Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Temperamental stars are distorting our view of distant planets

A new study found that hotter and colder regions on a star's surface can distort our interpretations of planets, particularly when looking at dips in starlight. This distortion can lead to misinterpretation of features such as planet size, temperature, and atmospheric composition.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateFeb 7, 2025

Wobbling stars reveal hidden companions in Gaia data

Two new celestial objects have been confirmed using Gaia data, including a Super-Jupiter exoplanet and a brown dwarf. The discovery challenges current theories of planet formation and provides valuable data for understanding these intriguing objects. Gaia's ongoing mission will uncover hundreds of planets and brown dwarfs around nearby...

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Large and small galaxies may grow in ways more similar than expected

A team of astronomers has obtained detailed images of a small galaxy and its surroundings, revealing features typically associated with larger galaxies. The study found that the mechanisms fueling galaxy growth may be more universal than previously thought, suggesting that even dwarf galaxies can build stellar halos through accretion.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025
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.

Physicists explain a stellar stream’s distinctive features

Researchers found a core-collapsing self-interacting dark matter subhalo is responsible for the peculiar spur and gap features observed in the GD-1 stellar stream. This discovery provides insights into the nature of dark matter itself and offers a new explanation for the observed perturbations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 6, 2025

Beyond the 'Dragon Arc,' a treasure trove of unseen stars

Researchers observed a galaxy nearly 6.5 billion light-years away, revealing a large number of individual stars made visible through gravitational lensing. The discovery provides new insights into the universe's greatest mysteries, including dark matter and stellar populations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJan 6, 2025
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.

Starlight to sight: Breakthrough in short-wave infrared detection

Researchers at Peking University developed a heterojunction-gated field-effect transistor for high sensitivity in short-wave infrared detection, achieving a specific detectivity above 1014 Jones at 1300 nm. The detector can detect weak infrared radiation levels of 0.46 nW cm−2, making it capable of starlight vision.

SourcePeking University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 26, 2024

Clever trick to cook stars like Christmas puds detected for first time

Researchers found evidence of magnetic fields in the core of a merging galaxy, which could regulate star formation and explain why some galaxies form stars more efficiently than others. The discovery provides a new understanding of galaxy mergers and their role in shaping the universe.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2024

Back to the past: The death of stars reveals their birth

Researchers at SISSA used a backward approach to derive the mass of newly formed stars from observations of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. The result is surprisingly similar to that measured in regions closest to us, suggesting a possible universal initial mass function. This discovery will be tested by future telescope observations.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalUniverse·DateDec 18, 2024

Supermassive black holes halt rapid construction in an ancient celestial city

A team of researchers used James Webb Space Telescope data to find massive galaxies with supermassive black holes showing no sign of star formation, supporting the theory that SMBHs can suppress gas supply and halt galaxy growth. The study provides new insights into the co-evolution of SMBHs and galaxies.

SourceWaseda University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

GPS alternative for drone navigation using visual data from stars

Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a celestial navigation system that uses visual data from stars to provide an alternative means of nighttime navigation in environments where GPS is unavailable or unreliable. The system has been tested on a fixed-wing drone and demonstrated accurate positioning within fo...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalDrones·DateDec 4, 2024

ERC grants for three University of Groningen researchers

Researchers Bart Besselink, Else Starkenburg and Jagoda Slawinska have been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant to develop a novel control theory for complex systems. They will also study the early history of our Galaxy using next-generation instruments.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·DateDec 3, 2024

Evidence of primordial black holes may be hiding in planets, or even everyday objects here on Earth

Researchers propose that small black holes born in the early universe could have left behind hollow planetoids and microscopic tunnels, potentially detectable with telescopes or by monitoring old materials. The study suggests a low probability of primordial black hole passage but emphasizes the potential for discovery.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysics of the Dark Universe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Three galactic “red monsters” in the early Universe

An international team led by UNIGE has identified three ultra-massive galaxies forming at unexpected speeds in the early Universe. The discovery challenges existing galaxy formation models and suggests that massive galaxies may have been more efficient in building stars than previously thought.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateNov 13, 2024
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.

