Articles tagged with Observatories
An international team of astronomers has reported the discovery of a planet, WD 1856 b, orbiting a white dwarf star, which is about seven times larger than the star. The planet's unusual orbit has confirmed previous theories of planetary migration from outer to inner solar systems.
A team of international researchers has detected phosphine gas in Venus' clouds, a potential biosignature indicative of life. The finding is significant as it rules out natural non-biological processes that could produce the same amount of phosphine.
A team of astronomers identified the first direct evidence that groups of stars can tear apart their planet-forming discs, leaving them warped and with tilted rings. This discovery suggests exotic planets may form in inclined rings around multiple stars.
The James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed a critical ground segment test, demonstrating the complete end-to-end flow from planning science observations to downlinking data. This milestone validates the observatory's ability to respond to commands and function in space.
For the first time, researchers have measured the global magnetic field of the solar corona. By applying magneto-seismology to observations from Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter (CoMP), they mapped the magnetic field in the global corona using wave propagation speed and density data.
NASA's Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) has observed unusual dimming in Betelgeuse, a star experiencing an early minimum brightness cycle. The observations, made between late June and early August, show that the star is dimming unexpectedly again, adding to ongoing questions about its behavior.
Researchers obtained critical data on a special type of exploding star, known as calcium-rich supernovae, which produce vast quantities of calcium. These events account for up to half of the calcium found in the universe and provide insights into how elements are expelled during a supernova explosion.
Researchers at Aalto University found that the quiet Sun is more active than previously thought, with radio brightenings and solar storms detected during the solar minimum period. These findings suggest that solar activity cycles may not always follow traditional 11-year patterns.
Dome A's unique atmospheric properties make it an ideal location for optical and infrared astronomy, with measurements showing excellent seeing values of up to 0.13 arcseconds. The site's feasibility and cost-efficiency are enhanced by its lower boundary layer thickness compared to other Antarctic locations.
A Northwestern University-led team discovered the most distant short gamma ray burst (SGRB) with its afterglow measured, located 10 billion light-years away and 3.8 billion years after the Big Bang. The study reveals that neutron stars in a 'teenage' universe may have merged relatively quickly.
Astronomers detected a massive star in the Kinman Dwarf galaxy that vanished without producing a supernova. Theories suggest the star may have collapsed into a black hole or been transformed by dust, challenging current understanding of massive star deaths.
Astronomers have discovered the second most distant quasar, Pōniuāʻena, containing a monster black hole twice the mass of other quasars at the same epoch. The discovery presents significant challenges to current theories on supermassive black hole formation and growth in the early universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully tested its deployable tower extension, a critical component that allows the observatory to cool down and unfold in space. The test simulated zero-gravity conditions and performed exactly as predicted, providing valuable insights into the telescope's performance.
Extreme horizontal branch stars, with four to five times hotter than the Sun, show giant magnetic spots that cause regular brightness variations. These spots are also linked to superflare events, explosions of energy several million times more energetic than similar eruptions on the Sun.
Astronomers used ALMA to discover a massive rotating disk galaxy, DLA0817g, which challenges traditional models of galaxy formation. The galaxy formed primarily through the steady accretion of cold gas, indicating alternative growth processes dominated over violent mergers.
Comet SWAN was first spotted in April 2020 using data from SOHO's Solar Wind Anisotropies instrument, releasing huge amounts of water into space. It is the 3,932nd comet discovered using SOHO data and will make its closest approach to Earth on May 13 at a distance of about 53 million miles
Researchers at Special Astrophysical Observatory and Kazan Federal University studied the globular cluster NGC 6652 and found its age to be approximately 13.6 billion years. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that younger galaxies are more metal-rich, revealing a complex history for this ancient object.
The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a breathtaking portrait of a firestorm of starbirth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This iconic image, nicknamed the 'Cosmic Reef,' showcases the telescope's enduring legacy and transformative impact on modern astronomy.
Researchers have discovered the first pulsar in Globular Cluster M92 using FAST telescope. The pulsar, PSR J1717+4307A, is an eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar in a circular orbit with a companion star. This discovery provides insights into pulsars and their role in probing dense stellar cores.
Astronomers discovered unusually high levels of carbon monoxide in the gas emitted by comet 2I/Borisov, which likely formed in an extremely cold environment. The comet's composition may indicate a different formation process than solar system comets, shedding light on the birthplace of another planetary system.
