The 'supernova of a generation' shows its stuff
Astronomers have determined how a Type Ia supernova occurs, involving a dense white dwarf and main-sequence star. The study provides new insights into the universe's expansion and cosmic origins.
Observational Astrophysics
Articles tagged with Observational Astrophysics
Scientists publish new findings about the 'supernova of a generation'
An international team of scientists has discovered that a recently exploded supernova was a 'white dwarf' star, challenging the long-held theory that it was a red giant. The finding provides direct evidence that white dwarfs are responsible for Type Ia supernovae.
Record-breaking black holes discovered, U of T astronomer on international team
Astronomers have discovered two gigantic black holes with masses about 10 billion times the mass of our sun, surpassing previous measurements by more than 50 per cent. The discovery suggests that these massive black holes may be the dormant remains of extremely luminous quasars from billions of years ago.
UCSB scientist contributes to discovery of the fastest-rotating massive star ever recorded
A team of scientists has discovered the fastest-rotating massive star ever recorded, with a rotational velocity of 600 kilometers per second. The star, VFTS 102, is extremely hot and luminous, having been ejected from a double star system by its exploding companion star.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 5, 2011
Caltech-led team of astronomers finds 18 new planets
A Caltech-led team of astronomers has discovered 18 new planets orbiting massive stars, with masses similar to Jupiter's. The findings provide valuable insights into planetary formation and support the theory that planets grow from seed particles accumulating gas and dust in a disk surrounding a newborn star.
NASA's Swift finds a gamma-ray burst with a dual personality
Astronomers propose two exotic scenarios for the unusual cosmic explosion: a novel supernova billions of light-years away or an unusual collision within our own galaxy. The 'Christmas burst' was caused by either event, with observations suggesting a neutron star and rapid tightening of its orbit.
A 3-D way to release magnetic energy... fast!
Scientists at PPPL have discovered a new process that releases magnetic energy faster than expected by classical theories. The 3-D process involves the formation of high current ropes called flux ropes, which are ejected out of the reconnection region, leading to a sudden decrease in current density.
Mysterious absorption lines could illuminate 90-year puzzle
Astronomers have identified 13 new diffuse interstellar bands with the longest wavelengths to date, which could help explain the presence of large organic molecules in space. The discovery supports recent ideas that these molecules, or 'carriers,' are hidden in interstellar dust clouds.
Now there's an app for NASA's Swift Observatory
The NASA Swift Observatory has released a free iPhone application that provides up-to-date information on gamma-ray burst discoveries, allowing users to track the location of Swift as it orbits Earth. The app also offers an interactive map, gallery of images, and real-time observations.
Blue stragglers
Astronomers discover how blue stragglers, old stars appearing younger than expected, are created through mass transfer. The study reveals that these stars eat up the mass of their giant-star companion, allowing them to continue burning and living longer.
Clearing the cosmic fog of the early universe: Massive stars may be responsible
Researchers found that ultraviolet radiation from massive stars evaporated gas in intergalactic medium, clearing a narrow cone-shaped passage. This process helps explain why similar phenomena in other galaxies were difficult to detect.
Suspects in the quenching of star formation exonerated
A new survey of galaxies reveals active galactic nuclei in young, blue star-making factories, overturning the idea that these objects hinder star formation. The study finds X-ray signals from AGN in a wide range of galaxy types, including massive and smaller galaxies, old elliptical red galaxies and younger blue spirals.
CU-Boulder space instrument observes new characteristics of solar flares
New data from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows that radiation from some solar flares can continue for up to five hours beyond the initial minutes. The total energy from this extended phase sometimes has more energy than the initial event, increasing our understanding of flare physics and its impact on Earth's atmosphere.
New discovery sheds light on the ecosystem of young galaxies
A team of scientists has discovered a distant galaxy that helps elucidate two fundamental questions of galaxy formation. The galaxy's extended patch of light suggests that roughly half of the radiation is escaping and exciting hydrogen atoms outside its halo.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 29, 2011
40-year-old Mariner 5 solar wind problem finds answer -- turbulence doesn't go with the flow
A team of researchers at the University of Warwick has found a solution to a 40-year-old problem in understanding solar wind turbulence. By analyzing data from the Cluster mission and creating a virtual model, they discovered that turbulence is not affected by the direction of travel of the solar wind, resolving a long-standing issue.
