Articles tagged with Gravitation
A new study published in Science resolves the mystery of how massive stars can form without blowing away the gas and dust that feed their growth. The research found that instabilities develop in the collapsing gas cloud, creating channels where radiation blows out into space while gas continues to fall inward.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have found a way for massive stars to grow despite radiation pressure that should prevent it. Gravitational instabilities cause companion stars to form around massive stars, allowing them to feed on gas and dust.
Researchers propose new way to detect anomalies in fundamental physics principle, potentially revealing space-time variations and relativity violations. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding gravity and particle behavior.
Astrophysicists used new computer visualization technology to understand that gravity plays a more significant role than previously thought in deep space's star-forming molecular clouds. The research, led by Alyssa Goodman, reveals hierarchical structure and density variations within these clouds.
Researchers propose that Jupiter's gravitational pull creates powerful waves in Europa's ocean, generating significant heat energy. This could be a dominant heat source, potentially supporting life without sunlight.
Astronomers discovered strong evidence that brown dwarfs form like stars using the Submillimeter Array. Brown dwarfs are on the line between planets and stars with masses between 15 and 75 Jupiters.
A team of scientists used a natural cosmic lens to capture an image of a distant galaxy in the early Universe. The image shows a massive reservoir of gas and a supermassive black hole feeding a burst of star formation, indicating that the galaxy has collided with another.
Researchers at McGill University confirmed Einstein's prediction that a binary-pulsar system's spin axis should precess due to general relativity. The team observed the unique PSR J0737-3039A/B twin-pulsar system and found that one pulsar's spin axis is indeed precessing as predicted.
Researchers used a rare double-star system to test Albert Einstein's theory of General Relativity, finding that the famed physicist's 93-year-old theory has passed yet another test. The study confirmed that the strong gravity of the neutron stars causes one to wobble or precess.
Researchers confirmed Einstein's theory of general relativity using observations of a unique pulsar system. The discovery shows that one pulsar is 'wobbling' in space, a effect precisely as predicted by Einstein.
Researchers found that under certain conditions, a molecule can jump forward instead of backward when collided with another atom. This 'tug-of-war' behavior is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and their mechanics.
Researchers are studying the effects of lunar dust on astronaut health in low-gravity environments. The study found that tiny particles can remain suspended in the airways and potentially cause lung damage for extended periods.
Case Western Reserve University researchers discover that gravitational radiation can be produced by a mechanism other than inflation, which could redefine the concept of a 'smoking gun' for early universe theories. This finding strengthens motivation for detecting primordial gravitational radiation, which is crucial for understanding ...
A RIT team successfully simulated the merger of three black holes, confirming a robust computer code and predicting distinct gravitational signatures. The simulation, which uses high-performance computing, is essential for detecting gravity waves that may confirm the existence of black holes.
A NASA study reveals that warming air temperatures are causing the surface of Greenland's massive ice sheet to melt, leading to loss of ice throughout the mass beneath. The team found a strong connection between melting on the surface and ice loss below 6,500 feet in elevation.
The American Institute of Physics awarded prizes to four winners for their outstanding science writing. Quantum mechanics expert Tim Folger won for his article on the effect of gravity on a speck of dust, while physicist James Trefil received an award for explaining dark matter and dark energy in the universe's future.
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission will precisely map the moon's gravitational pull, revealing differences in density of the moon's crust and mantle. The detailed information gained will facilitate future manned or unmanned missions to land on the moon.
The GRACE-Team received the William T. Pecora Award for their groundbreaking work in determining the global water balance of continents through satellite measurements. This achievement provides a reliable dataset for understanding climate change, as highlighted by Professor Reinhard Hüttl.
A mathematical algorithm has been developed to determine the most efficient path for a spacecraft's journey from point A to point B, regardless of distance or time. The algorithm was tested and validated on the 1997 Cassini Mission, which required numerous gravity assists and complex maneuvers.
Three quarters of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious substance that repels gravity. New space missions and improved observation methods will help uncover its secrets.
