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.
Scientists have captured the first direct images of a snow line in an infant solar system, revealing its role in forming planets. The study uses radio-wavelength images from the Atacama Larger Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope to show a carbon monoxide snow line around TW Hydrae, 175 light-years away.
Astronomers at the University of Warsaw discovered that stellar monsters with masses 200-300 times that of our Sun will not collide until billions of years from now. Due to their large distance apart and lack of expansion, there is no mechanism for their orbit to tighten, making a spectacular collision impossible.
Astronomers have discovered a 'dust trap' around a young star that is likely a comet factory, allowing particles to grow from millimetre size to comets. The observations, made using ALMA, reveal a ring of gas with a central hole created by an unseen planet or companion star.
Astronomers have discovered a crescent-shaped structure, known as a dust trap, around a young solar system in the constellation Ophiuchus. The researchers speculate that this feature enables dust particles to cling together, setting the stage for the formation of larger objects.
IRIS will provide high-resolution images and spectra to unravel the interface region, allowing scientists to track solar material as it is accelerated and heated. The mission enables the observation of temperature ranges from 5,000 to 10 million kelvins.
Astronomers detected a neutron star's abrupt slow-down with NASA's Swift observatory, which is an unprecedented event. The discovery of the 'anti-glitch' neutron star named 1E2259+586 has significant implications for understanding pure physics in extreme conditions.
A team of scientists discovered a unique double object consisting of a massive neutron star and its white dwarf companion, pushing the limits of physical theories. The discovery offers an opportunity to test Einstein's general relativity with unprecedented precision.
Scientists have developed a new numerical method for simulating the evolution of the solar system, which is ten times faster and more accurate than previous methods. The collaboration between mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists, and astronomers has led to a significant improvement in the simulation's reliability over time.
Astronomers have discovered signs of star formation perilously close to the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The ALMA telescope detected jets of material bursting out of dense clouds of gas and dust, indicating the formation of young stars.
Astronomers use ALMA to observe distant starburst galaxies, detecting water in one for the first time. The team finds that these galaxies formed stars at a furious pace 12 billion years ago, earlier than previously thought.
A team of astronomers has discovered two ancient, highly active galaxies in the early Universe, formed soon after the Big Bang. These galaxies are characterized by an unusually high rate of star formation and will help improve our understanding of star formation in the early Universe.
The NASA grant will support the U.S. institutions in building lasers and monitoring equipment for calibrating the telescope's optics from around the globe. The Extreme Universe Space Observatory aims to discover the sources of ultra high-energy cosmic rays by observing their traces in the atmosphere.
Researchers have measured the distance to our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, using rare eclipsing binaries. The new measurement refines an astronomical calculation that helps measure the expansion of the universe, decreasing uncertainty in the Hubble constant.
A team of astronomers has measured the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud with unprecedented accuracy, pinning down its value at 163,000 light-years. This breakthrough improves distances for Cepheid variable stars and the Hubble Constant, enabling more precise surveying of the Universe.
A long duration solar flare triggered an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME), which left the sun at speeds of around 500 miles per second. This CME is likely to cause a geomagnetic storm when it connects with the outside of the Earth's magnetic envelope, potentially affecting auroras near the poles.
Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed by NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, emitting solar particles into space at speeds of up to 750 miles per second. Historically, CMEs of this strength have caused minimal effects on Earth
The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) will study the lower levels of the sun's atmosphere, including the chromosphere and transition region. The mission aims to unravel how matter, light, and energy move from the surface to the corona, with implications for solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Astronomers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Penn State have released a vast image gallery featuring ultraviolet and optical images captured by the Swift satellite's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The collection includes early images, stunning views of galaxies, and rare types of stars.
Astronomers have discovered that planets forming around a young star are helping the star continue to grow by clearing gaps in its surrounding disk. The ALMA telescope has detected thin gas filling these gaps and streamers of dense gas bringing material from the outer disk, near and onto the planets.
Astronomers have detected radio-emitting jets from a stellar-mass black hole outside our galaxy, providing insight into extreme accretion rates. The discovery sheds light on the nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources and their connection to black hole binaries.
Astronomers have identified a new class of galaxies, known as green beans, which are rare and display the largest and brightest glowing regions ever found. These giant glows are thought to be echoes from when the central black hole was more active in the past, providing valuable insights into galaxy evolution.
