Cosmic Observations
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Vera C. Rubin Observatory to Detect Millions of Exploding Stars
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, set to begin its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) later this year, will track millions of Type Ia supernovae to advance our understanding of dark energy. These supernovae, resulting from white dwarf stars in binary systems, will be studied in detail to provide crucial data on the universe’s acceleratin...
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Invisible Boson Stars Could Hold the Key to Dark Matter's Mysteries
Boson stars, invisible celestial objects theorised to form from axions, are now at the centre of dark matter research. Axions, light and wave-like bosons, may cluster under gravity, forming these mysterious entities. Unlike normal stars, boson stars neither emit light nor interact with regular matter in observable ways. With sizes ranging from smal...
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Astronomers Spot Hundreds of Hidden Supermassive Black Holes Using Infrared
Hundreds of hidden supermassive black holes have been identified using infrared observations, offering fresh insights into their role in galaxy formation. Researchers relied on data from NASA's Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to detect emissions from black holes obscured by thick clouds ...
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Astronomers Observe Black Hole Reactivate, Emitting Jets of Plasma
A supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy 1ES 1927+654 has been observed reactivating after a quiet period. Jets of hot gas were released from both sides of the black hole, surprising astronomers. Researchers speculate that a white dwarf star in close orbit may be interacting with the black hole, providing key insights into cosmic behavior....
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Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA
A team of astronomers, led by Emma Schwartzmann from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, used the Very Large Array (VLA) to study the nearby galaxy cluster merger CIZA J0107.7+5408 (CIZA0107). The observations provided new insights into the dynamics of galaxy mergers, revealing a disturbed system with two subclusters and diffuse radio emission span...
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Thunderstorms May Skew Ultra-High-Energy Gamma Ray Measurements, Experts Warn
The detection of ultra-high-energy gamma rays by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet has sparked debate over the accuracy of the findings. Experts suggest that thunderstorms could interfere with measurements by amplifying particle showers in the atmosphere, leading to overestimated gamma ray energy levels. A study by As...
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MeerKAT Detects Gravitational Wave Background, Uncovering Cosmic Activity
Scientists using the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array have made a groundbreaking discovery, confirming the presence of a gravitational wave background in the universe. This unexpected phenomenon, detected with unprecedented precision, suggests that supermassive black hole collisions may occur more frequently than previously thought. By observing the sig...
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Astronomers Spot New Cosmic Explosions 100 Times Brighter Than the Sun
Astronomers have discovered a new class of cosmic explosions, known as 'millinovas,' which are 100 times brighter than the Sun. These events, first identified in 2023, were observed in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The millinovas are thought to occur when white dwarfs feed off a companion star, prod...
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ISRO’s AstroSat Observes First-Ever Nuclear Explosion in Andromeda Galaxy
Using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard ISRO’s AstroSat, scientists have identified far-ultraviolet emissions from 42 novae in the Andromeda Galaxy. This marks the first detection of such emissions during their outbursts, offering new insights into the processes of stellar explosions. Four of these novae were observed in real-time a...
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Namibian Observatory Spots Highest Energy Cosmic Electrons Opening Better Understanding of Cosmic Rays
The H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has detected the highest-energy cosmic ray electrons ever observed, suggesting sources within a few hundred light-years. The findings point to extreme phenomena like pulsars and supernova remnants, offering insights into cosmic processes and particle accelerators. The breakthrough provides crucial data for future...
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Distant Galaxies Crash to Produce Massive Sonic Boom, Could Reveal Secrets About the Universe: Report
The galaxy NGC 7318b has collided with its neighbours in Stephan’s Quintet, creating one of the most powerful shockwaves observed in space. The resulting debris, glowing plasma, and star formation are being studied using advanced spectrographic tools, offering rare insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
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Two Black Holes With Unusual Behaviour Disrupt Traditional Theories About Their Formation
Astronomers are observing two unique black holes defying established cosmic theories. One, known as the "serial killer" black hole, is preparing to consume its second star in five years, an event that rarely occurs within such a timeframe. The other black hole, part of a triple system called V404 Cygni, has a structure that defies traditional black...
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James Webb Space Telescope Spots Massive Black Hole With Half the Mass of Its Surrounding Galaxy
A groundbreaking discovery has been made with the identification of a remarkably massive black hole in the quasar ULAS J1120+0641. This black hole, with a mass of 1.4 billion solar masses, constitutes nearly half of the total mass of its host galaxy. Observations were made using the James Webb Space Telescope, which provided unprecedented detail in...
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Study Claims Black Holes Could be Driving Universe's Expansion
A new study proposes that black holes could hold the key to dark energy, which fuels the accelerating expansion of the universe. Using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), astronomers observed a possible correlation between the growth of black holes and an increase in dark energy. The study's co-authors, Gregory Tarlé and Duncan Farrah...
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Euclid Space Telescope Unveils First Images of Its Cosmic Atlas
The first stunning images from the European Space Agency's Euclid telescope reveal a mosaic of over 14 million galaxies, marking just 1% of its cosmic atlas. Captured over two weeks, this vast collection aims to enhance our understanding of dark matter and dark energy, contributing to the largest and most accurate map of the universe yet. The teles...
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Vera C. Rubin Observatory to Detect Millions of Exploding Stars
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, set to begin its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) later this year, will track millions of Type Ia supernovae to advance our understanding of dark energy. These supernovae, resulting from white dwarf stars in binary systems, will be studied in detail to provide crucial data on the universe’s acceleratin...
-
Invisible Boson Stars Could Hold the Key to Dark Matter's Mysteries
Boson stars, invisible celestial objects theorised to form from axions, are now at the centre of dark matter research. Axions, light and wave-like bosons, may cluster under gravity, forming these mysterious entities. Unlike normal stars, boson stars neither emit light nor interact with regular matter in observable ways. With sizes ranging from smal...
-
Astronomers Spot Hundreds of Hidden Supermassive Black Holes Using Infrared
Hundreds of hidden supermassive black holes have been identified using infrared observations, offering fresh insights into their role in galaxy formation. Researchers relied on data from NASA's Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to detect emissions from black holes obscured by thick clouds ...
-
Astronomers Observe Black Hole Reactivate, