Articles tagged with Observational Astronomy
Two of Pluto's moons, Nix and Hydra, wobble unpredictably due to a constantly shifting gravitational field created by the double planet system of Pluto and Charon. This effect is strengthened by the non-spherical shape of the moons, which may be similar for the other two moons, Kerberos and Styx.
Astronomers discovered a peculiar Wolf-Rayet star, Nasty 1, with a vast pancake-shaped gas disk encircling it. The disk may have formed from an unseen companion star through mass transfer in a binary system.
Scientists have discovered a nearly-annual cycle of solar activity that can drive space weather events, including solar storms at Earth. This discovery could improve forecasts of space weather by understanding the interaction between magnetic field bands on the sun.
Scientists have observed two large coronal holes on the sun, with one covering about 6-8% of the total solar surface and another 0.16%. These regions can emit fast solar winds that affect Earth. The unique magnetic fields in these areas extend far into space.
A team of students and professors is launching rockets to develop technologies that can detect the missing normal matter in space. The project aims to confirm current models of the universe by observing the absorption caused by the intergalactic medium.
Researchers observed a rare phenomenon where the light from a distant supernova is deflected by a massive galaxy, creating four separate images. The discovery provides insights into dark matter, which makes up about 95% of the universe's mass.
A team of astronomers discovered a young and remote galaxy with dust levels similar to mature galaxies like the Milky Way, defying expectations. The galaxy, A1689-zD1, was observed using ALMA and VLT instruments and found to be emitting radiation in the far infrared, indicating significant star formation.
A recent study found that smartphone applications and wearable devices are generally accurate in tracking step counts, with minimal variation between devices. However, some wearables reported higher or lower counts than observed, highlighting the need for device accuracy assessment.
Some science museums are removing their dinosaur exhibits due to conservation issues. A new database aims to improve estimates of oceanic methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Amateur radio operators' data has potential for validating space weather models and understanding ionospheric behavior.
A team of astronomers has discovered the most massive pair of white dwarf stars yet found, which will merge in the future to form a runaway thermonuclear explosion leading to a Type Ia supernova. This discovery provides new insights into astronomical distances and dark energy, shedding light on the expansion of the Universe.
A new joint analysis of BICEP2/Keck Array and Planck data reveals that the earlier detection of primordial gravitational waves is no longer secure due to interstellar dust contamination. The study uses multi-frequency data from Planck and ground-based experiments to separate foreground emissions from the cosmic background.
DSCOVR will observe the sun, tracking Coronal Mass Ejections that can affect power grids and communications systems. The satellite will also study the Earth from its unique L1 orbit, providing multi-spectral images and radiation measurements.
Recent small volcanic eruptions have been identified as a contributing factor to the recent 'warming hiatus', with scientists finding that they cool the atmosphere and reflect sunlight away from Earth. The new research complements earlier studies, which found that volcanoes may have caused cooling of up to 0.12 degrees Celsius since 2000.
The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) has produced high-quality exoplanet images and spectra from its first year of science operations. The instrument's advanced imaging capabilities have revealed significant differences in the colors of two planets in the HR 8799 system, suggesting unique atmospheric compositions.
A team of astronomers developed a simulation that produces galaxies with characteristics similar to observed ones, including mass, size, and age. The strong galactic winds in the EAGLE-simulation lead to lighter and younger galaxies with less star formation, mirroring real galaxy observations.
Scientists have explained the origin of theta auroras, a type of high-latitude aurora that was unclear until now. The mysterious phenomenon is linked to hot plasma in the magnetosphere, caused by magnetic reconnection and funneled into near-Earth space from the sun.
Researchers have solved the mystery of the theta aurora by studying data from the European Space Agency's Cluster and NASA's IMAGE satellites. The study found that the plasma trapping mechanism is responsible for the phenomenon, which occurs when the interplanetary magnetic field points northwards.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a portable solar observatory called SSIPP for use on commercial suborbital spacecraft. The observatory aims to enable cost-effective space-based observation similar to ground-based observatories.
Researchers analyzing decades of observations detect an unusual source of light in a galaxy, with properties suggesting it could be a supermassive black hole ejected from its home galaxy. Alternatively, the object might have been a rare type of star known as a Luminous Blue Variable that underwent prolonged eruptions.
