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Newest dark matter map hints at where astrophysics must go for breakthroughs

A new cosmic picture of the universe's history shows a close agreement with previous findings, leaving little room for new physics that could reveal dark matter and dark energy. The results support the standard model of Big Bang cosmology, but scientists remain hopeful that new observations will offer clues about what lies beyond.

SourceThe Kavli Foundation·DateOct 31, 2017
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.

UW awarded $12.5 million to study astrophysical plasma here on Earth

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been awarded $12.5 million to develop a new laboratory that will research fundamental properties of plasma to better understand the universe. The lab, known as WiPPL, will combine expertise and equipment from two existing projects to simulate astrophysical phenomena on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateOct 9, 2017

Mapping black hole collisions gives astronomers (and hitchhikers) a new guide

RIT researchers, in collaboration with LIGO and Virgo, successfully triangulated the position of a 1.8 billion-year-old black hole merger. With three advanced detectors observing together, scientists can now pinpoint locations with higher precision, enabling more accurate electromagnetic counterparts searches.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 27, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New Canadian telescope will map largest volume of space ever surveyed

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope is a revolutionary radio telescope that will create a three-dimensional map of the universe, extending deep into space and time. By measuring dark energy, scientists will better understand the shape, structure, and fate of the universe.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·DateSep 7, 2017

Magnetic fields in distant galaxy are new piece of cosmic puzzle

Astronomers have measured large, well-ordered magnetic fields in a galaxy 4.6 billion light-years away, providing clues about how magnetic fields formed and evolved over cosmic time. The new observations offer insights into the structure of galactic-sized magnetic fields since the beginning of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 30, 2017
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 theory on the origin of dark matter

Physicists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz introduce a new mechanism explaining dark matter's observed quantity, suggesting instability in its early universe phase. This alternative to the WIMP theory could be tested in future experiments on gravitational waves and CERN's LHC particle accelerator.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 8, 2017

First observation of the hyperfine splitting in antihydrogen

Swansea University scientists have made a groundbreaking observation of spectral line shapes in antihydrogen, a key step towards understanding the origin of matter. The team has also precise determined the antihydrogen hyperfine splitting and measured its first transition line shape.

SourceSwansea University·JournalNature·DateAug 3, 2017
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.

MIT Bitcoin study shows value of exclusive access for early adopters

A study by MIT researchers found that delaying access to new technologies can stifle their spread, as seen in the case of cryptocurrency Bitcoin among incoming freshmen. The study showed that early adopters who received their allotment late cashed out at nearly twice the rate as those who received it earlier.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 13, 2017

Sorting complicated knots

Researchers from IBS Center for Geometry and Physics introduce a new mathematical operation to catalog Legendrian singular knots, crucial for understanding complex 3D spaces like our universe. The study aims to explore the fascinating possibilities of 3D spaces and provide a tentative list of all possible shapes.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of Symplectic Geometry·DateJul 6, 2017

Recreating interstellar ions with lasers

Using lasers, MSU scientists have replicated a mechanism forming H3+, the universe's most abundant ion, revealing 'phantom mechanisms' in astrochemistry. The team discovered roaming chemistry plays a crucial role in this process.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 5, 2017
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.

Galaxy alignments traced back 10 billion years

A new study reveals that the largest galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for at least ten billion years. The discovery suggests that these galaxies are especially sensitive to their environment and were influenced by their surroundings from a young age.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 13, 2017

'Quantum leap' for Liverpool

Physicists from the University of Liverpool have made a significant breakthrough in probing the 'dark content' of the universe using a novel experiment based on quantum interferometry. The experiment relies on ultra-cold atoms and could have far-reaching applications in navigation, gravity scanning, and understanding dark energy.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·DateMay 30, 2017

Hubble's cosmic bubbles

A large, wispy shell of gas, Sh2-308, is blown out by intense radiation from the extreme Wolf-Rayet star EZ Canis Majoris. The star's ongoing activity pushes the bubble to grow bigger and farther apart.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 21, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Light rays from a supernova bent by the curvature of space-time around a galaxy

An international team of physicists and astronomers has detected for the first time multiple images from a gravitationally lensed Type Ia supernova. The observations suggest that this phenomenon can be used to test key cosmological theories about the accelerating expansion of the universe and the distribution of dark matter. By analyzi...

