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ETH researchers remeasure gravitational constant

Researchers from ETH Zurich conducted a new experiment to redetermine the gravitational constant G, obtaining a value 2.2% higher than the current official figure. The team used a dynamic measurement method involving resonating beams, allowing for real-time data analysis and minimization of interference.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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Cosmological gravitational waves: A new approach to reach back to the Big Bang

A new study by the POLARBEAR collaboration provides a new correction algorithm that allows for almost double the amount of reliable data on Cosmological Gravitational Waves (CGWs), produced during Inflation in the early Universe. This enhances our understanding of the signal and brings us closer to observing CGWs.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022

Phase transitions in the early universe and their signals

A University of Helsinki research team used holographic duality to model early universe phase transitions and their potential impact on gravitational wave signals. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, suggests that such collisions could create powerful ripples in spacetime detectable by satellite missions like LISA.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 19, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

The hunt for the gravitational wave background

Astronomers have been searching for low-frequency gravitational waves by monitoring pulsar pulses, but now NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope can also be used to detect these waves. The satellite's high-energy light provides a clearer view of pulsars and offers an independent method to detect gravitational waves.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 7, 2022

Moon’s orbit proposed as a gravitational wave detector

Researchers from UAB and UCL propose using the Earth-Moon System as a natural gravitational wave detector, capable of detecting signals from the early universe. By analyzing minute deviations in the Moon's orbit, they aim to uncover secrets about the cosmos.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 17, 2022

The dark side of the universe: How black holes became supermassive

Researchers at Brookhaven Lab propose a cosmological phase transition as the key to supermassive black hole formation in the early universe. This process, facilitated by ultralight dark matter particles, enabled efficient collapse of matter into black holes.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 11, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Black hole billiards in the centers of galaxies

Researchers propose a new mechanism for eccentric black hole mergers, suggesting that interactions between three black holes in a flat disk environment could lead to chaotic orbits. This finding challenges previous studies on the rarity of such events.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 9, 2022

Dark energy: Neutron stars will tell us if it’s only an illusion

Researchers used simulations to compare Einstein's theory and modified gravity, finding that 'dark gravity' may be equally good at explaining data from binary neutron star collisions. This could lead to the discovery of new phenomena detectable by next-generation gravitational interferometers.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 3, 2022

Did rapid spin delay 2017 collapse of merged neutron stars into black hole?

A recent analysis of the 2017 GW170817 merger suggests that a rapid spin delay may have prolonged the merger, producing excess X-ray emissions. The radiation is thought to be produced by shocked material in the circumbinary medium, hinting at a bounce from the delayed collapse.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2022

Colossal black holes locked in dance at heart of galaxy

Researchers have found evidence for two supermassive black holes orbiting each other every two years, with masses hundreds of millions times larger than our sun. The quasar's radio-light brightness exhibits sinusoidal variations due to the pair's motion, providing a nearly perfect light curve.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 23, 2022

Probing dark matter using gravitational waves

Recent research uses gravitational waves to assess what fraction of dark matter could be in the form of massive primordial black holes. The study sets an upper limit of less than half for such heavy black holes within a mass range of 100 to 100,000 solar masses.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 22, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Gravitational waves: LISA and the detection of new fundamental fields

Researchers suggest LISA can detect scalar fields interacting with gravity, providing strong bounds on theories beyond General Relativity. Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals offer a unique probe of the strong-field regime of gravity.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2022

International collaboration offers new evidence of a gravitational wave background

An international team of astronomers has found strong evidence for an ultra-low frequency signal, consistent with the expected characteristics of a gravitational wave background. The discovery was made using data from 65 millisecond pulsars, combining independent data sets from around the world.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2022

Challenging Einstein’s greatest theory with extreme stars

A team of international researchers challenged Einstein's theory of general relativity using pulsars as a cosmic laboratory. They detected new relativistic effects, including light deflection and time dilation, with unprecedented precision. The study provides significant insights into gravity theories and the fundamental forces of nature.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Optical cavities could be key to next generation interferometers

Researchers propose a method using optical cavities to enhance atom interferometers, enabling extreme momentum transfer for detecting dark matter and gravitational waves. This could facilitate breakthroughs in fundamental physics and future applications.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Uncovering the secrets of ultra-low frequency gravitational waves

Researchers at the University of Birmingham explore new approaches to detecting low-frequency gravitational waves using pulsars and other measurements. They suggest combining these methods with observations from projects like Gaia, which could help disentangle and interpret signals from the earliest periods of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

UArizona engineer awarded $5M to build quantum-powered navigation tools

The Quantum Sensors project aims to create ultrasensitive gyroscopes and accelerometers using quantum states, enabling precise measurements for self-driving cars and spacecraft. This technology could capture information not provided by GPS, improving navigation and stability in various environments.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateOct 6, 2021

Extending LIGO's reach into the cosmos

A new study by LIGO reveals a new type of mirror coating made of titanium oxide and germanium oxide reduces background noise in mirrors by a factor of two. This allows for an eight-fold increase in the volume of space that can be probed, enabling more frequent detection of gravitational waves.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

RIT researchers develop new method for detecting superfluid motion

Researchers at RIT have developed a new method for detecting superfluid motion that is minimally destructive, in situ, and in real-time. The technique uses laser light to detect the frequency of superfluid rotation, enabling scientists to study superfluids without disrupting their motion.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 24, 2021

Aiming for the sky and beyond: WVU helps net $2 million NSF award to build international gravitational wave detection network

A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.

