Articles tagged with Astrophysics
Astronomers have detected a white dwarf star that spins at an incredible rate of once every 25 seconds, completing one rotation faster than Earth. The star is thought to be the size of the Earth but massive enough to pull material from its companion star, creating a magnetic propeller system.
Researchers have successfully created an experimental model of a skyrmion particle in a beam of light, providing a real system to demonstrate the behavior of this elusive type of fundamental particle. The study reveals the intricate structure and topological properties of skyrmions, which can be distorted but not broken.
The WVU-led Dolly Sods GPU cluster enables researchers to accelerate computational research in fields like drug development, interstellar phenomena, and biometrics. The cluster will facilitate the analysis of massive datasets and enable real-time processing of signals from satellites in space.
Researchers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to focus on a post-starburst galaxy nearly 500 million light years away. They discovered two periods of intense starburst before the galaxy stopped forming stars, shedding new light on its history and evolution.
An international research team has measured neutron form factors with previously unattained precision, filling a blank space on the map. The new data provides a more comprehensive picture of the neutron's size and lifetime, and reveals oscillating patterns in its form factor.
Theoretical physicists modelled the region around M87's supermassive black hole, confirming that gravity plays a key role in accelerating particles out to thousands of light years. The findings provide further evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity and its application to astrophysical phenomena.
A new study suggests that black holes grow in lockstep with the expanding universe, a phenomenon called cosmological coupling. This idea improves the explanation for large black hole masses observed in gravitational wave observatories.
A new study suggests that a gravitational 'kick' from colliding supermassive black holes could be responsible for the strange shape of stars at the center of the Andromeda Galaxy. The team used computer simulations to track the consequences of such a merger, finding that it could knock millions of stars into wonky orbits.
Researchers recreated superionic ice using advanced tools and found a new phase of matter. The ice has unique properties that make it less dense but darker, and its behavior affects planetary magnetic fields.
Researchers at MIT and UNH find that binary neutron star mergers produce two to 100 times more heavy metals than neutron star-black hole mergers. The study suggests that binary neutron stars are a likely cosmic source for gold, platinum, and other heavy metals.
Researchers have discovered evidence of a giant impact that occurred in a nearby star system, stripping part of the planet's atmosphere. The team observed carbon monoxide gas around the star, which they believe was released from a massive impact involving two proto-planets.
The Chang'E-5 mission has provided new insights into the Moon's surface features, including the Ocean of Storms, which may have been even more stormy than previously thought. The samples also reveal a distinct lunar basalt composition different from Earth-based basalt.
The special issue covers observations of exoplanet geology, composition, atmosphere, and potential habitability. SwRI researchers Dr. Natalie Hinkel and Dr. Cayman Unterborn collaborated with Dr. Oliver Shorttle to create a diverse overview of exoplanets, making it accessible to a wide community of scientists.
A team of researchers observed the evolution of warm gas coming from an active black hole for unprecedented detail, revealing structures reminiscent of volcanic eruptions. These gas bubbles, rings, and 'intergalactic smoke' filaments are formed when black holes consume surrounding matter and release energy, influencing galaxy evolution.
A new analysis suggests that a gap existed within the protoplanetary disk around 4.567 billion years ago, near the asteroid belt, affecting the composition of infant planets. The team found that meteorites from the outer region had stronger magnetic fields than those from the inner region.
A new study by WMU Professor Michael Famiano and colleagues finds that high magnetic fields in neutron stars can alter the composition of ashes and affect electron capture rates. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of stellar environments and the formation of elements.
Two independent research groups unveil new measurements to explain the birth of half the universe's elements. One group uses laboratory techniques to hunt for 'astromers,' while the other compares heavy elements in stars to better understand their origin.
A new study reveals how supernovae explosions of massive stars can form heavy neutron star binaries, resolving a puzzle from gravitational wave observatories LIGO and Virgo. The team's results show that the explosion energy determines whether a stripped star forms a neutron star or black hole.
Researchers propose a new quantum circuit that mimics black hole behavior, allowing for the study of Hawking radiation. The proposed system uses a white hole and metamaterial to amplify Hawking radiation, potentially leading to breakthroughs in quantum communication.
A new study by Dr. Benjamin Byron demonstrates the ability of the Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project to determine the composition of lunar surface areas using far-UV light reflectance. This method normalizes surface maturity features, revealing a close correlation with composition maps from other regions.
