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Inter-filamentary diffuse gas flows replenish dense filaments and sustain gas accretion onto hubs, promoting massive star formation

Researchers from Kyushu University found that low-density gas contributes to hub growth through direct inflow and by replenishing nearby dense filaments, substantially underestimating the material available for massive star formation. The study's combined analysis of dense and diffuse gas increased estimated material flowing onto hubs ...

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 5, 2026

Sloan Digital Sky Survey launches data release 20

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has released its 20th data set, featuring over three million spectra of stars and galaxies, as well as 18 new value-added catalogs. This release marks a significant expansion of the survey's efforts, integrating full all-sky panoptic spectroscopy across both hemispheres.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateJul 31, 2026
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.

China's upgraded cold atom gravimeter WAG-H5-2 matches world-leading laser gravimeters in first public comparison

The WAG-H5-2#2508 demonstrated accuracy within stated uncertainties, closely matching manufacturer specifications and rivaling established laser gravimeters. Its long-term stability was also confirmed, enabling continuous, unattended monitoring and supporting hybrid gravity observation networks.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalEarth and Planetary Physics·DateJul 8, 2026

Universe expansion still accelerating say astronomers

New study by University of Southampton confirms the universe's expansion is still accelerating as previously found, debunking 2025 claims that the cosmos was slowing. The team re-evaluated data using Type Ia supernovae to calculate vast cosmic distances and found no error in their methods.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 10, 2026

Researchers weigh the most distant dormant black hole

Researchers have discovered the most distant dormant black hole yet detected, located over 10 billion light years away. The black hole's mass is approximately 6 billion times that of the sun, providing unprecedented insights into black holes in the early universe.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJun 4, 2026

Listening to the Sun reveals previously hidden changes to solar cycle

Researchers use helioseismology to track sound waves inside the Sun, finding a gradual change in structure just beneath the surface that spans multiple cycles. This discovery reveals a shift towards more tightly confined magnetic activity near the surface, with implications for space weather predictions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

UMass Amherst astronomer looks into the cradle where stars are born

An international team of astronomers, led by Daniela Calzetti, has observed the 'natal clouds' surrounding young star clusters for the first time. The study reveals that massive star clusters disperse their gaseous shroud faster and light up their galaxy earlier than smaller ones.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 6, 2026
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.

Study: New explanation for unique ‘negative superhump’ features of deep-space binary star systems

A team of astrophysicists offers a new explanation for negative superhumps in cataclysmic variable star systems, proposing an eccentric accretion disk model. This theory explains the prevalence of negative superhumps across a wide range of binary star masses and may also explain positive superhumps in high mass ratio systems.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026

UW astronomers collect rare evidence of two planets colliding

A team of astronomers has detected rare evidence of two planets colliding, which could provide valuable insights into the formation of our solar system. The unlikely event was observed in a distant star, Gaia20ehk, which was found to have massive amounts of rocks and dust passing in front of it, blocking its light.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 11, 2026
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Why are Tatooine planets rare? Blame general relativity

The absence of exoplanets orbiting tight binary stars is attributed to the effects of general relativity, which causes gravitational tugs from the stars to make a planet's orbit precess. This process makes it difficult for close-in planets to survive, with 75% being destroyed due to tidal disruptions or ejection from the system.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 29, 2026

Tiny Mars’ big impact on Earth’s climate

Mars plays a measurable role in shaping Earth's long-term climate patterns, including ice ages, through its gravitational influence and orbital cycles. The study suggests that Mars' presence is necessary for the existence of major climate cycles, which have driven evolutionary changes on Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific·DateJan 12, 2026
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.

Historical geography helps researchers solve 2,700-year old eclipse mystery

Researchers used historical geography to accurately measure Earth's rotation speed during a total solar eclipse in 709 BCE, providing new data about the Sun's activity. The study also supports recent solar cycle reconstructions and independently validates previous findings using radiocarbon analysis.

SourceNagoya University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2025

New approach to gravitational wave detection opens the Milli-Hz Frontier

Scientists have unveiled a new detector concept that uses optical cavity and atomic clock technologies to detect gravitational waves in the milli-Hertz frequency band. This approach provides an immediate, cost-effective means to explore the mid-band range, which hosts signals from compact binaries of white dwarfs and black hole mergers.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 2, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hungry star is eating its cosmic twin at rate never seen before

Astronomers discovered a greedy white dwarf star consuming its closest celestial companion at an unprecedented rate. The study found that the super-dense white dwarf is burning brightly due to the mass transfer between the two stars, potentially leading to a massive explosion visible from Earth.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

A new window into Earth’s upper atmosphere

Researchers have developed a novel way to reach the unexplored mesosphere using lightweight flying structures that can float using sunlight. The devices, which were built at Harvard and other institutions, levitated in low-pressure conditions and demonstrated potential for climate sensing and exploration.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2025

New survey maps hundreds of satellite systems orbiting dwarf galaxies

A new study by Dartmouth astronomers has mapped 355 candidate satellite galaxies around dwarf galaxies, tripling the number previously surveyed. The researchers aim to understand how external conditions influence satellite formation and uncover insights into dark matter's nature.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2025

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detect most massive black hole merger to date

The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration detected the merger of two massive black holes, producing a final black hole over 225 times the mass of our Sun. The signal challenges current astrophysical models and requires the use of theoretical models to interpret its complex dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·DateJul 13, 2025
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.

