Articles tagged with Universe
The VST-SMASH survey captures new images of five galaxies showcasing their unique structures and assembly histories. The Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) at ESO Paranal observatory used the VST telescope to produce these glorious galaxy portraits.
Researchers discovered a class of unusually large and red galaxies, called Ultra-red Flattened Objects (UFOs), near the limit of Hubble's observable range. The James Webb Space Telescope's infrared capabilities allowed them to spot these 'dustier cousins' of the Milky Way.
The telescope will focus cosmic light and send it to Roman's instruments, revealing billions of objects in space. The assembly underwent rigorous tests simulating launch conditions, temperature control, and gas handling.
A Virginia Tech-led team is searching for signs of dark matter in billion-year-old rocks. By analyzing crystal lattice structures, they aim to uncover miniature trails of destruction left by long-ago dark matter interactions.
A new study by University of Technology Sydney researchers challenges the Infinite Monkey Theorem, finding it unlikely a monkey can type out Shakespeare's works before the universe ends. With around a 5% chance, even an increased number of monkeys would not produce the Bard's entire works.
Dr. Kevin J. Kelly, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, has received the Henry Primakoff Award for Early-Career Particle Physics for his significant contributions to neutrino physics and proposing novel directions for dark matter research. He will deliver an invited lecture on his research at a future APS meeting.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a new technique to visualize 2D radio images in 3D, revealing distinct shapes and structures of galaxies and massive black holes. The technique uses Faraday rotation to estimate distances and analyze material interactions, potentially altering previous models.
A study by UW researchers found a direct correlation between feeling 'wonder about the universe' and interest in astronomy. Populations with low light pollution reported higher levels of wonder, which led to increased interest in astronomy.
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope discovered that the blowtorch-like jet from a supermassive black hole at the core of a huge galaxy causes stars to erupt along its trajectory. The finding suggests that there is something missing from our understanding of how black hole jets interact with their surroundings.
Researchers, including WVU astronomer Emmanuel Fonseca, use radio pulsars to detect gravitational waves generated by massive objects. The study will merge data from the Green Bank Telescope and CHIME radio telescope to achieve full coverage of each wave, revealing information about phenomenon and objects in distant galaxies.
A deep-learning algorithm developed by astronomer David Harvey can untangle the complex signals of self-interacting dark matter and AGN feedback in galaxy cluster images. The Inception model achieved an accuracy of 80% under ideal conditions, showcasing its potential for analyzing vast amounts of space data.
A new study uses observations from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft to measure the cosmic optical background, a phenomenon known as the universe's glow. The results suggest that the glow is roughly 100 billion times fainter than sunlight and provides valuable insights into the history of the universe since the Big Bang.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a new approach to finding life beyond Earth by focusing on the most abundant type of star in the universe: M dwarfs. With their vast resources and potential for habitable planets, M dwarfs offer the best chance for scientists to discover life-supporting exoplanets.
Researchers led by Katherine Chworowsky found that early galaxies were not as massive as initially thought due to black holes' influence. The study suggests that these black holes consume gas, emitting heat and light that makes the galaxies appear brighter than they really are.
Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and colleagues used AI-powered approach, SimBIG, to estimate five cosmological parameters with precision. The method significantly improved previous results, yielding less than half the uncertainty and closely agreeing with other estimates based on observations.
The LZ experiment has narrowed down possibilities for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a leading candidate for dark matter. The new results explore weaker interactions than ever searched before and limit what WIMPs could be, finding no evidence above a mass of 9 GeV/c².
Researchers found an intermediate-mass black hole in star cluster IRS 13 near SgrA*, suggesting it could be a 'seed' for the central supermassive black hole. The discovery provides insights into the galaxy's evolution and the formation of intermediate-mass black holes.
Astronomers have discovered seven fast-moving stars in the Omega Centauri globular cluster, providing compelling evidence for the presence of an intermediate-mass black hole. The team analyzed over 500 Hubble images to search for signs of gravitational pull from the black hole.
Researchers at Lancaster University and others are building the most sensitive dark matter detectors using quantum technologies. They aim to detect dark matter particles weighing between 0.01 to a few hydrogen atoms, which could reveal the mass and interactions of these mysterious particles.
