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Fast radio burst hints at its source

Researchers analyzed 700 hours of archival data to discover a burst of radio waves from six billion light years away. The region of space it came from was highly magnetized, suggesting it could be related to a supernova or nebula forming new stars.

SourceCIFAR·JournalNature·DateDec 2, 2015

11-year cosmic search leads to black hole rethink

Scientists used Parkes telescope for 11 years to detect gravitational waves but found nothing, suggesting that black holes may merge quickly without generating waves. The lack of detection has implications for astronomers who want to use pulsar timing techniques to spot gravitational waves.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Radio-burst discovery deepens astrophysics mystery

Scientists detect a split-second burst of radio waves from the Arecibo telescope, marking the first time such an event has been recorded using an instrument other than the Parkes radio telescope. The finding suggests that these mysterious pulses are truly of cosmic origin and may be caused by exotic astrophysical objects.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJul 10, 2014

Gravitational waves 'know' how black holes grow

A recent study using gravitational wave data from the Parkes radio telescope has challenged existing theories on supermassive black hole growth. The researchers tested four models of black-hole growth against observational data, effectively ruling out one model and pushing others to re-evaluate their predictions.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2013

Astronomers find missing link pulsar

A team of astronomers has identified a pulsar that switches between emitting X-rays and radio waves, offering the first direct evidence of one kind of pulsar transforming into another. This phenomenon was observed in a small cluster of stars 18,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateSep 25, 2013

Astronomers uncover a 'transformer' pulsar

Astronomers have discovered a millisecond pulsar with a unique dual identity, shifting between X-ray and radio emission in a phenomenon never before observed. The discovery represents a long-sought intermediate phase in the life of these powerful objects, offering a rare opportunity to study a pulsar's magnetic field in action.

Pulsars make a GPS for the cosmos

A team of scientists has developed a software that uses pulsar navigation to determine the position and velocity of spacecraft. By observing the timing of pulses from specific pulsars, the software can provide accurate location data for deep-space missions.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAdvances in Space Research·DateAug 20, 2013

Einstein was right -- So far

A team of scientists discovered a unique double object consisting of a massive neutron star and its white dwarf companion, pushing the limits of physical theories. The discovery offers an opportunity to test Einstein's general relativity with unprecedented precision.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2013

Chameleon star baffles astronomers

Researchers observed a pulsar that dramatically changes its radio and X-ray emissions, defying existing theories on star emission. The study reveals the pulsar switches between two extreme states, one dominated by X-ray pulses and the other by organized radio pulses.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2013

Chameleon pulsar baffles astronomers

Researchers found a pulsar, PSR B0943+10, that changes its behavior between two extreme states: one dominated by X-ray pulses and the other by highly organized radio pulses. The team used simultaneous observations with the XMM-Newton satellite and two radio telescopes to reveal this unique behavior.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2013

A pulsar with a tremendous hiccup

Researchers identified a radio-quiet, very young pulsar J1838-0537 that experienced the strongest rotation glitch ever observed for a gamma-ray-only pulsar. The glitch resulted in a 38 millionths of a Hertz faster rotation rate.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 26, 2012

Has the speediest pulsar been found?

Researchers using Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton have found a point-like object, IGR J11014, which may be a rapidly spinning, super-dense star ejected during a supernova explosion. If confirmed, its speed of millions of miles per hour poses a challenge to existing models for supernova explosions.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2012

The discovery of deceleration

Millisecond pulsars lose half of their rotational energy during mass-transfer process, explaining apparent age paradox and absence of sub-millisecond radio pulsars. This result is in agreement with current observations and helps resolve the 'turn-off' problem in stellar astrophysics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateFeb 2, 2012

Millisecond pulsar in spin mode

Scientists have found the first gamma-ray pulsar in a globular cluster, J1823-3021A, which is also the youngest millisecond pulsar discovered to date. Its high luminosity and strong magnetic field challenge current theories on its formation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2011

The diamond planet

Astronomers found a small, half-Jupiter-sized planet with a diameter of 60,000 kilometres orbiting an extremely dense pulsar, suggesting a unique formation process. The discovery reveals the possibility of a diamond-like structure in the planet's core due to its incredibly high density.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateAug 30, 2011

'The Dish' finds a 'diamond planet'

A team of astronomers using CSIRO's radio telescope discovered a small planet made of diamond orbiting an unusual star called PSR J1719-1438. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of binary systems and the formation of 'diamond planets', which are thought to be composed of crystalline material.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateAug 28, 2011

A planet made of diamond

Astronomers have detected a planet orbiting a rapidly spinning pulsar, dubbed PSR J1719-1438. The discovery suggests that the planet is composed primarily of carbon and oxygen, likely forming a diamond-like material due to its high density.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateAug 25, 2011

Working together to take the pulse of the universe

A collaboration between CSIRO and NASA has tracked down 25 ultrafast 'millisecond' pulsars in just two years, revealing insights into the physics of these small spinning stars. The research uses a combination of land- and space-based detectors to understand how pulsars make their beams of radiation.