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Astronomers spot 18 black holes gobbling up nearby stars

A team of MIT scientists has detected 18 new tidal disruption events (TDEs) using infrared observations, more than doubling the catalog of known TDEs. The discoveries reveal that these star-shredding black holes occur in a range of galaxies across the entire sky, not just dusty galaxies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJan 29, 2024
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Astronomers detect oldest black hole ever observed

Researchers discovered a massive black hole at the center of galaxy GN-z11, which dates back 13 billion years and challenges traditional theories on black hole formation. The ancient black hole is 'eating' its host galaxy, suggesting alternative formation mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateJan 17, 2024

Astronomers produce most sensitive radio image ever of ancient star cluster

Researchers have produced the most sensitive radio image ever of a globular cluster, capturing detailed information about tightly-packed stars. The imaging technique allowed for unprecedented views of the cluster's central compact radio source and surrounding stellar environment.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 15, 2024

Close encounters of the supermassive black hole kind: tidal disruption events and what they can reveal about black holes and stars in distant galaxies

Researchers analyze tidal disruption events (TDEs) to estimate the properties of supermassive black holes and stars. The CN22 model, proposed by Syracuse University researchers, provides a new way forward for understanding TDEs and their implications for galaxy evolution.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 11, 2024

NASA scientists discover a novel galactic ‘fossil’

Researchers have discovered a novel galactic 'fossil' in the spiral galaxy NGC 4945, which sheds light on the evolution of galaxies. The X-rays outline giant clouds of cold gas that were blasted through the galaxy after its central supermassive black hole erupted 5 million years ago.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 11, 2024
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 lights in the forest

The PRIYA simulation suite provides a new model for simulating large-scale structure in the universe, constraining cosmological parameters and dark matter. The study confirms the σ8 tension between CMB measurements and weak lensing, with implications for understanding the universe's evolution billions of years after the Big Bang.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 20, 2023

New red galaxies turn out to be already known blue galaxies

Researchers discover extremely red objects (EROs) in James Webb Space Telescope data that resemble blue-excess dust obscured galaxies (BluDOGs) found in Subaru Telescope data. The similarity suggests EROs and BluDOGs may be at similar stages of evolution, with a larger sample needed to confirm the relationship.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2023

Astronomers discover first population of binary stripped stars

Researchers have identified a population of massive stars stripped of their hydrogen envelopes by their companions in binary systems. These hot helium stars are believed to be the origins of hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers, shedding new light on a long-theorized phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateDec 14, 2023

Unexpected chemistry reveals cosmic star factories´ secrets

Astronomers studying two distant galaxies in the early universe reveal unprecedented molecular diversity, shedding light on the lives of prodigious star factories. By analyzing light from over 13 molecules, researchers gain insights into the physical and chemical conditions in these galaxies.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Black holes are missing in the early Universe, and computers are after them

Researchers developed a machine learning technique to identify superluminous galaxies with massive black holes at their core. The algorithm predicts intense radio signals from these galaxies, which could provide insights into the physical phenomena of the early Universe.

SourceFaculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 6, 2023

10 billion year, 50,000 light-year journey to black hole

Astronomers discover star S0-6 with chemical composition similar to small galaxies outside Milky Way, suggesting extragalactic origin. The star, 10 billion years old, has traveled over 50,000 light-years from its birthplace to reach vicinity of Sagittarius A*, raising questions about its past and possible companions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the Japan Academy Series B·TypeObservational study·DateDec 4, 2023

New theory unites Einstein’s gravity with quantum mechanics

A new theory unifies gravity and quantum mechanics by preserving Einstein's classical concept of spacetime, proposing random fluctuations in spacetime that can be verified experimentally. The theory challenges the pursuit of a quantum theory of gravity, offering an alternative approach to reconcile the two fundamental theories.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 4, 2023

New astrophysics model sheds light on additional source of long gamma-ray bursts

A new unified model confirms that some long-lasting gamma-ray bursts are created in the aftermath of cosmic mergers that spawn an infant black hole surrounded by a giant disk of natal material. The findings explain recently observed long GRBs that astronomers couldn't link to collapsing stars.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2023
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.