Researchers at University of Bristol show that small drops can climb an incline of 85 degrees by overcoming surface tension through vigorous shaking. The method may aid in understanding fluid manipulation and DNA microarray analysis.
Duke University researchers have devised a method to test for the presence of naked singularities, potentially existing in certain instances. Their study suggests that high-spin black holes could shed their event horizon and become observable through gravitational lensing effects.
Researchers found that fragmented structure of seafloor faults and volcanic activity dampen the effects of earthquakes. This contradicts conventional wisdom about transform faults, which should be longer and more brittle.
The QUT microgravity tower will enable scientists to study diverse phenomena in reduced-gravity environments, including nanomaterials and combustion. This facility will be one of only a few in the world and provide an attractive alternative to costly space testing methods.
A MU physicist argues that the Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) technique is not effective in measuring the gravitomagnetic field. The LLR method relies on processing data with two sets of mathematical equations, but it can introduce errors due to gauge freedom and insufficient analytic control.
Scientists at RIT have discovered that supermassive black holes can be thrown from galaxies at speeds of up to 4,000 km/s, significantly exceeding the escape velocity. The spin velocity determines the size and direction of the 'kick' or radiation recoil.
Researchers found that tidal forces caused by Saturn's gravity can control the timing of eruptions from cracks in Enceladus' southern hemisphere. The study suggests that these cracks, known as Tiger Stripes, are warmer than their surroundings and may be the source of eruptions.
A team of astronomers has discovered a unique structure of dark matter in the galaxy cluster Cl 0024+17, with a ring shape unlike that of galaxies and hot gas. The discovery is among the strongest evidence for dark matter's existence, supporting theoretical models of its behavior under gravity.
A large area of low but increasing gravity over North America has been discovered, reflecting the lingering impact of the last ice age. The study provides an unprecedented image of the geometry of the long-vanished Laurentide ice sheet and reveals that its ghost still hangs over the continent.
The South Pole Telescope has achieved its first light, successfully collecting test observations and paving the way for cosmological research. The $19.2 million telescope is designed to pierce the mystery of dark energy, which drives the universe's evolution.
Researchers develop atomic interferometers to improve navigation accuracy, testing fundamental laws of physics. The technology could lead to more precise location tracking and better understanding of gravity.
Cosmic superstrings, predicted by string theory, are thought to be ultra-thin tubes of energy left from the universe's beginning. They can emit gravitational waves as they decay, adding a new soundtrack to astronomy's silent movie.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have discovered a way to make a picture of everything that gravitates in the Universe using radio telescopes. By analyzing radio waves emitted from the early Universe, they can create high-resolution images of cosmic mass distribution, surpassing current galaxy distortions.
BioServe is launching two space station experiments involving K-12 students worldwide, tracking seed germination and nematode population dynamics in microgravity. The projects aim to engage students in space research while exploring biological processes that support NASA's human exploration of space.
Researchers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope found dark energy was present and accelerating the universe's expansion at least 9 billion years ago. This discovery provides a crucial clue to understanding dark energy's strength and permanence.
A new University of Colorado study indicates that Greenland is shedding ice at about two and one-half times the rate of the previous period. The ice mass loss has been occurring primarily in southern Greenland, consistent with studies charting a dramatic acceleration of glaciers in southeast Greenland.
Physicists at Brown University used magnetic fields to manipulate gravity and study paramecium behavior in water. The study found that by altering the gravitational force, paramecia swam differently under high gravity, zero gravity, or even reverse gravity conditions.
Astronomers have used a pair of pulsars to show that general relativity is correct within 0.05% accuracy, the most stringent limit to date. The double-pulsar system provides independent tests of general relativity and its predictions, including gravitational waves and time dilation.
Researchers have found direct proof of dark matter's existence in a study using state-of-the-art telescopes. The team observed two merging galaxy clusters, revealing massive amounts of non-luminous matter that don't interact with normal matter.
