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ALMA reveals carbon-rich, organic birth environments of planets

A study using ALMA revealed that protoplanetary disks around five young stars are factories of organic molecules, including nitriles implicated in the origins of life. The discovery provides insights into planetary system formation and whether these systems have what it takes to host life.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateSep 15, 2021

NSF awards funding for next-generation VLA antenna development

The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) will be a key tool for answering important scientific questions in astrophysics, offering sensitivity and resolving power 10 times greater than the current VLA. Construction could begin by 2026 with early scientific observations starting in 2029.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateAug 9, 2021
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.

Successful test paves way for new planetary radar

The successful test paves the way for designing a more powerful transmitter to enhance detection and imaging of small objects in near-Earth space. The technology will allow unprecedented detail and sensitivity, increasing our understanding of the Solar System.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJan 28, 2021

Magnetic field of a spiral galaxy

Researchers use VLA radio telescope to image galaxy NGC 4217's magnetic field, extending far beyond the galaxy's disk. The dynamo theory suggests that this massive magnetic field is generated by plasma motion within the galaxy's disk.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJul 21, 2020

New cosmic magnetic field structures discovered in galaxy NGC 4217

Researchers analyzed the magnetic field of Milky Way-like galaxy NGC 4217 and discovered unique structures such as X-shaped fields, helices, superbubbles, and giant loops. These findings suggest a connection between star formation and supernovae explosions in shaping the galaxy's magnetic field.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateJul 21, 2020

How colliding neutron stars could shed light on universal mysteries

Researchers have discovered an unusual pulsar in a binary system with two neutron stars of different masses, which could provide vital clues about unsolved mysteries in astrophysics. The discovery, published in Nature, sheds light on the expansion rate of the Universe and the nature of exotic matter that makes up neutron star interiors.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature·DateJul 8, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astronomers find elusive target hiding behind dust

Astronomers have discovered a region around a protostar containing complex organic molecules, dubbed a 'hot corino,' which is crucial for the formation of life. The finding resolves a long-standing puzzle about why some binary systems show evidence of hot corinos but not others.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 8, 2020

Astronomers capture first image of a black hole

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) has captured the first direct visual evidence of a supermassive black hole, located 55 million light-years from Earth. The image reveals the black hole's mass is 6.5-billion times that of the Sun.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 10, 2019

First science with ALMA's highest-frequency capabilities

Astronomers observed water vapor jets streaming away from a protostar, detecting heavy water naturally emitted by water molecules. ALMA also observed a wealth of complex organic molecules surrounding the star-forming region, with over ten times more spectral lines than previous observations.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 17, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Astronomers discover galaxies spin like clockwork

Astronomers have discovered that all galaxies rotate at the same rate, with a sharp edge containing older stars, gas, and young stars. This regularity helps understand galaxy mechanics, enabling more efficient observations and reduced processing power.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 13, 2018

GBT detection unlocks exploration of 'aromatic' interstellar chemistry

The discovery of benzonitrile marks a significant milestone in understanding the source of the Milky Way's mysterious infrared glow. The detection provides chemical breadcrumbs from simple molecules to larger PAHs, shedding light on their ubiquity in interstellar space.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Astronomer's map reveals location of mysterious fast-moving gas

Australian scientist Dr. Tobias Westmeier has created the most detailed map ever of high-velocity gas clouds in the Universe, revealing over 13% of the sky is covered by these mysterious clouds. The map shows gas clouds moving at speeds of up to a few hundred kilometers per second and provides new clues about their origin.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 3, 2017

$23 million in new funding for Dunlap Institute astronomers

The Dunlap Institute has received $23 million in funding to develop innovative astronomical technology, including a radio astronomy data centre and an infrared spectrograph. These projects will position Canada at the forefront of next-generation astronomy research.

SourceDunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics·DateOct 12, 2017

VLA begins huge project of cosmic discovery

The VLA Sky Survey (VLASS) will produce the sharpest radio view of a large portion of the sky, detecting powerful cosmic explosions and superfast particles. The survey will reveal new information on galaxy growth, magnetic fields, and interactions between galaxies.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateSep 18, 2017
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.

ASKAP telescope to rule radio-burst hunt

The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) has successfully detected its first fast radio burst (FRB), marking a major breakthrough in this elusive field of astronomy. The detection was made using an innovative strategy, allowing the telescope to scan a larger area of the sky and increasing its chances of finding FRBs.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 22, 2017

Star clusters discovery could upset the astronomical applecart

Researchers have discovered young stars in old star clusters, suggesting that our current models of stellar evolution may be incorrect. This finding could mean that star clusters contain multiple generations of stars.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 6, 2017

Embryonic cluster galaxy immersed in giant cloud of cold gas

Astronomers detected carbon monoxide gas indicating large quantity of molecular hydrogen, suggesting formation of a single, gigantic galaxy. The cloud of cold gas is estimated to be three times the size of the Milky Way Galaxy.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 2016

Astronomers smash cosmic records to see hydrogen in distant galaxy

An international team of scientists has detected a faint signal emitted by hydrogen gas in a galaxy over five billion light years away. The detection, achieved using the Very Large Array radio telescope, reveals an unusually large amount of hydrogen and provides insights into the history of galaxy evolution.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 1, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

'Fast radio burst' sheds new light on origin of these extreme events

A team of astronomers discovered the most detailed record ever of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB), indicating that it originated in a highly magnetized region of space. The research suggests a link to recent supernovae or active star-forming nebulae, significantly narrowing down the source's environment and type of event.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateDec 2, 2015

Colliding stars explain enigmatic 17th century explosion

A team of astronomers using APEX and other telescopes revealed that the star that appeared in the sky in 1670 was a rare stellar collision, not a nova. The team discovered a cool gas rich in molecules with an unusual chemical composition, which was too great to be explained by a nova explosion.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateMar 23, 2015

Primordial galaxy bursts with starry births

Astronomers have discovered a galaxy, AzTEC-3, that gives birth to 1,100 suns annually, creating about three suns each day. This ancient galaxy is one of the earliest examples of a starburst galaxy, fuelled by massive material and galactic mergers.

SourceCornell University·DateNov 12, 2014

ALMA spots supernova dust factory

Astronomers have observed a recently formed dust factory in the remnant of Supernova 1987A using ALMA. The findings suggest that significant amounts of dust are being created by supernovae explosions, which could explain the dusty appearance of many galaxies in the early Universe.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 6, 2014
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.

A Terahertz generator with the highest signal quality

Researchers at Luz WaveLabs have developed a Terahertz generator with a signal quality one million times greater than current technology. The device uses an 'optic seed' to synthesize high-quality THz signals, making it suitable for various applications including security systems, cancer detection, and industrial inspection.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalIEEE Photonics Technology Letters·DateDec 16, 2013

Hidden details revealed in nearby starburst galaxy

The Green Bank Telescope has captured detailed images of M82, highlighting streamers of material and dense molecular gas surrounding areas of intense star formation. Astronomers hope to understand the connection between dense gas and star formation by creating wide-angle maps of galaxy gas.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 9, 2013

Physical constant passes the alcohol test

Scientists measured methanol molecule's radio spectrum in a distant galaxy, finding minimal change in proton-to-electron mass ratio over billions of years. The result confirms fundamental properties of molecules have remained consistent despite universe's evolution.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateDec 14, 2012

A black widow's Tango Mortale in gamma-ray light

A team of scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics discovered a record-breaking millisecond pulsar, PSR J1311-3430, using a new data analysis method. The pulsar is accompanied by an unusual sub-stellar partner that it is vaporizing, earning it the nickname 'black widow'.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateOct 25, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Black hole surprise in ancient star cluster

