Collisions generate gas in debris disks
Research finds atomic carbon in young star systems' debris disks, indicating minimal hydrogen presence. This suggests the gas is generated through collisions rather than being primordial.
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Explosive material: The making of a supernova
Researchers discovered that massive stars can exhibit instability for several months before a supernova explosion, creating a dense gas shell around themselves. This insight came from analyzing data collected by the Palomar Transient Factory telescope network.
Claude-André Faucher-Giguère receives NSF honor for young faculty
Claude-André Faucher-Giguère, a Northwestern University astrophysicist, has received a Faculty Early Career Development Program award from the National Science Foundation. The $794,304 grant will support improved galaxy formation simulations and interactive visualizations for public outreach.
Exploring the mysteries of the universe
The Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope (CCAT-prime) will be the highest telescope of its kind, allowing scientists to study the formation of stars and galaxies in unprecedented detail. With a diameter of six meters and location at an altitude of 5,612 meters, CCAT-prime aims to solve the mystery of dark matter and dark energy.
Breakthrough telescope to map origins of stars, galaxies and the 'cosmic dawn'
The Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope-prime (CCAT-p) will map the sky at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths, giving unprecedented insights into star and galaxy formation. The telescope's high-altitude location and innovative design enable faster measurements of polarized signals, revealing clues about the universe's early moments.
Mysterious cosmic explosion puzzles astronomers
Astronomers discover enigmatic flash of X-rays from galaxy 10.7 billion light years away, exhibiting properties unlike known gamma-ray bursts or stellar destruction; scientists struggle to understand its origin and potential implications for compact star mergers.
Astronomers find unexpected, dust-obscured star formation in distant galaxy
Researchers detect 75% of a typical galaxy's star formation obscured by dust, revealing surprising findings about the early universe. The Large Millimeter Telescope allows for deeper observations, pushing our knowledge of dust production and metal enrichment over cosmic time.
NASA's Swift mission maps a star's 'death spiral' into a black hole
Astronomers have mapped the location of optical and ultraviolet light emitted by a star torn apart by a black hole. The team used Swift satellite observations to track the changes in brightness of various wavelengths, finding that they originated from elliptical streams of orbiting matter crashing into each other.
Astronomers observe a dying red giant star's final act
Astronomers have observed a striking spiral pattern in the gas surrounding LL Pegasi and its companion star, shedding light on the final act of a dying red giant star. The observations suggest that a highly elliptical orbit is responsible for the shape of the gaseous emissions.
Visualizing debris disk 'roller derby' to understand planetary system evolution
Astronomers studied the HD 106906 system to see how a distant giant planet affects a debris disk's shape and structure. They found that the disk's flat, non-circular ring is consistent with a planet forming outside the disk, not inside it.
Star discovered in closest known orbit around black hole
Astronomers have found evidence for a star orbiting a black hole at an unprecedented distance, about twice an hour. The close-in binary system, located 14,800 light years from Earth, provides valuable insights into the behavior of black holes and their companion stars.
Could fast radio bursts be powering alien probes?
New research suggests that fast radio bursts might be evidence of advanced alien technology, powering interstellar probes in distant galaxies. A study found that a planet-sized transmitter could generate the needed energy to make such detection possible.
New technologies for astronomical research
Researchers are developing micro-optical systems to efficiently rearrange starlight and enable high-precision measurements of cosmic objects. The technology targets use on large telescopes to search for earth-like planets and determine atmospheric composition.
First public data released by hyper suprime-cam Subaru Strategic Program
The Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program has released its first public dataset, containing almost 100 million galaxies and stars. This dataset will enable scientists to explore the nature of dark matter and dark energy, as well as study the formation and evolution of galaxies.
First public data release by the HSC Subaru strategic program
The HSC-SSP survey has released its first public dataset, containing 70 million galaxies and stars. The data reveals the statistical properties of dark matter, building on previous discoveries of nine clumps of dark matter in 2015.
