Articles tagged with Observatories
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
The NASA Living With a Star program aims to understand the dynamics of the Earth-Sun system. The Stanford-led SDO mission will study the Sun's magnetic fields, creating 3D images of solar magnetic regions and surface fields, to predict destructive flares and solar storms.
The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will study blue compact dwarf galaxies, which are deficient in heavy elements and contain as little as 2 percent of the solar system's share. The telescope will provide detailed physical information about distant targets using its infrared spectrograph instrument.
The DEIMOS instrument will multiply the power of current Keck spectroscopy by a factor of seven, enabling observations of distant galaxies and shedding light on the formation and evolution of galaxies. With its massive detector and advanced optics, DEIMOS will create the most comprehensive map of the distant universe ever attempted.
Astronomers have detected X-ray radiation from the Milky Way’s center for over two decades, but the origin remained a mystery due to poor resolution. The new image reveals individual X-ray sources and hot gas, leading scientists to conclude that most high-energy radiation comes from white dwarf stars, neutron stars, and black holes.
Astronomers estimate masses of distant black holes using a new method developed by Marianne Vestergaard, allowing for more accurate understanding of quasar behavior. The study challenges previous theories suggesting a threshold mass above which black holes cause quasars to become radio-loud.
A team of astronomers led by UMass' Daniel H. McIntosh found evidence of galaxies transforming in response to their environment. They observed three massive galaxy clusters and discovered a link between a galaxy's surroundings and its evolution, with blue galaxies forming stars while reddish galaxies have few stars.
The National Virtual Observatory will unite diverse astronomical databases, making it easier for researchers to access and analyze data. The project aims to streamline data analysis techniques and promote collaboration among institutions.
The National Virtual Observatory will unite various astronomical databases, taking advantage of computer technology and data storage techniques. This project aims to maximize scientific insights from data, making them accessible to professional researchers, amateur astronomers, and students.
Researchers at the University of Illinois and Wisconsin detected a Y-shaped ionized gas filament near the Big Dipper, believed to be produced by radiation from a white dwarf or low-luminosity source. The object's properties differ from other examples, making it difficult to identify its origin.
A team of U.S. and European astronomers detect X-rays from the farthest known quasar, SDSSp J1044-0125, with a redshift of 5.8, revealing the universe's earliest objects. The quasar's low X-ray emission suggests it may be a 'precursor quasar' or have strong accretion processes.
Scientists have found a mid-mass black hole in the M82 galaxy, which packs the mass of at least 500 suns into a region about the size of the Moon. The discovery opens a new field of research and suggests that such black holes may exist in our own galaxy.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory has been selected as one of the top 100 'Best of What's New' items by Popular Science magazine, highlighting its significant contributions to X-ray astronomy. The observatory is already sending back impressive images that are aiding in understanding exploding stars, black holes, and other celestial phenomena.
The High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer has made the most precise measurements ever recorded of a star's corona, revealing new insights into stellar behavior. The instrument's success marks a major milestone for modern astronomy, enabling scientists to study the chemical composition and temperature of the corona with unpreced...
The Large Angle and Spectrometric COronagraph Experiment (LASCO) on the SOHO spacecraft has made public images and movies taken during the week of December 22-27, 1996. The released data includes coronagraphic images and a movie with an image cadence of approximately 50 minutes.
A delegation from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Project is meeting with South African astronomers to discuss collaboration on constructing a large astronomical telescope. The proposed telescope would be similar in design to the existing Hobby-Eberly Telescope, featuring an 11m primary mirror and 91 hexagonal segments.