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New cosmological constraints on the nature of dark matter

Researchers used ALMA to study gravitational lens system MG J0414+0534, detecting dark matter distribution fluctuations down to 30,000 light-years. The observed distribution is consistent with models for slow-moving dark matter particles.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2023

Gas streamers feed triple baby stars

Astronomers have observed and simulated the feeding of gas to three protostars in a trinary system, revealing how spiral arms, or 'streamers,' form and contribute to protostar growth. This study provides new insights into multi-star system formation, an important aspect of overall star formation theory.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2023

VERA unveils surroundings of rapidly growing black holes

An international team of astronomers used VERA to observe six nearby active NLS1 galaxies, uncovering clues about how rapidly growing massive black holes form and grow. The study revealed significantly greater Faraday rotation compared to older black holes, indicating abundant gas in the nuclear regions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2023

Stellar cradles and graves seen in farthest galaxy ever

Researchers used ALMA to study a distant galaxy, detecting structures of star formation and possible death sites within the surrounding nebulae. The findings suggest a complex environment where many stars may form together as massive clusters.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2023
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.

Astronomers identify the coldest star yet that emits radio waves

Researchers have discovered the coldest star yet to produce emission at radio wavelengths, with a surface temperature of 425 degrees centigrade. The ultracool brown dwarf is a rare find, as most do not emit radio waves due to their dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

Gravitational waves from colossal black holes found using 'cosmic clocks'

A team of researchers using radio telescope observations found evidence of gravitational waves passing through the Milky Way, causing spacetime distortions that appear as variations in pulsar ticking rates. The discovery provides insights into how galaxies evolve and supermassive black holes grow and merge.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023

ALMA digs deeper into the mystery of planet formation

A team studied 19 protostars with ALMA to observe disk structure and signs of planet formation. They found fewer ring structures in younger disks, suggesting rapid planetary system progression.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2023

A surprise chemical find by ALMA may help detect and confirm protoplanets

Scientists using ALMA have discovered the most compelling chemical evidence to date of protoplanet formation. The discovery provides an alternate method for detecting and characterizing protoplanets, particularly those embedded in their parental circumstellar disks.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 27, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Observations of high-mass star seeds defy models

Researchers mapped 39 interstellar clouds to understand high-mass star formation. They found over 800 stellar seeds that will evolve into stars, but only 1% have enough mass to become high-mass stars.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2023

Mysterious dashes revealed in Milky Way’s center

A new population of shorter, horizontally-oriented filaments has been discovered near Sagittarius A*, the galaxy's central supermassive black hole. These filaments are thought to be tied to the outflow of hot material from the black hole, providing insights into its spin and accretion disk orientation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 2, 2023

Astronomers image for the first time a black hole expelling a powerful jet

An international team of scientists has produced an image showing both the ring-like accretion structure around a black hole and the associated relativistic jet. The study provides new insights into the connection between the accretion flow near the central supermassive black hole and the origin of the jet.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2023

How the Messier 87 black hole and jet image was captured

A team at Aalto University captured the first-ever image of a supermassive black hole and its associated jet using Event Horizon Telescope technology. The successful image revealed insights into the environment around black holes and their role in shaping galaxy evolution.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature·DateApr 26, 2023
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.

How different were galaxies in the early universe?

The HERA team has improved the sensitivity of a radio telescope, allowing them to detect radio waves from the cosmic dawn era. The data suggests that early galaxies contained few elements besides hydrogen and helium, unlike modern galaxies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Galaxy changes classification as jet changes direction

Astronomers have discovered a galaxy with a unique activity in its core, leading to a reclassification as a giant radio galaxy. The PBC J2333.9-2343 galaxy has a blazar at its center with jets that changed direction drastically by up to 90 degrees.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 21, 2023

Small but mighty: new superconducting amplifiers deliver high performance at lower power consumption

Researchers have developed a new concept for superconducting microwave low-noise amplifiers with significantly lower power consumption. The SIS amplifier has been successfully demonstrated with high-performance gain below 5 GHz and comparable noise temperature to cooled semiconductor amplifiers, with potential applications in radio ast...

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023
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.

