Articles tagged with Observatory Telescopes
Scientists at the W.M. Keck Observatory have made robust data on a young giant gas planet, confirming its water composition and lack of methane. The team is perfecting their technique using advanced instrumentation to study giant planets and prepare for future searches for life on Earth-like exoplanets.
Two teams of astronomers uncovered the presumed precursor star in pre-explosion photos taken in 2007, shedding light on stellar evolution and mass distribution. The discovery suggests two possible scenarios: a single massive star or a binary-star system.
A team of astronomers captured the best view yet of merging galaxies and their supermassive black holes, revealing that galaxy mergers are critical in fueling the growth of these massive black holes. The discovery uses high-resolution images and X-ray data to pinpoint the location of these hidden black hole mergers.
The W. M. Keck Observatory has received a NSF grant to develop the Keck All-Sky Precision Adaptive Optics (KAPA) system, which will deliver sharper images of the universe over nearly 100% of the night sky. KAPA aims to investigate modern astronomy's greatest mysteries, including dark matter and cosmology.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully connected its two halves, enabling them to communicate like they will in flight. This test was a significant step forward for the program and provided an opportunity for engineers to fix any issues before launch.
The new Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach will provide a unique public experience with data visualization systems, interactive exhibits, and simulated telescope control rooms. The center highlights research carried out at NSF facilities worldwide.
The Gemini Observatory will receive a $4 million NSF award to enhance its capabilities in multi-messenger astronomy, including the development of an advanced multi-conjugate adaptive optics system. This will enable the detection of transient phenomena and improve our understanding of the universe.
Chris Carr, an Ohio undergraduate, discovered a new galaxy 37 million lightyears away using deep sky images from the Burrell Schmidt telescope. The detection is part of the Leo I galaxy group and is considered the lowest surface brightness object ever detected via integrated light.
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on innovative components like the 'Spider', a thermally isolating device with Kevlar fibers, to accurately detect light from distant galaxies and celestial objects. This cutting-edge technology enables the telescope to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt and study the universe's origins.
Engineers installed small metal rods into premade holes of the sunshield to maintain alignment and reduce repair time by months. This technique eliminates the need for full deployment and refolding of the large sunshield layers.
Researchers observe light echoes from Eta Carinae and its surroundings to decode the extent of a historic stellar blast. The team determines that the star released almost as much energy as a typical supernova explosion, but a double-star system remained intact.
The James Webb Space Telescope boasts unparalleled capabilities, including a revolutionary lightweight carbon-composite material and exceptional load-bearing capability in extreme temperatures. Its advanced design enables it to unfold flawlessly by remote control and operate at extremely low temperatures.
The Republic of Korea has become a full Participant in the International Gemini Observatory, allowing Korean astronomers to access the twin 8-meter telescopes. This partnership is expected to yield new scientific discoveries and collaborations with other international partners.
The VERITAS array has confirmed the detection of high-energy gamma rays from a supermassive black hole located in a distant galaxy, TXS 0506+056. This detection is significant as it provides evidence that nearby and faraway galaxies with supermassive blackholes at their centers are actively creating high-energy cosmic rays.
A team of University of Alabama professors, led by Dr. Marcos Santander, have discovered evidence of an active galaxy emitting neutrinos, which could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. The findings were published in the journal Science and mark a significant breakthrough in multimessenger astronomy.
The VERITAS array confirmed detection of gamma rays from a supermassive black hole, potentially the first astrophysical source of high-energy cosmic neutrinos. This discovery may shed light on the acceleration mechanisms that create cosmic rays.
Two new planetary systems have been discovered, one featuring three Earth-sized planets orbiting a red dwarf star. These planets are thought to be rocky worlds with temperatures tens of degrees higher than Earth due to their close proximity to the star.
Case Western Reserve University astronomers detected a massive cloud of ionized hydrogen gas spewed from a nearby galaxy and consumed by its central black hole. The discovery provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the behavior of a black hole and associated galaxy as it consumes and 'recycles' hydrogen gas.
NASA is studying four potential flagship missions to explore the universe, including direct imaging of Earth-like planets and investigation of first black holes. The agency will use advanced tools to overcome technical challenges and achieve unprecedented picometer-level stability.
