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Much ado about nothing: Astronomers use empty space to study the universe

Researchers have developed a new strategy to probe the nature of gravity and dark energy by studying the empty spaces in between galaxies. The study found that analyzing cosmic voids improves measurements of how visible matter clusters together, bringing astronomers closer to testing Einstein's general theory of relativity.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 11, 2016

You were right: Rotational motion is relative, too, Mr. Einstein!

Researchers demonstrate that rotational motion in the universe follows general relativity principles, connecting it to dark energy content and inertial dragging. The study yields a prediction that 73.7% of the present content of the universe is in the form of dark energy.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateMay 18, 2016

New test by deepest galaxy map finds Einstein's theory stands true

A team of researchers has created a 3D map of 3000 galaxies 13 billion light years away, finding that Einstein's general theory of relativity is still accurate. The study suggests the expansion of the universe could be explained by a cosmological constant.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateMay 11, 2016

Five-dimensional black hole could 'break' general relativity

Researchers simulated a thin ring-shaped black hole in five dimensions, which breaks down Einstein's general theory of relativity if it exists outside an event horizon. The simulation revealed the formation of a 'naked singularity', causing laws of physics to break down and potentially rendering general relativity ineffective.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

The golden anniversary of black-hole singularity

Sir Roger Penrose's 1965 theorem associates black holes with trapped surfaces that shrink over time. The theory also predicts the existence of singularities in extreme conditions, highlighting the limitations of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateOct 1, 2015

Experiment attempts to snare a dark energy 'chameleon'

Researchers at UC Berkeley conducted an experiment to detect dark energy particles called 'chameleons,' which were proposed as a possible explanation for the mysterious energy. The results narrowed the search by a thousand times compared to previous tests, ruling out certain energies and eliminating a large range of possible particles.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateAug 20, 2015

Einstein saves the quantum cat

Researchers have discovered that time dilation caused by gravity can explain the suppression of quantum behavior in larger objects, such as molecules and dust particles. This effect destroys quantum superposition and forces these objects to behave classically.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 16, 2015

Researchers use real data rather than theory to measure the cosmos

A team from Imperial College London and University of Barcelona used astronomical surveys to measure the baryon acoustic oscillation scale, a standard distance central to the universe's expansion. The study suggests current methods for measuring distance are more complicated than needed, offering a data-driven approach to cosmology.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 12, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Pulsars with black holes could hold the 'holy grail' of gravity

Researchers from Spain and India found that pulsars with black holes are ideal for testing general relativity, but two cases reduce their value. The 'holy grail' pair is a normal black hole, which has yet to be discovered.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateDec 4, 2014

A forgotten model of the universe

A 1931 paper by Albert Einstein featuring a dynamic model of the universe has been re-examined, highlighting numerical errors and questionable calculations. The model, which includes a contraction phase, contrasts with the widely known expanding Einstein-de Sitter model.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateFeb 19, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Einstein's conversion from a static to an expanding universe

In 1917 Einstein applied general relativity to a static universe, introducing the cosmological constant to address gravitational collapse. He resisted expanding universe views despite contemporary suggestions from astrophysicists Alexander Friedman and Georges Lemaître.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateFeb 17, 2014

Researchers solve mystery of X-ray light from black holes

Astrophysicists used supercomputer simulations and traditional calculations to demonstrate that gas spiraling toward a black hole inevitably results in X-ray emissions. The study reveals high-energy light emission is not only possible but also an inevitable outcome of gas being drawn into a black hole.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJun 14, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Scaling up gyroscopes: From navigation to measuring the Earth's rotation

Researchers developed large ring laser gyroscopes six orders of magnitude more sensitive than commercial instruments. These devices can measure the Earth's rotation rate with unprecedented accuracy, capturing momentum exchange between atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMay 6, 2013

Supermassive black hole spins super-fast

Astronomers have measured the spin rate of a supermassive black hole, providing insights into the galaxy's evolution. The black hole's spin is linked to its accretion disk and can offer clues about the galaxy's past.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2013
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Peering to the edge of a black hole

Astronomers have measured the closest distance that matter can approach a black hole without being pulled in. The findings suggest that the accretion disk is spinning in the same direction as the black hole, providing new insights into gravity and space.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalScience·DateSep 27, 2012

South Pole Telescope hones in on dark energy, neutrinos

The South Pole Telescope's data analysis provides strong support for the cosmological constant as the source of dark energy, accelerating the universe's expansion. The results also place tight limits on neutrino masses, shedding light on these mysterious particles' properties.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateApr 1, 2012

1 clock with 2 times

Researchers at the University of Vienna aim to measure general relativistic time on a quantum scale by exploiting quantum interference and complementarity. They consider a single clock in a superposition of two locations, one closer and one further away from Earth, where gravity's effects are different.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2011

UCSB physicists apply Einstein's theory to superconducting circuits

Researchers at UCSB successfully reproduced the Josephson junction using Einstein's general theory of relativity, a breakthrough that sheds new light on non-gravitational physics. The discovery has significant implications for understanding superconductivity and the development of room-temperature superconductors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 9, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Universe chaotic from very beginning

Physicist Adilson E. Motter and colleague Katrin Gelfert show that chaos is absolute in the universe's early expansion, disagreeing with previous studies' relative views. The study implies that the early universe experienced erratic changes between red- and blue-shift directions, confirming chaotic behavior.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunications in Mathematical Physics·DateSep 7, 2010