Two black holes, about 10 to 20 times heavier than the Sun, have been found in the globular cluster M22, a surprise discovery that challenges existing theories. The research, published in Nature, reveals that these smaller black holes are more common in globular clusters than previously thought.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2012

A pulsar with a tremendous hiccup

Researchers identified a radio-quiet, very young pulsar J1838-0537 that experienced the strongest rotation glitch ever observed for a gamma-ray-only pulsar. The glitch resulted in a 38 millionths of a Hertz faster rotation rate.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 26, 2012

The discovery of deceleration

Millisecond pulsars lose half of their rotational energy during mass-transfer process, explaining apparent age paradox and absence of sub-millisecond radio pulsars. This result is in agreement with current observations and helps resolve the 'turn-off' problem in stellar astrophysics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateFeb 2, 2012
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.

Millisecond pulsar in spin mode

Scientists have found the first gamma-ray pulsar in a globular cluster, J1823-3021A, which is also the youngest millisecond pulsar discovered to date. Its high luminosity and strong magnetic field challenge current theories on its formation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2011

TheSkyNet launched

TheSkyNet project allows public to contribute spare computing power to radio astronomy data processing. The initiative aims to complement primary data processing work of supercomputing facilities, generating real outcomes for scientific research.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·DateSep 13, 2011

Black holes and warped space: New UK telescope shows off first

The e-MERLIN telescope has captured the first image of a galaxy with its gravitational lens, revealing multiple images of a quasar billions of light years away. This groundbreaking observation demonstrates the power of the new telescope system in studying the fine details of astronomical events.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateDec 9, 2010

Cosmic curiosity reveals ghostly glow of dead quasar

Astronomers have confirmed that Hanny's Voorwerp is a large cloud of glowing gas illuminated by the light from a quasar, which has since burned out. The team found that the quasar lighting up the gas took up to 70,000 years to travel through space.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 3, 2010
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.

Black holes lead galaxy growth, new research shows

A recent study suggests that supermassive black holes formed first and grew before their host galaxies. The ratio of black hole mass to galactic bulge mass is nearly constant across different galaxy sizes and ages. This finding implies that the growth of black holes and galaxies was an interactive process.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJan 6, 2009

Australia, South Africa, short-listed for giant telescope

Australian and South African sites selected as top contenders to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, with low man-made signals a key requirement. Both countries' sites offer stable ionospheric conditions and a good view of the southern sky, ideal for detecting cosmic radio waves.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateSep 29, 2006
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.

Astronomers detect powerful bursting radio source

Researchers detected five powerful bursts from the Galactic center using the VLA radio telescope, with each burst lasting about 10 minutes and occurring every 77 minutes. The source's coherent emission properties suggest it could be an unknown mode of activity or a new class of objects.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 2, 2005

Gigantic new telescope to unlock secrets of the universe

The Green Bank Telescope (GBT) is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, opening a new era of astronomical research. With its record-breaking capabilities, scientists will be able to study the universe in unprecedented detail, making groundbreaking discoveries and advancing our understanding of the cosmos.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateAug 17, 2000

Deuterium raining into Milky Way

Researchers detect significant amount of deuterium in Sagittarius A cloud, 30 light years from Milky Way's center. The findings suggest that deuterium was created in the first few minutes after Big Bang and is not produced by stars or stellar activity.

SourceWilliams College·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2000

Twinkle, Twinkle, Massive Fireball

Astronomers calculate that a gamma ray burst has expanded to 85 times the size of our solar system and is still growing. The detection uses the 'twinkling' effect in radio astronomy, where the point where twinkling stops allows for diameter measurement.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center--Space Sciences Laboratory·DateSep 19, 1997

Very Large Array Detects Radio Emission From Gamma-Ray Burst

Astronomers have detected radio emission from a cosmic gamma-ray burst using the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope. The detection may help resolve one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics, providing unprecedented knowledge about gamma-ray bursts and their parent objects.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateMay 15, 1997
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.