With unprecedented flares, stellar corpse shows signs of life

Astronomers confirm that a stellar corpse is the source of repeated energetic flares observed after a distant star's explosive death. The team detected at least 14 irregular light pulses over a 120-day period, likely driven by processes such as rapid rotation or strong magnetic fields.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateNov 15, 2023

Astronomers discover signs of life in a star’s explosive death

Scientists have observed bright, brief flashes months after a stellar explosion, confirming that the engine of the LFBOT is a black hole or neutron star. This unprecedented behavior shows that the object emitted multiple supernova-strength optical flares on timescales of less than a minute.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2023
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 holes are messy eaters

Research reveals that supermassive black holes consume about 3% of the gas flowing towards them, while the remaining 97% is ejected and recycled back into the host galaxy. Gravitational instability drives the inflow, and most expelled outflows are not fast enough to escape the galaxy.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2023

New research sheds light on early galaxy formation

A new computer simulation of the early universe aligns with JWST observations, showing no discrepancy with theoretical expectations. The 'Renaissance simulations' track dark matter clumps and galaxy formation, consistent with models that dictate cosmic physics.

SourceMaynooth University·JournalThe Open Journal of Astrophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 26, 2023

LIGO surpasses the quantum limit

Researchers at LIGO have developed a significant advance in quantum squeezing technology, allowing them to measure undulations in space-time across the entire range of gravitational frequencies detected by LIGO. This breakthrough boosts the observatory's ability to study exotic events and detect about 60 percent more mergers than before.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateOct 23, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stellar fountain of youth with turbulent formation history in the centre of our galaxy

A young star cluster, IRS13, has been found to be significantly younger than expected, with stars only 100,000 years old, despite being near the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. The cluster's turbulent history suggests it was 'captured' by the black hole's gravity, leading to a bow shock and increased star formation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Monitoring of radio galaxy M87 confirms black hole spin

A team of researchers confirmed the spin of a black hole in galaxy M87 by analyzing data from 2000-2022, showing an 11-year cycle in its jet's precessional motion. The findings provide evidence that the black hole spins, enhancing our understanding of supermassive black holes.

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

New proof for black hole spin

A team of international researchers has provided direct evidence that the supermassive black hole at the heart of galaxy M87 is spinning. The findings are based on 20 years of observational data, which show that gravitational interactions between the accretion disk and the black hole's spin cause the jet to wobble or precess.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

Hidden supermassive black holes reveal their secrets through radio signals

Astronomers discovered a link between dust surrounding supermassive black holes and radio emission in extremely bright galaxies. The study found that quasars with more dust were more likely to have stronger radio emission.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 25, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Black holes eat faster than previously expected

A Northwestern University study reveals that black holes devour gas at a much faster rate than previously believed. The simulations indicate that the inner regions of the accretion disk are destroyed and replenished, explaining the drastic variation in quasars' brightness and fading patterns.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 20, 2023

Dark matter halos measured around ancient quasars

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo has measured dark matter halo masses around ancient quasars, finding a consistent mass of about 10 trillion times the mass of our sun. This discovery suggests a characteristic DMH mass that activates quasars regardless of time period.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 11, 2023

Study hints at the existence of the closest black holes to Earth in the Hyades star cluster

A team of astrophysicists used simulations to track the motion and evolution of stars in the Hyades cluster, finding that two or three black holes could be present at its center. The study suggests these black holes are still inside the cluster or very close to it, making them the closest ever detected.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2023
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.

NASA’s Swift learns a new trick, spots a snacking black hole

Astronomers using NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory discovered a black hole repeatedly nibbling on a Sun-like star in a distant galaxy. The object was detected using a new method for analyzing data from the satellite's X-ray Telescope, enabling it to adapt to new areas of astrophysics.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 7, 2023

Unprecedented gamma-ray burst explained by long-lived jet

A team of astrophysicists at Northwestern University has successfully simulated the process of a black hole-neutron star merger, which is believed to have produced the unprecedented gamma-ray burst GRB211211A. The simulation reveals that the post-merger black hole launches jets of material from the swallowed neutron star.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 31, 2023

How does “MAD” accretion form around a black hole?

Researchers discovered magnetic field transport in accretion flow and MAD formation near a black hole, resolving long-standing mysteries. The study reveals the first direct observational evidence for a magnetically arrested disk (MAD) through multi-wavelength observations.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience·DateAug 31, 2023

Gravitational wave detectors as probes of dark matter

Researchers propose using gravitational wave searches to detect dark matter through neutron star effects. The study forecasts constraints on heavy dark matter particles within the next decade, offering a potential tool for testing dark matter theories.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 30, 2023
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.

After 15 years, pulsar timing yields evidence of cosmic background gravitational waves

Researchers report evidence of a cosmic background of gravitational waves likely produced by the merger of supermassive black hole binaries. The signal is detected through millisecond pulsar observations and has implications for our understanding of the universe's large-scale structure.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2023

The universal sound of black holes

Researchers predict that two black holes producing chirp signals preferentially occur in two universal frequency ranges, providing insights into black hole formation and stellar explosion mechanisms.

SourceHeidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 31, 2023

Astronomers reveal new features of galactic black holes

An international team of scientists has detected a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) signal in the radio band from a Galactic black hole system, revealing features that have never been seen before. The QPO signal may provide the first evidence of activity from a jet launched by a Galactic stellar-mass black hole.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2023

VERA unveils surroundings of rapidly growing black holes

An international team of astronomers used VERA to observe six nearby active NLS1 galaxies, uncovering clues about how rapidly growing massive black holes form and grow. The study revealed significantly greater Faraday rotation compared to older black holes, indicating abundant gas in the nuclear regions.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2023

Webb detects most distant active supermassive black hole to date

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered the most distant active supermassive black hole to date in galaxy CEERS 1019, which existed 570 million years after the big bang. This smaller black hole is less massive than previously detected behemoths and provides insight into the early universe's formation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 6, 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.

Webb Telescope detects most distant active supermassive black hole

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered the most distant active supermassive black hole to date, existing about 570 million years after the big bang. The galaxy, CEERS 1019, is less massive than other identified black holes in the early universe, with a mass of around 9 million solar masses.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 6, 2023

Astronomers identify the earliest strands of the cosmic web

Scientists discover threadlike arrangement of galaxies, anchored by a quasar, which marks the first time such a structure has been observed at 6% of its current age. The findings provide clues about the fundamental architecture of the universe and the formation of supermassive black holes.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 5, 2023

Researchers propose new method to measure cosmic expansion

A team of researchers has proposed a new method to measure the cosmic expansion by studying gravitational waves. The method involves counting repeat black hole mergers and analyzing the delay between them, allowing for accurate measurement of the universe's expansion rate.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 3, 2023
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.

WVU faculty, students contribute to cosmic breakthrough uncovering evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves

Researchers from West Virginia University have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves, which can only be perceived with a detector much larger than the Earth. The signal was detected using pulsar timing arrays and has significant implications for understanding spacetime dynamics.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2023

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

Scientists find evidence for slow-rolling sea of gravitational waves

The NANOGrav team has detected a collective hum of gravitational waves from merging supermassive black holes, providing evidence for a background undulation in spacetime. The signal is thought to be generated by huge black holes at galaxy centers, producing low-frequency gravitational waves that oscillate slowly over years and decades.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023

Scientists use exotic stars to tune into hum from cosmic symphony

Researchers have found evidence for gravitational waves oscillating with periods of years to decades, consistent with slowly undulating waves passing through the Galaxy. The signal was observed using a collection of cosmic clocks called pulsars, which are ultra-dense remnants of massive stars' cores.

SourceNorth American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 28, 2023

NANOGRAV’s 15-year journey reveals a cosmic hum

The NANOGrav team has detected evidence of gravitational waves at very low frequencies, which they believe may be caused by the merger of supermassive black holes. The signal is thought to be a result of the gravitational wave background produced by these binary systems.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023
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.

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

Gravitational waves from colossal black holes found using 'cosmic clocks'

A team of researchers using radio telescope observations found evidence of gravitational waves passing through the Milky Way, causing spacetime distortions that appear as variations in pulsar ticking rates. The discovery provides insights into how galaxies evolve and supermassive black holes grow and merge.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2023

Stellar demolition derby births powerful gamma-ray burst

Astronomers discovered a new way to destroy stars, generating powerful gamma-ray bursts in the process. The study found that stellar collisions in dense environments surrounding supermassive black holes can create these explosive events.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 22, 2023

Detection of an echo emitted by our Galaxy's black hole 200 years ago

An international team of scientists has discovered an echo emitted by the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, which emerged from a long period of dormancy 200 years ago. The black hole, four million times more massive than the Sun, gobbled up cosmic objects before re-entering quiescence.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

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New study weighs the universe's supermassive black holes

A recent study suggests that supermassive black holes at the center of large galaxies grew in size over billions of years, challenging previous estimates. The research, led by astrophysicist Joseph Simon, used computer simulations to predict the masses of massive black holes, revealing a diverse range of sizes across the universe.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 20, 2023

What made the brightest cosmic explosion of all time so exceptional?

Astrophysicists explain the Brightest of All Time (BOAT) cosmic explosion, revealing a narrow jet embedded within a wider gas outflow. The GRB's uniqueness was due to mixing between stellar material and the jet, masking characteristic signatures.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 7, 2023