Astronomers detected a fast-moving jet from a neutron star with a strong magnetic field, challenging the long-held idea that magnetic fields prevent jets from forming. The discovery was made using the VLA, which revealed radio waves produced by the jet, characteristic of other jet-producing systems.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateSep 26, 2018
Researchers ran largest computer simulations of neutron star crusts to understand the possible sources of gravitational waves. They found that the material deep inside the neutron star is incredibly stiff, with 'nuclear pasta' shapes causing it to assemble into unique structures.
SourceMcGill University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 18, 2018
Researchers detected extended infrared emissions around RX J0806.4-4123, suggesting a 'fallback disk' of material or a pulsar wind nebula. The findings challenge current understanding of neutron star evolution and offer new avenues for study with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers at Indiana University are leading an experiment that could shed light on the existence of matter in the universe. The project aims to detect a small separation of electrical charges in neutrons, which would validate theories about the imbalance between matter and antimatter.
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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Astronomers used a continent-wide collection of radio telescopes to observe the aftermath of a neutron star merger and confirmed the presence of a narrow, fast-moving jet of material. The jet moved at nearly the speed of light and was likely powered by the gravitational energy released during the merger.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateSep 5, 2018
Astronomers have found a dense disk of material surrounding a young star, which may be the precursor to a planetary system. The discovery could revolutionize models of solar system formation and provide insights into our own cosmic neighborhood.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 4, 2018
Researchers found that a small fraction of protons in neutron-dense objects significantly impact their stiffness, mass-to-size ratio, and cooling process. Protons are believed to determine several properties of the star due to their high energy content.
SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature·DateAug 14, 2018
Researchers found that in neutron-rich objects, protons carry a disproportionate part of the average energy, moving faster than neutrons. The team analyzed data from CLAS experiments and observed a significant increase in the probability of protons having high energies as the number of neutrons increased.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateAug 13, 2018
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
A study at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility found that protons in neutron-rich nuclei have higher momentum than neutrons due to short-range correlations, which may impact neutron star dynamics. The research, published in Nature, confirms earlier hints and quantifies the effect for the first time.
SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·DateAug 13, 2018
The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) has reached a record power level of 1.3 megawatts, achieving 94 percent accelerator beam availability. This milestone establishes a new baseline for operation and paves the way for researchers to conduct faster analyses using neutrons on various materials.
SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateAug 9, 2018
Researchers propose using gravitational waves to estimate the Hubble constant and measure the rate of the expanding universe. By detecting gravitational waves from rare black hole-neutron star binary systems, scientists can obtain an independent and precise measurement of their distance and velocity.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 12, 2018
Researchers have determined the detailed chemical abundances of Ross 128, a red dwarf star that hosts an exoplanet similar to our Solar System's Jupiter. This helps estimate the makeup of Ross 128 b, indicating it should be rocky with a temperate climate.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 10, 2018
An international team of astronomers tested the Strong Equivalence Principle using a unique triple star system. They found that even extremely dense neutron stars fall at the same rate as lighter objects, confirming Einstein's general theory of relativity.
SourceGreen Bank Observatory·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2018
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A team of astronomers tested Einstein's theory of general relativity using a three-star system and found almost no detectable difference between the pulsar and inner white dwarf, indicating little room for alternative theories of gravity. The study confirms that relativity still applies even in extreme gravity systems.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2018
A research team led by astronomers at the University of Warwick observed a jet of material streaming out from a merged star, confirming a key prediction about the aftermath of neutron star mergers. The observations were made using the Hubble Space Telescope and reveal that every neutron star merger likely creates a gamma-ray burst.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 2, 2018
Researchers set limits on neutron star sizes by analyzing billions of theoretical models, refining estimates to within 1.5 kilometers. The study also explores the possibility of 'twin stars' with exotic properties, which are statistically rare and unlikely to be deformed during mergers.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 26, 2018
An international team of astronomers detected molecules on an exoplanet, allowing it to be visualized. The technique reveals the planet's surface composition and temperature, providing new insights into planetary atmospheres. Future spectrographs will enhance this method, enabling more accurate characterization of planets.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJun 18, 2018
Using ALMA, two teams of astronomers have confirmed the presence of three infant planets around a young star, HD 163296. The planets are located at distances of approximately 12 billion and 21 billion kilometers from the star, and were identified using a novel technique that analyzes gas flow patterns within a protoplanetary disc.
SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 13, 2018
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Researchers confirmed that last fall's union of two neutron stars caused a short gamma-ray burst, revealing a key relationship between binary neutron star mergers, gravitational waves and GRBs. Short gamma-ray bursts are the universe's most powerful electromagnetic events.