'Gravitational noise' interferes with determining the coordinates of distant sources
Astronomers found that the Galaxy's gravitational field can interfere with determining the coordinates of distant objects, causing a
Intergalactic unions more devastating than we thought
Scientists estimate that solitary supermassive black holes in galactic centers may be responsible for fewer observed stars being captured by black holes. The researchers found that gravitational effects from merging galaxies can explain the discrepancy, suggesting that tidal disruption events occur without our knowledge.
University of Toronto physicists harness neglected properties of light
Researchers have discovered a way to distinguish small or distant objects that normally blend into a single blur by utilizing the phase property of light. This method allows for increased resolution in microscopes and telescopes, with potential applications in observing binary stars and studying tiny structures.
Scientists make huge dataset of nearby stars available to public
A team of scientists has released the largest collection of observations made with radial velocity to be used for hunting exoplanets. The dataset includes almost 61,000 measurements of more than 1,600 nearby stars and has detected over 100 potential exoplanets, including one orbiting GJ 411.
New evidence in favor of dark matter: The bars in galaxies are spinning more slowly than we thought
Researchers using advanced methods have measured corotation radii in over 100 galaxies, finding that many bars are rotating slower than previously thought. The team's findings suggest that dark matter halos may not be necessary to explain the observed behavior of galaxy bars.
Protostar displays a strange geometry
Researchers observed a protostar and found that gas can shed angular momentum by being cast into the vertical direction, creating a 'traffic jam' near the centrifugal barrier. This behavior aligns with calculations using a ballistic model, shedding light on the dynamics of stellar formation.
Rapid gas flares discovered in white dwarf star for the first time
Scientists have discovered incredibly rapid gas flares from a white dwarf binary star system for the first time. The unusual activity was observed at radio wavelengths in SS Cyg, one of the brightest variable stars in the constellation of Cygnus.
National Academy of Sciences honors LIGO researchers
LIGO researcher Gabriela González has received the National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Discovery for her work on gravitational wave astronomy. She shares the award with David Howard Reitze and Peter R. Saulson, who have also contributed significantly to the field over 19 years.
How fast is the universe expanding? Quasars provide an answer
The H0LiCOW collaboration has made a new measurement of the Hubble constant using quasars and gravitational lensing. The result agrees with recent independent studies but disagrees significantly with cosmic microwave background measurements, potentially indicating new physics beyond the standard cosmological model.
Astronomers measure universe expansion, get hints of 'new physics'
The Hubble Constant measurement by the H0LiCOW collaboration hints at 'new physics' beyond the standard model of cosmology. The team used gravitational lenses to measure the universe's expansion rate, which is crucial for confirming or refuting the current picture of dark energy and dark matter.
Researchers get first look at new, extremely rare galaxy
Astronomers have discovered a rare Hoag-type galaxy with two circular rings, providing unique insights into galaxy formation and evolution. The galaxy's inner ring is older than its outer ring, suggesting different formation histories for the two components.
Mystery of super flash solved
Astronomers discovered a rare event where a star was destroyed by a massive black hole's gravitational tides, producing an unusually bright flash of light. The event occurred in a distant 'red' galaxy with older stars, defying typical supernova models.
Beyond the Standard Model through 'mini spirals'
Researchers studied 36 mini-spiral galaxies and found a link between ordinary matter and dark matter. The structure of dark matter mimics visible matter in its own way, disagreeing with current hypotheses.
Newly formed stars shoot out powerful whirlwinds
Researchers have observed powerful whirlwinds shooting out of the rotating disc of a newly formed star. The wind is thought to slow down the rotation, allowing the material to contract and form planets.
Antarctic site promises to open a new window on the cosmos
Dome A's extreme dryness allows for terahertz observations, previously hindered by Earth's atmosphere. Researchers can now gain new insights into star and galaxy formation.
A new light on stellar death
A team of astronomers discovered that a massive flare in a distant galaxy was actually a tidal disruption event caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole. The finding marks the first time a TDE has been used to study black hole spin, providing new insights into stellar death.
