The NEMESIS experiment at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) seeks to improve knowledge on neutron background, a source of false signals in underground labs. By studying high neutron multiplicity events, scientists may uncover new insights into ultra-sensitive physics and potentially shed light on dark matter.
Researchers have found four exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star, all smaller than Earth and Venus, but larger than Mars. The planets' composition suggests they are rich in magnesium, which creates periclase, a mineral that does not store water effectively.
A world-first lens has been developed to focus neutrons into a single focal point, overcoming the challenge of defocusing weakly interacting particles. This allows for high-resolution imaging with a resolution below twenty micrometers, opening up new possibilities for materials science and device analysis.
Astronomers have discovered a new millisecond pulsar named PSR J1810−0623, featuring an exceptionally circular orbit. This discovery provides valuable information about binary evolution processes and the Galactic magnetic field structure.
Researchers used deep learning to model energy release during r-process nucleosynthesis in hydrodynamic simulations, gaining new insights into element formation. The results suggest that r-process heating is an important effect that should be better accounted for in future modeling.
The study reveals that more massive young star clusters clear away their natal gas faster than lower-mass clusters. This has implications for our understanding of star formation and how the young stars affect their surroundings.
Astronomers have identified the edge of the Milky Way's star-forming disc for the first time, finding that most star formation happens within 40,000 light-years of the Galactic Center. This discovery uses a new approach combining star ages with galaxy simulations to pinpoint the boundary.
Hang Yu, a MSU assistant professor, has been awarded the National Science Foundation's CAREER award to study binary neutron stars and create more accurate theoretical models for gravitational wave signals. His work aims to reveal new signatures of these signals and test neutron star physics to accuracy.
Astronomers have identified a metal-poor star in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is almost entirely hydrogen and helium with trace amounts of carbon and iron. Studying this low-mass star can help clarify our understanding of the first generation of stars, called Population III stars.
The discovery of TOI-5205 b, a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a four times more massive star than our Sun, reveals its atmosphere has fewer heavy elements than expected. The research suggests that the planet's interior and atmosphere are not mixing, resulting in a carbon-rich, oxygen-poor atmosphere.
Researchers from Kyushu University used ALMA to observe a baby star producing a giant ring of gas about 1,000 au in size, which helps the star release excess energy. The team found that this ring is slightly warmer than its surroundings and hypothesize it's produced through magnetic field threading.
A Mississippi State physicist has achieved a significant scientific advancement by producing a direct laboratory measurement of a key nuclear reaction believed to occur during explosive bursts on neutron stars. These reactions forge heavier elements, including oxygen and iron, which are essential for planet formation and life.
Astronomers from the University of Liège have solved a 50-year-old stellar mystery by attributing the X-rays emitted by Gamma Cas to a magnetic white dwarf orbiting the star. The study used high-energy astrophysics instrumentation and revealed that the X-rays are associated with the compact companion, not the massive Be star itself.
A team of international researchers led by a UC Santa Barbara graduate student has confirmed a long-standing theory of stellar death by applying the principles of general relativity to a superluminous supernova. The discovery suggests that a magnetar, a rapidly spinning neutron star with a massive magnetic field, powers the supernova, ...
A team of astronomers has detected rare evidence of two planets colliding, which could provide valuable insights into the formation of our solar system. The unlikely event was observed in a distant star, Gaia20ehk, which was found to have massive amounts of rocks and dust passing in front of it, blocking its light.
Researchers analyzed gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors, revealing an oval orbit just before merger, which is unlikely according to theoretical models. The study corrects underestimated black hole mass and overestimated neutron star mass, suggesting a birthplace in an environment with many interacting stars.
Astronomers have confirmed the connection between magnetars and superluminous supernovae, finding definitive evidence for a magnetar forming in the core collapse of a recent supernova. The discovery corroborates a theory proposed 16 years ago and establishes a new phenomenon in exploding stars.
Astronomers detect rare cosmic burst from colliding galaxies, which sheds light on how the universe creates heavy elements like gold and platinum. The burst, known as GRB 230906A, is believed to have been triggered by the collision of two neutron stars, releasing a flood of energy and forging heavy elements.
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding how neutron stars respond to tidal forces, enabling them to infer their internal composition. By analyzing gravitational wave signals, researchers can 'hear' what's happening inside the stars and determine the presence of heavy elements, free electrons, and other exotic matter.
A team led by Columbia University professor Kishalay De observed a massive star in the Andromeda galaxy collapse directly into a black hole without exploding as a supernova. This event challenges long-held assumptions about stellar deaths, suggesting that stars with similar mass may or may not successfully explode.