Scientists have found that the unique characteristics of interstellar object 'Oumuamua can be explained by tidal forces felt during close encounters with stars. The study suggests that rocky objects like 'Oumuamua could originate from planetary systems, providing a new perspective on their formation and evolution.
The ESO's Very Large Telescope has observed an ultra-hot giant exoplanet where it rains iron on its night side. Strong winds carry iron vapour from the day side to the cooler night side, where temperatures decrease, resulting in a unique and extreme phenomenon.
The Gemini Observatory has captured an exquisite image of the planetary nebula CVMP 1, also known as a celestial hourglass. This object is formed when a massive star undergoes a catastrophic explosion, leaving behind a hot core that energizes the ejected gases, causing them to glow and form the striking hourglass shape.
An international team of astronomers has discovered an unusual monster galaxy called XMM-2599, which formed most of its stars in a huge frenzy when the universe was less than 1 billion years old. The galaxy stopped forming stars and became inactive by the time the universe was only 1.8 billion years old.
Astronomers have detected significant amounts of oxygen in the ancient star J0815+4729, which is one of the oldest and most elementally depleted stars known. This finding provides valuable insights into how oxygen and other essential elements were produced in the early universe.
Researchers have identified a repeating Fast Radio Burst source in a nearby spiral galaxy, which is radically different from previous studies. The discovery challenges assumptions about the origin of these mysterious radio pulses and may indicate that FRBs are produced in a large zoo of locations across the Universe.
The NSF Vera C. Rubin Observatory will conduct a vast astronomical survey, mapping the Milky Way and probing dark energy and dark matter. Vera Rubin's groundbreaking work uncovered the existence of dark matter, making this observatory a fitting tribute to her legacy.
Researchers found a massive gas disk around the 40-million-year-old star 49 Ceti, contradicting conventional planet formation predictions. The discovery raises questions about the origin of the gas and its impact on planetary composition.
Researchers discovered gigantic clouds of gaseous carbon spanning over 30,000 light-years around young galaxies using ALMA. The findings indicate that carbon atoms produced inside stars in the early Universe have spread beyond galaxies, challenging current understanding of cosmic evolution.
The NGC 5394/5 galaxies are engaging in a slow and intimate dance, fueled by their gravitational interactions. This process has already led to the coalescence of hydrogen gas into regions of star formation, resulting in the sparkling of new stars.
The detection of record-setting gamma-ray bursts by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has provided new insights into the mechanisms driving these events. The blasts produce an initial pulse of gamma rays, followed by afterglows that can be detected at longer wavelengths.
A team of astronomers used ALMA to study the structure of dense gas in N159, a bustling star formation region in the LMC. The observations found fan-shaped filaments of gas extending to the north with pivots in the southernmost points, similar shapes and ages of baby stars in two regions separated by 150 light-years.
Southwest Research Institute successfully demonstrated a miniature solar observatory on a high-altitude balloon, collecting 75 minutes of solar images. The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform provides optical precision equivalent to imaging a dime from a mile away, supporting the development of custom solar instruments.
Astronomers using ESO's SPHERE instrument have observed Hygiea, the fourth largest asteroid in the belt, and found it could be classified as a dwarf planet due to its spherical shape. The team's observations put Hygiea's diameter at over 430 km.
Astronomers detected freshly made heavy element, strontium, in space after a neutron star merger, confirming the process by which it forms. This discovery provides a missing piece of the puzzle of chemical element formation and ties rapid neutron capture to neutron star mergers.
William Zhang won the Goddard Technology Award for developing ultra-lightweight and sensitive X-ray mirrors using mono-crystalline silicon. This innovation could represent a paradigm shift in X-ray astronomy, enabling more efficient and detailed observations of celestial targets.
Astronomers have found a massive monster galaxy in the early universe, hidden in dust, which has never been seen before. The discovery provides new insights into the first growing steps of some of the biggest galaxies in the universe.
The sunshield has passed a test critical to preparing the observatory for launch, with technicians deploying and tensioning each of its five layers. The deployment simulates the conditions it will face in space, with temperatures ranging from -394°F to 230°F.
A team of astronomers discovered three areas in the disk of a young star where gas is cascading into gaps, indicating the presence of forming planets. The study confirms a theory about how planets acquire their atmospheres, suggesting that warmer gas from the outer layers of the disk forms the atmosphere of the planet.
Astronomers using ALMA have imaged a cosmic pretzel, a network of gas and dust surrounding two young binary stars. The structure is similar to the asteroid belt in our Solar System, with spiral shapes displaying complex dynamics.