SourceWest Virginia University·DateSep 13, 2021
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.

On the hunt for ‘hierarchical’ black holes

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 27, 2021

Scientists use artificial intelligence to detect gravitational waves

A team of researchers has developed a new AI framework that allows for accelerated and scalable detection of gravitational waves. The framework, built using NVIDIA GPUs, can process large datasets in real-time, enabling the detection of four binary black hole mergers in under seven minutes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 7, 2021

Physicists observationally confirm Hawking's black hole theorem for the first time

Researchers at MIT confirmed Hawking's area theorem for the first time by analyzing GW150914 signal, showing total event horizon area did not decrease after merger. The findings provide evidence that black holes behave as thermal objects and emit radiation over long timescales, a fundamental revelation about these cosmic phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 30, 2021

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA finds elusive mergers of black holes with neutron stars

Researchers confirmed detection of two rare events involving collision of black hole and neutron star, producing strong gravitational waves signals. The mergers involved massive objects with masses up to 9 solar masses and 1.9-solar-mass neutron stars, providing new information on binary systems and their properties.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2021
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.

On the pulse of pulsars and polar light

A new approach using reimagined telescopes in both hemispheres could help study dark matter and gravitational waves. The BICEP/Keck array is exploring the possibility of increasing scan length to capture larger areas, yielding promising early results.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateApr 16, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Galaxies hit single, doubles, and triple (growing black holes)

A new study using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals that three galaxies colliding can lead to triple mergers with growing supermassive black holes. The research found one single, four double, and one triple merger system, shedding light on how these events shape galaxy growth.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·DateJan 14, 2021
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.

'Galaxy-sized' observatory sees potential hints of gravitational waves

Researchers on the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) project have detected a strong signal in their dataset, but cannot yet confirm it as the gravitational wave background. The team is hoping to pinpoint the source of the signal and gain insights into the universe through this discovery.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 11, 2021

A technique to sift out the universe's first gravitational waves

A team of researchers has developed a method to tease out primordial gravitational waves from gravitational-wave data. The new approach allows for the detection of faint signals that could reveal insights into the early universe's conditions and processes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 9, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Final dance of unequal black hole partners

Researchers use advanced simulation to model large mass ratio black hole merger, predicting characteristics of ultimate merged black hole and its speed. The simulation's success could help plan future gravitational wave detectors and answer mysteries about black holes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 6, 2020

Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves

Research reveals that quantum particles can break a key principle of classical physics when passing through gravitational waves, opening up new possibilities for advanced materials and devices. This finding has significant implications for the development of gravitational wave detectors and potential energy harvesting technologies.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateOct 28, 2020

The black hole always chirps twice: New clues deciphering the shape of black holes

Research reveals black holes emit complex signals when observed from their equator, indicating a unique relation between gravitational waves and black hole behavior. The team discovered that the final black hole's cusp emits more intense gravitational waves, producing multiple 'chirps' as it settles to its final form.

SourceThe Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery·JournalCommunications Physics·DateOct 8, 2020
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.

LSU physicists develop a method to improve gravitational wave detector sensitivity

Researchers at LSU have developed a method to remove quantum backaction in gravitational wave detectors, improving sensitivity and enabling deeper astrophysical observations. The new technique uses a mirror the size of a human hair and shows promising results, with potential implications for LIGO and future GW detector upgrades.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 25, 2020

Scientists detect first-of-its-kind 'intermediate-mass' black hole

Researchers have discovered the first intermediate-mass black hole, which has a mass of 142 solar masses. The cosmic event was detected as a brief gravitational wave signal, lasting less than one-tenth of a second, and is believed to have occurred roughly 7 billion years ago.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 2, 2020
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.

A 'bang' in LIGO and Virgo detectors signals most massive gravitational-wave source yet

Researchers have detected a signal from the most massive black hole merger observed in gravitational waves, producing an 'intermediate-mass' black hole with a mass of up to 1,000 solar masses. The merger released energy equivalent to eight suns and has raised questions about the formation of such massive black holes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 2, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Tabletop quantum experiment could detect gravitational waves

Researchers from UCL and international collaborators propose a detector using nano-scale diamond crystals to measure mid-frequency gravitational waves. The device would be 4000 times smaller than current detectors, enabling the study of black hole collisions and exploring nonclassical gravity.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 1, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Quantum fluctuations can jiggle objects on the human scale

Researchers at MIT's LIGO Laboratory measure quantum noise affecting 40-kilogram mirrors, displacing them by 10-20 meters, a confirmed prediction by quantum mechanics. The team uses a novel instrument called a quantum squeezer to isolate and quantify the quantum effect.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 1, 2020