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Weighing the smallest stars

An international team of astronomers using the VLT's NACO SDI camera discovered a faint companion to AB Dor A, a young star, which is 93 times more massive than Jupiter and twice as heavy as predicted. The object's mass was determined by observing its precise location and orbit around its host star.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJan 19, 2005

Scientists develop 'electronic eye' for the blind

Researchers have created a system that detects pedestrian crossings in front of a person using a single camera, measuring road width and traffic light color to ensure safe crossing. The device uses projective geometry and 'projective invariant' calculation to accurately detect crossings in images.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateNov 18, 2004

Most distant object in solar system discovered

Astronomers at Yale University have discovered the most distant object in our solar system, Sedna, which is approximately 10 billion miles away from the sun. Sedna's orbit ranges from seven to 100 billion miles from the sun and its characteristics are consistent with it residing in the Oort cloud.

Hubble tracks down a galaxy cluster's dark matter

The team reconstructed a mass map of the galaxy cluster using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope data, tracing dark matter's distribution with respect to galaxies. The study reveals that dark matter clumps together in certain regions, supporting the idea that clusters assemble through the merger of smaller groups.

Odyssey thermal data reveals a changing Mars

Researchers have discovered kilometer-wide stretches of bare bedrock, exposing strong environmental forces that scour the surface. The data also reveals common accumulations of loose rock on martian hillsides, indicating recent weathering processes. These findings suggest a dynamic Mars with active geological features.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJun 5, 2003

UCSD wins $600k anti-terrorism award

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has received a $600,000 grant from the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) to develop advanced video surveillance systems for public safety. The project aims to improve the ability to detect and track potential terrorists using 'smart' cameras that can adapt to various lighting conditions.

Wildlife researcher captures jaguars with camera

Marcella Kelly uses infrared remotely triggered cameras to photograph jaguars in Belize's Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Her research estimates the presence of at least eight jaguars per 100 square miles, highlighting the species' endangered status due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.

Sensing tanks, as well as cancer

A newly developed 200-channel hyperspectral remote sensing capability has shown astounding results in improving breast cancer diagnosis accuracy. The algorithm, invented by ONR scientists Dr. Harold Szu and James Buss, uses a brain-like approach to analyze thermal heat distribution and detect early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ.

Discovery of three faint companions of bright stars

Astronomers at Penn State have discovered three faint dwarf stars orbiting nearby bright stars, marking a new era in imaging faint objects. The discovery uses an infrared camera with a specially shaped pupil mask, allowing for improved contrast and revealing the dim companions.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 12, 2002

X-ray camera images fuel injection in action

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel X-ray camera capable of capturing microsecond images of events hidden to optical cameras. The camera successfully imaged shock waves generated by high-pressure fuel sprays, providing new insights into the distribution and atomization of diesel fuel.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMar 4, 2002

Surface of Mars as never seen before

The Mars Descent Imager will capture a series of about 20 images of the Martian surface, from 4 miles to 30 feet altitude, using a 'nesting' technique to create a complete scale of pictures. The high-resolution images will aid in studying the layers of ice and dust covering the polar region.

Palomar camera gets sharper Neptune images

Cornell researchers use the Palomar High Angular Resolution Observer (PHARO) camera to take near-infrared images of Neptune, revealing a massive cloud and numerous smaller clouds. The camera's high spatial resolution allows for detailed analysis of the planet's clouds and atmospheric circulation.

ROSAT Guest Observer Programme Terminated

The ROSAT Guest Observer Programme was terminated after eight years of successful operations due to irreversible damage to the High Resolution Imager (HRI) caused by an accident on September 20, 1998. The final observation campaign is planned for December, with a focus on observing important astrophysical objects.

Cornell To Build NASA Airborne Infrared Camera

FORCAST, a new infrared camera, will be built at Cornell to image the universe in the infrared spectrum and study stars' neonatal environments. The instrument will fly aboard NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and make observations that are impossible for ground-based telescopes.