Astronomers have discovered the oldest known galaxy protocluster, z66OD, with 12 galaxies existing 13.0 billion years ago. One of these galaxies is Himiko, a giant object found previously by the Subaru Telescope, which was unexpectedly located on the edge of the protocluster.
The ASAS-SN telescope network discovered a tidal disruption event in 2019, which was followed up with observations from NASA's Swift satellite and TESS. The team captured the event's evolution, revealing unique characteristics such as a smooth increase in brightness and a young host galaxy.
A research team led by LI Chunlai reconstructed the landing trajectory and positioning techniques of China's Chang'E-4, which successfully landed on the Moon's far side in January. The reconstruction provides valuable insights into the navigation process and could aid future lunar missions.
Astronomers using the Green Bank Telescope have discovered a millisecond pulsar with a massive neutron star at its center, packing 2.17 times the mass of our Sun into a sphere only 30 kilometers across. This finding approaches the limits of how massive and compact an object can become without crushing itself down into a black hole.
The Gemini Observatory has captured the first-ever image of an interstellar comet, C/2019 Q4 (Borisov), in multiple colors. The object exhibits a pronounced tail indicative of outgassing, a characteristic that defines cometary objects.
A team of astronomers has discovered a second giant planet, β Pictoris c, in the Beta Pictoris system. The exoplanet has a mass nine times that of Jupiter and completes its orbit in approximately 1,200 days. This detection marks the first time a planet has been found around a star like β Pictoris using the radial velocity method.
Astronomers have found a treasure trove of previously unknown ancient massive galaxies, defying current models of the universe. These galaxies are connected to supermassive black holes and dark matter, providing new insights into cosmic evolution.
Researchers using ALMA observe a swirling disk of cold interstellar gas rotating around a supermassive black hole, NGC 3258. The study provides an unprecedented close-up view of the disk's rotation, allowing for the determination of the black hole's mass as 2.25 billion solar masses.
The new optics made of silicon material meet stringent imaging requirements, offering a two orders-of-magnitude leap in sensitivity over previous telescopes. The technology will be tested on a sounding rocket mission in 2021 and could benefit future missions if Lynx is not chosen.
The discovery of ZTF J1539+5027 is the fastest known eclipsing white dwarf binary, with an orbit period of only 6.91 minutes, making it a valuable target for gravitational wave studies. The system is expected to be one of the strongest sources of gravitational waves detectable by LISA, the future space-based gravitational wave detector.
The China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) has accomplished significant advancements in lunar research since its launch in 2007. The program plans to send the first sample-return mission to Earth, dubbed Chang'E 5, and establish a Lunar Scientific Research Station by 2030.
Astronomers have made the first-ever observations of a circumplanetary disk around PDS 70, a young star located 370 light-years from Earth. The ALMA data provide compelling evidence for the existence of multiple moons in the system, with two Jupiter-like planets and a potential third planet on its own orbit.
Astronomers observed a massive protostar's gaseous disk for the first time, finding it shares common features with lighter baby stars. The discovery suggests that star formation is the same process, regardless of final mass.
A team of astronomers successfully confirmed the distance to a galaxy hosting an intense radio burst that flashed only once, lasting a thousandth of a second. The Gemini South telescope played a crucial role in verifying that the burst occurred 4 billion years ago.
Researchers using ALMA pinpointed a small dust concentration in the disk around TW Hydrae, suggesting a potential planet formation site. The discovery provides valuable insights into the process of planet formation and may help identify the final stage of planetary growth.
The James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield has been tested in its folded configuration to fit inside a rocket for launch. The telescope will be deployed after launch and undergo further transformation to reach its operational state.
A new study reveals that rare 'superflares' can occur on older, quieter stars like our sun, posing a threat to Earth's electronics. The events, which eject huge bursts of energy, could disrupt communication satellites and cause blackouts.
Researchers have imaged a never-before-seen disk of cool, interstellar gas wrapped around the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The disk is composed of phenomenally hot and comparatively cooler gases, with temperatures ranging from 10 million to 10 thousand degrees Celsius.
The IAC and ESA have signed an agreement to expand the programmes of optical communication with space missions and studies of space debris at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife. The new agreement will enable the installation of additional optical systems on the existing telescope, enhancing the observatory's capabilities.
Astronomers discover unique infrared signature on Triton, suggesting a mix of carbon monoxide and nitrogen ices. This finding sheds light on conditions on other distant, icy worlds and could provide insights into the origins of life.