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Getting a full picture of an elusive subject

Researchers used Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes to map dark matter in galaxy cluster Abell 383. The study found a stretched-out, football-like shape of dark matter, with the point aligned close to the line of sight. The results challenge standard models and suggest further research is needed to resolve the discrepancy.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 14, 2012

Dark matter core defies explanation in NASA Hubble image

Astronomers have observed a clump of dark matter in the Abell 520 galaxy cluster, which contradicts current theories about its behavior. The team used the Hubble Space Telescope to map dark matter, revealing a core rich in dark matter but containing no luminous galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 2, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Calculating what's in the universe from the biggest color 3-D map

Researchers have used a three-dimensional color map of the universe to create the most accurate calculation yet of how matter clumps together. By analyzing the brightness of 900,000 galaxies, they found that dark energy accounts for 73% of the universe's density, providing new insights into the cosmos.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJan 11, 2012

El Gordo -- a 'fat' distant galaxy cluster

A team of astronomers has discovered the largest galaxy cluster ever seen in the distant Universe, nicknamed El Gordo. The cluster consists of two separate subclusters colliding at high speeds and is so far away that its light has travelled for seven billion years to reach Earth.

SourceESO·DateJan 10, 2012

When galaxy clusters collide

Researchers studied a galaxy cluster 5 billion light years away, finding that it has passed through each other without collision. The study revealed that most of the dark matter had also passed through, but gas clouds collided, creating a huge cloud of superheated gas.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateJan 10, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astronomers reach new frontiers of dark matter

Researchers have created the largest-scale map of dark matter, showcasing a intricate cosmic web that covers over one billion light years. By analyzing images of 10 million galaxies, they were able to detect the distortion caused by dark matter and gain insight into its distribution.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateJan 9, 2012

In the Dragonfish's mouth: The next generation of superstars to stir up our galaxy

Researchers have found the largest batch of young, supermassive stars yet observed in our galaxy, including dozens of massive blue stars. The intense light emitted by these newborn stars has carved out a glowing hollow shell around them, offering a unique opportunity to study energy transmission and star formation.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 30, 2011
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.

In a star's final days, astronomers hunt 'signal of impending doom'

Researchers studying a binary star system in the Whirlpool Galaxy have detected a star dimming noticeably before its companion exploded in a supernova. The study provides evidence that certain patterns of brightening and dimming may signal an impending doom for stars, making it possible to predict when a star is near death.

SourceOhio State University·DateNov 30, 2011

Galaxy DNA-analysis software is now available 'in the cloud'

The Galaxy platform is now available as a cloud computing resource, providing researchers with access to powerful computing power and vast data storage capacity. This development enables scientists to perform large-scale DNA analyses without investing in expensive computer infrastructure.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 8, 2011

Ambitious Hubble survey obtaining new dark matter census

Astronomers use Hubble's unprecedented precision to map dark matter in 25 massive galaxy clusters, challenging previous assumptions about its distribution. The survey's findings suggest that galaxy cluster assembly may have begun earlier than previously thought.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 13, 2011

Light from galaxy clusters confirm theory of relativity

Astrophysicists have measured how light is affected by gravity on its way out of galaxy clusters, confirming the general theory of relativity. The observations show that the gravitational redshift of light is proportionally offset in relation to the galaxy cluster's gravity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateSep 28, 2011
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.

