Articles tagged with Stars
Researchers discover a giant cloud of hydrogen gas being burnt off from the atmosphere of GJ 436b, an exoplanet orbiting a warm red dwarf star. The cloud forms a comet-like tail as ultraviolet light pushes hydrogen into spiral motion, with 1000 metric tonnes being lost every second.
Researchers use ALMA to observe dust contents of galaxies at redshift 5-6, revealing a new evolutionary stage. Average-sized galaxies contain less dust than expected, suggesting a previously unseen transition from gas to the first generation of galaxies.
Astronomers discover active galactic nuclei (AGN) exhibit flickering behavior, switching on and off every 200,000 years. This phenomenon affects star formation in host galaxies, with radiation from AGN potentially delaying or preventing the collapse of gas clouds.
Astronomers have solved a mystery over blue hook stars, which form when a star's outer layers are destroyed by rapid rotation. The international team found that these stars consume hydrogen fuel more slowly due to their high spin rates.
Astronomers have successfully commissioned a new type of optic that can reveal the image of an exoplanet next to its parent star. The vector-APP coronagraph uses advanced liquid crystal technology to cancel out starlight, allowing fainter planets to be imaged.
Researchers have discovered more than 800 'ultra dark galaxies' in the Coma Cluster, which are characterized by their diffuse and extended structure. The galaxies are thought to be enveloped by a massive amount of dark matter, which accounts for over 99% of their total mass.
A team of European scientists has discovered a unique region of extreme star formation, known as the 'Eye of Medusa', using the powerful NOEMA radio telescope. The discovery reveals a giant region of recently formed massive stars at the center of the galaxy collision.
A team of astronomers has discovered a massive star cluster in the NGC 5253 dwarf galaxy, containing over 7,000 massive O-type stars. The cluster, dubbed Cloud D, is incredibly efficient at forming stars and creating dust, with a gas cloud rate that is ten times greater than in our own Milky Way.
A Queen's University PhD student is conducting the first systematic population study of magnetosphere-host stars, finding that plasma density within all such magnetospheres is far lower than predicted. This suggests that plasma might be escaping gradually, maintaining magnetospheres in an essentially steady state.
A team of astronomers discovered a spiral galaxy devouring a nearby compact dwarf galaxy and found remnants of previous galactic snacks. The study used ground and space-based telescopes to measure chemical enrichment in the gas across the entire face of NGC 1512.
A study published in Nature found that galaxies are being strangled to death due to a lack of raw materials needed to form new stars. The team analyzed metal levels in over 26,000 galaxies and found that dead galaxies have higher metal content than alive ones.
Astronomers find water formation may have occurred less than a billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was 5% of its current age. This discovery raises important questions about the habitability of the first planets and the origin of life.
Researchers discovered daily weather cycles on six exoplanets, with cloudy mornings and hot afternoons, using sensitive Kepler observations. The study found that winds transport clouds to the day side, heating them up and dissipating them, resulting in clear skies during the afternoon.
Scientists from Berkeley Lab and University of Hawaii at Manoa recreated conditions around carbon-rich stars to find formation pathways of nitrogen-containing molecules. They successfully synthesized quinolone and isoquinoline in hot environments, which could lead to the creation of biorelevant molecules such as nucleobases.
Astronomers observed 22 massive elliptical galaxies using the VLT and Hubble Space Telescope, revealing that star formation in their centers stopped around three billion years ago. The newly discovered inside-out nature of this shutdown may be due to a galaxy's central supermassive black hole or lack of fresh gas.
A team of scientists using NASA's WISE observatory has found no evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life in 100,000 galaxies. The study searched for signs of highly advanced civilizations in mid-infrared wavelengths, a radiation detectable by the satellite.
Astronomers studied 72 large cluster collisions using Hubble and Chandra observations. They found dark matter continues straight through collisions without slowing down, interacting even less with itself than previously thought.
A study by University of Maryland scientists has found a functional link between supermassive black holes and molecular outflows in galaxies. The research suggests that the black holes' winds are powerful enough to drive these massive outflows, which remove star-making gas and shape the galaxy's fate.
Researchers found a mysterious warm layer at altitudes of 90-100 km on Venus' night side, 20-40 degrees warmer than predicted. This anomaly may be connected to the ozone layer and could be caused by chemical reactions involving chlorine-based substances.