UCLA astronomers watch star clusters spewing out dust
A team of UCLA astronomers observed a galaxy and found that stars are responsible for producing dust, a key component of rocky planets. The researchers focused on a galaxy with two young clusters of stars and constructed a map tracing the dust in the galaxy.
Distant star is roundest object ever observed in nature
Researchers used asteroseismology to determine the oblateness of a slowly rotating star, revealing a difference of only 3 kilometers between equatorial and polar radii. The star's small oblateness is surprising, as it rotates three times more slowly than the Sun.
Stanford solar physicist finds new way to study the inner workings of the sun
A new tabletop device could detect elusive neutrinos more efficiently, simplifying scientists' ability to study the sun. Researchers discovered a connection between neutrino decay fluctuations and solar rotation, providing strong evidence for this method.
Sculpting solar systems
Researchers have discovered complex systems of concentric rings surrounding young stars, formed by the interaction between protoplanetary discs and growing planets. These findings provide new insights into planet formation, shedding light on the dynamics of innermost disc regions.
NASA missions harvest a passel of 'pumpkin' stars
Astronomers using Kepler and Swift missions discover 18 stars that rotate rapidly, producing X-ray emissions at more than 100 times the sun's level. These stars are believed to have formed from the merger of two sun-like stars in close binary systems.
The Milky Way's ancient heart
Researchers found a dozen previously unknown RR Lyrae stars at the center of the Milky Way, indicating that galactic bulges may have formed through merging ancient globular clusters. The discovery provides strong evidence for an important theory of galactic evolution.
Chaos in cosmos: Stars with three planet-forming discs of gas
Researchers have observed a binary star system with two stars and three rotating planet-forming accretion discs, all misaligned with each other. The discovery challenges current understanding of planetary system formation and prompts further study to understand the physics behind this unusual system.
Astronomers capture best view ever of disintegrating comet
Astronomers captured the best view yet of a breaking apart comet using NASA's Hubble telescope. The images show 25 fragments drifting away from the comet at walking speed, suggesting it may be spinning so fast that material is ejected from its surface.
Our galaxy's most-mysterious star is even stranger than astronomers thought
Astronomers analyze Kepler observations of KIC 8462852 and find the star dimming slowly for almost three years before suddenly losing 2% of its brightness. The star's unusual behavior has sparked speculation about comets, alien megastructures, or planetary collisions, but the new findings will make it harder to explain.
New research reveals hundreds of undiscovered black holes
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered hundreds of undetectable black holes within a globular cluster, overturning old theories on their formation. The study uses advanced simulations to map the cluster and its behavior, revealing the effects of these massive objects on the surrounding stars.
The past, present & future of gravitational-wave astronomy, with Kip Thorne & Rainer Weiss
The winners of the 2016 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics reveal their 40-year journey to detect gravitational waves. They share their insights on the challenges and breakthroughs in eavesdropping on space-time ripples, which have captured the world's imagination.
UCLA astronomers make first accurate measurement of oxygen in distant galaxy
Researchers used advanced instrument MOSFIRE to quantify oxygen in COSMOS-1908, a galaxy 12 billion years old. The measurement provides insights into how matter cycles in and out of galaxies, allowing for better understanding of galaxy evolution and formation.
White dwarf lashes red dwarf with mystery ray
Astronomers using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope discover a new type of exotic binary star system where a rapidly spinning white dwarf powers electrons to almost the speed of light, causing radiation blasts that lash the companion red dwarf star, resulting in dramatic pulses every 1.97 minutes.
Star's intense radiation beams whip neighboring red dwarf
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a new type of exotic binary star that produces powerful beams of particles and radiation, affecting its nearby companion star. The star, AR Scorpii, has a white dwarf with intense magnetic fields that accelerate electrons in the atmosphere of the red dwarf to close to the speed o...
White dwarf lashes red dwarf with mystery ray
Astronomers have discovered a unique white dwarf binary system, AR Scorpii, exhibiting powerful radio pulses that are unlike anything seen before from a white dwarf. The system's rapidly spinning white dwarf accelerates electrons, releasing radiation in a lighthouse-like beam that affects its cool red dwarf companion.