SourceStockholm University·JournalScience·DateApr 20, 2017

Physicists discover hidden aspects of electrodynamics

Researchers have discovered that gravity disrupts the symmetry of electromagnetic fields, potentially impacting the study of the Big Bang and its effects on cosmic evolution. This new finding sheds light on the nature of magnetic monopoles and the behavior of photons in electromagnetic fields.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 11, 2017
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.

New portal to unveil the dark sector of the universe

Scientists at IBS have proposed a hypothetical portal connecting two possible dark sector particles: dark photons and axions. This discovery could lead to reinterpretation of previous data and potentially breakthroughs in axion and dark photon searches.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 23, 2017

Universe's ultraviolet background could provide clues about missing galaxies

Astronomers have developed a way to detect the ultraviolet (UV) background of the Universe, which could help explain why there are so few small galaxies in the cosmos. The UV radiation strips smaller galaxies of the gas needed to form stars, effectively stunting their growth.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 21, 2017

Does the universe have a rest frame?

An experiment aims to resolve divergence between special relativity and standard model of cosmology by precisely measuring particle mass. The results may indicate whether the universe has a resting frame.

SourceSpringer·DateMar 21, 2017

Yale-led team puts dark matter on the map

A Yale-led team has created one of the highest-resolution maps of dark matter ever produced, providing a detailed case for its existence. The map, derived from Hubble Space Telescope Frontier Fields data, closely matches theoretical predictions and offers insights into the universe's structure and galaxy formation.

SourceYale University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 1, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Quest to settle riddle over Einstein's theory may soon be over

A new study suggests that determining the speed of gravity in the cosmos from gravitational waves could resolve the puzzle. If gravitational waves are found to travel at the speed of light, it would rule out alternative gravity theories and support Einstein's Cosmological Constant.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalPhysics Letters B·DateFeb 10, 2017

Pure iron grains are rare in the universe

New research suggests that pure iron grains are extremely rare in the universe, contrary to previously thought, and may be forming invisible metal particles. A study published in Science Advances used a rocket-based experiment to simulate the formation of pure iron grains in space, revealing grain formation is highly unlikely.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2017
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.

Galaxy murder mystery

A global team of researchers found that ram-pressure stripping is more prevalent than thought, driving gas from galaxies and preventing star formation. The study reveals that this process is potentially the dominant way galaxies are quenched by their surrounds, leading to an early death.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 16, 2017

The hidden inferno inside your laser pointer

Researchers have developed a method to measure temperature and voltage in systems far from equilibrium, which could lead to the creation of more efficient microelectronic devices. This breakthrough has significant implications for advancing technology, particularly in the development of smaller, faster electronic components.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPhysical Review B·DateDec 22, 2016

ANU helps find supercluster of galaxies near Milky Way

A team of astronomers from ANU has found a massive galaxy supercluster near the Milky Way, which influences the motion of our Galaxy. The Vela supercluster is one of the largest concentrations of galaxies in the Universe, and further studies will confirm its size.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 20, 2016

New antimatter breakthrough to help illuminate mysteries of the Big Bang

Swansea University researchers have conducted the first precision study of antihydrogen, a key step towards understanding why matter and antimatter exist. By measuring the spectrum of light emitted from excited antihydrogen atoms, they hope to shed light on the Big Bang's central question: what led to the creation of our universe.

SourceSwansea University·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2016

Where giant galaxies are born

An international team of scientists has discovered that the biggest galaxies in the universe develop in cosmic clouds of cold gas. The study used radio telescopes to investigate an embryonic galaxy cluster, where they found a cloud of very cold gas where galaxies were merging.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalScience·DateDec 2, 2016
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.

Embryonic cluster galaxy immersed in giant cloud of cold gas

Astronomers detected carbon monoxide gas indicating large quantity of molecular hydrogen, suggesting formation of a single, gigantic galaxy. The cloud of cold gas is estimated to be three times the size of the Milky Way Galaxy.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 2016

UCLA astronomers watch star clusters spewing out dust

A team of UCLA astronomers observed a galaxy and found that stars are responsible for producing dust, a key component of rocky planets. The researchers focused on a galaxy with two young clusters of stars and constructed a map tracing the dust in the galaxy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 30, 2016

Brilliant burst in space reveals universe's magnetic field

Researchers used brightness and simultaneous detection to pinpoint FRB source, measuring galaxy's magnetic field for better cosmology models. The findings shed light on the origins of powerful radio flashes, offering insights into stellar evolution and the Universe's larger-scale structure.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 17, 2016

Atomic beltway could solve problems of cosmic gravity

Theoretical physicists suggest creating a ring of ultracold atoms to measure gravity at short distances, potentially clarifying the universe's accelerating expansion. This concept has practical applications in motion sensors and quantum computing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 14, 2016
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.

