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New FAST discoveries shed light on pulsars

The Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot (GPPS) has discovered 201 pulsars using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), including many very faint and millisecond pulsars. The survey reveals more electrons in the Milky Way's spiral arms than previously known.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalResearch in Astronomy and Astrophysics·DateMay 19, 2021

FAST detects 3D spin-velocity alignment in a pulsar

A recent study published in Nature Astronomy has found evidence for three-dimensional (3D) spin-velocity alignment in pulsars. The research, conducted using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), reveals new insights into the origins of these rapidly rotating neutron stars.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 6, 2021

Outback radio telescope discovers dense, spinning, dead star

Astronomers have discovered a pulsar, a dense and rapidly spinning neutron star sending radio waves into the cosmos. The finding is significant as it hints at a large population of pulsars awaiting discovery in the Southern Hemisphere, with the potential to be detected by the Square Kilometre Array telescope.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 21, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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On the pulse of pulsars and polar light

A new approach using reimagined telescopes in both hemispheres could help study dark matter and gravitational waves. The BICEP/Keck array is exploring the possibility of increasing scan length to capture larger areas, yielding promising early results.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateApr 16, 2021

Enhanced X-Ray emissions coincide with giant radio pulses from crab pulsar

Researchers observed that X-ray emissions coincide with giant radio pulses from the Crab Pulsar, providing constraints on mechanisms underlying these phenomena. The study found that total emitted energy during GRPs is tens to hundreds of times higher than previously known.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 8, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

HAWC: Are photons of extreme energies coming from the Galaxy's largest accelerator?

The HAWC Observatory has detected photons with energies of up to 200 TeV, a hundred trillion times greater than visible light. The source of these high-energy photons was identified as a nearby cloud of interstellar material surrounding a young star cluster.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 18, 2021

True identity of mysterious gamma-ray source revealed

A team of researchers used novel data analysis methods and Einstein@Home computing power to track down a neutron star's gamma-ray pulsations in NASA's Fermi Space Telescope data. The study reveals the existence of a rapidly rotating neutron star in orbit with a stellar companion about six times the mass of our Sun.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 3, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

'Galaxy-sized' observatory sees potential hints of gravitational waves

Researchers on the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) project have detected a strong signal in their dataset, but cannot yet confirm it as the gravitational wave background. The team is hoping to pinpoint the source of the signal and gain insights into the universe through this discovery.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 11, 2021

Scientists complete yearlong pulsar timing study after reviving dormant radio telescopes

A team of scientists from Rochester Institute of Technology and Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomiá completed a yearlong pulsar timing study using two upgraded radio telescopes in Argentina. The observations provided accurate bounds to gravitational waves, increasing the sensitivity of existing pulsar timing arrays.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateDec 21, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Information yield from search for extrasolar life

A Bayesian statistical framework analysis suggests that a positive result in the search for extrasolar biosignatures would greatly enhance our understanding of extraterrestrial life, potentially exceeding 105 inhabited planets. Conversely, a negative outcome would leave existing knowledge largely unchanged.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020

To find giant black holes, start with Jupiter

Researchers are using Jupiter's mass and orbit to help locate the center of gravity of the solar system, which can signal the presence of massive black holes. By analyzing changes in pulsar timing, they aim to detect gravitational waves that warp space-time.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 30, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Ultra-bright X-ray source awakens near a galaxy not so far away

A team of Indian scientists has detected a broad-energy X-ray pulsation in the new source, classifying it as an ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar (ULXP). The object is thought to be a neutron star with a rotation period of up to 100 times per second.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 3, 2020

An eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar discovered by FAST

Researchers have discovered the first pulsar in Globular Cluster M92 using FAST telescope. The pulsar, PSR J1717+4307A, is an eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar in a circular orbit with a companion star. This discovery provides insights into pulsars and their role in probing dense stellar cores.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 24, 2020

Astronomers witness the dragging of space-time in stellar cosmic dance

An international team of astrophysicists has found evidence for 'frame-dragging', a phenomenon where the spinning of a celestial body twists space and time. The discovery confirms Einstein's theory of General Relativity and provides new insights into the behavior of white dwarfs and neutron stars.

