Articles tagged with Observational Astronomy
Researchers analyzed over 60 years of solar microwave data and found consistent microwave intensities and spectra at the minimums of each cycle, contrasting with varying intensity and spectrum during periods of maximum solar activity. This discovery sheds light on understanding the creation and amplification of solar magnetic fields.
An international team of astronomers discovered a star that exploded multiple times over 50 years, challenging existing theories on cosmic catastrophes. The star, iPTF14hls, was found to be at least 50 times more massive than the sun and may be the first example of a rare 'Pulsational Pair Instability Supernova'.
The ESA and NASA's SOHO mission recently observed comet 96P in two separate sessions, offering valuable insights into its composition and interactions with the solar wind. By combining polarization measurements from both missions, scientists can gain a better understanding of the comet's tail particles.
Galaxies moving through 'cosmic web' filaments may have altered star formation rates due to compressed gas. The team will use multiple telescopes to observe neutral hydrogen and molecular gas in galaxies as they travel along filaments, aiming to determine if the amount of fuel for star formation is less abundant.
Researchers from the J-GEM collaboration observed a kilonova explosion, a phenomenon predicted to create heavy elements through rapid neutron capture reactions. The first-ever confirmed kilonova was detected using a network of telescopes worldwide, providing insight into the universe's heavy element production.
A team of astronomers successfully traced a spiral arm on the far side of our Galaxy using radio interferometry and parallax measurements. They located the Scutum-Centaurus spiral arm as it passes around the far side and verified a new method to infer distances in this region.
Researchers used historic accounts and modern methods to describe an extreme magnetic storm over Kyoto in the 18th century. The study provides valuable insights into past solar activity and its potential impact on future events.
Researchers have discovered evidence of dynamical dark energy, suggesting that the nature of dark energy may not be a constant vacuum energy. The discovery was made possible by high-precision measurements of Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations and will require confirmation from next-generation astronomical surveys.
A new study recounts the life and work of Hisako Koyama, a pioneering female solar observer who created detailed sunspot drawings for over 40 years. Her archive was used to establish a continuous record of sunspots stretching back to 1610, shedding light on the solar cycle and its influence on Earth.
Hubble identifies potential targets for Webb using preparatory science observations, filling observational gaps in the infrared spectrum. Astronomers plan to use Hubble to survey multiple targets and determine the best strategy for Webb, optimizing observation time.
The LIGO and Virgo observatories have jointly detected a black hole collision, emitting ripples in space and time. The event, located 1.8 billion light-years away, resulted in a spinning black hole with about 53 times the mass of our sun.
Research detects 30,000 high-energy particles with energies a million times greater than the LHC, finding that flux from certain regions of the sky is approximately 6% higher than uniform, indicating an extragalactic origin. The Pierre Auger Observatory detects these particles and analyzes their arrival directions.
Astronomers have observed a unique type of object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, revealing two asteroids orbiting each other and exhibiting comet-like features. The research provides crucial information about the origin and evolution of main-belt comets, which can help answer questions about how water came to Earth.
Tropical depression 21W strengthened into tropical storm Doksuri, exhibiting fragmented feeder bands of strong thunderstorms. NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of the storm as it moved west in the South China Sea and intensified over the next day and a half.
A team of astronomers has detected titanium oxide in the atmosphere of WASP-19b, an exoplanet with a temperature of 2000 degrees Celsius. The discovery was made using ESO's VLT and allows for more accurate modeling of exoplanet atmospheres.
A team of scientists identified 68 exoplanets where observers can see the planets in our Solar System transit the Sun. Nine of these are ideally placed to observe Earth's transits, although none are habitable.
Researchers have observed a sudden change in rotation speed of SXP 1062, a binary pulsar exhibiting the 'glitch' phenomenon. The discovery provides new constraints on neutron star equation of state and sheds light on the interior dynamics of these compact objects.
Two Japanese teams found the Phoenicid meteor shower linked to Comet Blanpain, which disappeared in 1819. The team predicted the shower's return and observed 29 Phoenicids, confirming their link to Comet Blanpain.
Scientists have tracked a solar storm using data from 10 NASA and ESA spacecraft, shedding light on how coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move through space. The study provides key information for understanding space weather effects on the solar system.
A new study suggests that human-caused warming is very likely responsible for the recent streak of record-breaking temperatures. The likelihood of experiencing consecutive record-breaking global temperatures from 2014 to 2016 without the effects of human-caused climate change is no greater than 0.03 percent.