Galaxy sized twist in time pulls violating particles back into line

Physicist Dr. Mark Hadley proposes a galaxy-scale explanation for Charge Parity violation, suggesting galactic rotation's effect on space-time causes differences in particle decay rates. This theory preserves parity while offering a new explanation for the matter-antimatter imbalance.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJul 14, 2011

NASA completes mirror polishing for James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors have been polished to accuracies of less than one millionth of an inch, crucial for forming sharpest images in space. The primary mirror, made of Beryllium, will capture light from faint, distant objects faster than any previous space observatory.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 30, 2011

Hubble sees Pandora's Cluster

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the complex history of Pandora's Cluster, a giant galaxy cluster resulting from the simultaneous collision of four smaller clusters. The data reveal that dark matter dominates the cluster's mass, with gas making up only 5% of its total mass.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 22, 2011

Pandora's cluster

Researchers use gravitational lensing to map dark matter distribution in the cluster, while NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory observes hot gas. The study reveals a complex collision that separated out hot gas and dark matter, separating them from visible galaxies.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 22, 2011
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

CU-Boulder scientist to make stellar observations with airborne observatory

A CU-Boulder scientist is using data gathered by a world-class telescope flying aboard a modified Boeing 747 to observe a distant star-forming region. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) allows scientists to study stellar targets in wavelengths that can't be observed by ground-based telescopes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateDec 1, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

UCI, other scientists find new galaxies through cosmic alignment

Astronomers at UCI use the Herschel telescope to detect hundreds of new galaxies through cosmic alignment, revealing a whole new class of galaxies from the universe's early days. The discovery provides insights into star formation and galaxy size when the universe was young.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience·DateNov 4, 2010

Ghosts of the future

Scientists have found the largest known galaxy cluster at a staggering 7 billion light-years away, holding hundreds of galaxies. This discovery provides crucial insights into dark energy's influence on cosmic structure growth.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·DateOct 13, 2010
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.

Extreme X-ray source supports new class of black hole

A team of astronomers has confirmed the presence of an extreme ultra-luminous X-ray source in a nearby galaxy, which may indicate the presence of an intermediate mass black hole. The object, HLX-1, is located ~300 million light years from Earth and emits radiation 100 times brighter than most other objects in its class.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·DateSep 8, 2010

Shallow water habitats important for young salmon and trout

Young salmon and trout seek refuge in shallow waters due to competition from older fish, which can be mitigated by preserving such habitats. The study suggests that restoring shallow parts of watercourses with low-velocity flow is essential for the survival of young fish.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Fish Biology·DateAug 22, 2010

Taking the twinkle out of the night sky

A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona developed a technique called laser adaptive optics, allowing for sharper images and faster data collection. This technology will enable scientists to study ancient galaxies and star clusters more efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2010
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.

ESA to set tiny hair-like Webb Telescope microshutters

The European Space Agency has received tiny microshutters, as small as human hair, which will focus the infrared camera on specific targets to the exclusion of others. These microshutters are a key component in the James Webb Space Telescope's ability to observe distant stars and galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 29, 2010

'Ghost particle' sized up by cosmologists

New results from a galaxy survey set the smallest upper limit on the size of the elusive neutrino particle to date at 0.28 electron volts. The research uses a large 3D map of galaxies and cosmic microwave background radiation, providing insights into dark matter.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2010
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.

News from Stardust

Particle No. 30, named Orion and Sirius, have been identified as the most likely interstellar candidates discovered to date. The discovery was made by a team of researchers using non-destructive X-ray analysis techniques.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·DateMar 16, 2010

Princeton scientists say Einstein's theory applies beyond the solar system

A team of Princeton University scientists tested Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at cosmic scales, concluding it works as well in vast distances as in local regions. They analyzed over 70,000 galaxies and demonstrated that the universe follows Einstein's rules up to 3.5 billion light years from Earth.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateMar 12, 2010

Mysterious cosmic 'dark flow' tracked deeper into universe

A new study led by Alexander Kashlinsky at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center reveals that a collective motion dubbed the 'dark flow' persists to much greater distances -- as far as 2.5 billion light-years away.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 10, 2010

Weak lensing gains strength

A new study extends gravitational lensing to smaller, older structures, improving understanding of dark matter distribution. Researchers use x-ray emissions to pinpoint galaxy cluster centers and measure total masses.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJan 19, 2010

New video reveals secrets of Webb Telescope's MIRI

The MIRI detectors will enable the Webb telescope to observe the earliest stars and galaxies in the universe, allowing scientists to study the formation and evolution of the cosmos. The new video showcases the technology behind MIRI and its potential for groundbreaking discoveries.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 29, 2009
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.

