Researchers from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) have measured galaxy distances over six billion light-years away to an unprecedented one-percent accuracy. This achievement places new constraints on dark energy and provides valuable insights into the mysterious force driving the universe's accelerating expansion.
The discovery of KOI-314c reveals a planet weighing as much as Earth but 60% larger in diameter, indicating a thick, gaseous atmosphere. The planet's mass was measured using transit timing variations (TTV), a young method for studying low-mass planets.
A systematic review presents the state of the art in investigating the existence of grains in space-time, which could lead to violations of special relativity. Physicists have devised methods to test these deviations using high-energy astrophysics phenomena.
A new study proposes that fast radio bursts come from flaring stars in the Milky Way, contradicting previous theories of distant galactic origins. The researchers analyzed six detected bursts and found a correlation with stellar flares, suggesting a closer origin.
A new study by Smithsonian researchers at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics shows that iPad-based simulations improve student understanding of astronomical scale, compared to traditional classroom instruction. Students grasped the concept more effectively when using iPads to explore 3-D simulations of the universe.
Researchers propose a new model for supermassive black hole growth involving 'seed' black holes formed from early stars. A single collapsing star can produce a pair of black holes that merge, resolving the issue of their rapid formation in the young universe.
Mészáros was honored for his groundbreaking research on gamma-ray bursts, developing the cosmological-fireball-shock scenario that has been confirmed by observations. He is also recognized for publishing numerous papers in this field and being a leading researcher in high-energy astrophysics.
Kepler-78b is the first known Earth-sized planet with an Earth-like density, posing a challenge to theorists due to its extremely tight orbit. The planet's mass measurement confirms it as the poster child for a new class of small, hot planets.
Researchers provide physical explanation for Larson's Laws, showing that three correlations are due to the same underlying physics of supersonic turbulence. The study uses six simulations to support this interpretation and sheds light on molecular cloud structure formation.
Astronomers at Queen's University Belfast have found that small and dense neutron stars with gigantic magnetic fields power the most luminous supernovae. Contrary to existing theories, these stars' findings suggest a new explanation for the brightest exploding stars in the universe.
The Journal of High Energy Astrophysics aims to publish impactful and rigorous papers on high energy phenomena, including black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae. The journal offers free online access for all articles published in the first year.
New research reveals that 'red nugget' galaxies, previously thought to be extinct, were actually hidden within previous survey data. These compact galaxies may represent a missing link between distant 'red nuggets' and nearby elliptical galaxies.
Recent study reveals that coldest brown dwarfs are warmer than initially thought, with temperatures around 250-350 degrees Fahrenheit. This challenges current understanding of their behavior and raises questions about the role of other factors in driving chemistry at their surfaces.
Scientists found gold in a short gamma-ray burst caused by the collision of two neutron stars. The team estimates that up to 10 moon masses of gold were created and ejected during this event.
Researchers at the University of Montana are building Project Minerva, a dedicated observatory to detect Earth-like exoplanets. The project aims to identify planets in the habitable zone with suitable conditions for liquid water and life.
Astronomers have discovered that the Sun's corona loops appear as a constant width due to an optical illusion, but in reality, they are tapered structures. This finding has significant implications for coronal heating models.
Scientists have discovered brief, intense radio bursts from the distant Universe using CSIRO's Parkes telescope. The flashes are believed to originate from up to 11 billion light-years away and could be detected every ten seconds.
Astronomers found two planets smaller than Neptune orbiting Sun-like stars in the dense star cluster NGC 6811. The discovery shows that planets can form and survive even in crowded clusters.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured spectacular images of June 7, 2011 solar eruption and splashdown. The event provided an 'up close' view of what happens on distant stars during accretion. Astronomers can now learn about young star growth by analyzing ultraviolet light emission.
The Wayne State University REU program provides funding for 10 students to work with faculty mentors on cutting-edge research projects in astrophysics and particle/nuclear physics. The program aims to give students a real-life research environment and contribute to ongoing research projects.
Astronomers studied young star TW Hydrae to understand the birth of our Sun, finding it was clumpy and episodic in accretion. The study revealed that accretion drove magnetic activity on TW Hydrae.