A UCF-led consortium will take over management of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, with plans to expand its capabilities and provide new research opportunities. The partnership aims to create a pipeline for students studying space sciences and enhance public outreach through formal education.
Researchers detected objects in extragalactic galaxies with masses ranging from the Moon to Jupiter using microlensing. The discovery marks the first time planets have been found outside the Milky Way galaxy.
Researchers at the IAC have identified a star with minimal heavy elements, providing insights into the formation of the Galaxy's first chemical elements. The star, located 7,500 light years from Earth, has a surface temperature of 400 degrees hotter than the Sun.
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.
Scientists have made significant progress in developing an ultra-stable telescope capable of detecting Earth-like planets and analyzing their atmospheres for signs of life. The team has successfully measured subatomic- or picometer-sized distortions across a five-foot segmented mirror, paving the way for future missions.
New research from the University of Alberta reveals strong winds surrounding black holes throughout bright outburst events. The study, published in Nature, sheds light on mass transfers to black holes and their environmental effects.
The W.M. Keck Observatory has received an NSF grant to upgrade its adaptive optics system, further advancing research on habitable exoplanets and supermassive black holes. The new system will deliver faster, more flexible real-time controller and better camera technology, improving image clarity.
An international team of astronomers discovered a star that exploded multiple times over 50 years, challenging existing theories on cosmic catastrophes. The star, iPTF14hls, was found to be at least 50 times more massive than the sun and may be the first example of a rare 'Pulsational Pair Instability Supernova'.
Astronomers have made the first-ever observations of a merging neutron star, detecting both gravitational waves and a brilliant explosion of visible light. The discovery has opened a new window into understanding neutron star physics and could resolve a long-standing question about the origins of heavy elements.
The Dunlap Institute has received $23 million in funding to develop innovative astronomical technology, including a radio astronomy data centre and an infrared spectrograph. These projects will position Canada at the forefront of next-generation astronomy research.
A new telescope attachment using custom beam-shaping diffusers enables highly precise ground-based observations of exoplanets. The technology minimizes distortions caused by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing for stable and smooth images that are essential for maximizing precision in measurements.
The Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) is being enhanced with additional databases to provide more accurate predictions of instrument performance. This will enable scientists to design and plan future missions more efficiently, reducing costs and resources.
A team of international astronomers has discovered a magnified Type Ia supernova, allowing for precise measurements of the universe's expansion rate and dark energy. The discovery uses gravitational lensing to amplify the light from a
Astronomers have found evidence of a star that whips around a likely black hole twice an hour, marking the tightest orbital dance ever seen by a black hole and a companion star in our own Milky Way galaxy. The stellar couple is located in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae, about 14,800 light years away from Earth.
Researchers have pinpointed the location in the sky of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB), allowing them to determine the distance and home galaxy of one of these mysterious pulses of radio waves. The precise location enables observations using multiple telescopes, which revealed a faint dwarf galaxy at the location of the bursts.
A spinning supermassive black hole destroyed a Sun-like star, causing the most luminous supernova ever recorded. The observation is attributed to a tidal disruption event rather than an extraordinary bright supernova.
The Hubble Space Telescope has explored the farthest objects in the universe, unveiling a warping-of-space phenomenon predicted by Einstein. The telescope has magnified images of galaxies much farther away, allowing astronomers to study the early universe and understand dark matter.
The James Webb Space Telescope is being assembled over the next two years, with recent installations of primary mirror segments and upcoming tests at NASA Goddard and Johnson Space Center. The telescope will undergo end-to-end optical testing in a simulated cryo-temperature environment before final assembly and launch preparation.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study planets, moons, comets and asteroids in our solar system to understand its formation and potential habitability. Scientists envision monitoring the water cycle on Mars, studying weather patterns on Saturn's moon Titan, and tracking comets to better comprehend our solar system's evolution.
Astronomers have detected a massive galaxy cluster, IDCS J1426.5+3508, 10 billion light years from Earth, formed just 3.8 billion years after the Big Bang. The cluster is about 1,000 times more massive than the Milky Way and is undergoing significant upheaval.
The discovery of GJ 1132b, a rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf star, has sparked excitement among astronomers. With temperatures potentially conducive to hosting an atmosphere, this planet is close enough (39 light-years away) to be studied in detail with the Hubble Space Telescope and future observatories.
