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Cosmic blowtorches: How quasars shut down star formation in the early universe

A team at the University of Arizona discovered exceptionally fast and powerful galactic winds from quasars a billion years after the Big Bang. These winds could have caused galaxies to lose gas supplies, effectively shutting down star formation. The study suggests that quasars with extreme outflows were more common in the early univers...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateMay 7, 2026

Spinning neutron star gains enormous magnetic fields

Researchers identified a new process leading to formation of low-field magnetars, solving the mystery that puzzled scientists since their discovery in 2010. The team used advanced simulations to model magneto-thermal evolution of neutron stars, finding that a specific dynamo process can generate weaker magnetic fields.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 4, 2025

Large and small galaxies may grow in ways more similar than expected

A team of astronomers has obtained detailed images of a small galaxy and its surroundings, revealing features typically associated with larger galaxies. The study found that the mechanisms fueling galaxy growth may be more universal than previously thought, suggesting that even dwarf galaxies can build stellar halos through accretion.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025

Astronomers discover first pairs of white dwarf and main sequence stars in clusters, shining new light on stellar evolution

The discovery provides a unique way to investigate the extreme phase of stellar evolution, bridging the gap between the earliest and final stages of binary star systems. This breakthrough could help explain cosmic events like supernova explosions and gravitational waves.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 19, 2024

"islands" of regularity discovered in the famously chaotic three-body problem

Astronomers have discovered patterns of regularity within the chaotic three-body problem, which is a fundamental challenge in physics. The researcher's findings suggest that certain configurations of three massive objects can lead to predictable outcomes, offering new insights into astrophysics and the behavior of black holes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateOct 10, 2024

High-precision measurements challenge our understanding of Cepheids

A new dataset from the VELOCE project has collected over 18,000 high-precision measurements of Cepheid radial velocities, providing insights into the structure and evolution of these stars. The data reveal complex patterns in pulsations that cannot be explained by traditional models, suggesting intricate processes within the stars.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJun 14, 2024

Medium and mighty: Intermediate-mass black holes can survive in globular clusters

Simulations reveal that dense molecular clouds can give birth to very massive stars that evolve into intermediate-mass black holes. The study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of intermediate-mass black hole formation, which could have significant implications for our understanding of these enigmatic objects.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 30, 2024

A leap in lunar exploration: HI-13 accelerator enhanced capability to uncovers clues from supernovae in lunar dust

Researchers at China Institute of Atomic Energy have developed a more sensitive method to detect iron-60 in lunar samples, allowing for deeper understanding of cosmic events. The new technique has improved detection sensitivity better than 4.3 × 10−14 and potentially reaching 2.5 × 10−15.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2024

YouTubers cheer people up more than casual friends

A new study by the University of Essex suggests that watching online stars like Zoella and PewDiePie can be more emotionally fulfilling than talking to casual friends. The research found that parasocial relationships with YouTubers offer positive reinforcement, despite not being able to respond. People of all ages reported feeling a st...

SourceUniversity of Essex·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateMay 23, 2024

Using wobbling stellar material, astronomers measure the spin of a supermassive black hole for the first time

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure the spin of supermassive black holes by tracking the pattern of X-ray flashes produced during tidal disruption events. By analyzing the wobble of the accretion disk, they were able to determine that the nearby black hole was spinning at less than 25% the speed of light.

James Webb Space Telescope captures the end of planet formation

A new study using the James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first-ever image of a planet-forming disk's gas dispersal, providing insights into how planets form in our solar system. The observations reveal that the inner disk of T Cha is evolving on very short timescales, differing from earlier spectra detected by Spitzer.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2024

Astronomers find evidence that blue supergiant stars can be formed by the merger of two stars

A team of astrophysicists simulated models of stellar mergers and analyzed 59 early B-type blue supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The study found that mergers can reproduce the surface composition of a large fraction of the sample, suggesting they may be the dominant channel to produce blue supergiants.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 21, 2024

What makes black holes grow and new stars form? Machine learning helps solve the mystery

A study using machine learning classifies galaxy mergers and finds that mergers are not strongly associated with black-hole growth. Cold gas at the center of the host galaxy is necessary for rapid growth, suggesting a more complex relationship between galaxy evolution and supermassive black holes.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 5, 2024

New insights on how galaxies are formed

A team of 160 researchers from 60 institutions used supercomputers to simulate galaxy formation, correcting limitations and assumptions. The results show disc galaxies formed early in the Universe's history, solving the 'missing satellites problem'.

SourceLund University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 1, 2024

“Triple star” discovery could revolutionise understanding of stellar evolution

Research by University of Leeds scientists has found evidence that massive Be stars may exist in triple systems, challenging current theories on their formation. The discovery could have significant impacts on our understanding of black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational wave sources.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateNov 20, 2023

New research sheds light on early galaxy formation

A new computer simulation of the early universe aligns with JWST observations, showing no discrepancy with theoretical expectations. The 'Renaissance simulations' track dark matter clumps and galaxy formation, consistent with models that dictate cosmic physics.

SourceMaynooth University·JournalThe Open Journal of Astrophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 26, 2023

Deep learning speeds up galactic calculations

A new approach using deep learning speeds up supernova simulation by 99%, enabling more accurate modeling of galaxy evolution. This breakthrough could also apply to climate and earthquake simulations, providing valuable insights into complex phenomena.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 25, 2023