Researchers discovered a massive storm system near Neptune's equator, about 1/3 the size of Neptune's radius, with bright clouds forming at low latitudes. This unexpected feature was observed during twilight and is thought to be linked to high-pressure dark vortex systems.
Dellingr, a 6U CubeSat, is set to launch in August with NASA-quality data on the sun's influence on Earth's upper atmosphere. The spacecraft demonstrates a more reliable design and relatively inexpensive technology, addressing previous reliability issues.
An international team of astronomers suggests that the Milky Way contains a staggering number of brown dwarfs, with estimates ranging from 25 to 100 billion. The Substellar Objects in Nearby Young Clusters (SONYC) survey found that brown dwarfs are common in dense star clusters and have a small effect on their formation environment.
Spicules are violently driven jets of plasma that occur thousands of times per day, yet their origin is poorly understood. The new model resolves this mystery by explaining how magnetic fields and solar plasma interact to generate spicules.
Researchers suggest that converging waves in the upper atmosphere amplify naturally occurring airglow, causing the unexplained glow seen in historical observations. Bright airglow can be a concern for astronomers, but its effects are still observable in remote areas.
The James Webb Space Telescope will observe a range of celestial objects, from the outer planets and Kuiper Belt to exoplanets and distant galaxies. The initial 2100 observations planned will address various science areas, including first light, galaxy assembly, and star and planet birth.
A new study reveals that the largest galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for at least ten billion years. The discovery suggests that these galaxies are especially sensitive to their environment and were influenced by their surroundings from a young age.
Researchers combined data from three spacecraft to show that Jupiter's brightest auroral features are powered by both volcanic moon Io and interaction with the solar wind. The energy is transferred at speeds approaching 400-800 km/s, challenging previous assumptions about magnetic fields' dominance.
Researchers confirmed the orbit and temperature of TRAPPIST-1h, which orbits its star every 18.77 days and is frigidly cold. The discovery suggests that TRAPPIST-1h may have been habitable in the past, with a possible rotation period and activity level for its host star.
The RAISE mission will take 1,500 images of the sun's surface in just five minutes, providing high-cadence observations of its dynamic processes. By analyzing these images, scientists can study solar flares and massive eruptions, gaining insights into the sun's complex magnetic activity.
A new study proposes a unified model for solar eruptions, suggesting that smaller events like coronal jets can be explained by the same process as massive coronal mass ejections. The breakout model, which was previously used to describe CMEs, has been adapted to explain the formation of jets.
An international team of physicists and astronomers has detected for the first time multiple images from a gravitationally lensed Type Ia supernova. The observations suggest that this phenomenon can be used to test key cosmological theories about the accelerating expansion of the universe and the distribution of dark matter. By analyzi...
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a massive, cold spot on Jupiter's atmosphere, comparable to its famous Great Red Spot, generated by polar aurorae. The phenomenon, potentially thousands of years old, creates a region of cooling in the thermosphere and has been observed to change dramatically over time.
Researchers at Kyoto University and Japan's National Institute of Polar Research used ancient texts to track past solar events, including prolonged auroras. They found clear patterns in solar activity and discovered that auroras were more prevalent during maximal solar cycles.
A study published in Nature Astronomy found that blue binaries in the Kuiper Belt formed closer to the Sun and were shaped by Neptune's gravitational nudges. The research suggests a smooth and calm migration of Neptune from 20 AU to its current location at 30 AU, allowing fragile binaries to be pushed out to their current orbits.
Astronomers have observed stars forming within powerful outflows of material blasted out from supermassive black holes. The discovery provides new insights into galaxy properties and evolution, shedding light on how galaxies obtain their shapes and become enriched with heavy elements.
Scientists have observed rapid temperature changes in ultra-fast black hole winds, which are responding to X-ray emissions from the accretion disk. This discovery provides clues for locating the origin of these outflows and their connection to galaxy formation.
The GOES-16 SUVI instrument has successfully captured its first solar images, providing valuable data on coronal plasma temperatures and emission measurements. This will enable the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center to issue early warnings for potential geomagnetic storms impacting Earth's magnetic field.
Researchers measured Saturn's ring brightness and temperatures using Subaru Telescope images. The Cassini Division and C ring appeared brighter in mid-infrared due to thermal emission from warmer particles. However, seasonal changes in the ring opening angle caused variations in their apparent brightness.
