Articles tagged with Observational Astrophysics
Researchers have found two nearby streams of stars that appear to be debris from a single dwarf galaxy torn apart by the Milky Way's gravity about 10 billion years ago. These relic streams are part of the Milky Way's outer structure and provide insights into its formation.
Gamma-ray bursts remain a mystery despite over 2,500 recorded events and numerous burst sources identified. Scientists caution against interpreting data carefully due to potential systematic errors in measurement systems.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center used an infrared spectrometer to determine the carbon monoxide/water ratio in comet Hale-Bopp. The findings suggest that the comet formed 4 billion years ago, providing clues about its history and composition.
A worldwide study of the Sun's quiet period reveals insights into solar activity and its effects on Earth. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, explores the Sun's large-scale, stable structures that dominate the solar corona at solar minimum.
A team of U.S. astronomers has discovered a massive concentration of water vapor within a cloud of interstellar gas close to the Orion nebula, measuring 20 times larger than observed in other clouds. The high amount of water vapor could provide crucial clues about the origin of water in the solar system.
Scientists have discovered the most distant known object in the cosmos, a young galaxy existing when the universe was only 6% of its present age. The serendipitous discovery raises hopes for resolving two central questions in astrophysics: how and when did galaxies form.
A team of scientists at NCAR has developed a new method to accurately quantify the total radiative output of the sun, including ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared wavelengths. This breakthrough will provide better information on the sun's influence on earth's climate and improve our understanding of solar variability.
NASA's Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) has recorded its 2000th gamma-ray burst, a significant milestone in the study of these violent cosmic events. The 2000th burst was smaller than average, but adds to the growing body of knowledge about gamma rays and their origins.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's NEAR spacecraft has detected a major gamma-ray burst, validating its instrument as a true partner in the interplanetary network. The detection expands the network to locate gamma-ray sources with greater accuracy.
Despite intensive searches, only a few gamma ray burst counterparts have been found, leaving scientists with more questions than answers. The lack of consistent patterns hampers the search, but continued observations with powerful instruments may help clarify the issue.
The Boston University team successfully captured the first-ever image of Hale-Bopp's three tails, providing new insights into the comet's composition. The team's innovative detector system and modest telescope size allowed them to detect faint signals from sodium gas, which is not visible to the naked eye.
Astronomers studied comet Hale-Bopp with the Hubble Space Telescope, finding that its nucleus may be more complex than previously thought. The findings suggest that components like carbon disulfide ice are not contained within water, but rather in separate regions of the nucleus.
Scientists detect unique X-ray vibrations in black hole candidate GRS 1915+105, potentially revealing its mass and rotation rate. The discovery is consistent with predictions made by the Stanford astrophysics group three years ago.
Astronomers use BATSE to detect four rare cosmic gamma-ray bursts, sparking debate about their origin and distance. The events appeared in rapid succession over two days from the same general position in the sky.
The SOHO mission has provided stunning images of the Sun's south polar region, revealing that even in quiet areas, there is tremendous activity. The observations suggest that solar plumes are associated with small regions of high magnetic activity and are more dynamic than previously thought.