Space pebbles and rocks play pivotal role in giant planet’s formation

Researchers analyzing the atmosphere of WASP-121b using the James Webb Space Telescope detected water, carbon monoxide and silicon monoxide in both the dayside and nightside hemispheres. This is the first conclusive identification of SiO in any planetary atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJun 2, 2025
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.

Study reveals new source of the heavy elements

A new study reveals that magnetar flares could be a potential source of heavy elements in the universe. By analyzing archival data and observations of magnetar flare events, researchers estimate that up to 10% of heavy elements like gold, uranium, and platinum may come from these cosmic explosions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 7, 2025

Ohio State astronomy professor awarded Henry Draper Medal

Adam Leroy, a professor of astronomy at Ohio State University, has been recognized with the 2025 Henry Draper Medal for his groundbreaking work on the interstellar medium and its relationship to star formation in nearby galaxies. His research has provided unprecedented detail on the physical nature of this material, advancing our under...

SourceOhio State University·DateJan 23, 2025

Physicists explain a stellar stream’s distinctive features

Researchers found a core-collapsing self-interacting dark matter subhalo is responsible for the peculiar spur and gap features observed in the GD-1 stellar stream. This discovery provides insights into the nature of dark matter itself and offers a new explanation for the observed perturbations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 6, 2025
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.

Nanohertz gravitational waves are cool but not supercool

A new study published in Physical Review Letters suggests that nanohertz gravitational waves may not originate from supercool first-order phase transitions. Researchers found that such transitions would struggle to complete, shifting the frequency of the waves away from nanohertz frequencies.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 14, 2024

X-ray satellite XMM-newton sees ‘space clover' in a new light

Astronomers have discovered an enormous circular radio feature around a galaxy, dubbed the Cloverleaf, which was created by clashing groups of galaxies. The XMM-Newton satellite has detected X-ray emission associated with this structure for the first time, revealing clues about its formation and the merger process.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMay 2, 2024

Twinkle twinkle baby star, 'sneezes' tell us how you are

Researchers at Kyushu University discovered that baby stars expel plumes of dust, gas, and electromagnetic energy in a phenomenon called 'interchange instability', releasing magnetic flux within the protostellar disk. This finding sheds new light on how baby stars develop and may be crucial for understanding star formation.

SourceKyushu University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateApr 11, 2024

UTA educating schoolchildren about solar eclipse

The University of Texas at Arlington is educating approximately 4,000 elementary, middle, and high school students in the DFW area about the upcoming solar eclipse through talks and field trips to the planetarium.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateMar 6, 2024
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.

Breakthrough in predicting chaotic outcomes in three-body systems

A new study by the Hebrew University introduces a flux-based statistical theory that predicts chaotic outcomes in non-hierarchical three-body systems. The theory offers a more efficient approach to analyzing complex systems, enabling deeper exploration and understanding of chaotic phenomena.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCelestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 8, 2024

Giant planets cast a deadly pall

New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateOct 31, 2023

New algorithm ensnares its first ‘potentially hazardous’ asteroid

A team of researchers has successfully tested a new asteroid detection algorithm, HelioLinc3D, which identified its first 'potentially hazardous' asteroid, 2022 SF289. The discovery confirms the algorithm's effectiveness in finding near-Earth asteroids with fewer and more dispersed observations than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Washington·TypeObservational study·DateJul 31, 2023

Astronomers discover elusive planet responsible for spiral arms around its star

Scientists have discovered a young exoplanet, MWC 758c, that may be generating the spiral arms in its infant planetary system. The planet's massive size is estimated to be at least twice the mass of Jupiter, yet it was invisible to other telescopes due to its reddish color, which makes it more difficult to detect.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·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.

Media Tip: Scientists enhance recyclability of post-consumer plastic

Researchers have developed a new method for recycling high-density polyethylene (HDPE) into fully recyclable and biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to cleave polymer chains, reducing carbon emissions and pollution associated with HDPE.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 22, 2022
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.

Precise solar observations fed millions in ancient Mexico

The Aztecs tracked seasonal variations in weather by watching the sunrise against the peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Their agricultural system accurately fed a population of up to 3 million people before the Spanish arrival.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 12, 2022

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

Uncovering the massive quantum mysteries of black holes

Researchers at the University of Queensland have confirmed black hole quantum properties, including superposition and wildly different masses simultaneously. The study reinforces early theories by Jacob Bekenstein, postulating that black holes can only have specific mass values within certain bands or ratios.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 30, 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.

Unveiling galaxies at cosmic dawn that were hiding behind the dust

Researchers used ALMA to observe distant galaxies and discovered two new, dusty galaxies near original targets, challenging our understanding of early galaxy formation. The discovery suggests that a significant portion of early galaxies may be hidden from view due to cosmic dust.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2021

Astronomers uncover briefest supernova-powered gamma-ray burst

Astronomers have discovered a 0.6-second gamma-ray burst caused by the implosion of a massive star, revealing that some short GRBs might be imposters in disguise. The discovery suggests that most collapsing stars fail to produce a GRB jet, making this event an effective fizzle.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2021