Researchers have discovered two young stars with analogues to our solar system's asteroid and Kuiper belts, surrounded by a large dust halo. These findings suggest a common model for planetary formation and evolution, providing insight into the early stages of star formation and planet creation.
Two NASA and European spacecraft have gathered data about Comet Siding Spring's effects on Mars' atmosphere, detecting an intense meteor shower and a new layer of ions. The comet's debris added significant but temporary changes to the planet's upper atmosphere.
Researchers at Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy observed a nova's early fireball stage and revealed its complex expansion. The study, published in Nature, used the CHARA Array to create high-resolution images of the explosion, shedding new light on the structure of ejected material.
The study reveals two distinct families of exocomets in the Beta Pictoris system: old and recent ones. The old family has weak activity with low gas production rates, while the second family is more active and likely originates from a single object's breakup.
The XMASS collaboration has found no significant excess above background noise for bosonic super-WIMPs, ruling out their role as all dark matter. This result constrains light super-WIMP models and suggests alternative explanations for the nature of dark matter.
VAULT2.0 will observe light emitted from hydrogen atoms at extreme temperatures to understand coronal heating. The launch allows for six minutes of observations above the atmosphere, capturing images every six to eight seconds.
Arctic sea ice coverage reached its annual minimum of 1.94 million square miles in September 2014, the sixth lowest recorded since 1978. The summer started cool and lacked intense storms or persistent winds, contributing to the low extent.
Researchers discovered early observations of a 19th-century volcanic eruption, dated to within a fortnight of December 4, 1808. The 'Unknown' eruption occurred before the famous 1815 Tambora volcano, which had significant global impacts on climate and inspired literary works like 'Darkness.'
Typhoon Kalmaegi crossed northern Luzon, Philippines and entered the South China Sea, forming a giant whirlpool of clouds. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 75mph, causing waves up to 22 feet in the sea.
A new study reveals that citizen science plays a crucial role in climate change research, with amateur data collectors contributing up to 77% of studies. The lack of recognition for this contribution can lead people to feel they have nothing to contribute to the scientific process.
Case Western Reserve University astronomers will study the outskirts of spiral galaxy M101 using Hubble Space Telescope data. The research aims to determine how galaxies form over time, with findings that could challenge current understanding of galaxy formation.
Scientists detected unexpectedly high emissions of CCl4, a banned ozone-depleting compound, averaging 39 kilotons per year. This finding suggests unidentified industrial leakages or unknown sources contributing to the compound's persistence in the atmosphere.
The Arctic Radiation IceBridge Sea and Ice Experiment (ARISE) aims to study the effect of sea ice retreat on Arctic climate. ARISE will conduct research flights over the Arctic from Aug. 28 to Oct. 1, collecting data on ice, clouds, and radiation balance.
Super Typhoon Genevieve rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm after crossing the International Dateline. The NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite captured infrared images of the storm, revealing a symmetrical structure with a clear eye and powerful thunderstorms.
The Y dwarf WISE J0304-2705 is an extremely cool object, currently at 200-300°F (100-150°C), which may have spent its youth as hot as a star. Its unusual features suggest it could be an ancient object with a diverse history.
Tropical Storm Nakri formed on August 2 and struggled to organize for a week, eventually becoming visible to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm dissipated just one day later while approaching the Korean peninsula, with its maximum sustained winds reaching near 40 knots.
Three massive volcanic eruptions occurred on Jupiter's moon Io within a two-week period, leading scientists to speculate about their frequency. The eruptions, characterized by 'curtains of fire', suggest that if observed more frequently, many more events might be seen on Io.
Typhoon Rammasun is approaching the central Philippines, and NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP Satellite has captured images of the storm. The storm has strengthened, with powerful thunderstorms surrounding a tightly wound eye and bands of thunderstorms wrapping into its center.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery about the structure and activity of the Sun. They found that buoyant magnetic-flux ropes on the solar surface can trigger powerful plasma eruptions in the atmosphere, leading to intense heating and rapid acceleration of plasma.
A new type of Digital Zenith Telescope prototype has been developed in China, utilizing CCD camera and high-precision tiltmeter to improve efficiency and accuracy. The instrument can measure the deflection of the vertical and variations of the local plumb line, with single-observation accuracy up to 0.15-0.3
A team of astronomers has identified a Wolf-Rayet star as the probable progenitor of a recently exploded supernova using flash spectroscopy. This technique allows for rapid identification of pre-explosion stars at greater distances than previously possible.
