NSF CAREER award advances work in fundamental physics
Claudia Ratti receives $475,000 NSF CAREER award to study quark-gluon plasma state and promote STEM education.
Universe
Articles tagged with Universe
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.
Record-breaking galaxy 5 billion light-years away shows we live in a magnetic universe
Astronomers observe magnetic field of a galaxy 5 billion light-years away, finding a similar strength and configuration to the Milky Way's. This suggests galactic magnetic fields form early in a galaxy's life and remain relatively stable.
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.
Scientists probe the conditions of stellar interiors to measure nuclear reactions
Researchers successfully performed thermonuclear measurements of nuclear reaction cross-sections in extreme plasma conditions, replicating previous accelerator experiments. This achievement lays groundwork for studying phenomena in stellar interiors, such as plasma electron screening.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
Solving one of nature's great puzzles: What drives the accelerating expansion of the universe?
UBC physicists Qingdi Wang and Bill Unruh propose a new theory that suggests the universe's expanding space-time is constantly fluctuating, leading to an accelerating expansion. This idea resolves a major incompatibility issue between quantum mechanics and general relativity.
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.
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...
Rare brightening of a supernova's light found by Caltech's Palomar Observatory
A team of international astronomers has discovered a magnified Type Ia supernova, allowing for precise measurements of the universe's expansion rate and dark energy. The discovery uses gravitational lensing to amplify the light from a
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.
RIT scientist measures brightness of the universe with NASA's New Horizons spacecraft
Researchers have used archival data from NASA's New Horizons mission to measure visible light from other galaxies, giving an upper limit to the amount of light in the cosmic optical background. The findings offer promise for future astronomy measurements from the outer solar system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists reach back in time to discover some of the most power-packed galaxies
A team of scientists from Clemson University has discovered five ancient galaxies with extremely powerful supermassive black holes, emitting billions of times more energetic gamma rays than visible light. The oldest known gamma-ray blazars were previously thought to be over 2 billion years old.
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.
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.
'Ghost particles' could improve understanding the universe
New measurements of neutrino oscillations have shed light on outstanding questions regarding fundamental properties of neutrinos. These findings may provide clues to the nature of dark matter and how the universe arose from the Big Bang.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bioethicists challenge doctors' right to refuse care
Leading ethics journals urge stricter protections for patients from doctors' personal values and conscientious objection. Bioethicists advocate prioritizing patient needs over clinicians' subjective moral opinions.
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.
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.
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.
Why are we now? Researchers suggest life on Earth may be early in cosmic terms
A team of researchers from the University of Oxford suggests that life on Earth is more likely to exist in the future than it is now. This is because the necessary elements for life, such as carbon and oxygen, took tens of millions of years to develop following the Big Bang.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Did the LIGO gravitational waves originate from primordial black holes?
The LIGO-Virgo collaboration's detection of binary black holes could be evidence of primordial black holes formed after the Big Bang. The observation would guide theories about the universe's early days and provide crucial clues about dark matter.
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.
Astronomers map a record-breaking 1.2 million galaxies to study the secrets of dark energy
Scientists mapped 1.2 million galaxies in a 3D map to study the properties of dark energy and its impact on the universe's expansion rate. The map reveals the effects of dark energy, allowing astronomers to measure the amount of matter and dark energy in the present-day universe.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists detect most distant signs of oxygen in the universe
Researchers detected gas containing oxygen in a galaxy 13.1 billion light years away, providing insight into ancient times. The discovery helps scientists understand the universe's reionization and the nature of its first stars.
Scientists detect second pair of colliding black holes
The detection confirms the existence of binary black holes with a range of masses, forming from different stars. The event provides valuable data on gravitational waves and the nature of gravity, shedding light on the universe's most violent cosmic events.
Did gravitational wave detector find dark matter?
A Johns Hopkins team proposes a solution to the dark matter mystery by suggesting that black hole binaries detected by LIGO may be a signature of primordial black holes. The team's calculations match the predicted mass range for these mysterious objects, making them a plausible candidate for dark matter.
Japan OISTER collaboration uncovers the origin of extraordinary supernovae
Astronomers using OISTER telescope consortium in Japan have discovered the origin of 'extraordinary supernovae', which are brighter than normal ones. The 'accretion' scenario supports the discovery, where material ejected from a white dwarf is responsible for the emission.
New test by deepest galaxy map finds Einstein's theory stands true
A team of researchers has created a 3D map of 3000 galaxies 13 billion light years away, finding that Einstein's general theory of relativity is still accurate. The study suggests the expansion of the universe could be explained by a cosmological constant.
Bright dusty galaxies are hiding secret companions
Researchers found that hot dust in the distant universe is often caused by three or four galaxies instead of a single one. This study applied statistical methods to data from the Herschel Space Observatory and dropped the number of stars these galaxies have to be producing by a third.
Dark matter does not contain certain axion-like particles
A research team at Stockholm University used NASA's Fermi satellite to study light from the Perseus galaxy cluster, finding no traces of axion-like particles. The observations excluded certain types of ALPs that could explain a small amount of dark matter, advancing sensitivity for future experiments.
Magnetar could have boosted explosion of extremely bright supernova
Scientists found that magnetars could boost the energy source of super-luminous supernovae, which are 10-100 times brighter than normal supernovae. Calculations suggest that rapidly spinning magnetars could power these extreme events.
New research shows quasars slowed star formation
A team of astronomers has found evidence that quasars' energy feedback may have slowed down star formation in the universe about 11 billion years ago. The study used data from multiple telescopes to detect the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect, a phenomenon caused by high-energy electrons disturbing the Cosmic Microwave Background.