Scientists detected gravity changes in the earth's surface caused by a massive Sumatran earthquake using satellite data. The study provides a clearer picture of how the earth changed after the 9.1-magnitude earthquake, which raised the seafloor and altered GPS measurements.
A team of scientists from Ohio State University has discovered a massive crater, hidden beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, which could date back to the Permian-Triassic extinction event. The crater is estimated to be four times wider than the Chicxulub meteor that may have killed the dinosaurs.
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.
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.
A new model for the capture of planetary satellites involving a three-body gravitational encounter between a binary and a planet suggests that Triton was originally part of a binary pair orbiting the Sun. This mechanism introduces a new pathway for satellite capture by planets, which may be relevant to other objects in the solar system.
A team of astronomers studied the most massive and hot known fossil group, RX J1416.4+2315, to understand its formation. They found that a high-temperature halo extending over three million light years indicates the cluster's large mass.
Researchers used NASA's GRACE satellites to determine the Antarctic ice sheet is losing significant mass, with an estimated annual loss of up to 36 cubic miles. This decline in total ice mass has a global sea level impact equivalent to 0.4 millimeters annually.
Scientists have identified two large subglacial lakes beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, 90ºE and Sovetskaya. These lakes are estimated to be around 2,000km2 and 1,600km2 in size, respectively, and are sealed beneath over two miles of ice.
Scientists have created a detailed map of tides under Antarctic ice using the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites. The tides play a major role in measuring how much ice is melting or freezing, affecting global sea levels.
Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory conclude that competitive accretion cannot explain observed star-forming regions. The new model, which favors gravitational collapse, accurately predicts the formation of massive stars and heavy elements in supernovae. Turbulence opposes gravity, preventing rapid core collapse.
Researchers reject competitive accretion model, which predicts stars form through gas accretion, in favor of gravitational collapse and fragmentation theory. The new model shows turbulence hinders accretion, resulting in stable core mass, contradicting observations of brown dwarfs with planetary disks.
The Cassini mission reveals that Prometheus creates regular patterns in the F ring, including channels and streamers, by gravitationally extracting material from the ring. This phenomenon poses unique challenges to understanding ring-satellite interactions.
Physicists prove that tiny but ageing neutrinos can be used to test the foundations of quantum theory at unprecedented cosmological time scales. This method is more decisive than observing macroscopic objects.
Scientists have discovered a specific signaling pathway, PKA, that is crucial for T-cell activation and immune function. In microgravity, this pathway fails to respond to pathogens, leading to severe T-cell suppression.
Physicists Andreas Karch and Lisa Randall propose that the relaxation principle in the early universe led to the formation of three- or seven-dimensional realities. These dimensions could be hidden from our perception, with our three-dimensional reality being just one of them.
New research from Rice University suggests the immune system's mild inefficiency may lead to autoimmune diseases, as its mechanisms for developing antibodies could also attack healthy cells. Ancient neutrinos created in the early universe may provide evidence for or against string theory and quantum loop gravity.
Researchers are testing the Space Cycle, a human-powered centrifuge that generates artificial gravity, to prevent muscle loss and atrophy in astronauts. The device simulates various levels of gravity, from Earth to five times Earth's gravity, to assess its effectiveness in maintaining muscle mass and strength.
Researchers have discovered ever-changing clusters of debris in Saturn's A ring, with cluster cores ranging from 7 feet to 43 feet in size. The clusters are periodically torn apart by gravitational tides and reassembled into new configurations.
Physicists Eric Linder and Robert Caldwell separate dark energy scenarios through satellite searches, offering a way to distinguish among dark energy possibilities. The Joint Dark Energy Mission experiments may be able to determine which scenario is correct.
Researchers improve measurement of Casimir force, influencing small objects more than gravity, with implications for nanotechnologists. The study confirms gravity behaves as expected, ruling out exceptions to Newton's theories.
Scientists at PNNL develop MicroCATS, a system to produce propellant from Martian resources, regenerating breathable air and enabling life support. The goal is to advance microtechnology principles for larger-scale Mars missions by 2030.