New images reveal structures of the solar wind as it travels toward and impacts Earth
New images show the solar wind's dynamic interactions, including piling up at the leading edge of a CME, voids in the interior, long thread-like structures, and V-shaped structures centered on the current sheet. These findings are changing the way scientists think about space weather.
SOHO watches a comet fading away
The comet's water production in 2010 was three times less than in 1997, with a sudden increase of hydrogen signatures detected by SWAN. This observation challenges standard models of comet behavior and highlights the need for further analysis to understand the underlying causes.
Wave power can drive sun's intense heat
A new study using satellite observations reveals that magnetic oscillations carrying energy from the Sun's surface into its corona are far more vigorous than previously thought. These waves are energetic enough to heat the corona, driving the solar wind and affecting the entire solar system.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 2011
NASA's Hubble discovers another moon around Pluto
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto, the smallest discovered to date. The new moon, temporarily designated P4, was found in a survey searching for rings around Pluto and has an estimated diameter of 8-21 miles.
Rutgers contributes to findings that black holes were surprisingly common in early universe
A Rutgers University astrophysicist's research team has discovered that supermassive black holes were surprisingly common in the early universe, growing at a rate similar to their host galaxies. The findings suggest there are at least 30 million black holes in the early universe, far exceeding previous estimates.
New insights into the 'hidden' galaxies of the universe
Researchers found a nearly 20-year-old observation of the faint galaxy ESO 546-G34, which offers insights into the earliest galaxies in the universe. The discovery suggests that small low surface brightness galaxies may have more in common with the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 14, 2011
'Gang of 4' receives $500 000 Gruber Cosmology Prize for reconstructing how the universe grew
The Gang of Four, including Davis, Efstathiou, Frenk and White, receives the prize for their pioneering use of numerical simulations to model the Universe's large-scale distribution. Their work, which began with a survey of 2400 galaxies in 1981, showed that observations were consistent with a simulated Universe based on cold dark matter.
The Spitzer photo atlas of galactic 'train wrecks'
Astronomers have created an atlas of galactic 'train wrecks' to understand the collision process and form, growth, and evolution of galaxies. The study combines data from Spitzer Space Telescope and Galaxy Evolution Explorer to analyze areas where stars are forming rapidly.
Nearby supernova factory ramps up
Astronomers have discovered a local supernova factory in the Carina Nebula, which may help understand how young stars release newly-forged elements into their surroundings. The Chandra X-ray Observatory detected over 14,000 stars, six possible neutron stars, and a new population of young massive stars.
Astronomers unveil portrait of 'super-exotic super-Earth:' Densest known rocky planet
Astronomers discover densest solid planet 55 Cancri e, with a diameter 60% larger than Earth, orbiting its star every 17 hours. The planet's immense density makes it unlikely to have an atmosphere at surface temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Celsius.
New images show cloud exploding from Sun ripples like clouds on Earth
Researchers have spotted Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities in exploding cloud material from the Sun, similar to those seen in Earth's clouds. These instabilities could help predict the Solar System's 'weather'.
Astronomers discover close-knit pairs of massive black holes
Researchers have identified 16 binary systems consisting of supermassive black holes that are hundreds to thousands closer together than previously observed. This discovery sheds new light on how these cosmic behemoths and their host galaxies merge, a crucial aspect of understanding the universe's evolution.
NASA satellites find high-energy surprises in 'constant' Crab Nebula
Astronomers have discovered unexpected changes in the Crab Nebula's X-ray emission, revealing it is not as stable as previously thought. The findings indicate the nebula has brightened and faded by up to 3.5% a year since 1999.
Hotspots in fountains on the sun's surface help explain coronal heating mystery
Scientists observed temperatures of millions of degrees in gas jets, known as spicules, which could contribute to coronal heating. The discovery offers a new framework for understanding the sun's high atmosphere and its role in space weather.