Astrophysicists discover a quasar that acts as a cosmic lens

Astronomers have discovered a quasar that acts as a gravitational lens, allowing them to weigh and measure a distant galaxy containing a black hole. This groundbreaking observation was made possible by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey database and will provide new insights into the distribution of matter in the universe.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateJul 20, 2010

Princeton scientists say Einstein's theory applies beyond the solar system

A team of Princeton University scientists tested Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at cosmic scales, concluding it works as well in vast distances as in local regions. They analyzed over 70,000 galaxies and demonstrated that the universe follows Einstein's rules up to 3.5 billion light years from Earth.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateMar 12, 2010

Foiling an attack on general relativity

A team of researchers has analyzed over 70,000 galaxies to test two modified gravity theories that aim to explain dark matter's effects on the universe. The study found that one theory, TeVeS, can be excluded due to large uncertainty in measurements, while another theory, f(R), still allows for exclusion of dark energy with current data.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 12, 2010

Radio-telescope measurements advance frontier physics

Researchers used VLBA system to measure bending of starlight by gravity, achieving precision of one part in 30,000. The accurate measurement brings scientists closer to uniting General Relativity and quantum theory.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateSep 1, 2009
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New research field promises radical advances in optical technologies

The new field of transformation optics harnesses nanotechnology and metamaterials to manipulate and control light at all scales. Researchers envision applications such as electromagnetic cloaks, ultra-powerful microscopes, and faster computers that use light instead of electronic signals.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2008

Physicists demonstrate how information can escape from black holes

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a mechanism that allows information to be recovered from black holes, contrary to Stephen Hawking's previous assertion. By expanding space-time beyond its assumed size, the team finds room for information to reappear in the distant future.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

What happened before the Big Bang?

Researchers using Loop Quantum Gravity theory find a contracting universe before the Big Bounce, with space-time geometry similar to today's. A new mathematical model allows for precise analytical solutions and reveals a 'cosmic forgetfulness' due to extreme quantum forces during the Big Bounce.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 1, 2007
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.

Scientists predict how to detect a fourth dimension of space

Researchers predict that braneworld black holes, created in the early universe, have survived and can be detected by observing gamma-ray bursts passing near them. The signature of these black holes could provide evidence for a fourth dimension of space.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMay 25, 2006

Penn State researchers look beyond the birth of the universe

A team of researchers at Penn State has discovered a mathematical description of a contracting universe that existed before the Big Bang, with space-time geometry and gravity exhibiting unique properties. The findings rely on loop quantum gravity theory, which proposes a discrete 'atomic' structure to space-time.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2006

Einstein's relativity theory proven with the 'lead' of a pencil

Researchers have successfully tested Einstein's relativity theory using ultra-thin Graphene, a material created by extracting graphite via pencil-tracing. This breakthrough enables direct experiments to test relativistic ideas, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature·DateNov 9, 2005
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Time flies

Fotini Markopoulo Kalamara presents a fresh approach to researching theoretical possibilities for looking inside black holes and at particles of space/time. She proposes that an 'inside' quantum theory of gravity should be the collection of all partial observations of the inside observers.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 15, 2003

Was Einstein wrong?

A team of scientists led by Indiana University's Alan Kostelecky aims to determine if Albert Einstein's theory of relativity holds true. By comparing extremely precise clocks in zero gravity, they may find changes that contradict the theory, revolutionizing our understanding of space and time.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 30, 2002

Science close to viewing the beginning of time, UW cosmologist says

University of Washington cosmologist Craig Hogan believes new experiments could shed light on subatomic particles called gravitons, potentially uniting quantum mechanics and relativity. These advancements might also provide clues to the holographic principle, which suggests everything in 3D can be specified by information in 2D.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateMar 21, 2002

Speed of light may not be constant, physicist suggests

John Moffat, a University of Toronto professor, proposes that the speed of light was not always constant but rather increased over time. This theory could help explain recent discoveries about the accelerating expansion of the universe and provide an answer to some cosmology problems.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysics Letters·DateOct 4, 1999

Add A Few Time-Travelling Tachyons And Black Holes Make Sense

Physicists Daniel Kabat and Gilad Lifschytz propose tachyons as the solution to explain how black holes absorb particles without violating M-theory. Tachyons, with imaginary mass, could provide a mechanism for energy absorption, making it possible for black holes to devour matter.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 6, 1999
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Was The Universe In A Spin Before It Began Expanding?

Astronomers believe the Universe has expanded since the big bang about 15 billion years ago, but a new theory proposes that it may have rotated like a merry-go-round for an indefinitely long period. If true, this rotation could have suddenly changed into expansion thanks to a 'vacuum phase transition.'

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateDec 16, 1998

Duke Mathematician To Describe Hopes For String Theory

String theory proposes that elementary particles are vibrating strings in 10 dimensions, requiring a reconciliation of quantum mechanics and general relativity. Mathematicians have found Calabi-Yau manifolds that describe simple equations, which resemble special black holes in our four-dimensional world.

SourceDuke University·DateFeb 16, 1998

Einstein Freed From Charge Of Plagiarism

A study published in Science has re-examined the priority and plagiarism surrounding Einstein's General Relativity theory. The researchers argue that David Hilbert, not Einstein, was the first to submit the correct field equations of General Relativity, clearing Einstein of any wrongdoing.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 13, 1997