Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Black hole's heart still beating

Astronomers have detected a supermassive black hole's heartbeat, which has been ongoing for over ten years. The signal was spotted again in 2018 using X-ray satellite observations, providing valuable information about the black hole's event horizon.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 16, 2020

Black hole's heart still beating

Astronomers have observed a confirmed heartbeat in a supermassive black hole for over ten years, with the signal repeating every hour. The research provides new insights into the black hole's size and structure close to its event horizon.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 9, 2020
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.

Cosmic quasars embrace 1970s fashion trend

A team of researchers has discovered that quasar jets change from parabolic to conical shapes at a distance from the black hole, similar to flared jeans. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of narrow cone-shaped jets and provides new insights into black hole acceleration.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 8, 2020

Black holes? They are like a hologram

New research suggests black holes could be like holograms, with information concentrated in a two-dimensional surface. This idea aligns with Einstein's theory of relativity and has significant implications for understanding these cosmic bodies.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 3, 2020

Large simulation finds new origin of supermassive black holes

A new computer simulation theory suggests that supermassive black holes form from gas clouds enriched with heavy elements, explaining the large number observed in galaxies today. The simulations showed that a massive star can form 10,000 times more massive than the Sun, which will continue to grow and evolve into a giant black hole.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 2, 2020

Under pressure, black holes feast

A new study reveals that supermassive black holes experience a surge in activity as galaxies within galaxy clusters stop forming stars. The intense pressure allows for a final feast of gas clouds and stars before shutting off normal feeding, suggesting an intricate interplay between black hole behavior and star formation.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 27, 2020

ALMA spots twinkling heart of Milky Way

Astronomers using ALMA have spotted quasi-periodic flickers in millimeter-waves from the center of the Milky Way, suggesting a rotating radio spot circling a supermassive black hole. The findings provide insight into space-time with extreme gravity and may shed light on the behavior of gas around the black hole.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 22, 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.

Like thunder without lightning

Researchers discovered black hole-neutron star mergers in globular star clusters can be detected using computer simulations. The study offers critical insights into the fusion of massive stellar objects, with potential implications for gravitational wave detection.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 15, 2020
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.

Hubble finds best evidence for elusive mid-sized black hole

Astronomers have discovered a black hole weighing 50,000 times the mass of our Sun, offering the strongest evidence yet for intermediate-mass black holes in the universe. Hubble's observations confirmed that the object was tearing apart a star that passed too close, providing key evidence for its existence.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 31, 2020

ALMA resolves gas impacted by young jets from supermassive black hole

Astronomers used ALMA to observe a galaxy with young, powerful jets ejected from a supermassive black hole. The team found clear evidence of disrupted gaseous clouds impacted by the jets' high speeds, providing insight into the evolutionary process of galaxies in the early Universe.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 27, 2020

Staining cycles with black holes

Researchers have introduced a method to rapidly cycle through staining, destaining, and restaining of cell samples using black hole quenchers in under 1 hour. This allows for precise characterization of immune cells in tumors, enabling the selection of suitable treatments.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 25, 2020

Supermassive black holes shortly after the Big Bang: How to seed them

A recent study suggests that supermassive black holes could have formed in just 50-100 million years after the Big Bang, thanks to the rapid migration of stellar black holes. This theory reconciles the short time required for their growth with the age of the Universe.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMar 23, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Black hole team discovers path to razor-sharp black hole images

Researchers predict a nested series of rings within black hole images, with each successive ring becoming increasingly sharper due to its higher number of orbits around the black hole. This discovery enables new possibilities for observing black holes using only two telescopes far apart.

SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020

New telescope observations shed new light on black hole ejections

A team tracked a black hole's ejecting material using e-MERLIN and other telescopes over months, gaining insight into how black holes feed energy into their environment. The observations revealed ejections moving at near-light speed, with implications for understanding the role of black holes in galaxy growth.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 3, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astronomers find wandering massive black holes in dwarf galaxies

Thirteen massive black holes have been discovered in dwarf galaxies less than a billion light-years from Earth, with an average mass of 400,000 times that of the Sun. These findings suggest that half of these massive black holes are wandering in the outskirts of their galaxies, indicating galaxy mergers earlier in their history.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJan 5, 2020

Science's 2019 breakthrough of the year: The first image of a black hole

The Event Horizon Telescope's image reveals a silhouette of the massive black hole at the center of M87, a galaxy nearly 55 million light-years from Earth. The image is the result of over 200 scientists' collaborative efforts and has captured the minds of people worldwide.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 19, 2019

Chinese Academy of Sciences leads discovery of unpredicted stellar black hole

A Chinese-led team of international scientists has discovered a massive stellar black hole with a mass 70 times greater than the Sun, located 15 thousand light-years from Earth. The discovery challenges current models of stellar evolution and forces theorists to re-examine how such massive black holes can form.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateNov 27, 2019

Planets around a black hole?

According to latest theories, planets could be formed even in harsh environments around a black hole, with tens of thousands of Earth-like planets possible within 10 light-years of a massive black hole. This finding opens up new possibilities for astronomy and challenges current understanding of planet formation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

How to observe a 'black hole symphony' using gravitational wave astronomy

A new study from Vanderbilt University presents a compelling roadmap for capturing multiband observations of gravitational waves emitted by intermediate-mass black holes. This could help fill in the gaps in our understanding of these enigmatic objects, allowing scientists to 'hear the entire song' when it comes to black holes.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateNov 18, 2019

How LISA pathfinder detected dozens of 'comet crumbs'

The mission detected 54 impacts from micrometeoroids, mostly from short-period comets with Jupiter-determined orbits. The findings help refine dust models used in various studies, including planet formation and spacecraft impact risks.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 18, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Black hole mergers: Cooking with gas

A new study suggests that researchers might be able to detect black hole mergers by observing the effect of their merger on a nearby gas disk. If successful, this would allow astronomers to pinpoint the cosmic location of these events and study them in greater detail.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 13, 2019

A runaway star ejected from the galactic heart of darkness

Astronomers discovered ultrafast star S5-HVS1, ejected by supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* five million years ago. The star travels ten times faster than most stars in the Milky Way, with a speed of 6 million km/h.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 12, 2019
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.

Black holes sometimes behave like conventional quantum systems

Researchers at Skoltech found that black holes thermalize through the same mechanism as conventional quantum systems, providing insight into quantum gravity. The study confirms the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis in spatially-extended systems, a long-sought proof.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2019

Scientists may have discovered whole new class of black holes

Researchers found evidence for low-mass black holes, potentially opening up a new area of study about star explosions and formation. The discovery uses data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment and identifies a class of black holes smaller than previously known.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019
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.

Black holes stunt growth of dwarf galaxies

Researchers at UC Riverside discover large-scale winds associated with active black holes in small galaxies suppress star formation, impacting galaxy evolution. The team used the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data to identify 50 dwarf galaxies and found six of them showing signs of winds emanating from their active black holes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateOct 11, 2019

Not long ago, the center of the Milky Way exploded

A massive explosion occurred in the center of the Milky Way 3.5 million years ago, creating two enormous 'ionisation cones' that sliced through the galaxy and impacted the Magellanic Stream. The blast was so powerful it lasted for 300,000 years and was triggered by nuclear activity associated with the black hole.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·DateOct 6, 2019

Found: 'Poster child' for being shredded by a black hole

A team of astronomers has observed the aftermath of a star violently ripped apart by a supermassive black hole, providing unprecedented detail and insights into these mysterious phenomena. The observations, made possible by NASA's TESS satellite, reveal new features of tidal disruption events (TDEs) that were previously unknown.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 26, 2019
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.