Plasma jets are prime suspect in solar mystery
Scientists have discovered that narrow jets of plasma, known as spicules, shoot up from the Sun's surface and insert heated plasma into its outer atmosphere. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides an observational challenge to existing theories of coronal heating.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2011
NIST telescope calibration may help explain mystery of universe's expansion
Astrophysicists can now obtain accurate answers to the mystery of accelerating universe expansion thanks to a calibrated Pan-STARRS telescope. The telescope's performance was fine-tuned at many individual wavelengths, allowing for consistent information about supernovae.
SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateJan 6, 2011
Longstanding mystery of Sun's hot outer atmosphere solved
Researchers discover that jets of plasma shooting up from just above the Sun's surface are a major source of hot gas replenishing the corona. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides new insight into the Sun's subtle influence on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
At South Pole, world's most extreme scientific construction project
The IceCube observatory, located in the crystal clear ice of the South Pole, has been completed as a world-first large-scale neutrino telescope. The telescope will investigate the sources and properties of neutrinos, which originate in spectacular phenomena in the universe.
The universe's most massive stars can form in near isolation, new study finds
Astronomers used Hubble Space Telescope to observe eight massive stars in Small Magellanic Cloud, finding five without large neighbors and three in tiny clusters. The study suggests that giant stars can form randomly across the universe, including in isolation.
Construction of the world's largest neutrino observatory completed
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a cubic kilometer instrumented ice detector that records rare collisions of neutrinos with the atomic nuclei of water molecules in the Antarctic ice. The observatory provides an innovative means to investigate fundamental particles originating from cosmic phenomena.
Qatar-led international team finds its first alien world
Astronomers have discovered a new alien world, Qatar-1b, a hot Jupiter located 550 light-years from Earth. The planet orbits extremely close to its star, resulting in scorching temperatures and a unique rotational period.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 14, 2010
New observations of exploding stars reveal pauses, flickers and flares not reliably seen before
Astronomers have made new discoveries about exploding stars, including pauses, flickers, and flares that were not previously observed. Using sensitive data from a satellite, they studied four novae and found three stalls before reaching peak brightness, with all experiencing flickering or flaring during the outburst.
Study predicts distribution of gravitational wave sources
A new study predicts where neutron star mergers are likely to occur in the local galactic neighborhood, providing valuable information for researchers at gravitational-wave detectors. The predictions suggest that astronomers might not want to look in the nearest galaxies for optical counterparts of gravitational waves.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 2, 2010
Discovery triples number of stars in universe
Astronomers at Yale University have discovered that small red dwarfs are much more prolific than previously believed, increasing the total number of stars in the universe. The discovery found 20 times more red dwarfs in elliptical galaxies than in the Milky Way, with potential implications for galaxy formation and evolution.
Massive galaxies formed when universe was young
Researchers found five to ten times more massive galaxies existed 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, with high infrared luminosities indicating intense growth and activity, challenging current understanding of galaxy formation.
NSF signs $34.5-million operating agreement as Antarctic neutrino detector nears completion
The National Science Foundation has signed a five-year, $34.5-million agreement with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to operate the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica. The observatory records rare collisions of neutrinos with ice, providing insights into these elusive sub-atomic particles.
Making stars: Studies show how cosmic dust and gas shape galaxy evolution
Astronomers Andrey Kravtsov and Nick Gnedin's simulations reveal why galaxies were less efficient at making stars in the early universe. The team's model explains the connection between dust, gas, and star formation, shedding light on the evolution of spiral galaxies.
Rutgers, Chilean astrophysicists discover new galaxy clusters revealed by cosmic 'shadows'
A team of Rutgers and Chilean astrophysicists has discovered 10 new massive galaxy clusters, shedding light on the universe's birth and evolution. The breakthrough technique uses 'cosmic shadows' to reveal these previously unseen clusters.
Planet hunters no longer blinded by the light
Using new optics technology developed at the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory, astronomers have obtained images of a planet on a closer orbit around its parent star than any other extrasolar planet previously found. The discovery enables scientists to search for planets closer to the star than has been previously possible.
3-D computer simulations help envision supernovae explosions
Researchers at Princeton University have developed 3D computer simulations of supernovae explosions, providing new insights into the universe. The simulations match massive blow-outs observed by astronomers and may lead to a better understanding of the physics involved.