A record-breaking X-class flare was observed by four NASA spacecraft and one ground-based observatory on March 29, 2014. The coordinated efforts provided the most comprehensive data set ever collected, shedding light on the origins of solar eruptions and their effects on space weather near Earth.
Researchers studied the competition of multiple Gortler modes in hypersonic boundary layers, highlighting the importance of the trapped-layer mode (mode T) in flow transition. The study found crossovers between mode T and W with specific parameters.
A team of researchers has discovered that the afterglow from a gamma-ray burst behaves differently than expected, with 10,000 times more circularly polarised light detected. The findings provide new insights into the extreme properties of matter under shockwave conditions.
A new analysis of NASA satellite data reveals a gradual decrease in Congo rainforest greenness, suggesting a slow adjustment to long-term drying trend. The study found that climate factors such as land surface temperatures and decreased cloudiness contribute to the observed browning of the forest canopy.
Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.
Data from satellite sensors reveal the Midwest region of the United States boasts more photosynthetic activity than any other spot on Earth, according to NASA and university scientists. The magnitude of fluorescent glow emitted by plants is an excellent indicator of gross productivity.
A new study reveals that a pool of dense particles in the magnetosphere can extend out to meet and block incoming solar material, adding an extra layer of protection for spacecraft. This process helps curb magnetic reconnection, allowing energy and solar material to cross the boundary into the magnetosphere.
The Hubble Space Telescope has photographed an asteroid, P/2013 R3, breaking apart into as many as ten smaller pieces. The fragments are drifting away from each other at a leisurely 1.5 kilometers per hour, likely due to the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect.
Asteroid P/2013 R3 broke apart into 10 smaller pieces as it approached the sun, with fragments drifting away at a leisurely pace. Scientists believe the asteroid's weak interior and gradual rotation rate may be responsible for its disintegration.
A giant sunspot has reappeared over the sun's horizon, marking its third trip around the sun in approximately 27 days. This region has produced two X-class solar flares and numerous mid-level flares during its previous trips.
A 1931 paper by Albert Einstein featuring a dynamic model of the universe has been re-examined, highlighting numerical errors and questionable calculations. The model, which includes a contraction phase, contrasts with the widely known expanding Einstein-de Sitter model.
Researchers used NASA's IBEX data to build a computer model of the interplanetary magnetic field, revealing a non-uniform distribution of cosmic ray particles. The findings shed light on why more high-energy cosmic rays are measured coming from one side of the sun than the other.
Scientists discovered that Amazon forest canopy greening during the dry season is not caused by biophysical changes, but rather by shadowing within the canopy and satellite observation artifacts. Correcting for this issue reveals a relatively constant greenness and canopy structure throughout the dry season.
A team of astronomers has successfully mapped the surface features of Luhman 16B, a brown dwarf located six light-years from Earth. The new results reveal dark and light patches on the surface, which can be used to study weather patterns in other solar systems.
Comet ISON's size reduced significantly as it approached the sun, with observations revealing a potential debris field and unclear nucleus remnants. The comet's unprecedented observation history will provide valuable data for scientists to study in the years to come.
Researchers from the University of Leicester used satellite and observatory data to explain an unusually bright Gamma-ray Burst (GRB) observed in April 2013. The event was found to be caused by an extremely powerful stellar explosion producing a jet of matter moving at nearly the speed of light.
Astronomers observed two nearby supernovae, SN 2012im and SN 2013ek, in spiral galaxy NGC 6984 using NASA's Hubble space telescope. The recent image reveals the second star that has exploded, forming a new Type Ib supernova visible near the center of the galaxy.
Astronomers have observed an asteroid, P/2013 P5, spouting six comet-like tails of dust, defying the typical appearance of asteroids. The unusual tail structures change dramatically in just 13 days, sparking debate over their origin and suggesting a possible rotational breakup.
Researchers have discovered a steady change in the pulses of the Crab pulsar, indicating its strong magnetic field is moving towards the equator. The findings, made possible by a 42-ft telescope used to track ballistic missiles, provide insights into the star's interior and evolution.
A team of astronomers has identified a pulsar that switches between emitting X-rays and radio waves, offering the first direct evidence of one kind of pulsar transforming into another. This phenomenon was observed in a small cluster of stars 18,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.