The discovery of L1527 IRS marks the oldest known solar system in formation, with a rotating dust disk and a protostar expected to grow to match the Sun's mass. The system is thought to be around 300,000 years old, compared to the 4.6 billion-year age of our own Solar System.
A new four-year program aims to draw young artists into science careers by integrating art, biology, and physics. The project, Project STEAM, offers summer academies, science cafés, and activity kits to inspire interest in science among art-interested students, particularly girls.
The SwRI Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP) is a portable unit that will fly on new commercial manned suborbital craft, providing a stabilized view of the Sun to small instruments. SSIPP aims to reduce costs and accelerate innovation in space instrumentation by delivering common infrastructure and conditioned optical beams.
Two O-type stars in the Cygnus OB2 #9 binary system emit intense X-rays as their stellar winds collide during closest approach. The interaction reveals details about the stars' masses, luminosity, and orbits, shedding light on star formation and galaxy evolution.
A team using ALMA discovered a surprising spiral structure in the gas around red giant star R Sculptoris, suggesting a previously unseen companion star. The astronomers found that far more material than expected had been ejected by the star, contributing to the dust and gas that form future stars.
The James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror is composed of 18 hexagonal-shaped assemblies weighing over 40 kilograms each. The delivery of the first two mirrors marks an important step towards the telescope's integration and fulfillment of its scientific potential, enabling study of distant galaxies and the universe's formation.
The study reveals a massive halo of hot gas extending hundreds of thousands of light-years around the Milky Way, with an estimated mass of over 10 billion suns. The discovery may solve the long-standing 'missing baryon' problem in galaxy research.
New techniques using ALMA and laboratory technology identify specific molecules in star-forming regions. Scientists can now analyze the unique patterns of wavelengths emitted or absorbed by molecules, enabling studies that were previously impossible.
Astronomers using ALMA detected glycolaldehyde, a simple form of sugar, in the gas surrounding a young binary star. This discovery suggests that the building blocks of life existed in this system at the time of planet formation.
Neil Gehrels, a NASA astrophysicist, receives the Committee on Space Research Harrie Massey Award for his pioneering contributions to gamma-ray astronomy. The award recognizes his leadership role in advancing astronomers' understanding of gamma-ray bursts.
A team of astronomers has discovered a giant galaxy-packed filament in the universe, containing hundreds of galaxies spanning 8 million light-years. The filament is ablaze with billions of new stars and offers a unique opportunity to explore how galaxies evolve and merge to form superclusters.
Astronomers using Herschel Space Observatory data show that massive black holes at galaxy centers influence star formation rates. Galaxies with powerful black holes form stars at a thousand times the rate of Milky Way, but fastest-growing black holes shut off star formation in surrounding galaxies.
For the first time, astronomers have detected arsenic and selenium in an ancient star, revealing insights into the origin of these elements. The discovery sheds light on how stars produce heavier elements, including those found on Earth.
The Musket Ball Cluster is a newly discovered galaxy cluster where so-called normal matter has been wrenched apart from dark matter through a violent collision. The system, observed 700 million years after the collision, provides valuable insight into the evolution of galaxy clusters and their member galaxies.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center discovered a unique solar pattern, dubbed 'coronal cells,' in the sun's corona. These cells are characterized by bright centers and dark boundaries, occurring in areas between coronal holes and filament channels, with implications for magnetic fields and solar wind emission.
The closest large elliptical galaxy to the Milky Way, Centaurus A has a twisted disc of dust near its centre, formed from a cosmic collision with another galaxy. The galaxy's powerful heart features two massive jets streaming from a massive black hole, emitting strong radio emission and visible in far-infrared images.
Researchers used radio and infrared telescopes to study a giant cloud about 770 light-years from Earth, discovering a 'pristine' clump of gas that may be on the verge of forming dense cores. The observations reveal previously unseen substructures within the clump that could lead to the formation of ten new stars.
The NASA Space Weather App allows users to view Solar Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) minutes after an event occurs. The app provides real-time access to solar-event images, model simulations, data, and forecasts for Android smartphone and tablet users.
McMaster University's Christine Wilson presents findings on galaxy Arp 220's dazzling rate of star formation, which is 200 times faster than our own Milky Way. The star forming core of Arp 220 is only about 3,000 light years across.