The first 3D view of the formation and evolution of globular clusters

A groundbreaking study has provided a 3D view of the formation and evolution of globular clusters, revealing key differences in kinematic properties between multiple stellar populations. The research highlights that these ancient structures formed through multiple star formation events and provide constraints on their dynamical path.

SourceIstituto Nazionale di Astrofisica·DateNov 5, 2024

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse? Bright star Betelgeuse likely has a ‘Betelbuddy’ stellar companion

A new study suggests that Betelgeuse's pulsing is due to an orbiting companion star known as the 'Betelbuddy'. The star acts like a snowplow, pushing light-blocking dust out of the way and making Betelgeuse appear brighter. Researchers used computer simulations to confirm this hypothesis, ruling out other possible causes.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 21, 2024

"islands" of regularity discovered in the famously chaotic three-body problem

Astronomers have discovered patterns of regularity within the chaotic three-body problem, which is a fundamental challenge in physics. The researcher's findings suggest that certain configurations of three massive objects can lead to predictable outcomes, offering new insights into astrophysics and the behavior of black holes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateOct 10, 2024
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.

New study eases concerns over possible “doomsday” asteroid swarm

Astronomers have reduced concerns about a potentially hazardous asteroid swarm near Earth after discovering fewer large space rocks than previously thought. The study found only a handful of asteroids, likely less than 14, that fit the large size class, suggesting a smaller parent object and reducing the risk of extinction-level events.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateOct 7, 2024
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

ESO telescope captures the most detailed infrared map ever of our Milky Way

The European Southern Observatory's VISTA telescope has created the largest infrared map of the Milky Way, comprising over 200,000 images and covering an area equivalent to 8600 full moons. The dataset contains about 10 times more objects than a previous map released in 2012, including newborn stars, globular clusters, and brown dwarfs.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateSep 26, 2024

How special is the Milky Way Galaxy?

The SAGA Survey has found that the Milky Way Galaxy appears to be an outlier in terms of its satellite galaxies, having acquired only two large satellites recently compared to other systems. The survey also explores the mechanisms that would stop star formation in these small galaxies, finding that environmental factors play a role.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 25, 2024
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.

Webb discovers 'weird' galaxy with gas outshining its stars

Astronomers have discovered a 'weird' and unprecedented galaxy in the early Universe, with its gas outshining its stars. This phenomenon could provide clues about how galaxies evolved between the Big Bang and familiar galaxies.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateSep 25, 2024

A wobble from Mars could be sign of dark matter, MIT study finds

Researchers suggest that if most dark matter is composed of microscopic primordial black holes, they should pass through the solar system at least once per decade, introducing a wobble into Mars' orbit. This detection could lend support to the idea that primordial black holes are a primary source of dark matter.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review D·DateSep 17, 2024
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.

NASA’s Webb reveals distorted galaxy forming cosmic question mark

Astronomers used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to observe a galaxy cluster that acts as a magnifying glass, allowing them to see enhanced detail in distant galaxies. The red galaxy revealed by Webb is being magnified and distorted in an unusual way, providing clues about the formation of galaxies billions of light-years ago.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 4, 2024

New view of North Star reveals spotted surface

Astronomers using Georgia State University's CHARA Array have identified large spots on the surface of Polaris, also known as the North Star. The observations provided the first glimpse of what the surface of a Cepheid variable looks like, revealing a diameter 46 times larger than the Sun.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

UH astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life

Researchers have discovered that far-ultraviolet radiation from stellar flares on red dwarf stars can be three times more energetic than previously thought. This finding challenges existing models of exoplanet habitability and suggests that many stars may pose a risk to the potential for life on planets around them.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 5, 2024

NASA’s Hubble traces dark matter in dwarf galaxy using stellar motions

A team of astronomers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to create the most accurate three-dimensional understanding of stars' movements within the Draco dwarf galaxy. This allowed them to build a more precise model of dark matter distribution, which aligns with cosmological models and suggests a cusp-like structure.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024
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.