SourceOregon State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 13, 2018
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered the most distant star ever observed, Icarus, located 9 billion lightyears away. The star's brightness was amplified by gravitational lensing, allowing its detection.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 7, 2018
Using a pioneering method, researchers discovered a massive neutron star with a mass of approximately 2.3 Solar masses. This discovery challenges the previous understanding of neutron star masses and opens new avenues for studying these extreme objects.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 7, 2018
Researchers use neutron tomography to study teeth, root balls, batteries, and fuel cells with improved spatial resolution and faster image acquisition. This non-destructive method provides valuable information for optimizing material design.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalMaterials Today·DateJun 5, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A team of researchers used powerful supercomputers to calculate the nucleon axial coupling, which is central to understanding a neutron's lifetime. Their method offers a clear path to resolving the experimental discrepancy and provides new insights into fundamental forces of nature.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2018
Physicists use powerful supercomputers to solve quantum chromodynamics equations, which governs how quarks and gluons interact within neutrons. The new calculation yields the highest-ever precision of nucleon axial coupling, a property that determines the strength of neutron decay into protons.
SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2018
A team of astronomers has performed one of the highest resolution observations in astronomical history of a pulsar 6,500 light-years away, observing two intense regions of radiation around a rapidly spinning star. The observation could provide clues to the nature of Fast Radio Bursts, which may be amplified by plasma lenses.
SourceDunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics·JournalNature·DateMay 23, 2018
A study using ALMA found a surprising distribution of star-forming cores, with fewer massive stars and more solar-mass stars than expected. This discovery may require reevaluation of the relationship between core mass and star mass.
SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 30, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Researchers from ITMO University have discovered a new mechanism for neutron star radio emission, based on the transitions of particles between gravitational states. This phenomenon is similar to laser amplification and was first observed in electrons on the surface of neutron stars, consistent with real experimental observations.
SourceITMO University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 24, 2018
Astronomers have discovered an isolated neutron star with low magnetic field located beyond our Milky Way galaxy using the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile. The neutron star is surrounded by a ring of gas that includes neon and oxygen.
A study reveals that neutron star magnetic hot spots can survive for millions of years despite the overall magnetic field decay. The simulations show strong electric currents producing heat, explaining the strange behavior of magnetars like SGR 0418+5729.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a blue supergiant star called Icarus, which is the farthest individual star observed. The team used gravitational lensing to magnify the star's light, revealing its true nature and providing insights into dark matter theory.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 2, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Astronomers have captured the most distant normal star ever observed, 9 billion light years away, using gravitational lensing. The blue supergiant was magnified over 2,000 times and is hundreds of thousands of times brighter than our Sun.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 2, 2018
Astronomers have discovered the most distant star ever observed, existing only 4.4 billion years after the Big Bang, using gravitational lensing with the Hubble Space Telescope. The light from the star was magnified 2000 times, allowing for its detection.
SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 2, 2018
A team of researchers has successfully extended the search range of an exotic gravity to short distances, demonstrating the highest sensitivity reported to date. The study uses a high-intensity pulsed neutron beam at the J-PARC facility, allowing for precise measurements of gravitational interactions.
SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 26, 2018
Researchers analyzed sea star populations along the US west coast and found severe declines in southern California and the Channel Islands. Juvenile sea star mortality increased by approximately 90 percent, while ochre sea stars are a keystone species crucial to intertidal ecosystems.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 20, 2018
New research confirms that 'Oumuamua, the first confirmed interstellar asteroid, originated from a binary star system. The study found that rocky objects like 'Oumuamua are far more likely to come from binary systems than single star systems.
SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 19, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers at NIST and NIH developed a new method that uses movable silicon gratings to focus neutron beams, allowing for the examination of objects at unprecedented scales. This breakthrough could complement existing scanning techniques, enabling scientists to probe the interiors of materials without damaging them.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018
Researchers have developed a novel mathematical model combining general relativity with quantum vacuum polarization, enabling the existence of ultracompact stars and new stellar configurations. The study suggests that these stars could be detectable in future gravitational wave observatories.
SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 8, 2018
Researchers have identified a fourth ULX as a neutron star, shedding new light on how these objects can shine so brightly. The study found unusual dip in the ULX's light spectrum attributed to cyclotron resonance scattering, revealing strong magnetic fields around the neutron star.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 26, 2018
An amateur astronomer in Argentina captured the rare first optical light from a massive exploding star, providing valuable insights into the supernova explosion and the star's physical structure. The discovery was made using a new camera and allowed scientists to determine the type of star that exploded and the nature of the explosion.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateFeb 21, 2018
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
BurstCube will detect gamma-ray bursts caused by massive star collapses and neutron star mergers, as well as solar flares. The mission uses miniaturized detector technology to study these high-energy events and their origins.