The 2021 Fall Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics presents cutting-edge research on nuclear astrophysics, quantum technology, and rare isotopes. Researchers will discuss breakthroughs such as the most precise measurement of neutron lifetime and novel experiments measuring neutron skin in calcium.
A team of astronomers has observed six massive galaxies in the early universe that have mysteriously stopped forming stars due to depleted gas reserves. The discovery was made possible by the Hubble Space Telescope's high resolution and gravitational lensing, allowing researchers to study these galaxies in unprecedented detail.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge suggest that unexplained results from the XENON1T experiment could be attributed to dark energy, rather than dark matter. The study proposes a physical model to explain the findings, which may have originated from dark energy particles produced in the Sun's strong magnetic fields.
Researchers found significant reservoirs of large organic molecules in protoplanetary disks, providing a potential pathway for life to form elsewhere. The presence of these molecules suggests basic chemical conditions that led to life on Earth could exist more widely across the Galaxy.
Researchers used gravitational lensing to observe the same exploding star in three different locations and predict a fourth image will appear in the sky by 2037. This study provides an opportunity to explore the expansion of our universe and sheds light on cosmological riddles, including the expansion rate.
Physicist Eve Armstrong aims to understand the origins of elements heavier than iron using weather prediction technique data assimilation. With a two-year NSF EAGER grant, she and her team will predict whether supernova stardust gave rise to these heavy elements.
Researchers used detailed simulations to detect and study 'quenched' UDGs, which are rare dwarf galaxies that have stopped generating stars. They found these galaxies were not in clusters but rather isolated in voids, with unique orbits that stripped away their star-forming gas.
Researchers from Osaka University and NASA discovered that cold planets exist throughout the Milky Way, even in the Galactic bulge, a region previously thought to be inhospitable to planet formation. The study used gravitational microlensing to determine the distribution of planets across the galaxy.
A new study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society found that superflares on red dwarf stars occur at high latitudes, near the star's poles, which means they are not directed towards orbiting exoplanets. This reduces the danger to planetary atmospheres and habitability.
Researchers have discovered a remnant radio galaxy in Abell2065, providing insights into the dying phase of active galaxies. The discovery showcases the capability of upgraded GMRT to detect such objects, shedding light on their dynamics and evolution.
The Big Bear Solar Observatory will become home to NSF's Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) telescope, enabling researchers to study long-term changes in the Sun's activity and its impact on Earth. SOLIS will provide comprehensive observations of the Sun's magnetic fields, solar flares, and space weather events.
Recent theoretical findings and astrophysical modeling suggest that scientists can accurately interpret gravitational wave signals from these events, hinting at the existence of so-called 'hierarchical' black holes. The detection of GW190521 in 2019 is thought to be the most promising candidate for such an event.
Astronomers have discovered a 0.6-second gamma-ray burst caused by the implosion of a massive star, revealing that some short GRBs might be imposters in disguise. The discovery suggests that most collapsing stars fail to produce a GRB jet, making this event an effective fizzle.
A NASA mission evaluates interactions between the sun and earth's magnetic fields, which can cause explosive energy transfers disrupting technology systems. A UTA professor recruits a first-year doctoral student to join the mission, where he will learn about meaningful magnetospheric events.
Ellen Price, a doctoral student at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, has been awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation. The fellowship will provide up to $375,000 in support for Price to conduct independent research in planetary astronomy over the next three years.
Astronomers at the University of Vienna used machine learning to trace groups of stars born together and found thousands of sibling stars surrounding well-known cores of star clusters. The discovery reveals that star clusters are enclosed in rich halos, or coronae, more than 10 times larger than previously thought.
I-Wen Mike Chu and Robert Weigel collaborate on analyzing STET code simulations to model magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes. They will produce visualization tools and co-author a journal article on their findings.
George Mason University's Dieter Bilitza has been awarded funding to work with the Space Physics Data Facility and NASA on advancing strategic science goals through data acquisition and archival services. He will focus on ITM data sets, ensuring useful products are generated for independent community use.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved a 100-year-old physics problem, enabling accurate predictions of infectious disease transmission. The discovery uses special mathematical functions and a technique called method of images to calculate encounter and transmission probabilities.
A new AI-powered computer model has been developed to identify early signs of dementia, potentially improving diagnosis rates in the UK. The model, created by a collaboration between astrophysicists and medical researchers, can analyze patient records to predict 70% of dementia cases before a formal diagnosis.