How the 'heart and lungs' of a galaxy extend its life

Astrophysicists suggest that galaxies control growth through how they 'breathe', using supersonic jets to transmit energy and slow gas-accretion. This helps maintain the galaxy medium, keeping the supermassive black hole engine supplied with fuel.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2024

Star clusters observed within a galaxy in the early Universe for the first time

Astronomers have observed five young massive star clusters in the Cosmic Gems arc galaxy for the first time, revealing details about infant galaxies and globular cluster formation. The study uses gravitational lensing to resolve small scales in the distant galaxy, providing a unique window into the early Universe.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 24, 2024

Supermassive black hole appears to grow like a baby star

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology discovered a powerful rotating magnetic wind in galaxy ESO320-G030, suggesting its role in supermassive black hole growth. The study reveals similarities between this process and the birth of stars.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 20, 2024

High-precision measurements challenge our understanding of Cepheids

A new dataset from the VELOCE project has collected over 18,000 high-precision measurements of Cepheid radial velocities, providing insights into the structure and evolution of these stars. The data reveal complex patterns in pulsations that cannot be explained by traditional models, suggesting intricate processes within the stars.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJun 14, 2024
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.

How did a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way come to be?

A satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, Crater 2, has been studied by a UC Riverside-led team. They offer an explanation for its unusual properties using the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) theory.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 11, 2024

Exotic black holes could be a byproduct of dark matter

Researchers suggest microscopic, ultradense black holes formed in first quintillionth of a second after Big Bang may have produced smaller, super-charged black holes with unprecedented nuclear charge. These tiny, 'super-charged' black holes could have influenced atomic nucleus formation and detection.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 6, 2024

Rensselaer researchers upend theory about the formation of the Milky Way Galaxy

Heidi Jo Newberg and Tom Donlon's research using Gaia data reveals the Milky Way Galaxy's last major collision occurred billions of years later than previously thought. The team found that the galaxy's wrinkles, formed by collisions with other galaxies, dissipated over time, allowing them to trace the timing of the final collision.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 6, 2024

Medium and mighty: Intermediate-mass black holes can survive in globular clusters

Simulations reveal that dense molecular clouds can give birth to very massive stars that evolve into intermediate-mass black holes. The study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of intermediate-mass black hole formation, which could have significant implications for our understanding of these enigmatic objects.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 30, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Birth of universe’s earliest galaxies observed for first time

Researchers witness the formation of three of the universe's earliest galaxies, 13.3-13.4 billion years ago, using the James Webb Space Telescope. The discovery contributes to understanding the universe's origins and provides insight into galaxy formation, shedding light on humanity's most basic questions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2024

VIDEO: Surrey astrophysicists explore new galaxies and streams of stars using new data from Euclid space telescope

Researchers confirm model predicting galaxy clusters' separation via gravity, while identifying potential new galaxies with Euclid's powerful equipment. The telescope's early release observations reveal millions of objects in a single day, opening up new possibilities for dark matter research.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2024

How a multi-lens telescope enables daytime astronomy observations

Astronomers at Macquarie University have successfully tested a new technique for observing celestial objects during the day using the Huntsman Telescope. The array of camera lenses can accurately measure stars, satellites, and other targets even when the Sun is high overhead, allowing continual monitoring of bright stars like Betelgeuse.

SourceMacquarie University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Australia·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2024
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.

Webb telescope probably didn’t find life on an exoplanet — yet

A new study challenges the initial detection of a biosignature gas on K2-18b, suggesting that the data may be inconclusive. However, researchers believe it's possible for life to produce detectable levels of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the planet's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 2, 2024

Researchers advance detection of gravitational waves to study collisions of neutron stars and black holes

The new software can detect gravitational wave signals from neutron star collisions more accurately, allowing for faster alerts and enabling further research. This improvement will help scientists better understand heavy element production, including gold and uranium, and the behavior of neutron stars.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Jumbo discovery: astronomers offer new model for formation of recently discovered “free-floating” planets

Researchers introduce a new model that suggests dense stellar clusters can eject pairs of giant planets, which remain gravitationally bound to each other as they float through space. This discovery fills a critical gap in our understanding of planetary evolution and challenges prevailing theories of planet formation.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature·DateApr 19, 2024

Most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy found

Astronomers have identified a massive stellar black hole with a mass of 33 solar masses, making it the most massive found in the Milky Way. The black hole is located at 2000 light-years away and was discovered using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateApr 16, 2024