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Researchers discover chemical evidence for pair-instability supernova from a very massive first star

A new study has identified a chemically peculiar star in the Galactic halo as clear evidence of the existence of pair-instability supernovae (PISNe) from very massive first stars. The star's low sodium and cobalt abundances are consistent with predictions for primordial PISN from first-generation stars with 260 solar masses.

Dark order in the universe

A team of scientists from Kyoto University has confirmed that galaxy alignments can be a powerful probe for dark matter and dark energy. The analysis of 1.2 million galaxy observations verified general theory of relativity at vast spatial scales, providing strong evidence for gravity's role in shaping the universe.

SourceKyoto University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 13, 2023

HETDEX reveals galaxy gold mine in first large survey

Astronomers have cataloged over 51,863 Lyman-alpha-emitting galaxies, 123,891 star-forming galaxies, and 4,976 active galactic nuclei using HETDEX's spectroscopic data. The survey is a non-targeted, moon-sized survey that collects spectra from 35,000 fiber optic cables, providing a unique dataset for future galaxy mapping.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

How the ‘hell planet’ got so hot

Researchers discovered that 55 Cnc e orbits its star along the equator, unlike other planets in the system. This unique orbit likely formed when the planet fell toward its star over time, resulting in a scorching surface and interior with possible diamond formation.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 8, 2022

How does radiation travel through dense plasma?

Researchers at the University of Rochester used x-ray spectroscopy to study radiation transport in dense plasmas. They found that atomic energy level changes do not follow conventional quantum mechanics theories, instead conforming to a self-consistent approach based on density-functional theory.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2022

Hubble Space Telescope captures largest near-infrared image to find universe’s rarest galaxies

The Hubble Space Telescope has released the largest near-infrared image ever taken, allowing researchers to map star-forming regions and understand how the earliest galaxies originated. This high-resolution survey will enable the identification of rare objects such as massive galaxies, highly active black holes, and colliding galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 6, 2022

Precise insights into the supermassive black hole in the Milky Way’s heart

A team of astronomers has made the most precise measurements yet of the motions of stars around Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. The research, using cutting-edge facilities like Gemini Observatory and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, shows that nearly all of the mass c...

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2021

Unique look at the self-destruction of a star is presented in 3D

Researchers have captured a 1,000-year-old supernova in 3D images, revealing unprecedented details about the elements ejected during a star's explosion. The study provides a three-dimensional map of these elements, shedding light on the conditions at the time of the explosion and the importance of asymmetries in supernovae.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 7, 2021

Solving a long-standing mystery about the desert's rock art canvas

Researchers have solved a long-standing debate about the origin of rock varnish in deserts by attributing its formation to microbial communities that use manganese to combat the desert sun. The study used advanced techniques such as X-ray spectroscopy and DNA sequencing to understand how these ecosystems interact with rock varnish.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 2, 2021

Galactic archaeology

Researchers from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias have discovered a star with an atmosphere devoid of metals, which is believed to be one of the oldest objects in the Milky Way. The study provides valuable information about the origin of the universe and the formation of the first stars.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 10, 2018

Ancient eye in the sky

Astronomers have discovered a rare gravitational lensing system dubbed the Eye of Horus, which offers a unique opportunity to probe the fundamental physics of galaxies. The system, consisting of two distinct background galaxies behind a foreground galaxy, provides valuable insights into galaxy interactions and cosmology.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 25, 2016