Spiral pattern gives clue to how high-mass stars form

A team of astronomers discovered a spiral pattern in the disk around a high-mass protostar, indicating gravitational instability. The pattern revealed episodic growth bursts, a key aspect of high-mass star formation theory.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Polarized shockwaves shake the universe’s cosmic web

Scientists at ICRAR have identified tantalizing evidence of magnetic fields in the universe's largest cosmic structures. This breakthrough suggests that magnetic forces play a significant role in shaping the cosmos.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 15, 2023

Volcano-like rupture could have caused magnetar slowdown

A study published in Nature Astronomy suggests that a volcano-like rupture on the surface of a neutron star could have caused its sudden slowdown. The research used X-ray data from orbiting telescopes to analyze the magnetar's rotation and found evidence supporting this theory.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 27, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Research news alert: sudden spin-down event illuminates magnetar mystery

Researchers observed a sudden slowing of the star's angular momentum, followed by three Fast Radio Burst-like radio bursts and a month-long episode of pulsed radio emission. The synchronicity of these events suggests an association between magnetar spin-down glitches and radio emissions.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 12, 2023

ALMA scientists find pair of black holes dining together in nearby galaxy merger

Scientists using ALMA discovered a rare instance of two supermassive black holes growing simultaneously near the center of a newly coalescing galaxy. This finding suggests that binary black hole pairs may be more common than previously thought, with potential implications for future gravitational wave detections.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 9, 2023

WALLABY builds an intergalactic map in the outback

The WALLABY survey has mapped over 600 galaxies, including many new discoveries, and will catalog over a quarter of a million galaxies to measure dark-matter distribution and galaxy evolution. The radio telescope's ability to peer through stars and dust in the Milky Way enables scientists to study the universe at unprecedented scales.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeSurvey·DateNov 15, 2022

VLA finds cosmic rays driving galaxy's winds

Astronomers using the VLA discovered that fast-moving cosmic ray electrons drive winds in the neighboring galaxy M33, slowing down new star formation. This finding challenges previous theories, suggesting cosmic rays are a more general cause of galactic winds.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2022
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.

Big planets get a head start in pancake-thin nurseries

A study at Europlanet Science Congress 2022 found that super-thin planet nurseries can accelerate the formation of big planets. The team observed a remarkably thin disc of dust and gas around a young star, where large particles settled into a dense midplane, creating conditions favourable for planetary growth.

SourceEuroplanet·DateSep 22, 2022

VLBA produces first full 3-D view of binary star-planet system

Astronomers used the VLBA to trace a wobble in a nearby star's motion and discovered a Jupiter-like planet orbiting one of its stars. The planet has twice the mass of Jupiter and orbits every 284 days, with an inclined orbit of 148 degrees from the stars.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2022

ALMA witnesses deadly star-slinging tug-of-war between merging galaxies

Scientists discovered that the galaxy stopped forming stars because most of its gas fuel was thrown out of the system as it merged with another galaxy. The result is a first for ALMA scientists and challenges long-held theories about galaxy mergers and deaths.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 30, 2022

ALMA makes first-ever detection of gas in a circumplanetary disk

Scientists using ALMA have detected gas in a circumplanetary disk around a potential Jupiter-mass planet, about 395 light-years from Earth. The discovery sheds light on planetary formation and moon creation processes.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 9, 2022
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.

Out with a bang: Explosive neutron star merger captured for the first time in millimeter light

Researchers recorded millimeter-wavelength light from a fiery explosion caused by the merger of a neutron star with another star, confirming it as one of the most energetic short-duration gamma-ray bursts ever observed. The results reveal that the explosion left behind one of the most luminous afterglows on record.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 3, 2022

Astronomers find evidence for most powerful pulsar in distant galaxy

Scientists have found evidence for a young and extremely powerful neutron star, dubbed VT 1137-0337, in a dwarf galaxy 395 million light-years from Earth. The pulsar is thought to be as young as 14 years old and has the strongest magnetic field of any known object.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2022

Rapid-fire fast radio burst shows hot space between galaxies

Astronomers have discovered a rare and persistent rapid-fire fast radio burst source, sending out an occasional cosmic ping from over 3.5 billion light years away. The burst, named FRB 20190520B, has encountered far more gas in its host galaxy than expected, challenging previous assumptions about the intergalactic medium.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022

Strange radio burst raises new questions

Scientists have discovered a repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) with a compact source of weaker but persistent radio emission, raising new questions about the nature of these mysterious objects. The discovery challenges the usefulness of FRBs as tools for studying intergalactic space.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2022
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.