Astronomers found the earliest pair of quasars, revealing a bridge of gas between merging galaxies at 900 million years after the Big Bang. This discovery clarifies the role of galaxy mergers and black hole activity in the Universe's evolution.
A team of researchers used a hybrid approach to track the growth of supermassive black holes, finding that accretion dominated growth in most cases. Mergers made notable contributions, especially for massive black holes over the past 5 billion years.
Researchers uncover new clues about the early universe, finding spiral galaxies were prevalent as early as 2 billion years after the universe formed. This discovery challenges previous theories and provides insight into how spiral galaxies like the Milky Way formed over time.
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.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to measure the spin of supermassive black holes by tracking the pattern of X-ray flashes produced during tidal disruption events. By analyzing the wobble of the accretion disk, they were able to determine that the nearby black hole was spinning at less than 25% the speed of light.
Researchers have discovered three of the oldest stars in the universe, forming between 12 and 13 billion years ago. The team believes these 'Small Accreted Stellar System' (SASS) stars originated from small primitive galaxies absorbed by the Milky Way.
A new paper argues that Venus, with its surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead and a toxic atmosphere, can provide valuable lessons about the potential for life on other planets. The study highlights the importance of understanding the conditions that make Earth habitable, as well as the risks of runaway greenhouse effects.
A massive ancient galaxy, JWST-ER1g, has been found to have a high dark matter density, puzzling physicists. Researchers offer an explanation that suggests a mechanism compressing the dark matter halo could be responsible for the high density.
Researchers found compelling evidence that the Milky Way highlighted Nut's divine presence, tracing her backbone across the heavens. The study also connected Egyptian beliefs with those of other cultures, showing similarities in how different societies interpret the Milky Way.
Researchers have created the largest 3D map of the cosmos, measuring dark energy with unprecedented precision. The study provides insights into the expansion history of the young universe, with results agreeing with the Lambda CDM model but also hinting at potential differences that could indicate evolving dark energy.
Physicists calculated that neutron stars can heat up quickly due to energy transfer from dark matter particles, providing a potential way to detect dark matter. This process could reveal the nature of dark matter and its interactions with regular matter.
For the first time, astronomers have measured the speed of fast-moving jets in space, crucial to star formation and the distribution of elements needed for life. The jets of matter, expelled by stars deemed 'cosmic cannibals', were found to travel at over one-third of the speed of light.
A team from the University of Copenhagen contributed to an Antarctic experiment studying neutrinos, which may hold the answer to whether gravity also exists at the quantum level. The study found no conclusive changes in neutrino properties, but the results do not exclude the possibility of quantum gravity.
The expansion rate of the universe is faster than predicted, according to NASA's Webb and Hubble telescopes. By combining data from both telescopes, scientists have ruled out measurement errors as the cause, suggesting that new physics may be at play.
Researchers have discovered unique electromagnetic signals in the debris of a neutron star merger, which could provide new constraints on axion-like particles and their potential role in dark matter. The findings were made using data from NASA's Fermi-LAT gamma-ray telescope.
Astronomers have discovered a significant amount of water vapor in the disc around a young star, located exactly where planets are thought to be forming. This finding provides new insights into the distribution of water in planet-forming discs and its potential impact on planetary formation.
Physicists at the University of Southampton successfully detect weak gravitational pull on microscopic particles using a new technique. The experiment, published in Science Advances, could pave the way to finding the elusive quantum gravity theory.
Auburn University researchers are using a $400K NSF award to study the ionization and recombination of heavy elements in kilonovae, shedding light on their origins. The team's calculations will help determine which elements were produced in neutron star mergers.
A Rutgers University astronomer has used the James Webb Space Telescope to create a detailed picture of the Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte galaxy, which contains ancient stars formed 13 billion years ago. The team's findings suggest that the galaxy experienced periods of intense star formation and cooling over its history.
A team of MIT scientists has detected 18 new tidal disruption events (TDEs) using infrared observations, more than doubling the catalog of known TDEs. The discoveries reveal that these star-shredding black holes occur in a range of galaxies across the entire sky, not just dusty galaxies.