A team of astronomers has captured stunning images of a nearby dwarf galaxy undergoing a 'stealth merger' with its host. The resulting stellar stream is visible in the outer regions of NGC 4449, providing insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
A comet was caught doing something never seen before: dying a scorching death as it flew too close to the sun. The comet's size and mass were estimated to be between 150-300 feet long, with its core evaporating in intense heat.
A team of astronomers using gravitational microlensing detected three exoplanets, including a super-Earth and planets comparable to Neptune and Jupiter. Combining this data with previous findings, the researchers conclude that planets are more common than stars in the Milky Way.
Astronomers identify smallest-known black hole using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The 'heartbeat' pattern, similar to an electrocardiogram, suggests a minuscule black hole weighing less than three times the sun's mass.
The Solar Heliophysics Observatory (SOHO) has discovered a new Kreutz-family comet, C/2011 W3 (Lovejoy), through ground-based telescope observations. This is the first time a Kreutz comet has been found in this way since the 1970s, providing scientists with an opportunity to study it before it moves into view of space-based telescopes.
A recent study using the TRAPPIST telescope has accurately measured the shape and size of dwarf planet Eris, confirming its status as Pluto's twin. The findings show that Eris is approximately 2326 kilometers in diameter, with an accuracy of 12 kilometers.
The NASA Swift Observatory has released a free iPhone application that provides up-to-date information on gamma-ray burst discoveries, allowing users to track the location of Swift as it orbits Earth. The app also offers an interactive map, gallery of images, and real-time observations.
Astronomers have captured a new image of a star's disk, revealing spiral-arm-like structures that could indicate the presence of hidden planets. The Subaru Telescope's advanced imaging capabilities have revealed these dynamic features for the first time.
A powerful X1.9-flare has been recorded from sunspot 1302, which is growing and showing no signs of quieting down. The flare could deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on September 26.
Solar activity impacts UARS satellite re-entry due to changes in thermosphere density caused by sunspots and solar flares. The satellite's predicted re-entry time is uncertain due to the dynamic environment, with ongoing solar events potentially affecting its trajectory.
The Hubble Space Telescope has taken anniversary pictures of Neptune, revealing high-altitude clouds in the northern and southern hemispheres composed of methane ice crystals. The images also show that cloud activity is shifting to the northern hemisphere, with seasons lasting about 40 years.
Astronomers have discovered a second supersized black hole at the heart of the unusual nearby galaxy Markarian 739. The study used NASA's Swift satellite and Chandra X-ray Observatory to find the hidden AGN, which is one of the nearest and clearest cases of a binary AGN. The dual black holes are separated by only 11,000 light-years.
Archaeologists have created a 3D topographical map of the ancient Maya city 'Head of Stone', which reveals the location and size of its many buildings and architectural patterns. The site, dated from 800 B.C. to 900 A.D., includes a triadic pyramid, astronomical observatory, ritual ball court, and residential mounds.
A new seismology tip sheet provides critical information on building in hazardous areas near strike-slip faults, as well as tools for predicting quake shaking in Southern California. Researchers also investigated the impact of wind farms on seismic data collection, finding that nearby turbines can cause 'seismic noise'.
Scientists have extended a directly-measured 'yardstick' three times farther into the cosmos using the super-sharp radio vision of the VLBA. New measurements have placed a galaxy at 450 million light-years from Earth, with implications for understanding Dark Energy and the expansion rate of the Universe.
Scientists observed temperatures of millions of degrees in gas jets, known as spicules, which could contribute to coronal heating. The discovery offers a new framework for understanding the sun's high atmosphere and its role in space weather.
SOHO has become the single greatest comet finder of all time, with over 2,000 comets discovered. The spacecraft was not designed for this purpose, but its cameras have proven effective in spotting comets due to their ability to block out the sun's brightness.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a cubic kilometer instrumented ice detector that records rare collisions of neutrinos with the atomic nuclei of water molecules in the Antarctic ice. The observatory provides an innovative means to investigate fundamental particles originating from cosmic phenomena.
Astronomers have discovered a planet from another galaxy orbiting a star that has entered our Milky Way, providing the first confirmed detection of an extragalactic exoplanet. The planet, HIP 13044 b, was detected using high-resolution spectrograph FEROS attached to the MPG/ESO telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory.
Astronomers at UCI use the Herschel telescope to detect hundreds of new galaxies through cosmic alignment, revealing a whole new class of galaxies from the universe's early days. The discovery provides insights into star formation and galaxy size when the universe was young.