CRAFTS discovers younger and weirder brother of first repeating fast radio burst

Researchers have discovered a new repeating fast radio burst, FRB 190520B, which exhibits extreme behavior similar to the initial discovery, FRB 121102A. The source has high ambient electron density and reliable bursting behaviors, suggesting it may be a 'newborn' with characteristics resembling a super luminous supernova.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022

Illinois astronomers help capture first image of Milky Way's black hole

A team of University of Illinois researchers, led by Charles Gammie, has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The image reveals a dark central region surrounded by a bright ringlike structure, providing valuable clues about the workings of such giants.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 12, 2022

Astronomers reveal first image of the black hole at the heart of our galaxy

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has captured the first image of Sagittarius A*, a black hole at the center of the Milky Way, revealing a ring-like structure and shadow. The observation confirms Einstein's theory of general relativity and provides new insights into giant black holes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMay 12, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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

Astronomers detect galactic space laser

A team of astronomers led by Dr Marcin Glowacki have detected the most distant megamaser ever observed, with light traveling 58 trillion kilometers from its location at five billion light years from Earth. The megamaser is thought to be created when two galaxies collide, triggering a beam of concentrated light.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateApr 7, 2022

Astronomers reveal best image yet of mysterious ORCs in space

Researchers have captured a detailed image of odd radio circles (ORCs), which are enormous rings of faint radio emissions surrounding galaxies with active black holes. The new image provides more information to help narrow down theories on what causes ORCs, with three leading explanations including galactic shockwaves and wormholes.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 21, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Scientists reveal 4.4 million galaxies in a new map

A team of international scientists has created a detailed radio image of over 4.4 million objects in the northern sky, including galaxies with massive black holes and new star-forming regions. The discovery is made possible by state-of-the-art data processing algorithms and high-performance computing resources.

SourceDurham University·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateFeb 25, 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

Shadow of cosmic water cloud reveals the temperature of the young universe

A team of astrophysicists has discovered a new method to measure the cosmic microwave background radiation's temperature at an early epoch of the universe. By observing HFLS3, a massive starburst galaxy, they found a cold water cloud that casts a shadow on the microwave radiation, revealing the Big Bang's relic temperature.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2022
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.

Nearly 1,000 mysterious strands revealed in Milky Way’s center

Researchers discover nearly 1,000 mysterious filaments stretching up to 150 light years long, found in pairs and clusters, with magnetic fields amplified along the filaments. The study sheds new light on the origins of these structures, which are likely related to past activity of the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2022

Earth isn’t ‘super’ because the sun had rings before planets

A new study by Rice University astrophysicist André Izidoro suggests that the sun had rings before planets formed, explaining many solar system features. The model simulates the solar system's formation hundreds of times and reproduces several features missed by previous models, including pressure bumps and rings.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2022

Astronomers capture black hole eruption spanning 16 times the full moon in the sky

Astronomers captured the most comprehensive image of radio emission from a supermassive black hole in the Centaurus A galaxy, powered by in-falling gas. The eruption extends eight degrees across the sky, spanning 16 full moons, and reveals spectacular new details of the radio emission.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2021

Closing in on the first light in the Universe

Researchers have reduced background noise using new antennas in the Australian hinterland, allowing them to refine their search for a 13-billion-year-old signal known as the Epoch of Reionisation. By surveying over 80,000 radio signal sources, they produced models that significantly improved efforts to locate the elusive signal.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

VLA reveals double-helix structure in massive galaxy's jet

Astronomers used the VLA to reveal a double helix structure in the magnetic field of M87's jet, tracing material out to nearly 3,300 light-years. The findings suggest that instabilities in the flow of material within the jet could produce the observed double-helix structure.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2021

Arecibo data still has astronomers in a spin

Using Arecibo's observations of nearby galaxies, researchers have found that the relationship between a galaxy's mass and rotation speed is not as straightforward as previously thought. The study provides a constraint for future researchers to develop theories on how galaxies evolve.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2021

ALMA scientists detect signs of water in a galaxy far, far away

Researchers have detected water and carbon monoxide molecules in the largest galaxy in the early Universe, located nearly 13 billion light-years from Earth. This finding provides insight into the formation of life-creating elements in the earliest galaxies.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 3, 2021

Volcanic memories: black holes give shape to bubbles, rings and "intergalactic smoke" filaments

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.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalNature Astronomy·DateOct 18, 2021
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.

Dr. Sofia Sheikh awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship for Research & Education at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array

Dr. Sofia Sheikh has been awarded a Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to focus on fast radio bursts and develop improved technosignature detection methods. She will also mentor underrepresented students in physics and astronomy, leveraging the Allen Telescope Array's unique qualities.

SourceSETI Institute·DateSep 22, 2021

Unveiling galaxies at cosmic dawn that were hiding behind the dust

Researchers used ALMA to observe distant galaxies and discovered two new, dusty galaxies near original targets, challenging our understanding of early galaxy formation. The discovery suggests that a significant portion of early galaxies may be hidden from view due to cosmic dust.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 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.