Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Astronomers reach for the stars to discover new cancer therapy

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a potential new radiation treatment that uses heavy metals and low-energy electrons to target cancer tumors. The method, called Resonant Nano-Plasma Theranostics (RNPT), has the potential to reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

Firestorm of star birth in the active galaxy Centaurus A

The galaxy Centaurus A is home to a firestorm of new star formation triggered by shockwaves from a past collision and merger with another galaxy. Hubble's image reveals the birth of vibrant blue star clusters and compresses hydrogen gas clouds.

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.

UK advice on sun creams 'not in the interests of public health,' warns DTB

The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin warns that current UK sun cream advice is too low on protection and impractical to follow. The organization recommends rethinking the current SPF of 15 and suggests a more balanced approach with products labeled as 'factor 30' for broad-spectrum ultraviolet screening effect.

Stars help to track space junk

A team of researchers has developed a method to track the movement of geostationary objects in space using the position of stars. This technique can be used with small telescopes and in places that are not very dark, allowing for precise location and orbit determination of GEO satellites.

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.

Expanded VLA flexing new scientific muscle

The Expanded VLA is providing new insights into the formation of sun-like stars, with observations revealing previously unseen detail of molecular gas near a very young star. The telescope's improved quality is also helping researchers study large ejections of matter from massive young stars and their role in galaxy evolution.

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.

Kepler's astounding haul of multiple-planet systems

Kepler's first four months of data reveal evidence for over 1,200 planetary candidates, with 408 residing in systems containing two or more planets. These multi-planet systems are characterized by flat orbits, tilted less than 1 degree, and lack Jupiter-sized gas giants.

Hubble views the star that changed the universe

The Hubble Space Telescope has observed the historic variable star V1, which helped confirm the size of the universe and its expansion. The observations, conducted in collaboration with amateur astronomers, provide new insights into the properties of Cepheid variables and their role in measuring distances to galaxies.

Astronomer Bennett's team discovers new class of planets

Bennett's team found 10 free-floating planets roughly the mass of Jupiter, suggesting planetary systems often become unstable, ejecting planets from their orbits. The discovery confirms that free-floating planets exist and are quite common, estimated to be twice as many as stars.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Carbon, carbon everywhere, but not from the Big Bang

NC State physicist Dean Lee and colleagues create simulations using effective field theory to calculate low-lying states of carbon-12, confirming the Hoyle state's existence. The research provides a better understanding of 'fine-tuning' in stellar processes that produce essential elements for life.

Raging storms sweep away galactic gas

Detecting raging storms of molecular gas streaming away from galaxies for the first time, Herschel reveals powerful outflows that could halve a galaxy's star-forming capacity within one million years. This discovery offers insights into galactic evolution and negative feedback mechanisms.

Rice-born detector finds heaviest antimatter

Physicists at Rice University have detected the heaviest antimatter particle ever observed, antihelium-4, using a time-of-flight detector designed at the institution. The discovery provides new insights into the conditions of the early universe and the existence of antimatter galaxies.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

RHIC Physicists Nab New Record for Heaviest Antimatter

Researchers detect 18 examples of antihelium-4, a massive antimatter partner of helium, in data from over 1 billion collisions at RHIC. The discovery could provide crucial insights into the early universe's matter-antimatter balance and the search for bulk antimatter elsewhere.

Two kinds of Webb telescope mirrors arrive at NASA Goddard

Two unique types of mirrors, Primary and Secondary EDUs, have arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The mirrors will work together to observe distant galaxies and unexplored planets. The Primary mirror is composed of 18 hexagonal segments, while the Secondary mirror directs light from the Primary mirror to Webb's instruments.

