Articles tagged with Observational Astronomy
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have strengthened the case for new theories to explain the forces shaping the cosmos. The latest Hubble measurements suggest a faster expansion rate in the modern universe, contradicting expectations based on early universe observations.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used the Dalian Coherent Light Source to study vacuum ultraviolet water photochemistry, identifying rotationally hot OH radicals. Highly excited 'super rotors' were observed from water photodissociation at 115.2 nm, revealing interesting dissociation mechanisms.
The Hayabusa2 mission has provided new insights into the composition and origin of the Ryugu asteroid, revealing it to be a porous 'rubble pile' with a highly porous interior and low density. The asteroid's surface is also characterized by hydrated minerals, which are ubiquitous across its dark surface.
Researchers observe two massive protostars forming a binary star system, separated by 180 astronomical units and orbiting each other every 600 years. The study suggests that the stars are formed from a common disk during the initial collapse of the cloud.
Researchers have spotted two rings of dust around a young star, suggesting the formation of a planetary system similar to our own. The observations provide clear answers to previous models, with one ring at the asteroid belt location and the other at the Neptune orbit.
A new mathematical model predicts a potentially catastrophic geomagnetic storm has only a 0.46-1.88% chance in the next decade, significantly lower than previous estimates. The researchers used historical data and measured solar surface perturbations to make their calculation.
A new study using ice cores and tree rings reveals a third massive solar storm in history, occurring in 660 BCE, with others in 775 CE and 994 CE. These rare events pose a risk to electrical grids, communication systems, and air traffic.
NGC 6052 is a pair of colliding galaxies visible in the Hercules constellation, consisting of two galaxies merging due to gravity. The Milky Way will undergo a similar collision with Andromeda in approximately 4 billion years.
A study by KU Leuven reveals that red giants lose less mass than previously thought, as their stellar winds are affected by an overlooked partner star. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption of high mass loss rates for these stars.
The Earth's magnetic shield exhibits drum-like vibrations in response to strong impulses, as observed through NASA THEMIS satellite data. These findings have implications for understanding space weather and its potential effects on technology like power grids and GPS.
Astronomers have created a 3D picture of the Milky Way's outer regions using variable stars. The team found that the galaxy's S-like stellar disk is warped in a progressively twisted spiral pattern.
The Japanese infrared satellite AKARI has detected hydrated minerals containing water in a number of asteroids, providing insight into the distribution of water in our solar system. The study reveals that C-type asteroids were formed by the agglomeration of rocks and water ice, followed by aqueous alteration and dehydration.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has made groundbreaking observations of asteroid Bennu, revealing the presence of water molecules and hydrated minerals. The findings confirm that Bennu is an excellent specimen for the mission, which aims to return a sample of surface material to Earth in 2023.
Researchers developed a new technique to visualize historic solar data, providing context for understanding the Sun's past and future. The study suggests that changes in solar activity may impact Earth's surface, with possible connections to climate change.
Researchers from UNIGE have detected helium in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, HAT-P-11b, which is swollen like a balloon due to stellar radiation. The discovery was made using the Carmenes spectrograph on a 4-metre telescope, and supported by numerical simulations that track the trajectory of helium atoms.
Magnetic reconnection occurs daily near Earth due to twisting field lines and can create auroras or disrupt power grids. NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission revealed the process flings particles symmetrically in Earth's magnetotail, unlike on the sunward side.
Astronomers have discovered a planet, known as Barnard's star b, which orbits around its host star every 233 days. The 'super-Earth' is estimated to be a frozen world with surface temperatures of -170 degrees Celsius, but could potentially become more hospitable if it has a substantial atmosphere.
Research team observes pairs of supermassive black holes drawn together by merging galaxies, providing insights into the late stages of cosmic collisions. The study confirms that over 17% of nearby galaxies host a pair of black holes at their center.
Researchers have observed two galaxy nuclei in close proximity to each other, providing a rare glimpse of supermassive black hole pairs. The study offers insights into the final stages of galaxy mergers and their role in shaping the evolution of massive black holes.
A team of astronomers captured the best view yet of merging galaxies and their supermassive black holes, revealing that galaxy mergers are critical in fueling the growth of these massive black holes. The discovery uses high-resolution images and X-ray data to pinpoint the location of these hidden black hole mergers.
Researchers from University of Seville analyzed geodynamic behavior of Tenerife island and found millimetric coming together with Gran Canaria, potentially caused by a fault between the two islands. The islands' gravitational sinking has been detected through GPS data since 2004.