SourceThe Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery·JournalScience·DateJan 30, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

APS tip sheet: High energy gamma rays

Scientists with the HAWC Collaboration have detected gamma-ray emissions at unprecedented energy levels above 56 TeV. The findings suggest the presence of Galactic accelerators, known as PeVatrons, which could be a new area of research for pulsars and supernova remnants.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 13, 2020

NASA's Fermi Mission links nearby pulsar's gamma-ray 'halo' to antimatter puzzle

The discovery of a faint gamma-ray 'halo' around Geminga, a nearby pulsar, may hold the solution to a long-standing mystery about the amount of antimatter in our neighborhood. The halo's size and energy suggest that it could be responsible for as much as 20% of high-energy positrons detected by NASA's Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPhysical Review D·DateDec 19, 2019

NASA's NICER delivers best-ever pulsar measurements, 1st surface map

Scientists have obtained precise measurements of a pulsar's size and mass, as well as the first-ever map of hot spots on its surface using NASA's NICER telescope. The new data reveals that pulsars are not simple objects with powerful magnetic fields, but rather complex systems with multiple hot spots.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 12, 2019
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

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Russian astrophysicists discovered a neutron star with an unusual magnetic field structure

Scientists have discovered a unique neutron star with an apparent magnetic field structure that manifests itself under specific angles relative to the observer. The study provides insight into the internal structure of the magnetic field, contradicting earlier assumptions and revealing new properties of neutron stars.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 9, 2019

NASA's NICER catches record-setting X-ray burst

NICER detected a record-breaking X-ray burst from pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658, revealing a two-step change in brightness caused by the ejection of separate layers from the pulsar surface. The observations also show X-rays reflecting off of the accretion disk and burst oscillations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 7, 2019

WVU astronomers help detect the most massive neutron star ever measured

West Virginia University astronomers have detected the most massive neutron star ever measured, weighing 2.17 times that of the sun. This groundbreaking discovery was made possible through the Green Bank Telescope and sheds light on the mysteries surrounding these exotic celestial objects.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 16, 2019

Most massive neutron star ever detected, almost too massive to exist

Astronomers using the Green Bank Telescope have discovered a millisecond pulsar with a massive neutron star at its center, packing 2.17 times the mass of our Sun into a sphere only 30 kilometers across. This finding approaches the limits of how massive and compact an object can become without crushing itself down into a black hole.

SourceGreen Bank Observatory·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 16, 2019
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Glitch in neutron star reveals its hidden secrets

Scientists have studied the Vela Pulsar, a neutron star 1,000 light years away, to understand its behavior during a glitch. The team found that the star's spin increased before slowing down, providing a glimpse into its interior structure, which consists of three different components.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 12, 2019

NICER's night moves trace the X-ray sky

The article discusses NICER's nighttime X-ray sweeps of the entire sky, tracing magnetic fields and energetic particles. These observations provide insights into neutron star properties and the formation of pulsars, shedding light on the mysteries of matter in their cores.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 30, 2019

The science and technology of FAST

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has enabled groundbreaking discoveries in pulsar and neutral hydrogen observations. With its ultra-wideband capabilities, FAST allows for the study of rotating radio transients in greater detail than ever before.

SourceScience China Press·DateMay 17, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Cosmic fireworks

Astronomers have discovered a rare gamma-ray binary system, allowing for the study of particle acceleration in a unique environment. The system, consisting of a massive star and a rapidly rotating neutron star, was detected emitting high-energy particles accelerated by its strong magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 15, 2018

The surprising environment of an enigmatic neutron star

Researchers detected extended infrared emissions around RX J0806.4-4123, suggesting a 'fallback disk' of material or a pulsar wind nebula. The findings challenge current understanding of neutron star evolution and offer new avenues for study with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope.

