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Mysterious source of fast radio bursts

Researchers have discovered a source of fast radio bursts in the vicinity of galaxy M81, adding to the ongoing mystery surrounding these enigmatic events. The findings suggest that magnetars, highly magnetized neutron stars, may be responsible for generating FRBs, but further study is needed to fully understand this phenomenon.

SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2022

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

Where does gold come from? — New insights into element synthesis in the universe

Researchers used computer simulations to investigate the conversion rates of neutrons and protons in accretion disks surrounding black holes, finding that disks with masses between 0.01 to 0.1 solar masses are optimal for heavy element production. This suggests that neutron star mergers producing such disks could be the origin of a lar...

SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 15, 2021
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.

Canadian researchers achieve first quantum simulation of baryons

A team of Canadian researchers has successfully simulated baryons on a quantum computer, marking an important step towards more complex simulations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study neutron stars, the earliest moments of the universe, and the revolutionary potential of quantum computers.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2021

Neutron star collisions are “goldmine” of heavy elements, study finds

Researchers at MIT and UNH find that binary neutron star mergers produce two to 100 times more heavy metals than neutron star-black hole mergers. The study suggests that binary neutron stars are a likely cosmic source for gold, platinum, and other heavy metals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 25, 2021

New study probes x-ray bursts from low-mass x-ray binaries

Researchers measured the alpha-proton reaction of magnesium-22, providing essential data for understanding X-ray burst light curves and environments. The new reaction rate was used to closely reproduce observed X-ray bursts, shedding light on the physics behind these events.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2021

Seeking the star stuff that made us

Two independent research groups unveil new measurements to explain the birth of half the universe's elements. One group uses laboratory techniques to hunt for 'astromers,' while the other compares heavy elements in stars to better understand their origin.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 12, 2021
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.

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.

LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA finds elusive mergers of black holes with neutron stars

Researchers confirmed detection of two rare events involving collision of black hole and neutron star, producing strong gravitational waves signals. The mergers involved massive objects with masses up to 9 solar masses and 1.9-solar-mass neutron stars, providing new information on binary systems and their properties.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2021

The final dance of mixed neutron star-black hole pairs

The LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA collaborations have detected gravitational waves from the merger of a black hole and a neutron star. Analysis reveals that the signals originated from two mixed binaries, each made up of a neutron star and a black hole, with masses consistent with these objects.

SourceCNRS·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2021

Astrophysicists detect first black hole-neutron star mergers

Researchers have detected two events of black holes merging with neutron stars, providing insights into their origins and merger rates. The findings will enable the drawing of conclusions about the host of astrophysical models of compact object formation and binary evolution.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2021

Black holes swallow neutron stars like 'Pac Man'

Scientists have detected black holes eating neutron stars for the first time, shedding light on the Universe's most extreme objects. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo observatories captured the event, providing valuable insights into space and time.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The discovery of a new type of supernova illuminates a medieval mystery

Researchers have confirmed the existence of an elusive new type of stellar explosion, the electron-capture supernova. This discovery sheds light on a thousand-year-old mystery surrounding the 1054 AD supernova visible globally, now believed to be an electron-capture supernova.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 28, 2021

A new type of supernova illuminates an old mystery

A worldwide team of scientists has found evidence for a new type of stellar explosion - electron-capture supernovae. The discovery sheds new light on the thousand-year mystery of the supernova from A.D. 1054.

SourceLas Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 28, 2021

Hubble tracks down fast radio bursts to galaxies' spiral arms

Astronomers use Hubble to pin five FRBs to host galaxies and identify their origins as young magnetar outbursts. The study provides new insights into the nature of these powerful events, which generate energy equivalent to the Sun's in a year.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 20, 2021

Black hole-neutron star collisions may help settle dispute over Universe's expansion

A new simulation study led by UCL researchers suggests that studying black hole-neutron star collisions could provide a new measurement of the Universe's expansion rate, helping to resolve a long-standing dispute. The study found that instruments on Earth could detect ripples in space-time caused by up to 3,000 such collisions by 2030.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 28, 2021
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.