Researchers found two ancient stars in Sculptor dwarf galaxy with unusual chemical content, suggesting a single supernova explosion may have seeded the gas cloud. This discovery provides an unprecedented view of the earliest history of another galaxy.
New research by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reveals that the Milky Way's galactic disk is contoured into several concentric ripples, extending its known width from 100,000 to 150,000 light years.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and University of Hertfordshire re-evaluate data and find signal of GJ 581d to be real. The method used in the initial study was inadequate for detecting small planets, leading to a possible misidentification.
A team of astronomers has found that galactic 'rain' may be the key to understanding why some galaxies are more productive at creating stars than others. The researchers analyzed X-rays from over 200 galaxy clusters using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and discovered that massive black holes can slow down gas that helps form stars.
Researchers from UGR have set limits to the properties of axions, which aspire to be identified as dark matter. The study uses numerical simulations of stellar evolution and suggests that axion emission can significantly affect the timing of helium burning in stars.
A team of astronomers discovered a young and remote galaxy with dust levels similar to mature galaxies like the Milky Way, defying expectations. The galaxy, A1689-zD1, was observed using ALMA and VLT instruments and found to be emitting radiation in the far infrared, indicating significant star formation.
Astronomers have used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to capture the most detailed edge-on picture yet of a large disk of gas and dust encircling Beta Pictoris. The disk is distorted by the gravitational pull of an embedded giant planet, allowing scientists to study the effects of planetary formation on young star systems.
A team of astronomers used ALMA to study a star-forming region in the Sculptor Galaxy, revealing that it is much more massive and dense than similar regions in normal spiral galaxies. This suggests that starburst galaxies are better at forming stars due to their unique stellar nurseries.
Researchers used computer code to generate images of wormholes and black holes, discovering multiple images of stars and galaxies near rapidly spinning black holes. This technology has implications for astrophysicists studying black holes and the behavior of light in extreme environments.
Astronomers found a supermassive black hole actively heating and blasting gas in the galaxy J1430+1339, transforming it into an elliptical-type galaxy devoid of gas. The VLA observations revealed powerful jets and winds that remove or destroy raw material needed for star formation.
A new study confirms dark matter's presence in the inner part of the Milky Way, including at our own cosmic neighborhood. Scientists created a comprehensive compilation of published measurements to observe rotation speeds and found that dark matter is needed to explain observed speeds.
Researchers found standard stars have about two habitable environments where liquid water can exist, providing conditions for life. However, the existence of intelligent civilizations remains uncertain due to unknown bottlenecks or self-destruction.
A team of researchers has created a high-resolution map of the Ophiuchus molecular cloud, identifying 75 dense cores and finding that their masses follow a log-normal distribution. This suggests that turbulence plays a significant role in shaping the evolution of the cloud.
The VISTA telescope has mapped the central regions of the Milky Way in infrared light, revealing a pair of newly discovered classical Cepheid variables beyond the galactic bulge. The stars were detected at a distance of about 37,000 light-years and have a period of eleven days.
New research from UC Berkeley links positive emotions with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which fight infection and disease. The study found that awe, wonder, and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines, suggesting a direct influence on health and life expectancy.
A study suggests some galaxies may shoot out gas early, causing them to redden and die prematurely. Researchers found that four galaxies approaching the end of star formation had expelled most of their gas.
The University of Warwick's Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) aims to detect small planets from Neptune size down to twice the size of Earth. Researchers hope to study the atmospheres and composition of these super-Earths, which are thought to be common around other stars.
Researchers have created a unique map of enigmatic molecules in our galaxy, revealing their locations and environments. The study, led by Johns Hopkins astronomers, analyzed light from hundreds of thousands of celestial objects to detect the features of these mysterious molecules.
A study of Andromeda's stellar disk reveals a more disordered population than the Milky Way's, suggesting recent mergers with smaller galaxies. The researchers found that younger stars have relatively ordered rotational motion, while older stars display much more disordered motion.
Astronomers have found evidence that the recipe for Earth applies to terrestrial exoplanets orbiting distant stars. The HARPS-North instrument measured the masses of small, Earth-sized worlds and found a tight relationship between mass and size, suggesting rocky compositions similar to those of Venus and Earth.