SourcePenn State·DateSep 17, 2018
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Astronomers observe unprecedented detail in pulsar 6,500 light-years from Earth

A team of astronomers has performed one of the highest resolution observations in astronomical history of a pulsar 6,500 light-years away, observing two intense regions of radiation around a rapidly spinning star. The observation could provide clues to the nature of Fast Radio Bursts, which may be amplified by plasma lenses.

SourceDunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics·JournalNature·DateMay 23, 2018

UCF-led consortium to manage Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico

A UCF-led consortium will take over management of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, with plans to expand its capabilities and provide new research opportunities. The partnership aims to create a pipeline for students studying space sciences and enhance public outreach through formal education.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateFeb 22, 2018

NASA team first to demonstrate X-ray navigation in space

A NASA team has demonstrated fully autonomous X-ray navigation in space, utilizing millisecond pulsars to precisely determine the location of an object moving at thousands of miles per hour. This technology offers a new option for deep-space navigation that could work in concert with existing spacecraft-based radio and optical systems.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 11, 2018

High-altitude observatory sheds light on origin of excess anti-matter

A new study using the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory found that two rapidly spinning stars are unlikely to be the source of excess anti-matter particles near Earth. The observations rule out a simple explanation involving nearby collapsed stars, leaving dark matter as a possible culprit.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2017
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Influx of earth-bound positrons must have exotic origin, study suggests

Researchers analyzing data from the HAWC gamma-ray observatory suggest that excess positrons may originate from dark matter annihilation or decay. The study's findings indicate that positrons generated by nearby pulsars cannot reach Earth, leading to the conclusion of an exotic origin.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2017

Accretion-powered pulsar reveals unique timing glitch

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.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 6, 2017
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

'Extreme' telescopes find the second-fastest-spinning pulsar

Astronomers have identified a millisecond pulsar spinning at more than 42,000 revolutions per minute using the Netherlands-based Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope. The discovery provides insights into the potential for finding ultra-fast pulsars and raises questions about the fastest-spinning pulsars in the universe.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 5, 2017

Re-making planets after star-death

Astronomers Dr Jane Greaves and Dr Wayne Holland propose a new model for forming planets in the aftermath of a supernova explosion. They suggest that material caught up in the bow-wave around a moving neutron star could provide raw materials for future planet formation. Further data from ALMA is needed to confirm this theory.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 5, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study calls into question theories on pulsar phenomena

Mathematicians used complex modeling to study a specific pulsar exhibiting 'glitching' and 'wobbling' behaviors. They found accepted theories conflict with each other, suggesting errors in current explanations.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 3, 2017
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Astrophysicists studied the 'rejuvenating' pulsar in a neighboring galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a unique ultra-slow pulsar XB091D in the Andromeda galaxy, believed to have captured a companion only a million years ago. The pulsar's acceleration is linked to its interaction with an ordinary star, providing new insights into neutron star rejuvenation.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 25, 2017

A middleweight black hole is hiding at the center of a giant star cluster

Astronomers have found strong evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) weighing 2,200 solar masses at the center of the globular star cluster 47 Tucanae. The IMBH is believed to be the missing link between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes, potentially providing insight into the formation of galaxies.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateFeb 8, 2017

Mysterious white dwarf pulsar discovered

Researchers have identified an exotic binary star system as the first white dwarf pulsar ever discovered in the universe. The star, AR Scorpii, is a rapidly spinning, burnt-out stellar remnant that emits powerful beams of radiation and particles.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 7, 2017

Fast radio burst tied to distant dwarf galaxy, and perhaps magnetar

A team of researchers has localized the source of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) to an older dwarf galaxy over 3 billion light years away. The galaxy is believed to harbor a supermassive black hole and may be connected to other energetic events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateJan 4, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

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X-ray pulsars fade as propeller effect sets in

Researchers observe two X-ray pulsars transitioning to the propeller regime, providing valuable information about their magnetic fields and surrounding temperatures. The study reveals that giant outbursts are associated with the transition, offering a unique window into these intensely magnetized stars.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·DateNov 17, 2016