Supercomputer comes up with a profile of dark matter

Researchers used a German-Hungarian team to extend the Standard Model and predict axion mass range for dark matter detection. The results suggest that axions could make up 85% of the universe's mass, with masses between 50-1500 micro-electronvolts.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2016

Australian desert telescope views sky in radio technicolor

The GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky MWA survey has produced a catalogue of 300,000 galaxies observed by the Murchison Widefield Array, revealing unprecedented radio technicolour views of the sky.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 26, 2016
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

The rise and fall of galaxy formation

A team of astronomers charted the rise and fall of galaxies over 90 percent of cosmic history using the FourStar Galaxy Evolution Survey. They discovered young galaxies that existed as early as 12.5 billion years ago, with diverse structures and star formation patterns.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 30, 2016

Can 1 cosmic enigma help solve another?

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University suggest that fast radio bursts could provide clues to dark matter by detecting black holes of a specific mass. The team argues that the brief flashes of radio-frequency radiation can detect black holes with masses predicted for dark matter, offering a direct probe of this phenomenon.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 24, 2016
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

How we escaped from the Big Bang

Associate Professor Dr Joan Vaccaro's research resolves an anomaly in conventional physics by introducing 'T violation', forcing the universe and us into the future. This breakthrough reveals how time evolution and conservation laws emerged, allowing for aging and a flow of time.

SourceGriffith University·DateAug 17, 2016

Much ado about nothing: Astronomers use empty space to study the universe

Researchers have developed a new strategy to probe the nature of gravity and dark energy by studying the empty spaces in between galaxies. The study found that analyzing cosmic voids improves measurements of how visible matter clusters together, bringing astronomers closer to testing Einstein's general theory of relativity.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 11, 2016

Neutrinos, ever bizarre, enjoy the spotlight

Recent neutrino discoveries by T2K and NOvA experiments at Colorado State University provide evidence of oscillations between neutrinos and antineutrinos, violating a longstanding physics principle. The findings hint at the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance and offer opportunities to study the weak nuclear force.

SourceColorado State University·DateAug 9, 2016

The long hunted sterile neutrino cannot be traced

Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute analyzed thousands of neutrinos in the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole. They could not find any signs of a sterile neutrino, which would help explain dark matter and the imbalance of matter over antimatter in the universe.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 9, 2016
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.

Light shed on a superluminous supernova which appears to have exploded twice

Researchers used the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS to observe a superluminous supernova almost from its occurrence, revealing surprising behavior including an initial increase in brightness followed by a decline and later stronger increase. The study sheds new light on these rare events, which are up to 100 times more energetic than Type 1a's.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 26, 2016

World's most sensitive dark matter detector completes search

The Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment has completed its search for dark matter with sensitivity far exceeding expectations, but yielded no trace of a dark matter particle. This result eliminates many potential models for dark matter particles, offering critical guidance for the next generation of dark matter experiments.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJul 21, 2016
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.

Dark energy measured with record-breaking map of 1.2 million galaxies

A team of physicists and astronomers has created the largest-ever three-dimensional map of distant galaxies to measure dark energy's effects on the universe's expansion. The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) program reveals the structure of the universe over 650 cubic billion light years.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 14, 2016

It's not easy being green -- what colors tell us about galaxy evolution

Researchers used computer modeling to investigate galaxy colors and their relation to evolution. They found that rare green galaxies are likely at a critical stage of transformation from blue to red as they age. The study suggests that these galaxies' unique colors can provide insights into the processes driving their evolution.

SourceDurham University·DateJun 29, 2016

Scientists begin modeling universe with Einstein's full theory of general relativity

Researchers use new computer codes to create accurate models of the universe and its contents, shedding light on the evolution of the universe and the growth of structure within it. The study confirms that small-scale structures produce significant effects on larger distance scales, providing new insights into gravity and cosmology.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 24, 2016