The SDSS-V survey has released its twentieth public data release (DR20), providing a massive catalog of high-quality spectra of stars across the Milky Way. The dataset includes over two million total spectra, revealing temperatures, ages, and chemical compositions of stars.
A team of astronomers used JWST to detect the motion of stars near a galaxy's center affected by a dormant black hole's gravity. The findings suggest that densest galaxies were sites of rapid black hole growth early in cosmic history.
Researchers have discovered that primitive meteorites contain a different mix of potassium isotopes than those found in other, more-chemically processed meteorites. This suggests that the Solar System was formed from a 'poorly mixed cake batter' of materials, with some planets receiving a unique blend of elements from distant sources.
Scientists have directly measured the cross section of a crucial stellar neutron source reaction, resolving long-standing discrepancies. The study provides accurate data for understanding the origin and abundance of elements heavier than iron in the universe.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the stellar beta-decay rate of 59Fe, which is essential for predicting the yield of 60Fe in massive stars. By measuring this rate, they eliminated a major nuclear uncertainty and found that the yield of 60Fe is 40% less than previously predicted.
Tiny primordial black holes could have destroyed neutron stars from the inside out, leading to the ejection of dense neutron-rich material that formed heavy elements like gold and uranium. This process would also explain several long-standing mysteries in the universe, including Fast Radio Bursts and positron emissions.