Despite decades of economic isolation, Iranian scientists have made remarkable achievements through ingenuity and collaboration. New projects, such as the Iranian National Observatory, aim to reclaim the country's past astronomical glory and tackle pressing environmental issues like Lake Urmia's rapid decline.
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation has committed $100 million to UC Berkeley and other institutions to lead a comprehensive scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The initiative, called Breakthrough Listen, will utilize radio and optical telescopes to gather and analyze data from the universe.
A team of astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered the brightest galaxy yet found in the early universe. The galaxy, CR7, contains massive blue stars - the first generation of stars that forged the heavy elements necessary for life.
New research from the Palomar Transient Factory team provides evidence supporting the single degenerate channel theory for type Ia supernovae. The strong UV pulse detected in iPTF14atg indicates a collision between material ejected from the supernova and its companion star.
Astronomers have combined telescopes across the Earth to create the Event Horizon Telescope, which will take detailed images of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The South Pole Telescope has joined the EHT, bringing a two-to-three times increase in resolution to study black holes and test Einstein's the...
Brian Koberlein, RIT's senior lecturer in Physics and Astronomy, will visit telescope sites in Chile from June 20-30 to learn about instruments and research. He aims to bring this connection to his students, highlighting US astronomy efforts and their impact on society.
Astronomers have discovered an outburst from a young protostar called HOPS 383, revealing a sudden accumulation of gas and dust. The eruption is thought to be caused by instabilities in the disk around the protostar, leading to an extreme hot spot that heats up the surrounding material.
The Thirty Meter Telescope has launched the THINK Fund, a $1 million annual initiative to support Hawaii Island students in STEM disciplines. The fund will provide scholarships and grants for STEM education initiatives, with a focus on improving opportunities for Native Hawaiian students.
Astronomers at Ohio State University have observed a star narrowly escaping capture by a supermassive black hole, releasing only a small portion of its mass. The event, known as a tidal disruption event (TDE), provides valuable insights into the growth and behavior of black holes in the universe.
Astronomers at Cornell University have detected an unusual carbon-based molecule, isopropyl cyanide, with a branched structure in a giant gas cloud 27,000 light years away. The discovery suggests that complex molecules needed for life may originate in interstellar space.
The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) mission has captured a unique perspective on an X-class solar flare, highlighting the transition region and corona. The observations provide insight into the dynamics of these powerful flares, which can have significant effects on Earth's magnetic field and radiation environment.
The Y dwarf WISE J0304-2705 is an extremely cool object, currently at 200-300°F (100-150°C), which may have spent its youth as hot as a star. Its unusual features suggest it could be an ancient object with a diverse history.
Astronomers have captured a rare and violent image of colliding galaxy clusters, revealing unique phenomena triggered by the collisions. The new observations provide insights into the complex interactions during cluster mergers.
A record-breaking X-class flare was observed by four NASA spacecraft and one ground-based observatory on March 29, 2014. The coordinated efforts provided the most comprehensive data set ever collected, shedding light on the origins of solar eruptions and their effects on space weather near Earth.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of SN 2014J, a Type Ia supernova discovered in the galaxy M82. The observations will help refine distance measurements to these explosions, which are essential for understanding the accelerating expansion of the universe.
A team of astronomers has made a surprising finding about smaller black holes, discovering they can eat matter in an orderly fashion. The black hole in question is surprisingly lightweight and swallows its material at close to its theoretical limits, producing high-energy X-rays.
Comet ISON, a time capsule from the solar system's formation, will be observed by NASA's solar observing fleet as it approaches the sun. The comet's journey will provide valuable insights into the solar wind and atmosphere.
Astronomers have discovered a millisecond pulsar with a unique dual identity, shifting between X-ray and radio emission in a phenomenon never before observed. The discovery represents a long-sought intermediate phase in the life of these powerful objects, offering a rare opportunity to study a pulsar's magnetic field in action.
A team of astronomers has developed a new type of telescope camera that makes higher resolution images than ever before, capturing details as small as 0.02 arcseconds across. The new technology has enabled the observation of planetary formation processes and addressed longstanding questions about how planets form.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Irvine, has discovered a rare mega-galaxy dubbed HXMM01, which is 10 times larger than the Milky Way. The galaxy was formed after a 11-billion-year collision between two young galaxies and is rapidly fading away due to its own cataclysmic birth.