The Cat's Paw Nebula is forming stars at an unprecedented rate of 200,000 suns' worth of material, with over 2,000 extremely young and still trapped inside their dusty cocoons. The cause of this 'mini-starburst' remains unclear, but its proximity to Earth makes it an ideal target for detailed study.
John Hawley and Steven Balbus were recognized for their discovery that magnetic fields make accretion disks unstable, solving a fundamental problem in astrophysics. Their work transformed the field of accretion disk theory and earned them the $1 million Shaw Prize award.
A team of astronomers has made the most detailed examination yet of a Jupiter-like planet beyond our Solar System, discovering a cloudy atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and water vapour. The findings suggest that the system is like a scaled-up Solar System, with gas giants forming at great distances from their parent star
Astronomers have measured the spin rate of a supermassive black hole, providing insights into the galaxy's evolution. The black hole's spin is linked to its accretion disk and can offer clues about the galaxy's past.
A new study suggests that future evidence for extraterrestrial life might come from dying stars, specifically from planets orbiting white dwarfs. Detectable oxygen in the atmosphere of these planets could indicate the presence of life, and a recent simulation indicates JWST can detect this with only a few hours of observation time.
Astronomers have observed a main-belt comet trail caused by an impulsive short-lived event around July 1st, 2011. The dust structure reveals physical properties of particles and proportions of different sizes.
A team of UChicago astronomers, led by Jacob Bean, is utilizing new methods to analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets, with a focus on distinguishing between gas giants and water worlds. The search for exoplanets has revealed an estimated 17 billion Earth-sized planets in the Milky Way galaxy, potentially harboring life-sustaining worlds.
Rachel Somerville's research focuses on creating computer models that simulate galaxy formation and evolution. Her work helps astronomers understand how galaxies first formed and how they continue to evolve in the contemporary universe.
The Solar Coronal Imager (Hi-C) has provided a major piece of the solar corona puzzle by capturing images of magnetic reconnection. This complex process heats the corona to temperatures up to 7 million degrees F, powered by magnetic fields that constantly warp and collide in bursts of energy.
Astronomers have identified a new structure in the Milky Way, a long tendril of dust and gas dubbed a 'bone'. This feature is part of a web connecting spiral arms and is similar to fibulae found in human skeletons.
Researchers using NASA's Kepler spacecraft have found that about 17% of stars have an Earth-sized planet in an orbit closer than Mercury. This means there are at least 17 billion possible Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, with 50% of stars having a planet of Earth-size or larger in a close orbit.
A team of scientists has identified a new solution to an astrophysical phenomenon using laser experiments, shedding light on the discrepancy between observations and theoretical predictions. The research paves the way for future X-ray astrophysics research using free-electron lasers.
Centaurus A, a well-known elliptical galaxy, has been found to harbor a gassy spiral in its center, defying traditional classifications. The discovery was made possible by the use of the Submillimeter Array radio telescope, which revealed two distinct spiral arms within the galaxy's core.
Astronomers have measured the closest distance that matter can approach a black hole without being pulled in. The findings suggest that the accretion disk is spinning in the same direction as the black hole, providing new insights into gravity and space.
Astronomers found a cloud of hydrogen and helium plunging toward the galactic center, which represents the remains of a planet-forming disk. The discovery suggests that planets can still form near black holes due to stars in a ring orbiting the galaxy's central black hole.
Scientists have invented a new approach to simulate the birth and evolution of galaxies, creating a universe with spiral galaxies like Andromeda. The new software, Arepo, uses a flexible grid geometry to match the motions of gas, stars, dark matter, and dark energy.
Notre Dame physicists are utilizing a new particle accelerator to recreate stellar nuclear processes in the lab. The research complements observational studies of new telescopes, shedding light on cosmic nucleosynthesis processes.
Intermediate-mass black holes can grow in galaxy gas disks through a mechanism similar to giant planet formation. The 'runaway growth' phenomenon allows stellar black holes to swallow stars and increase their mass, potentially creating an intermediate-mass black hole.
The UK's new supercomputers, Emerald and Iridis 3, will enable researchers to tackle complex areas like healthcare, astrophysics, and climate change. The systems will be made available to businesses and universities through the e-Infrastructure South Consortium.