New observations of Tabby's Star by the Canary Island Observatories suggest that interstellar dust is causing the star's unusual brightness fluctuations, rather than an alien megastructure. The data, published in two articles, show that different colors in the star's light are being attenuated at varying rates.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 31, 2018
A comprehensive review of 30 years' worth of research concludes that lone star ticks do not transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but can transmit other human illnesses such as ehrlichiosis and red meat allergy. The evidence, based on over 60 published articles, shows that lone star tick saliva is a barrier against Lyme bacteria.
SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJan 31, 2018
Researchers have produced the first detailed images of a giant star outside our solar system, showcasing a nearly circular atmosphere with complex convection cells. The study confirms theories about the characteristics of these stars, providing insight into their future activity and appearance.
SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature·DateJan 22, 2018
Astronomers studying the aftermath of a distant neutron-star merger are puzzled by the continued brightening of its afterglow, which defies initial expectations. New X-ray observations suggest a more complex emission process, potentially involving a hot 'cocoon' around a jet that shock-heated surrounding debris.
SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 18, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Astrophysicists have determined that the maximum mass of neutron stars cannot exceed 2.16 solar masses through a combination of theoretical and observational research. The result was achieved by applying universal relations to data on gravitational-wave signals and electromagnetic radiation from merging neutron star events.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 17, 2018
Scientists at Mainz University have increased the yield of their ultracold neutron source by a factor of 3.5, achieving 8.5 UCN per cubic centimeter. This improvement enables more sensitive measurements to determine the lifetime of free neutrons and is crucial for experiments in fundamental research.
SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalThe European Physical Journal A·DateJan 15, 2018
Researchers found that the 'twisting' phenomenon caused by Faraday rotation in magnetized plasma helps them narrow down the source of the cosmic blast. The data suggests a high magnetic field and dense gas surrounding the source, potentially linked to a young neutron star or massive black hole.
Researchers at MSU develop a magnetic waveguide to sort and store neutrons based on their quantum state, enabling spintronics research. The breakthrough uses magnetic reflection to separate neutrons with different spins, opening up new possibilities for studying electronic devices.
SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 9, 2018
A team from Aarhus University has discovered a star with similar characteristics to the Sun, allowing for the observation of its 7.4-year cycle. The star's heavy elements led to stronger magnetic field variability and surface rotation patterns. This study could help understand how the Sun affects our climate.
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A team of researchers found that the star's light appears to dim and brighten due to different amounts of dust blocking various wavelengths of light. The study rules out alien megastructures as a cause, but raises the possibility of other phenomena being behind the dimming.
SourcePenn State·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 3, 2018
Researchers from Louisiana State University have collected new data on KIC 8462852, also known as Tabby's Star, which has been dimming and brightening sporadically. The study suggests that dust is likely the cause of these changes, blocking different colors of light at varying intensities.
SourceLouisiana State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 3, 2018
A new study published in Nature shows that the mass of a galaxy's central black hole determines when its star formation history stops. The study found a continuous interplay between black hole activity and star formation throughout a galaxy's life, with bigger black holes quenching star formation faster.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature·DateJan 1, 2018
The observation of two neutron stars merging generated tiny ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves, detected by LIGO detectors on Earth. This event also triggered an explosion studied by hundreds of astronomers worldwide, marking a major breakthrough in astrophysics and offering new tools for observing the universe.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2017
A team of astronomers discovered massive clouds of gas and dust orbiting the star RZ Piscium, which could have formed from destroyed planets. The star's unusual dimming episodes suggest it is a young Sun-like star with a debris disk.
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Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
The collision produced gravitational waves and detected radio waves, which led to the discovery of a 'cocoon', a broader outflow of radio-emitting material, rather than a fast-moving jet. This finding provides more insight into short gamma-ray bursts.
Astronomers detected radio waves from a neutron-star collision, confirming a new explanation for the phenomenon. The observations suggest a 'cocoon' model, where the jet gathers up surrounding material, producing broad electromagnetic radiation.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2017
Astronomers have imaged the surface of a red giant star, π1 Gruis, in unprecedented detail. The star's photosphere features just a few convective cells, or granules, which are much larger than those on our Sun.
The neutron star collision has challenged existing theories of dark energy and gravity, ruling out a class of dark energy theories that modify gravity. The observation also supports the simplest theories, suggesting that the timing between gravitational waves and light is crucial in understanding these phenomena.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 18, 2017
Researchers at UNIGE detected an exoplanet with a highly inclined orbit around a red dwarf star, evading circular motion and instead following a polar path. This unusual behavior is attributed to the presence of an unknown companion planet that disturbs its path.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki designed an instrument that can detect and identify explosive materials in unexploded artillery shells using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. The instrument achieves a precision better than 1% within 30 minutes, allowing for non-destructive detection.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 12, 2017