Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Unveiling the origins of merging black holes in galaxies like our own

A team of scientists from UNIGE, Northwestern University, and the University of Florida used POSYDON code to simulate binary-star populations, predicting the existence of massive 30 solar mass black hole binaries in Milky Way-like galaxies. This challenges previous theories and provides new insights into the astrophysical origins of me...

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeNews article·DateJun 29, 2023
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Australian astronomers find possible ‘fingerprints’ of gravitational waves

Researchers using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope have found strongest evidence yet for low-frequency gravitational waves, providing further insight into Einstein's general theory of relativity. The discovery, published in several journal papers, has also sparked collaboration among international teams searching for similar signals.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 28, 2023

FAST finds missing link in evolution of spider pulsar system

Researchers have discovered a binary pulsar with a 53-minute orbital period, filling the gap in the evolution of spider pulsar systems. The finding confirms the existence of an intermediate state between redback and black widow spiders, a long-held theory.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateJun 27, 2023

Planet orbiting 2 stars discovered using new technique

Researchers have discovered a large gas giant orbiting two stars using the radial velocities method for the first time. The newly found system, TOI-1338/BEBOP-1, is only the second binary star system known to host multiple planets ever confirmed.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

A new Tatooine-like multi-planetary system identified

Researchers have identified a second circumbinary planet, BEBOP-1c, in the TOI-1338/BEBOP-1 system using state-of-the-art instruments. The newly discovered planet has a mass 65 times larger than Earth and orbits both stars at once.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 12, 2023

Study could help solve mystery of the disappearing twins

A study by UCLA astronomers reveals that none of the 16 young supermassive stars orbiting the Milky Way's black hole are found in pairs, contradicting previous assumptions about stellar formation. The researchers suggest that the extreme environment around the black hole may be driving nearby binary stars to merge or be disrupted.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 11, 2023

Ultracool dwarf binary stars break records

Astronomers have discovered the tightest ultracool dwarf binary system ever observed, consisting of two stars that orbit each other in less than one Earth day. The newly discovered LP 413-53AB system is estimated to be billions of years old, similar to our sun, and has an orbital period three times shorter than previous discoveries.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 1, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

How did the Butterfly Nebula get its wings? It’s complicated

The Butterfly Nebula's unique shape is caused by a second star orbiting the central star, creating wing-like lobes. New research reveals powerful winds are altering the material within these lobes, contradicting existing models of planetary nebulae formation and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Washington·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2023

Ultracool dwarf binary stars break records

Researchers have discovered the tightest ultracool dwarf binary system, comprising two stars that orbit each other in less than a day. The newly discovered LP 413-53AB system is composed of ultracool dwarfs and has an orbital period at least three times shorter than previously detected systems.

SourceNorthwestern University·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2023
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Baffling ‘spiderweb’ star is a nesting binary – not an alien megastructure

Researchers from the University of Sydney explain that the James Webb Space Telescope's 'spiderweb' image is not an alien megastructure but rather a series of concentric dust shells created by a binary system. The team discovered that the stars in the system interact through stellar winds, producing shock fronts and spiral-shaped plumes.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2022

VLBA produces first full 3-D view of binary star-planet system

Astronomers used the VLBA to trace a wobble in a nearby star's motion and discovered a Jupiter-like planet orbiting one of its stars. The planet has twice the mass of Jupiter and orbits every 284 days, with an inclined orbit of 148 degrees from the stars.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

A new method to detect exoplanets

Researchers have discovered a new technique for detecting dim bodies, including planets, orbiting Cataclysmic Variables (CVs). The method analyzes changes in brightness caused by perturbations of a third body orbiting the inner two stars. Two out of four studied CV systems show signs of planetary mass objects in orbit around them.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJul 20, 2022

Wandering star disrupts stellar nursery

A Northwestern University-led team of astrophysicists observed a star-forming cloud and discovered a twisted magnetic field that suggests the formation of a binary star system. The researchers believe a previously hidden sibling star may be responsible for the twisted field, which shifted the dynamics of the cloud to form a new star.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2022