Researchers have discovered an ultra-stripped supernova, a rare type of supernova believed to play a role in forming binary neutron star systems. The discovery advances understanding of gravitational waves and the origin of precious metals.
A Caltech-led team observed a faint and rapidly fading supernova, suggesting the presence of an unseen companion gravitationally siphoning away the star's mass. The explosion resulted in a dead neutron star orbiting its dense companion, marking the first time scientists have witnessed the birth of a compact neutron star binary system.
A recent study explores the feasibility of measuring atmospheric pollutants in China using geostationatory satellites. The research recommends suitable sensor parameters for improved retrieval sensitivity and reduced errors, paving the way for more accurate monitoring and control of air pollution.
Researchers observed transit timing variations in Kepler-1625b's HST-recorded transit, suggesting the presence of an exomoon. The moon would have caused a delay in the transit start time, which occurred nearly 80 minutes earlier than expected.
Astronomers have found the first compelling evidence for a moon outside our own Solar System, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Space Telescope. The exomoon, Kepler-1625b-i, is comparable in diameter to Neptune and orbits a gas giant planet at a distance similar to Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Astronomers at Columbia University have discovered a candidate exomoon orbiting a gas-giant planet 8,000 light-years away. The moon is estimated to be 1.5% the mass of its companion planet and lies within the star's habitable zone, where liquid water may exist on solid surfaces.
Hurricane Rosa shows a cloud-filled eye with two wrapping thunderstorm bands. The National Hurricane Center notes a defined eye structure beneath the overcast. Rosa is expected to strengthen and weaken before landfall in Baja California on Oct. 2.
Astronomers create highest resolution molecular gas map of 'monster' galaxy, COSMOS-AzTEC-1, 12.4 billion light years away. The map shows a massive, ordered gas disk in regular rotation, defying previous theoretical predictions.
Researchers have developed a reference catalog of light spectra and albedos for 19 solar system bodies. By comparing this catalog to exoplanet observations, scientists can characterize new worlds in reference to our own diverse planetary system. The catalog offers insights into the challenges of categorizing rocky and icy exoplanets.
An international team identified the source object of an ultra-high energy neutrino using the Subaru Telescope and OISTER network in collaboration with the IceCube experiment. The source, TXS 0506+056, is a blazer emitting radiation as it spirals into a supermassive black hole.
Researchers used the Pirka Telescope to observe Phaethon's reflected light polarization at various angles, revealing strongly polarized light that challenges previous assumptions. The findings suggest that Phaethon's surface may be darker than expected, potentially due to a lower albedo or larger grains on its surface.
An international team of scientists confirmed that ?Oumuamua, the first known interstellar object, experienced an unexpected speed boost as it passed through the inner solar system. The team found that the object's trajectory suggested behavior consistent with a comet.
Researchers have developed a new ultrafast and highly sensitive bolometer that can work at room temperature, paving the way for new astronomical observatories, heat sensors, and quantum sensing devices. The device uses graphene to amplify absorption of electromagnetic radiation, enabling precise measurements in picoseconds.
Researchers have found a rare galaxy, NGC 1277, that has remained unchanged since its formation in the early universe. The discovery provides valuable information about galaxy evolution, as it has preserved its original composition and structure over billions of years.
A team of researchers using the Herschel Space Observatory, APEX antenna, and ALMA interferometer discovered a cluster of galaxies in deep space when the universe was only 1,500 million years old. This finding challenges current theories on galaxy formation and evolution.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered the most distant star ever observed, Icarus, located 9 billion lightyears away. The star's brightness was amplified by gravitational lensing, allowing its detection.
Researchers observed radio waves to measure carbon monoxide gas in distant galaxies, revealing that stars born during intense starbursts are massive. The findings challenge classical ideas about star formation and galaxy evolution over cosmic time.
A University of Maryland-led study has observed the electron heating process in Earth's bow shock, revealing a new mechanism for converting energy from the solar wind to heat. This breakthrough provides valuable new insights into Earth's magnetic field and its ability to protect the planet from harmful particles and radiation.
An international team of astronomers used ALMA to observe a distant galaxy called MACS1149-JD1, detecting ionised oxygen emitted 13.3 billion years ago. This signal indicates that even earlier generations of stars existed in the galaxy, pushing back the frontiers of the observable Universe.