'Dropouts' pinpoint earliest galaxies

Researchers used a custom-made filter to find 22 early galaxies and confirmed the age of one at 787 million years post-Big Bang. The findings suggest that reionization likely began during this era, with star-formation rates significantly lower than expected.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateNov 6, 2009

James Webb Space Telescope begins to take shape at Goddard

The James Webb Space Telescope's Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) has arrived at NASA Goddard for testing, featuring four scientific instruments and a critical cryogenic structure. The ISIM will undergo rigorous qualification testing to ensure its ability to survive space and extreme cold.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 15, 2009
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.

NRL's Large Area Telescope explores high-energy particles

The NRL's Large Area Telescope has made significant discoveries about cosmic rays and high-energy particles. The telescope detected an excess of electrons striking its surface, leading scientists to suggest that a nearby pulsar could be the source sending these particles towards Earth.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJul 28, 2009

Keeping a 'trained eye' on the James Webb Space Telescope

Engineers at NASA Goddard and Northrop Grumman are simulating the handling of the telescope's mirror segments, which will be assembled into the Primary Mirror Assembly. The mock-up has already been beneficial in preparing for integration and test operations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 15, 2009

Giant eruption reveals 'dead' star

Astronomers use ESA's XMM-Newton and Integral space observatories to study a magnetar outburst from the rare 'dead' star SGR 0501+4516. The outburst lasted over four months and released hundreds of smaller bursts, providing valuable insights into extreme matter conditions.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 16, 2009
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.

Suzaku snaps first complete X-ray view of a galaxy cluster

The Suzaku mission has detected X-ray-emitting gas at a galaxy cluster's outskirts for the first time, providing insights into how massive structures evolve. The study reveals the temperature and density of the gas out to the cluster's virial radius, where order turns to chaos.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 28, 2009

NASA's Fermi explores high-energy 'space invaders'

The Fermi telescope has detected a class of pulsars, probed gamma-ray bursts and watched flaring jets in galaxies billions of light-years away. The data may imply the presence of a nearby object beaming cosmic rays our way.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 4, 2009
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.

Cosmic heavyweights in free-for-all

Astronomers have identified a triple merger of four separate galaxy clusters, the first time such a phenomenon has been documented. The galaxy clusters are involved in a cosmic free-for-all, with one collision after another occurring as galaxies pour into a region already full of galaxies.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 16, 2009

Duke physicists see the cosmos in a coffee cup

Researchers found that the 'caustic curve' shape, seen in sunlight reflections on water or boat hulls, is connected to gravitational lensing effects in distant galaxies. The discovery could enable scientists to map dark matter clumps using caustic violations.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Mathematical Physics·DateApr 14, 2009

Swift Satellite records early phase of gamma ray burst

UK astronomers using NASA Swift Satellite captured an ultraviolet spectrum of a gamma ray burst just 251 seconds after its onset, marking the earliest ever recorded. This breakthrough allows for calculations of distance and brightness within hundreds of seconds and provides new insights into GRB causes and host galaxies.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 2, 2009
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.

Cosmologists 'see' the cosmic dawn

Researchers at Durham University's Institute for Computational Cosmology created simulations to predict galaxy formation and dark matter effects. The work aims to improve understanding of dark matter, a mysterious substance making up 80% of the Universe's mass.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 10, 2009

Gamma-ray burst offers first peek at a young galaxy's star factory

Astronomers have identified gas molecules in the host galaxy of a gamma-ray burst, providing insight into star formation when the universe was about one-sixth its present age. The study found hydrogen and carbon monoxide absorption lines, suggesting a thick molecular cloud similar to those that spawn stars in our galaxy today.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 6, 2009