Physicists net neutron star gold from measurement of lead

Researchers made a precise measurement of the lead nucleus's neutron skin, revealing it's thicker than expected. This thickness has implications for the physical processes in neutron stars and their size.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 27, 2021

Bubble with titanium trigger titanic explosions

Astronomers have found powerful evidence for a neutrino-driven explosion in the remains of a supernova called Cassiopeia A (Cas A). The discovery was made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and suggests that titanium bubbles play a crucial role in driving the shock wave forward to trigger the supernova explosion.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateApr 21, 2021
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.

Meteorites remember conditions of stellar explosions

A team of researchers used radioactivity in meteorites to study the cosmic origin of heaviest elements, shedding light on violent stellar explosions. The study found that specific astronomical events, such as neutron star collisions, likely created these heavy elements.

SourceMichigan State University Facility for Rare Isotope Beams·JournalScience·DateFeb 26, 2021

Insight-HXMT gives insight into origin of fast radio bursts

The latest observations from Insight-HXMT have discovered the origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs), revealing they come from soft-gamma repeater (SGR) J1935+2154, a magnetar in our Milky Way. This discovery resolves the longstanding puzzle concerning the origin of FRBs.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 19, 2021

Hubble uncovers concentration of small black holes

Astronomers used Hubble and Gaia data to analyze the positions and velocities of stars in NGC 6397, finding strong evidence for invisible mass in the dense central regions. The bulk of this unseen mass is likely made up of stellar-mass black holes, rather than white dwarfs or neutron stars.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateFeb 11, 2021

Harnessing the power of AI to understand warm dense matter

Scientists at CASUS created an effective AI tool to describe the exotic state of warm dense matter. The new method uses neural networks to calculate properties like temperature and density, making it possible to interpret X-ray experiments with high accuracy.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 28, 2021

Alpha particles lurk at the surface of neutron-rich nuclei

A team of scientists has found evidence of alpha clusters in heavy nuclei, which challenges our understanding of neutron star structure and nuclear interactions. The discovery provides new insights into the process of alpha decay and has important implications for the study of neutron stars and their role in the universe.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 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.

NASA missions unmask magnetar eruptions in nearby galaxies

Astronomers confirm that a recent burst of high-energy light was triggered by a magnetar located in a neighboring galaxy. The finding confirms long-held suspicions about the connection between gamma-ray bursts and magnetar activity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 2021

Astronomers find signature of magnetar outbursts in nearby galaxies

Astronomers have detected a signature of magnetar outbursts in nearby galaxies, allowing for more precise localization and study of these extreme stars. The discovery provides new insights into the behavior of magnetars, which are thought to be the source of some types of short gamma-ray bursts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Breakthrough in nuclear physics

Researchers at TUM have developed a method to precisely measure the strong interaction between stable and unstable particles, shedding light on atomic nuclei and neutron stars. The breakthrough enables high-precision studies of the dynamics of the strong force.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateDec 9, 2020

NASA's Hubble sees unexplained brightness from colossal explosion

Astronomers detected near-infrared emission 10 times brighter than predicted, challenging conventional theories of short gamma-ray bursts. The observations suggest the possibility of a massive magnetar being formed after the merger of two neutron stars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateNov 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.

Detection of a short, intense radio burst in Milky Way

A team of Canadian astronomers detected an intense radio burst from a nearby magnetar, lending weight to the theory that magnetars are behind at least some fast radio bursts. The findings suggest that magnetars could be responsible for some FRBs, but further research is needed to confirm this.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature·DateNov 4, 2020

Cosmic X-rays reveal an indubitable signature of black holes

Astrophysicists identify distinctive signatures of stellar-mass black holes in archival X-ray data, separating them from neutron stars. This is the strongest steady signature of stellar-mass black holes to date.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 21, 2020

Elements of surprise: neutron stars contribute little, but something's making gold, research finds

A new analysis of galaxy evolution finds that neutron star collisions do not create the quantity of chemical elements previously assumed. Instead, an entirely different sort of stellar phenomenon - unusual supernovae with strong magnetic fields - is responsible for making most of the heavy elements, including gold.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·DateSep 15, 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.