A team of international astronomers has detected oxygen in a galaxy 13.28 billion light-years away, revealing that stars formed at an unexpectedly early stage in the universe's history. The discovery provides insight into the formation of galaxies and sheds light on the 'cosmic dawn' era.
Researchers have discovered the farthest individual star ever seen, Icarus, 9 billion light years away, by magnifying its brightness with the gravity of a larger object. This breakthrough study uses gravitational lensing to exclude the possibility that dark matter is made up mostly of large black holes.
OU Professor Cameron Homeyer received a NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science grant to study the effects of storms on atmospheric composition. He aims to link ground-based radar observations with satellite data to better understand storm characteristics.
Researchers have identified nearly 200 regions of galaxies gathering together to form protoclusters in the early Universe 12 billion years ago. The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that quasars are created by galaxy mergers, suggesting alternative mechanisms for quasar activity.
A team of researchers proposes a new scenario for the formation of Comet Chury, suggesting it formed through a gentle encounter between two comets, preserving its primordial composition. This process allows for the survival of small bodies like Chury, which would otherwise be destroyed by collisions in the regions where they orbit.
A team of researchers has created a comprehensive dark matter map, indicating inconsistent halos with the standard cosmological model. The findings could hold new clues to understanding the accelerating expansion of the Universe.
Researchers found that the chemical compositions of halo stars match those of outer disk stars, suggesting they originated from the galaxy's own disk. This discovery reveals a more complex dynamics of the Milky Way, indicating that groups of stars in the disk can be relocated to distant realms within the galaxy.
Mathematical calculations show that certain types of black holes can break down determinism, leading to unpredictable futures. The discovery provides evidence for a violation of strong cosmic censorship in a theory of gravity and electromagnetism.
New research using NASA's THEMIS and Japan's ERG satellite data reveals chirping waves cause pulsating auroras by disturbing electrons in Earth's upper atmosphere. The discovery provides a definitive explanation for the mysterious phenomenon, with implications for understanding plasma waves across the universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope will study Mars' transition from wet to dry, revealing clues about the planet's past and present habitability. The telescope will also analyze the abundance of water and methane in the Martian atmosphere, shedding light on the origin of these gases.
Scientists from Carnegie Institution for Science have observed evidence of the long-theorized, difficult-to-see low-density liquid phase of water. The team used a rapid-decompression technique to create this phase, which only lasted for half a second at extremely cold temperatures.
Astronomers have discovered a trio of super-Earths around the star GJ 9827, with two of them having radii between 1.7 times and 2.5 times that of Earth, sparking debate about their composition. The study's findings provide insight into how these planets form and evolve, with implications for the search for life beyond our Solar System.
A team of astronomers from the University of Basel has found that satellite galaxies around Centaurus A co-rotate within disc-shaped planes, a phenomenon that challenges the standard model of cosmology. This discovery suggests that these systems are not isolated cases but part of a widespread pattern.
Astronomers have discovered a star behaving strangely, orbiting an invisible black hole with four times the mass of the Sun. The finding reveals a dense nucleus within globular clusters, challenging previous theories on stellar-mass black holes.
Recent observations of FRB 121102 provide new data about the source of fast radio bursts, which are nearly 100 percent linearly polarized and suggest a source embedded in strong magnetic fields. The team plans to observe at higher frequencies to narrow the range of possible sources.
Researchers have discovered swirling gas motion in early galaxies, which spun like a whirlpool similar to the Milky Way. The galaxies, observed nearly 13 billion years ago, were found to be forming stars at a higher rate than expected, yet retaining order and appearing well-regulated despite their small size.
Scientists have discovered black holes have significantly weaker magnetic fields than previously thought, with measurements about 400 times lower than estimated. This finding deepens our knowledge of how matter behaves under extreme conditions and could impact nuclear fusion power and GPS systems.
Researchers measured gas levels in comet 45P, revealing it doesn't match any studied before, with carbon monoxide and methane being detected. The team found a larger-than-average share of frozen methanol, raising questions about its origin.
Researchers discovered a significant cooling of Titan's polar atmosphere, contradicting model predictions and other celestial bodies. The study attributes this phenomenon to exotic photochemical reactions producing hydrocarbons that cool the atmosphere.
The first known interstellar visitor, 'Oumuamua, is a rapidly rotating and dimly bright object similar to Kuiper Belt objects and organic-rich comets. It was discovered in October and observed using the Gemini Observatory before fading from view due to its increasing distance.