Chandra finds evidence for stellar cannibalism
Astronomers have found evidence for stellar cannibalism in the star BP Piscium, which appears to be an old red giant. The discovery suggests that stars like our Sun may engulf companion stars or planets as they age.
Sandia researcher: Amateur astronomers open potential lab in outer space for planetary scientists
Two amateur astronomers independently observed an asteroid impact on Jupiter, opening a potential giant research lab in space for planetary scientists. The initial observations could help understand the behavior of meteoroids and their effects on Jupiter's atmosphere.
Universe chaotic from very beginning
Physicist Adilson E. Motter and colleague Katrin Gelfert show that chaos is absolute in the universe's early expansion, disagreeing with previous studies' relative views. The study implies that the early universe experienced erratic changes between red- and blue-shift directions, confirming chaotic behavior.
University of Arizona telescope pioneer to receive medal minted close to home
Roger Angel will receive the Kavli Prize for his pioneering work on telescope design, which has allowed astronomers to observe distant and ancient objects. His innovative approach has resulted in lightweight and rigid mirrors that can be used in larger telescopes, enabling more compact and cost-effective designs.
Hubble observations of supernova reveal composition of 'star guts' pouring out
Astronomers measure velocity and composition of 'star guts' from nearby supernova Supernova 1987A using Hubble Space Telescope observations. The study reveals the deposition of energy and heavy elements into the host galaxy, including elements necessary for life on Earth.
NASA's Kepler mission discovers 2 planets transiting same star
The discovery of two planets, Kepler 9b and 9c, confirms the first planetary system with more than one planet transiting the same star. The planets, both Saturn-sized gas giants, exhibit orbital resonance and gravitational interaction.
Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to sun
Scientists have observed a magnetic cycle in a distant star, HD49933, that is similar to the sun's solar cycle. The team used stellar seismology to detect acoustic fluctuations and found a signature of starspots, areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface.
Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to the sun's
Scientists have discovered a magnetic cycle in a distant star using stellar seismology, finding a pattern similar to the Sun's solar cycle. The study aims to better understand how magnetic activity cycles differ from star to star and its impact on potential planets.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScience·DateAug 26, 2010
Galactic super-volcano in action
Astronomers studying a galactic black hole have found similarities between its eruption and the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Earth. The cosmic eruption prevents hundreds of millions of new stars from forming by lifting cooler gas upwards.
SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 19, 2010
Eclipsing pulsar promises clues to crushed matter
Astronomers detected X-ray eclipses from a fast pulsar, shedding light on compressed matter and testing relativity. The system's unique properties revealed the size and mass of the companion star with unprecedented accuracy.
Cosmic accelerators discovered in our galaxy by UCLA physicists, Japanese colleague
Physicists have discovered evidence of natural nuclear accelerators at work in the Milky Way galaxy, based on an analysis of data from the world's largest cosmic ray detector. The researchers found that stellar explosions in our own galaxy can accelerate both protons and nuclei, explaining the origin of ultra-high-energy nuclei.
Citizen scientists discover rotating pulsar
Researchers credited with discovery, PSR J2007+2722, a neutron star rotating 41 times per second, has no orbiting companion and is likely recycled or young, sparking interest in basic physics of neutron stars. This is the first genuine astronomical discovery by a public volunteer distributed computing project.
Einstein@Home 'citizen scientists' discover a new pulsar in Arecibo telescope data
A team of volunteer researchers have discovered a new radio pulsar, PSR J2007+2722, in data from the Arecibo Observatory. The pulsar is believed to be a disrupted recycled pulsar, spinning at an unprecedented 41 times per second, offering insights into neutron star formation and evolution.
Astrophysicists discover a quasar that acts as a cosmic lens
Astronomers have discovered a quasar that acts as a gravitational lens, allowing them to weigh and measure a distant galaxy containing a black hole. This groundbreaking observation was made possible by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey database and will provide new insights into the distribution of matter in the universe.
Astronomers discover an unusual cosmic lens
Astronomers have discovered the first case of a distant galaxy being magnified by a quasar, allowing them to measure the masses of these host galaxies. This breakthrough provides new insights into galaxy formation and evolution, enabling scientists to better understand the relationship between quasars and their host galaxies.