Space jets in a bottle

Italian researchers created space-like conditions in a vessel to confirm the behavior of astrophysical jets, which travel at high speeds and stretch across vast distances. The study found that these jets behave according to Newtonian Dynamics, confirming successful 3D simulations.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Newly merged black hole eagerly shreds stars

A newly merged black hole can be detected by observing the tidal disruption of surrounding stars, which will provide accurate distances and precise sky coordinates. This could lead to a better understanding of dark energy and Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Real March Madness is relying on seedings to determine Final 4

A new model developed by Sheldon Jacobson predicts the most likely Final Four combinations based on seedings, rather than team performance. The model suggests that choosing a combination of two top-seeded teams, a No. 2 seed, and a No. 3 seed is the best bet for winning the office pool.

Improving microscopy by following the astronomers' guide star

Researchers have developed a new strategy to improve microscopy by following the astronomers' guide star technique, allowing for sharper images of biological samples. This method uses adaptive optics and two-photon fluorescence microscopy to correct for light waves hitting cells in different directions.

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.

Six small planets orbiting a sun-like star amaze astronomers

The Kepler-11 system features five inner planets with masses between 2.3 and 13.5 times that of Earth, orbiting within 50 days, and a sixth planet with an orbital period of 118 days. The planets' densities suggest they may be mostly water or hydrogen-helium gases, defying expectations for small hot planets.

Chandra images torrent of star formation

M82's rapid star formation is believed to have been triggered by a close encounter with neighboring galaxy M81. The Chandra image reveals a unique opportunity to study conditions similar to those of the early universe and the consequences of supernovas in starburst galaxies.

Surprise: Dwarf galaxy harbors supermassive black hole

Astronomers have discovered a supermassive black hole in a nearby dwarf galaxy, Henize 2-10, which is thought to be one of the first galaxies to form in the early Universe. The finding suggests that supermassive black holes formed before their surrounding galaxies, challenging current understanding of galaxy evolution.

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.

The universe does think small

Elliptical galaxies are found to contain five to ten times as many red dwarfs as thought, with implications for galaxy formation and evolution. The discovery could lead to a reevaluation of dark matter in these galaxies.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

The enigma of the missing stars in space may be solved

Astronomers from Bonn and St. Andrews discover that the discrepancy between calculated and observed star numbers may be due to an overestimation of stellar crowding, a phenomenon where young stars are born in groups, leading to more massive stars being overlooked.

How to weigh a star using a moon

New work by astrophysicist David Kipping reveals that astronomers can calculate a star's mass using its orbiting planet and moon. By measuring the size of the planet and moon relative to the star and their orbital periods, scientists can use Kepler's Laws of Motion to determine the density of the star.

Growing galaxies gently

A team of astronomers has discovered that young galaxies can grow by sucking in cool streams of hydrogen and helium gas, forming new stars. This process, known as accretion, provides a gentler alternative to galaxy mergers, which are thought to be the primary mechanism for galaxy growth.

Wild 'teenage' galaxies booming with star births

Distant galaxies in the early Universe are creating 1,000 new stars per year, exceeding our galaxy's star formation rate. These galaxies contain enormous amounts of raw material for new stars, suggesting a higher gas content than previously thought.

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.

Extreme X-ray source supports new class of black hole

A team of astronomers has confirmed the presence of an extreme ultra-luminous X-ray source in a nearby galaxy, which may indicate the presence of an intermediate mass black hole. The object, HLX-1, is located ~300 million light years from Earth and emits radiation 100 times brighter than most other objects in its class.

Astronomers find 2 large planets, plus possible super-Earth-size one

A team of astronomers from the University of Florida has discovered two Saturn-sized planets and a possible third planet with an Earth-like size orbiting a distant star. The discovery was made using a new method of confirming planets called transit timing variation, which allows for more efficient confirmation of planetary systems.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Taking the twinkle out of the night sky

A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona developed a technique called laser adaptive optics, allowing for sharper images and faster data collection. This technology will enable scientists to study ancient galaxies and star clusters more efficiently.