A team of scientists, led by Richard Spalding, discovered that the brilliant pulsating light emitted by burning asteroids can heat surrounding objects and generate sounds. This phenomenon, known as photoacoustic coupling, produces faint sounds similar to rustling leaves or whispers.
The international team released a large dataset of exoplanet-detecting observations using the radial velocity method, identifying over 100 potential planets, including one orbiting the fourth-closest star to our Solar System. The data will enable astronomers around the globe to search for new planets and follow up on existing signals.
Astronomers detected a compact molecular cloud with unusual motion near the supernova remnant W44, suggesting the presence of a hidden black hole. The black hole is estimated to be between 3.5 and 36 times more massive than the sun, sparking debate over its origin.
A team of astronomers successfully observed the entire hydrogen coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using the LAICA telescope onboard the PROCYON spacecraft. The observations provide a unique opportunity to test coma models and estimate the total amount of water released by the comet per second.
Astronomers have discovered a shadow sweeping across the face of a vast pancake-shaped gas-and-dust disk surrounding a young star, possibly caused by an unseen planet gravitationally pulling on material. The twisted inner disk is casting its shadow onto the outer region.
The galaxy IRAS 16399-0937 hosts a double nucleus, with the northern nucleus featuring a black hole of massive proportions and a starburst region in the southern part. Hubble's observations reveal the intricate structure of this cosmic megamaser, shedding light on its unique composition and energetic processes.
Researchers have measured the size of dust particles around a young star for the first time, achieving a precise size measurement through radio-wave polarization. The estimated size of the dust particles is at most 150 micrometers, which is more than 10 times smaller than previously thought.
New observations from NASA's THEMIS mission reveal electrons can be accelerated to extremely high speeds in a region farther from Earth than previously thought possible. This discovery opens up new questions about the mechanisms that accelerate these particles, which can cause equipment malfunctions and affect space travelers.
Researchers discovered the presence of a white spot on Saturn's equator moving at speeds of 1,600 km/h. The study found that winds increase dramatically with depth, reaching up to 1,650 km/h at 150 km below the surface.
The MAVEN mission provides unprecedented detail on hydrogen escape from Mars' upper atmosphere, revealing a dramatic variation in loss rates throughout the year. The research suggests that water escape is not a steady leak but rather an episodic flow influenced by seasonal and solar activity.
Dense molecular gas disks are supplying gas directly to supermassive black holes at galaxy centers. The growth of supermassive black holes is enhanced by strong turbulence generated by supernova explosions in these disks.
Researchers find evidence of two separate eruptions in the mid-13th and mid-16th centuries, and another in the 19th century, revealing a more violent history for the star system. The team uses NASA's Hubble Space Telescope images to track the movement of gas ejected by Eta Carinae.
The collaboration will improve the sensitivity of the interferometric telescopes and enable the observation of smaller objects in the sky. The new system will allow astronomers to study high-interest targets such as dusty debris disks and accretion disks around newborn stars.
Astronomers have found a potentially habitable exoplanet, Proxima b, orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, just 11 days from its parent star. The planet's mass is at least 1.3 times that of Earth and orbits within the star's habitable zone.
Researchers have identified a young star over 30 times the mass of our Sun, which could help us understand how massive stars are formed. The discovery suggests that massive stars form in a similar way to smaller stars like our Sun.
Researchers at Harvard University observed evidence of Jupiter's hydrogen transitioning into liquid metal, a key to the planet's powerful magnetic field. The findings could revolutionize rocketry and energy science, as well as our understanding of solar system origins.
Researchers found that supermassive black holes at galaxy centers are likely to have weaker gravitational fields, making them harder to detect. This challenges previous assumptions about the detection of gravitational waves from merging galaxies.
The NASA-funded Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) captured striking images of Mercury during its May 9, 2016 transit across the sun. By observing this phenomenon, researchers can calibrate IRIS and gather data on the sun's lower atmosphere.
A Monash University-led research team has discovered that about half of the stars in the M4 globular cluster are dying prematurely, skipping the Red Giant phase and becoming White Dwarfs millions of years ahead of schedule. The cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery, but it is believed to only occur in sodium-rich/oxygen-poor stars.
The study, led by IAC researcher Enric Pallé, has updated observations of the Earth's albedo from 2007 to 2014, showing monthly and annual variations but no long-term trend. The results coincide with a stabilization in the planet's mean temperature.
Three NASA satellites will observe Mercury's transit, offering a rare opportunity to study planetary motion and the sun's effects. The event will also be used to calibrate space instruments and test spacecraft.