A team at OIST Graduate University reports a new approach to quantum gravity using a model that more closely matches our reality, including accelerating expansion. The free S-matrix predicts interactions between particles in de Sitter space, which may help explain realistic scenarios.
Researchers found STEVE's source region in space and identified two mechanisms that cause it, with the reddish arc caused by heating of charged particles higher up in the atmosphere. The picket fence is powered by energetic electrons streaming from space thousands of kilometers above Earth, creating a unique aurora-like phenomenon.
Researchers at the Santa Fe Institute and MIT find that continuous-time systems must have hidden states and finite hidden timesteps to exhibit two-time dynamics. This discovery has implications for understanding biomolecular processes, ecosystem evolution, and financial market behavior.
Researchers found that liberals are more likely to publicize the achievements of minorities, including women and black individuals. The study suggests a link between political ideology and the amplification of minority accomplishments, highlighting differences in liberal and conservative Twitter posts and panel preferences.
Research on the International Space Station reveals that electrically charged dust grains line up in straight lines, even without gravity. The study suggests that forces between particles and atoms impose order on the system.
Researchers found STEVE to be an entirely new optical phenomenon produced by a different atmospheric process than the aurora. The study used satellite data and ground-based cameras to analyze a STEVE event in March 2008.
Researchers at a nuclear astrophysics lab achieved an order-of-magnitude increase in normalized brightness after upgrading their accelerator. The new system improved high-voltage source stability and signal-to-background ratio, enabling higher proton beam intensity without damaging targets.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new, atomic-scale rewritable memory that can store 45 million songs on the surface of a quarter. This breakthrough technology can withstand normal temperatures and is road-ready for commercial use, promising to revolutionize data storage and archival.
An international team, led by the University of Leicester, is using satellite data and UAVs to monitor land use, food and water security at the banks of the Ganges Basin. The project aims to optimize agriculture practices in the region and address climate change-induced threats to crop yield and production.
Researchers at Penn State and ETH Zurich have demonstrated the behavior of particles of light in a two-dimensional array of waveguides, matching predictions for the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect. This achievement provides evidence for higher-dimensional quantum Hall physics, with potential applications in novel photonic devices.
The Magic Bench enables users to see, hear, and feel animated characters in a shared 3D space. Researchers have created a platform that combines augmented and mixed reality for a seamless experience.
Ramon Lopez, a leading expert in physics education, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to enhancing understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching. He was elected as one of eight Fellows by the American Association of Physics Teachers in 2017.
A study by Katharina Prochazka and Gero Vogl applied a physics-based approach to analyze language movement in Southern Carinthia, Austria. The research found that interaction with other speakers of the same language is the primary driver of language shift, with village-level demographics playing a crucial role.
A new study found that international collaboration in scientific research has grown dramatically, with more than doubling of cross-border studies between 1990 and 2015. The fields of soil science and virology saw the highest growth rates, with a 550% increase in collaborating partners in soil science.
A team of OU researchers collaborated with citizen scientists to discover a rare circumstellar disk, the oldest of its kind, around a red dwarf star. The discovery provides insights into why M dwarf disks appear so rare and may hold clues about the possibility of extrasolar planets.
Ramon Lopez, a professor of physics at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized for his significant contributions to science education. He is being honored for his efforts to improve science literacy among K-12 students, as well as his work in teacher preparation and mentorship.
Researchers are developing new simulation techniques to improve the accuracy of heavy ion cancer therapies. The project aims to develop a real-time dose monitoring technique to minimize exposure of healthy tissues. This collaboration reflects UTA's focus on data-driven discovery and health, with potential implications for patient care.
Scientists capture lightning flash using high-speed camera at 7,000 frames per second as part of research on thunderstorm dynamics. The camera will be used to study upward electrical discharges from starters, jets and gigantic jets.
Darrian Mills, a freshman physics and computer science student at Louisiana Tech University, has been awarded a Minority Research Scholars fellowship with NASA. He will work with Dr. Chester Wilson and Dr. William Clower to develop an inexpensive nanostructured material for radar imagery in space.
PhD student Elise Hampton uses AI to analyze thousands of galaxy spectra, identifying the most turbulent and messy galaxies. Her goal is to understand how galaxies form, live, and die, and how different processes compete in these galactic systems.