Researchers at UTSA's Department of Physics and Astronomy have used deconvolution algorithms to enhance images of galaxy NGC 5728 obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope. The study reveals a faint extended feature that could be part of an outflow from a supermassive black hole interacting with the host galaxy.
Researchers analyzed satellite galaxy motion around massive galaxy groups and found a notable excess of correlated pairs, suggesting recently accreted galaxies. This discrepancy with simulations implies that massive galaxy groups are younger in the real Universe.
A team of astronomers used JWST data to create detailed photos of nearby star-forming galaxies, revealing the intricate physics of cosmic dust. The study found consistent patterns in the distribution of diffuse gas across galaxies, suggesting universal principles in star and planet formation.
Researchers discovered a massive black hole at the center of galaxy GN-z11, which dates back 13 billion years and challenges traditional theories on black hole formation. The ancient black hole is 'eating' its host galaxy, suggesting alternative formation mechanisms.
Researchers found that ancient stars created elements with atomic masses greater than 260, challenging current knowledge. This discovery provides insight into the process of heavy element formation in stars and could help explain the diversity of elements on Earth.
Researchers use MUSE to study ancient galaxies and find that galactic winds, created by massive stars, limit their growth. The team's findings reveal a universal process affecting most galaxies.
A new theory, self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), proposes that dark matter particles interact through a dark force, explaining high-density halos and low-density halos of ultra-diffuse galaxies. SIDM simulates cosmic structure formation with strong dark matter self-interactions, diversifying halo density in central regions.
Researchers investigate whether dark matter particles are produced inside a jet of standard model particles. Their new detector signature, semi-visible jets, opens up new directions into looking for Dark Matter.
A Lancaster University PhD student used a new method to calculate the optical depth of Saturn's rings, revealing their transparency. By analyzing changes in Cassini's Langmuir Probe data during solar eclipses, the researcher determined how much sunlight passed through each ring.
Researchers found a barred spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way at a redshift of 3, challenging previous understanding of galaxy evolution. The discovery suggests that galaxies matured and became ordered much faster than thought, with implications for theories of galaxy formation and evolution.
New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin are searching millions of star systems for technosignatures that could support intelligent alien life. The team has already scanned 1.6 million star systems but so far, no signals have been detected.
Researchers have carried out the largest ever computer simulations to investigate the Universe's evolution, taking into account ordinary matter and dark energy. The FLAMINGO simulations provide a detailed picture of virtual galaxies and galaxy clusters, allowing for comparisons with observations from new high-powered telescopes.
A team of scientists and philosophers identifies a new law of nature that governs the evolution of complex systems, including plants, animals, stars, and minerals. The law states that complex systems evolve to states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity, regardless of whether they are living or nonliving.
Astronomers at Harvard University have discovered a tilted dark matter halo, explaining the Milky Way's warp and flare. The team used models to calculate star orbits within a warped, oblong dark matter halo, matching existing observations of a distorted galaxy.
Scientists propose that pulsars could detect dark matter by observing a subtle additional glow. If axions are produced in strong electromagnetic fields around pulsars, they could convert into observable light.
Astronomers discovered a link between dust surrounding supermassive black holes and radio emission in extremely bright galaxies. The study found that quasars with more dust were more likely to have stronger radio emission.
Researchers have found that studying the mass and movement of the Andromeda galaxy and the Milky Way could help place an upper limit on the value of dark energy. The technique may provide valuable insights into the mysterious force, but it is not yet a direct detection.
An international team of scientists has detected a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) signal in the radio band from a Galactic black hole system, revealing features that have never been seen before. The QPO signal may provide the first evidence of activity from a jet launched by a Galactic stellar-mass black hole.
A new study by SISSA has identified the distribution of water vapour in galaxy J1135, which is 12 billion light years away. The researchers used gravitational lensing to observe this remote galaxy and ALMA observations to map its water distribution.
Researchers propose using lensed gravitational waves from binary black holes to measure cosmic expansion. The method uses the delays between repeat appearances of these signals to encode the universe's expansion rate. This approach does not rely on knowing the exact locations or distances of binary black holes, making it a promising to...