Unequal neutron-star mergers create unique "bang" in simulations

A team of researchers found that unequal neutron-star mergers can create an electromagnetic signal, which could be detected using gravitational-wave detectors like LIGO. The simulations revealed that the larger star tears apart its partner, creating a slower merger and allowing an 'electromagnetic bang' to escape.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 3, 2020

Studying small to learn big

Dien Nguyen investigates nucleon interactions at short distances in both heavy and light nuclei during her fellowship. Her research will expand on previous findings, providing insights into neutron stars and the behavior of protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·DateJul 16, 2020
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.

Gemini Observatory's quick reflexes capture fleeting flash

The Gemini Observatory has detected a distant short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) with an optical afterglow, providing new insights into the merger of two neutron stars. The observation, made just hours after the burst's detection, revealed the SGRB's distance and placed it in the epoch of cosmic high noon.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 14, 2020

LIGO-Virgo finds mystery object in 'mass gap'

Scientists have detected an object of 2.6 solar masses, firmly placing it within the 'mass gap' between neutron stars and black holes. The discovery was made using LIGO and Virgo detectors and may challenge current theoretical models.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateJun 23, 2020

Australian scientists reveal a lost 8 billion light years of universe evolution

Researchers have developed a method to detect the presence of weak gravitational wave events, revealing a lost 8 billion light years of universe evolution. This breakthrough will allow scientists to observe farther away in space-time and gain insights into the early universe's structure.

SourceThe Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 18, 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.

Astronomers detect regular rhythm of radio waves, with origins unknown

A team of astronomers has detected a periodic pattern of fast radio bursts from an unknown source outside our galaxy, 500 million light years away. The pattern repeats every 16 days and is the most definitive one seen from a FRB source, offering a clue to the physics behind these intense flashes of radio waves.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

Jodrell Bank leads international effort which reveals 157 day cycle in unusual cosmic radio bursts

A four-year study at Jodrell Bank Observatory reveals a repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) follows a cyclic pattern with radio bursts observed every 90 days, followed by a silent period of 67 days, repeating every 157 days. This discovery provides an important clue to identifying the origin of FRBs.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 7, 2020

Finnish researchers have discovered a new type of matter inside neutron stars

Researchers from the University of Helsinki have found strong evidence for the presence of exotic quark matter inside the cores of the largest neutron stars in existence. The new results were published in Nature Physics and combined recent findings from theoretical particle and nuclear physics with astrophysical measurements.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 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.

Astrophysicists capture new class of transient objects

Astronomers have identified a new class of cosmic explosions, dubbed fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), which produce the fastest and heaviest outflows ever recorded. The newly discovered object, CSS161010, has surpassed the famous AT2018COW in speed and mass ejected during its event.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 26, 2020

New gravitational-wave model can bring neutron stars into even sharper focus

Researchers have developed a new model that enables direct measurement of vibrations inside neutron stars from gravitational-wave signals. This will provide fresh insights into the fundamental nature and composition of these mysterious objects, unlocking new avenues for studying extremely dense nuclear matter.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2020

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
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.

'Strange' glimpse into neutron stars and symmetry violation

Researchers at RHIC have made precision measurements of hypertriton and antihypertriton binding energy and mass, shedding light on symmetry violations in neutron stars. The results could have significant implications for understanding astrophysical phenomena involving strange quarks.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 9, 2020

The force is strong in neutron stars

Researchers characterized the strong nuclear force at extremely short distances, revealing a surprising transition that challenges current understanding. The findings have huge implications for neutron stars and nuclear systems as a whole.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2020