NASA visualization shows a black hole's warped world

A new NASA visualization reveals how a black hole distorts space, creating a warped view of its surroundings like a carnival mirror. The extreme gravity bends light from the accretion disk, producing a misshapen appearance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 25, 2019

Eyeballing a black hole's mass

Astrophysicists from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have devised a new way to indirectly measure the mass of a black hole, testing it on the Messier 87 active galaxy. The method combines theoretical modeling, computer calculations, and telescope observations to estimate black hole mass and spin.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 24, 2019

From primordial black holes new clues to dark matter

Scientists have made progress in understanding dark matter by studying the interactions between light and gas in intergalactic space. Researchers used simulations and observations of distant quasars to analyze the properties of primordial black holes, which could provide evidence for their role in explaining dark matter.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2019
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.

Black hole at the center of our galaxy appears to be getting hungrier

Researchers analyzed 13,000 observations of the black hole from 133 nights since 2003 and found extreme variations in brightness, with one night seeing an area twice as bright as the next-brightest observation. The team is unsure whether this is an extraordinary singular event or a precursor to significantly increased activity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 11, 2019

Giant balloon-like structures discovered at center of Milky Way

An international team of astronomers has detected radio bubbles with South Africa's MeerKAT telescope, revealing a massive hourglass-shaped structure hundreds of light-years tall. The discovery is believed to be the result of an energetic burst near the supermassive black hole, providing insights into the Milky Way's central region.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Towering balloon-like features discovered near centre of the Milky Way

Researchers have mapped out broad regions in the centre of the galaxy, tracing energetic regions in space with radio emission. The discovery suggests a violent eruption formed twin bubbles that are now visible for the first time, offering insights into the Galactic Centre and supermassive black hole.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2019

Space dragons: Researchers observe energy consumption in quasars

A team of researchers has observed the rapid fuel consumption of eight quasars, revealing the role of strong gravity in feeding massive black holes. The study's findings provide new insights into the behavior of supermassive black holes at the center of quasars.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateSep 4, 2019

Black hole holograms

Japanese researchers propose a novel holographic framework to simulate black holes with a laboratory experiment. This setup can provide insight into the fundamental laws governing the cosmos at both tiny and vast scales.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 19, 2019

Supercomputing prodigies win prestigious honors

Milinda Fernando and Staci Smith receive the fellowship for their work on high-performance algorithms and dynamic re-routing algorithms, respectively. Their research enables efficient use of modern supercomputers in various scientific disciplines.

SourceAssociation for Computing Machinery·DateAug 15, 2019
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.

ALMA dives into black hole's 'sphere of influence'

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.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateAug 7, 2019

Astronomers reveal true colors of evolving galactic beasts

Researchers at Durham University have spotted a brief transition phase in the development of quasars, challenging conventional views on red quasar color. The team believes this phase is caused by a violent ejection of energy from supermassive black holes, blowing away dust and gas to reveal blue quasars.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 7, 2019

Where in the universe can you find a black hole nursery?

A new study suggests that stellar collapse causes instabilities, preventing the formation of heavier black holes. The researchers propose that nuclear star clusters might act as 'black-hole nurseries', providing an ideal environment for generating generations of black holes.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPhysical Review D·DateAug 7, 2019

Outbursts of hot wind detected close to black hole

An international team detected a very hot, dense outflowing wind close to a black hole at least 25,000 light-years from Earth. The gas was emitted in bursts that repeated every 8 minutes, revealing unprecedented behavior around a black hole.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 7, 2019
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.

Hubble uncovers black hole that shouldn't exist

Researchers observed a supermassive black hole in galaxy NGC 3147 with an unusual thin disk of gas swirling around it, contrary to predictions. The team used Hubble Space Telescope's STIS instrument to study the disk, revealing unique features that can only be explained by Einstein's theories of relativity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 11, 2019

Pair of supermassive black holes discovered on a collision course

A team of astronomers has discovered a pair of titanic supermassive black holes on a collision course, which will soon emit powerful gravitational waves dwarfing those from smaller black hole mergers. The discovery can aid in estimating the number of nearby supermassive black holes emitting detectable gravitational waves.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 10, 2019