A famous supermassive black hole 'spied on' with the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS
Researchers have detected spiraling plasma around a magnetic field in the active nucleus of galaxy Cygnus A, providing insights into the cosmic monster's influence on its surroundings. The observations also confirm that the plasma is highly confined by the effect of the magnetic field.
Light shed on a superluminous supernova which appears to have exploded twice
Researchers used the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS to observe a superluminous supernova almost from its occurrence, revealing surprising behavior including an initial increase in brightness followed by a decline and later stronger increase. The study sheds new light on these rare events, which are up to 100 times more energetic than Type 1a's.
NASA's Kepler confirms 100+ exoplanets during its K2 mission
Astronomers confirm 104 exoplanets outside our solar system using NASA's Kepler spacecraft on its K2 mission. The discoveries include a planetary system with four promising rocky planets orbiting the M dwarf star K2-72.
Hubble nets a cosmic tadpole
Astronomers discovered a rare cosmic tadpole galaxy, LEDA 36252, with its bright head and elongated tail. The galaxy features surprisingly young stars with a total mass equivalent to 10,000 Suns, indicating a recent burst of star formation triggered by the accretion of primordial gas.
Simulations foresee hordes of colliding black holes in LIGO's future
Computer simulations of evolving binary stars predict the formation of massive black hole binaries that can be detected by LIGO. The simulations show a high likelihood of these events occurring due to the production of low-metallicity stars in the early universe.
Gravitational waves detected from second pair of colliding black holes
Scientists observed gravitational waves for the second time, produced during the merger of two black holes. The detection was made possible by the enhanced capabilities of Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors.
New gravitational wave observed from second pair of black holes
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory has detected a second pair of colliding black holes, validating the landmark discovery from earlier this year. RIT scientists played a crucial role in identifying and analyzing the gravitational wave signal, revealing diverse sizes and spins among black holes in the universe.
Largest crowdsource astronomy network helps confirm discovery of 'Tatooine' planet
The KELT Follow-Up Network, the largest coordinated network of its kind, contributed key observations to confirm the existence of Kepler-1647 b. The planet, a gas giant, orbits two stars and takes nearly 3 years to complete its orbit, making it the longest-period transiting exoplanet found so far.
A new 'Einstein ring' is discovered
Astronomers have discovered a new 'Canarias Einstein ring', a rare and unusual phenomenon that provides insight into the composition of distant galaxies. The discovery was made using data from the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) and offers valuable information about the structure of gravitational fields and dark matter in galaxy lenses.
Hubble finds clues to the birth of supermassive black holes
Italian researchers used Hubble data and computer models to identify two objects as potential seeds for supermassive black holes. These early black hole seed candidates are seen less than a billion years after the Big Bang and have an initial mass of about 100,000 times the Sun.
Astrophysicists from the IAC discover an intense wind in the neighborhood of a black hole
Researchers at the IAC discovered a powerful wind of neutral material in the outer layers of V404 Cygni's accretion disc. This wind regulates accretion, causing shorter outbursts, and has been detected for the first time in a black hole system.
Intense wind found in the neighborhood of a black hole
A team of astrophysicists has detected an intense wind in the neighborhood of a black hole, which is formed in the outer layers of the accretion disc. The wind has a high velocity of 3,000 km/s and plays a crucial role in regulating the accretion of material by the black hole.
Recipients of 2016 Gruber Cosmology Prize announced
The Gruber Foundation Cosmology Prize recognizes the first observation of gravitational waves by the LIGO team, confirming a key prediction of Einstein's theory of general relativity. This achievement opens up new means of studying the universe and provides direct evidence for the existence of black holes.
UCI astronomers determine precise mass of a giant black hole
Researchers use ALMA's high-resolution data to map the rotation of cold molecular gas and dust orbiting a giant elliptical galaxy, determining the massive supermassive black hole at its center has a mass 660 million times greater than the Sun. The precise measurement is among the most accurate for a galaxy's central black hole.