Astronomers witness billowing clouds of gas towering above and below the plane of our galaxy, driven by a titanic eruption in the galactic core. The Hubble Space Telescope measures velocity and composition of the mystery lobes, revealing unique information about the expanding gas.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the sharpest large composite image of the Andromeda galaxy, revealing over 100 million stars in a 61,000-light-year-long stretch. This panoramic view provides unprecedented insights into the galaxy's structure and evolution.
Researchers found that stars in large middle-aged clusters are of similar age, suggesting a complex formation process. The discovery challenges current understanding of stellar evolution and may require re-evaluation of models.
A team of astronomers successfully measured the passing of a super-Earth in front of a nearby Sun-like star using a ground-based telescope. The detection bodes well for characterizing dozens of super-Earths revealed by upcoming surveys.
Astronomers have successfully detected a super-Earth's transit using a ground-based telescope, marking the first time this has been done. The transit occurred in front of a bright Sun-like star and demonstrates that small planets can be characterized with existing facilities.
Women's sport coverage in the UK press remains underrepresented, with only 5% of total sports coverage dedicated to women's sport. This marginalization leaves girls with fewer role models, resulting in lower participation rates and potential health problems related to obesity.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University developed a new method to estimate the magnetic field of an exoplanet. They successfully estimated the magnetic moment of the hot Jupiter HD 209458b, which is relatively small compared to Earth's magnetic field.
Scientists from the University of Tokyo have detected silicon and nitrogen-terminated carbon chain molecules in interstellar space using laboratory experiments. The discovery provides valuable information on the formation mechanisms of these molecules and their potential impact on understanding the chemical composition of the universe.
The European satellite Gaia is expected to detect tens of thousands of new planets within its five-year mission, revealing unique details about each planet's properties. The satellite's instruments will also capture the motion, physical characteristics, and distance of roughly 1 billion objects in the Milky Way galaxy.
The Hubble Space Telescope has observed the faint glow of stars ejected from ancient galaxies torn apart within the Pandora's Cluster. The scattered stars are estimated to contribute approximately 10% of the cluster's brightness and are rich in heavier elements.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that massive black holes can block the formation of new stars in mature galaxies. The study suggests that these jets of radio-frequency feedback streaming from central black holes prevent hot gas from cooling and collapsing into baby stars.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf successfully tested a new model explaining how magnetic fields create astrophysical jets in young stars. The findings suggest that magnetic fields can focus plasma to form jets, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer therapy and medical engineering.
Astronomers use a cosmic magnifying glass to spot a tiny, faint galaxy more than 13 billion light-years away. The discovery provides insight into the early universe and suggests that small, faint galaxies existed about 500 million years after the big bang.
NOAA/NASA's Suomi NPP satellite provides critical information for aviators about volcanic hazards, enabling early warnings and reducing costly flight diversions. The satellite's VIIRS instrument detects thermal signatures and clouds associated with volcanic activity.
Researchers found a star with extremely low iron content, which could be evidence of the universe's first supernovae. The star's unusual chemical composition supports the theory that massive stars formed in the early universe and exploded as supernovae.
Research by Australian scientists reveals massive galaxies are eating smaller ones to gain weight, but their star-formation process is inefficient. Dr. Aaron Robotham explains that gravity allows larger galaxies to pull in smaller neighbors, and the Milky Way will follow suit, eventually merging with Andromeda.
Researchers have found a supermassive black hole at the center of an ultra-compact galaxy, M60-UCD1, with a mass of 21 million suns. This discovery suggests that these massive black holes are more common in less-massive galaxies than previously thought.
Simulations by NASA researchers found that atmospheric gases like ozone, oxygen, and methane can be produced non-biologically, challenging the detection of life. However, combinations of these gases remain strong biosignatures, suggesting their presence is likely linked to biological activity.
Researchers developed an adaptive optics microscope that can focus laser light through even the murkiest surroundings without a guide star. This innovation resolves points less than one thousandth of a millimeter across, enabling sharper images in biology and medicine.
Astronomers used computational simulations to show that rapid mixing in cloud formation creates uniform chemical composition among born stars, supporting the idea of 'chemical tagging' and potential discovery of Sun's siblings. The study also found that even clouds without many stars produce similar abundances.
Case Western Reserve University astronomers will study the outskirts of spiral galaxy M101 using Hubble Space Telescope data. The research aims to determine how galaxies form over time, with findings that could challenge current understanding of galaxy formation.