Planets of binary stars as possible homes for alien life

Researchers found that planetary systems around binary stars form differently than those around single stars, potentially creating new targets for extraterrestrial life. The study also suggests that comets could play a key role in delivering organic molecules necessary for life.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·DateMay 23, 2022
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Supernova reveals secrets to Texas-led team of astronomers

Astronomers have used observations from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to better understand how massive stars live and die. The study of supernova 2014C revealed a unique process where the hydrogen envelopes of two stars merged, forming a common-envelope configuration that shed light on the stellar explosion.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2022

Hey dude: Mysterious death of carbon star plays out like six-ring circus

Researchers using ALMA and Hubble Space Telescope observe V Hydrae, a carbon-rich star, expelling matter in six slowly-expanding rings and two hourglass-shaped structures. The discovery confirms the traditional model of AGB star death is incomplete or incorrect.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 28, 2022

The start of the birth of planets in a binary star system observed

Researchers observed a binary star system in formation, revealing two stars with disks of gas and dust surrounding them. The newly discovered disks may be the beginnings of new planet systems that will orbit the binary stars in the future. This study provides unprecedented detail on a binary system in formation.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 10, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New finding in astronomy: black hole spins on its side

For the first time, scientists have measured a large difference between a black hole's rotation axis and the axis of its orbiting binary star system. This finding forces astronomers to add a new dimension to their models, offering new insights into black hole formation and physics.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2022

‘Tatooine-like’ exoplanet spotted by ground-based telescope

A team of astronomers led by the University of Birmingham detected a rare circumbinary planet, Kepler-16b, using radial velocity method. The discovery provides clues on planetary accretion and demonstrates that ground-based telescopes can be used for modern exoplanet research.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Astronomers discover widest separation of brown dwarf pair to date

A team of astronomers has discovered a rare pair of brown dwarfs that have the widest separation of any brown dwarf binary system found to date. The two brown dwarfs are about 12 billion miles apart, or three times the separation of Pluto from the Sun.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 17, 2022

Cosmic 'spider' found to be source of powerful gamma-rays

Astronomers have discovered a binary system consisting of a rapidly spinning neutron star and the precursor to an extremely-low-mass white dwarf, dubbed a 'cosmic spider'. The system emits powerful gamma-rays and has been observed using the SOAR Telescope in Chile.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Secret embraces of stars revealed by Alma

Researchers studied 15 unusual stars in the Milky Way galaxy, discovering that all have recently undergone a rare phase where one star engulfs another. The findings provide new insight into the sky's most dramatic phenomena and may help answer questions about how stars live and die.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 16, 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

High-speed propeller star is fastest spinning white dwarf

Astronomers have detected a white dwarf star that spins at an incredible rate of once every 25 seconds, completing one rotation faster than Earth. The star is thought to be the size of the Earth but massive enough to pull material from its companion star, creating a magnetic propeller system.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·DateNov 22, 2021

New method to detect Tatooine-like planets validated

A new technique developed by University of Hawaii astronomer Nader Haghighipour has successfully detected a transiting circumbinary planet in TESS data. The discovery validates the method, which reduces the time to detect such planets from over a year to just five days.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateNov 10, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

uGMRT unravels the eclipses of millisecond pulsars in compact binary

A team of scientists used uGMRT to study eclipses of millisecond pulsars, finding that absorption by magnetized materials from the companion star is the cause. The study provides insight into the evolutionary processes and ultimate fate of these exotic systems.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 10, 2021

Say hello to Algol’s new companion candidates

Astronomer Dr. Lauri Jetsu discovers multiple new companion star candidates for the eclipsing binary Algol AB, with orbital periods between 20 and 219 years. The companions are too faint to be detected by modern space telescopes, but their periodic signals can predict observed O-C changes.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2021

First ALMA animation of circling twin young stars

Researchers analyzed ALMA data to create the first animation of a young twin star system's orbital motion over three years. The study found that the disks surrounding each star are significantly misaligned with respect to each other, supporting the idea that the system was formed via molecular cloud fragmentation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2021

Stellar collision triggers supernova explosion

Astronomers discovered a stellar collision that triggered a supernova explosion in a companion star. The collision was detected using the VLA and VLASS survey, revealing a centuries-long death dance between two massive stars.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Teardrop star reveals hidden supernova doom

Astronomers have discovered a rare teardrop-shaped star system that will eventually become a Type Ia supernova. The system, HD265435, is comprised of a hot subdwarf and a white dwarf star orbiting each other closely, with the white dwarf being as heavy as our Sun but slightly smaller than Earth's radius.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 12, 2021

Are we missing other earths?