Researchers discovered a star in the Andromeda Galaxy that vanished without going supernova, instead collapsing directly into a black hole. The team's analysis revealed the process of stellar collapse and provided evidence for convection's role in shaping a black hole's outer layers.
Researchers measured energy correlations between two 252Cf prompt fission neutrons, finding a positive correlation at 180° and a negative correlation at 90°. These findings are crucial for developing and verifying fission physics theories, and should be considered in neutron coincidence and multiplication measurement techniques.
Researchers have captured the first radio waves from a rare type of exploding star, revealing the star's final years. The discovery provides an unprecedented look at a massive star's behavior before its death in a supernova explosion.
Jon Taylor, with 25 years of experience in neutron scattering and scientific computing, leads the world-leading Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). He aims to accelerate data-driven research projects and apply AI technology to enhance neutron science research.
Researchers developed a Bayesian neural network framework to predict thorium-232 fission yields, addressing sparse data gaps and incorporating physical constraints. The approach demonstrates strong agreement with experimental measurements and offers a systematic method for nuclear data evaluation with quantified uncertainties.
Researchers used neutron diffraction to investigate the mechanical behavior of a Ni-Co-based superalloy, identifying a distinct transition in deformation resistance. The alloy's low stacking-fault energy promotes screw dislocation arrangements and Orowan looping bypassing mechanism.
Researchers will investigate fundamental properties of unstable atomic nuclei, focusing on neutron-rich and neutron-deficient isotopes. The project aims to improve theoretical models in nuclear structure and understand the origin of chemical elements in nuclear astrophysics.
The discovery of PSR J2322-2650b, a Jupiter-mass exoplanet orbiting a rapidly spinning neutron star, challenges our understanding of planet formation. The exoplanet's atmosphere is dominated by molecular carbon and exhibits a unique helium-carbon composition.
The study reveals a relationship between X-ray luminosity and rotation velocity, with the accretion system changing during the faint phase. The height of the accretion column was found to change with the 10-year flux modulation.
Astronomers detected faint 'starquakes' in the companion star of Gaia BH2, allowing them to measure its core properties with remarkable precision. The star's makeup contradicts its age, suggesting it acquired extra mass from a companion through a merger.
A new method, pioneered by University of Sydney student Carra Williams, uses neutron computed tomography to identify well-preserved pockets of coral skeleton that can reveal precise timelines of sea-level and climate shifts. The technique has the potential to transform how scientists reconstruct ancient climates.
A collaboration among HKU and Nanjing University detected millisecond pulsations hidden within a gamma-ray burst, revealing the birth of a millisecond magnetar. The findings provide the clearest evidence yet that magnetars can power some of the most luminous explosions in the universe.
Researchers found that neutrino flavor transformations alter the composition and signals of what's left after a neutron star collision, impacting the creation of heavy metals and rare earth elements. The simulations also influenced the matter ejected from the merger and electromagnetic emissions detectable from Earth.
The XRISM mission reveals an unexpected difference between winds launching from a disc around a neutron star and those from material circling supermassive black holes. The surprisingly dense wind blowing from the stellar system challenges our understanding of how such winds form and drive change in their surroundings.
A sophisticated neutron flux diagnostic system will gather knowledge of plasma and power released in nuclear reactions at ITER. The High Resolution Neutron Spectrometer (HRNS) measures both neutron number and energies, providing information on fuel composition, ion temperature, and combustion quality.
Researchers have discovered a massive gas and dust bubble surrounding the red supergiant star DFK 52, which contains as much mass as our own Sun. The bubble is expanding at an incredible rate and was likely formed when the star ejected part of its outer layers in a powerful explosion around 4000 years ago.
Researchers propose a novel strategy to increase production of exotic nuclei near the neutron drip line through multi-step fragmentation of high-energy beams in thick targets. This approach effectively enhances yields of neutron-rich fragments, overcoming limitations imposed by low cross sections.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have found that three star clusters are part of the same system, with the Orion Nebula being the youngest, Pleiades the middle-aged, and Hyades the oldest. The team used computer simulations to model the life cycle of these star clusters, which showed they follow a similar development path.
A team of researchers has proposed that massive star collapse can create a 'neutrino collider,' leading to dramatic changes in supernova outcomes. This process could produce a neutron core or even a black hole remnant, depending on the presence of secret neutrino interactions.
Researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University proposed a method for neutron spectrum regulation to enhance the irradiation production efficiency of transuranium isotopes. The new method achieves efficient and precise neutron spectrum optimization, maximizing the production of transuranic isotopes.