A previously unappreciated open star cluster, Ruprecht 147, has been found to be an important tool in understanding stellar astrophysics and the search for Earth-like planets. The cluster is close to Earth and contains stars similar in mass and age to the Sun, making it a valuable laboratory for studying bright stars.
The newly discovered two-planet system of Kepler-36 features a rocky planet Kepler-36b and a gas giant Kepler-36c that experience close encounters every 97 days. Researchers are struggling to understand how these worlds ended up in such tight orbits, but the discovery has significant implications for the search for exoplanets.
Researchers have found that terrestrial planets like Earth could have formed earlier than expected in the universe's history. The study suggests that rocky worlds don't need to orbit metal-rich stars to form and that their sizes are not directly linked to the star's metallicities.
A new study using Chandra data reveals two galaxies with supermassive black holes growing at a rate outpacing their host galaxies. The findings suggest that dark matter halos and black holes are linked in the growth of these galaxies, contradicting previous assumptions.
A University of Delaware-led research team has developed more accurate calculations for the interactions between molecules of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, essential for spectroscopy in astrophysics. These advancements enable researchers to analyze molecular clouds where stars are born with greater precision.
Research suggests hundreds of billions of free-floating, Earth-sized life-bearing planets exist between stars in the Milky Way. These 'missing mass' planets could mix cosmic primordial life on a galaxy-wide scale.
Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole eating a star's core, revealing that these massive objects snack infrequently. The discovery showcases the power of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) in detecting transient phenomena.
Scientists at Penn State's Arecibo Observatory have discovered flaring radio emission from an ultra-cool star, shattering the previous record for lowest stellar temperature at which radio waves were detected. The star, named J1047+21, is a brown dwarf with a surface temperature not much higher than that of a giant planet.
New research reveals that supermassive black holes can double in mass by ripping apart double-star systems and swallowing one of the stars. This process is thought to be the dominant method for growing these massive objects.
New research reveals that runaway planets exist and can reach speeds of up to 30 million miles per hour, outpacing most objects in the Galaxy. These hypervelocity planets are produced by double-star systems interacting with supermassive black holes.
Professor Stephen Smartt will lead a €2.3 million research project to discover how the first chemical elements were created in the Universe. The goal is to find the first ever supernovae, or exploding stars, in the Universe and understand their role in creating these elements.
These powerful telescopes enable forefront research in astrophysics, unlocking the secrets of star- and planet-formation processes. The new facilities will study gas and dust motion around young stars, testing theories of planet formation.
Researchers found a cluster of young, blue stars encircling the first intermediate-mass black hole ever discovered in a dwarf galaxy. The presence of this star cluster suggests that the black hole was once at the core of the now-disintegrated dwarf galaxy.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have created a high-precision map of the Milky Way's magnetic field using radio observations from over 30 researchers and 41,000 measurements. The map reveals both large-scale and small-scale features of the Galactic magnetic field, including turbulence in the gas.
Two new planets, Kepler-34 and Kepler-35, have been discovered orbiting binary suns in the Cygnus constellation. The discovery indicates that planets can revolve around double stars, challenging our understanding of solar systems.
Scientists have discovered two new circumbinary planets, Kepler-34b and Kepler-35b, orbiting two stars in the constellation Cygnus. The discovery suggests that planets with two suns are common, potentially existing in millions in the Galaxy. This finding sheds light on the formation of these unique planetary systems.
A team led by LSU Professor Bradley Schaefer and graduate student Ashley Pagnotta discovered the origin of thermonuclear supernovae as a pair of white dwarf stars. The study resolves the decades-long 'progenitor problem' in astrophysics, with no remaining possible explanations for the explosions.
The Cygnus X region is home to thousands of massive stars and many more stars around the size of our sun or smaller. Infrared data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveals a complex of star-forming clouds, with bubbles carved out by radiation and winds from massive stars.
Astronomers using NASA's Kepler mission have detected two Earth-sized planets, Kepler-20e and 20f, orbiting a G-type star. The discovery brings scientists closer to their goal of finding a twin Earth, with the planets expected to have rocky compositions and masses less than those of Earth.
For the first time, astronomers have produced a complete description of a black hole using precise measurements. The new information reveals that the black hole is nearly 15 times more massive than our Sun and spinning over 800 times per second.