Astronomers using Gemini Observatory and WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope found 73 binary star systems among TESS exoplanet hosts, which could be hiding Earth-sized planets. The team discovered that small planets are harder to detect in binary systems due to glare from the companion star.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJun 28, 2021

Astronomers spot a 'blinking giant' near the centre of the Galaxy

Researchers have discovered a unique 'blinking giant' binary star system, where a giant star is eclipsed by an unseen orbital companion every few decades. The system has been spotted near the centre of the Milky Way, more than 25,000 light years away.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 11, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Binary stars are all around us, new map of solar neighborhood shows

Astronomers have created a massive atlas of widely separated binary stars within 3,000 light years of Earth, comprising 1.3 million pairs. This increase in sample size provides insights into the evolutionary phases of these binaries, including 17,000 white dwarfs.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 22, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Embry-Riddle alumna helps unravel key mysteries of rare stars

Researchers have mapped the orbit of a rare Nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star in the WR 133 binary system, marking the first-ever visually observed orbit of this type. The team determined the dynamical mass of both stars, with the WN star having 9.3 times more mass than our Sun.

SourceEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 9, 2021

A pair of lonely planet-like objects born like stars

Researchers have discovered a binary system of brown dwarfs, orbiting each other at an unprecedented distance, with one object being similar in mass to Jupiter and the other about 8 times less massive. This rare find suggests that star formation processes can create binary systems like those found in our solar system on smaller scales.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 16, 2020

Hubble pins down weird exoplanet with far-flung orbit

Astronomers have measured the motion of a massive Jupiter-like planet in an unlikely orbit around a double star, sparking questions about its formation and evolution. The discovery offers evidence that such oddball orbits are possible and may hold clues to the mysterious Planet Nine in our solar system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateDec 10, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Research suggests our galaxy's brightest gamma-ray binary system may be powered by a magnetar star

A team of researchers has analyzed data to infer the nature of compact object orbiting within LS 5039, the brightest gamma-ray binary system in the Galaxy. The team suggests that particle acceleration process is caused by interactions between dense stellar winds and ultra-strong magnetic fields of a rotating magnetar.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 2, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

SwRI study describes discovery of close binary trans-Neptunian object

A new study reveals the binary nature of a trans-Neptunian object, with two objects orbiting each other only 350 kilometers apart. The discovery was made possible by the Research and Education Collaborative Occultation Network (RECON), a citizen science project.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 28, 2020

The stellar winds of evolved stars are shaped by binary companions

Interactions with binary companions generate complex planetary nebula shapes by influencing the stellar wind of elderly stars. Leen Decin and colleagues observed AGB star winds using ALMA, finding none with spherical symmetry and instead distinct geometries similar to those in PNe.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2020

Misaligned planet-forming rings around triple young stars

Researchers found three large, misaligned dust rings around the young triple star system GW Ori, with sufficient dust for planet formation. A computer simulation suggests that a hidden planet may have carved out a dust gap and broken the disk at the location of the current inner and outer rings.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateSep 4, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Scientists discover pulsating remains of a star in an eclipsing double star system

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a pulsating ancient star in a double star system, allowing them to study the internal structure of a white dwarf in detail for the first time. The discovery provides key insights into the structure, evolution, and death of white dwarf stars, including their composition.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 16, 2020

New type of pulsating star discovered

Astronomers have discovered a one-sided pulsator in the Milky Way, with citizen scientists providing crucial clues. The star's unusual single-sided pulsation is caused by its location in a binary star system with a red dwarf companion.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 9, 2020

Scientists seize rare chance to watch faraway star system evolve

Astronomers have discovered a rare opportunity to study the evolution of a planetary system, with the DS Tuc binary system providing insights into how planets form without being heavily impacted by external forces. The findings suggest that the planet DS Tuc Ab formed through relatively calm processes.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·DateMar 1, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.