
Researchers have discovered that the galaxy Andromeda has eaten several smaller galaxies over the last few billion years, leaving behind remnants in large streams of stars. The study found faint traces of even earlier consumed galaxies, possibly dating back to 10 billion years ago.
Astronomers have uncovered two historic events in the Andromeda Galaxy, with evidence suggesting major changes to its structure occurred a few billion years ago and much earlier. The findings provide insights into the evolution and formation of both the Andromeda Galaxy and our own Milky Way.
The new laboratory combines existing and new facilities, fostering innovative scientific programs, idea exchange, and creative development in ground-based optical-infrared astronomy. The lab enables breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing state-of-the-art observatories and providing data products for a diverse community.
Astronomers have found that a distant galaxy is nestled in a serene ocean of gas, defying expectations and providing new insights into the composition of galaxy halos. The discovery was made possible by a new technique involving fast radio bursts, which allowed researchers to study the gas directly.
West Virginia University astronomers have detected the most massive neutron star ever measured, weighing 2.17 times that of the sun. This groundbreaking discovery was made possible through the Green Bank Telescope and sheds light on the mysteries surrounding these exotic celestial objects.
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have demonstrated a graphene-based detector that can detect faint cosmic signals with high sensitivity and large bandwidth. The device's low power requirements make it ideal for future space missions, enabling 3D imaging of the universe.
An international team of astronomers has detected radio bubbles with South Africa's MeerKAT telescope, revealing a massive hourglass-shaped structure hundreds of light-years tall. The discovery is believed to be the result of an energetic burst near the supermassive black hole, providing insights into the Milky Way's central region.
Researchers analyzed 13,000 observations of the black hole from 133 nights since 2003 and found extreme variations in brightness, with one night seeing an area twice as bright as the next-brightest observation. The team is unsure whether this is an extraordinary singular event or a precursor to significantly increased activity.
Astronomers have discovered a pair of enormous radio-emitting bubbles in the center of the Milky Way, likely formed by a powerful eruption near the galaxy's supermassive black hole. The hourglass-like feature dwarfs all other radio structures in the galactic center.
Researchers have developed a new generation of integrated circuits that utilize the interaction between light and sound to revolutionize 5G networks, sensor systems, satellite communication, radar systems, and radio astronomy. This third-wave technology offers immense technological applications and opportunities for pure scientific inv...
Astronomers can now automatically follow up on variable astronomical objects with a range of 0.4-meter to 8-meter telescopes, observing in UV light to infrared. The network uses automated software and generates dynamic observing schedules every 15 minutes.
Scientists have studied the Vela Pulsar, a neutron star 1,000 light years away, to understand its behavior during a glitch. The team found that the star's spin increased before slowing down, providing a glimpse into its interior structure, which consists of three different components.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Institute for Astronomy has received a $1.1 million grant to install an adaptive secondary mirror on the UH 2.2-meter telescope on Maunakea, enabling corrected images free from atmospheric blurring effects.
A new Johns Hopkins University study proposes that dark matter may have originated before the Big Bang, citing a connection between particle physics and astronomy. The research suggests that dark matter's existence could be revealed through its gravitational effects on galaxy distributions.
Astronomers have characterized a super-Earth discovered by the TESS satellite, which orbits a dwarf star every 55.7 days and may support liquid water on its surface. The planet's conditions could provide insight into Earth's heavyweight planetary cousins.
Researchers have discovered a young exoplanet orbiting one of the brightest young stars known, providing valuable information on planetary body formation. The exoplanet, DS Tuc Ab, is about six times the size of Earth and orbits its main star in just eight days.
Researchers examine SKA-MPG telescope prototype for its ability to investigate cosmic background radiation with ultra precision. The study provides new insights into the origin of the Universe and explores potential applications in gravitational wave detection and dark energy research.
Researchers have generated free electrons from organic semiconductors using a single atomic layer of molybdenum disulfide. This breakthrough enables the development of general principles for designing interfaces that can turn light into electrical current with high efficiency.
A tabletop sensor will detect cosmic events producing waves above 10 kHz, possibly related to dark matter. The Levitated Sensor Detector complements LIGO and Virgo observatories, observing smaller cosmic events that produce gravitational waves at higher frequencies.
Researchers have developed ultra-sensitive light-detecting systems that can view galaxies and planetary systems in superb detail. The system works at room temperature, unlike current technology which requires extremely low temperatures.
Astronomers have developed a new method to measure the expansion of the Universe by analyzing neutron star mergers and gravitational waves. This technique uses the orientation of the gravitational wave signal to determine the distance, providing a new 'cosmic ruler' for measuring the Hubble Constant.
A collaboration between amateur astronomers and the Ministry of Defence has successfully used high-end consumer equipment to track satellites in space. The project shows that small aperture prosumer level lenses can monitor positions and maintain accurate orbits for low Earth orbit satellites.
The SULIS mission aims to understand the nature of solar eruptions and track magnetic clouds of charged gas. It will also demonstrate new technologies in space and precision alignment of small satellites flying in formation.
Researchers are using computer models developed by astronomers to create a rapid diagnostic test that can detect cancerous tissue without unnecessary biopsies. The technology has also shown promise in treating non-melanoma skin cancer, with simulations indicating that it could be effective in killing cancer cells.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have developed 3D holograms to share their work on massive star cluster formation with the general public. The holograms allow people to watch millions of years of stellar evolution in 3D, making it easier for non-experts to understand complex topics.
A new study co-led by University of Maryland astronomer Matthew Knight suggests that the first known interstellar object, 'Oumuamua, has a purely natural origin. The research team analyzed existing data and found that 'Oumuamua's characteristics are more consistent with a comet or asteroid than an alien spacecraft.
A team of international experts agrees that Oumuamua, the first recorded interstellar visitor, has natural origins. The research team reviewed available evidence and found properties consistent with objects in our own solar system. Oumuamua's orbit and path match predictions made by Jedicke and his colleagues before its discovery.
Researchers at Western University found evidence for direct formation of massive black holes without stellar remnants. The new model explains observed distribution of supermassive black hole masses and luminosities, providing an explanation for their presence at an early stage in the universe.
Researchers discovered a novel nanotube material that generates electricity through the photovoltaic effect, outperforming existing materials by an order of magnitude. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar panels and advanced optical sensors for applications in astronomy and self-driving cars.
A new study reveals no significant correlation between galaxy bulge size and spiral arm winding, contradicting a key assumption in Hubble's model. The findings suggest that most spirals may not be static density waves after all.