Detector technology could help NASA find Earth-like exoplanets

Rochester Institute of Technology scientist Don Figer is developing a new detector technology that can directly image and characterize exoplanets, potentially finding smaller, rocky planets like Earth. This technology could reduce detection time by one-third and overcome current limitations.

'Benford beacons' mark new approach for finding frugal aliens

Astronomers propose a new method for detecting extraterrestrial life by analyzing signals from advanced civilizations. The Benford beacons concept suggests that alien signals would not be continuously broadcast but rather pulsed and narrowly directed, potentially making them more detectable.

'Galactic archaeologists' find origin of Milky Way's ancient stars

Researchers at Durham University use huge computer simulations to recreate the beginnings of the Milky Way, finding that many ancient stars originated from smaller galaxies torn apart by galaxy collisions. The simulations provide a blueprint for galaxy formation and reveal clues to the early history of the Milky Way.

Scientists see billions of miles away

A team of scientists led by Jay Pasachoff observed the shiniest object in the solar system, 2002 TX300, a fragment of Haumea, using a network of telescopes. The measurements reveal its icy surface and size, confirming it as a small, reflective body with an age estimated to be around a billion years.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Pinning down a proton

Researchers have developed a new method for describing proton and neutron binding in nuclei, enabling more accurate predictions of astrophysical reactions. This breakthrough may improve our understanding of star life cycles.

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.

First of missing primitive stars discovered

Scientists have discovered a relic star from the early universe, which has a remarkably similar chemical composition to the Milky Way's oldest stars. The discovery supports the theory that our galaxy underwent a 'cannibal' phase by swallowing smaller galaxies and other galactic building blocks.

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.

Why today's galaxies don't make as many stars as they used to

Astronomers have found that typical galaxies still hold sufficient quantities of gas and dust for star formation, but their efficiency has slowed down over cosmic time. This means that present-day galaxies form fewer stars due to a decrease in gas and dust supplies rather than a change in their ability to make stars.

How galaxies came to be: Astronomers explain Hubble sequence

Dr Andrew Benson and Dr Nick Devereux's research reveals the evolutionary history of the universe, explaining galaxy shapes and numbers. Their 'Lambda Cold Dark Matter' model suggests that dark matter haloes drive galaxy evolution, with elliptical galaxies resulting from multiple mergers.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

In all the universe, just 10 percent of solar systems are like ours

Astronomers found that only 10 percent of stars host planetary systems similar to our own, with several gas giant planets in the outer part of the system. The discovery was made using gravitational microlensing and is based on 10 years' worth of data from the MicroFUN survey.

Cosmic 'dig' reveals vestiges of the Milky Way's building blocks

Astronomers have unveiled an extraordinary cosmic relic, Terzan 5, which formed in at least two different epochs, providing insights into the origin of the galactic bulge. The discovery suggests that Terzan 5 might be the surviving remnant of a disrupted dwarf galaxy contributing to the Milky Way's formation.

Going with the flow: Using star power to better understand fusion

Researchers will study turbulent transport and organization in fusion and astrophysical plasmas to design better, smaller and cheaper fusion systems. Understanding the link between flow self-organization and large-scale flow dissipation may also improve ITER's fusion power production.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Queen's University physicist unlocking the mysteries of neighboring galaxies

Astronomers, including Queen's University physicist Larry Widrow, have discovered a nearby cosmic encounter between the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies, which collided about two to three billion years ago. The collision caused millions of stars to be ripped from the Triangulum disk, forming a faint stream visible in the PAndAS data.

Star-birth myth 'busted'

A team of international researchers has challenged the long-held idea that the ratio of massive stars to lighter ones in star-forming regions remains consistent. They found that this ratio, known as the initial mass function, varies significantly between different galaxies, with some forming more low-mass stars than expected.

First black holes born starving

Recent simulations by astrophysicists reveal that the first black holes in the universe grew slowly and were deprived of gas, contradicting popular theories. The simulations suggest that these early black holes may have played a more complex role in the formation of supermassive black holes observed today.