Astronomers detect first-ever evidence of a 'planet with a death wish' as HIP 67522 b orbits extremely close to its host star, triggering flares that erode the planet's atmosphere. The radiation is so intense it causes the planet to shrink and lose mass at an alarming rate.
Researchers at GSI/FAIR have conducted high-precision measurements of three extremely neutron-rich tin isotopes, revealing unexpected changes in the behavior of tin nuclei beyond N=82. These findings improve our understanding of nuclear forces far from stability and may alter the path of the r-process on the nuclear chart.
Researchers found that the Galactic Center's star-forming regions struggle to form high-mass stars, unlike typical star-forming regions, due to extreme conditions caused by the black hole. The study suggests these regions effectively produce just one generation of stars and lack sufficient material for continued formation.
A team of HKU astrophysicists has confirmed the existence of a retrograde planet in the nu Octantis binary star system, revealing the crucial role of binary star evolution in its origin. The discovery provides new insights into planetary formation and stellar evolution, particularly in tight binary systems with evolved stellar components.
Astronomers have identified a rare type of binary star system featuring a rapidly spinning millisecond pulsar and a helium star companion. The system is thought to have formed through common envelope evolution, with the neutron star spiraling closer to its companion before ejecting energy and leaving behind a tightly bound binary.
A new study reveals that magnetar flares could be a potential source of heavy elements in the universe. By analyzing archival data and observations of magnetar flare events, researchers estimate that up to 10% of heavy elements like gold, uranium, and platinum may come from these cosmic explosions.
Researchers develop ultra-intense neutron generation through petawatt-class lasers, achieving densities exceeding 1025 cm-3. This breakthrough enables high-yield fusion reactions, revolutionizing fields like astrophysics, materials science, and neutron imaging.
Heavy nuclei at the neutron drip line exhibit weak binding due to coupling between nucleus-bound states and continuum spectrum. Researchers find that isospin asymmetry saturation affects Coulomb energy and symmetry energy, while deformation energy resists augmented proton charge. They also discover a correlation between magic numbers a...
Researchers at A1 Collaboration successfully produced hydrogen-6 in an electron scattering experiment, challenging current understanding of multi-nucleon interactions. The measurement revealed a stronger interaction between neutrons within the nucleus than expected, indicating a lower ground-state energy for ⁶H.
A new study proposes a third category of galaxies: red star-forming. These galaxies produce low-mass stars and may have played a significant role in the universe's history. The findings could change our understanding of galaxy evolution, star formation, and the life cycle of galaxies.
Physicists have measured a nuclear reaction that can occur in neutron star collisions, providing direct experimental data for a process previously only theorized. The study provides new insight into how the universe's heaviest elements are forged, with potential applications in nuclear reactor physics.
The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer will detect short-duration bursts of gamma-rays from neutron star mergers, providing fundamental insight into these extreme explosions. With an effective area four times greater than the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor, it will increase the detection rate of EM counterparts to NS mergers.
An international team has traced radio pulses to a binary system with a dead star, where a red dwarf and white dwarf orbit each other, emitting a radio blast every two hours. This discovery shows that the movement of stars within a binary system can also emit long-period radio bursts.
Astronomers have found solid evidence for four tiny planets circling Barnard's Star, with masses only 20-30% that of Earth. The discovery was made using the MAROON-X instrument and confirms previous hints from another study.
A team of astronomers has discovered four mini-Earth exoplanets around Barnard's Star, the nearest single star to Earth. The exoplanets are rocky and orbit their home star in a matter of days, with one being the least massive planet discovered using radial velocity technique.
A new machine learning algorithm can fully characterize systems of merging neutron stars in under a second, compared to traditional methods which take around an hour. This allows for rapid localization of the source and pointing of telescopes towards the merging neutron stars.
New York University physicist Glennys Farrar introduces a theory explaining the origin of Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays, created through Binary Neutron Star mergers. This process generates powerful magnetic outflows and gravitational waves, providing a groundbreaking tool for understanding cataclysmic events.
A new study reproduces the formation and evolution of a magnetar using numerical simulations, providing insights into their origin. The research supports the dynamo action theory, which suggests that magnetic fields are amplified through complex motions in proto-neutron stars.
Researchers have discovered a strong connection between the long ringdown phase of post-merger gravitational waves and the properties of dense regions in neutron-star cores. Analyzing this phase can significantly reduce uncertainties in the equation of state at very high densities, shedding light on what neutron stars are made of.
Scientists studying neutron 'starquakes' hope to gain new insights into the properties of neutron stars, improving our understanding of the universe. This research has potential implications for fields like health, security, and energy.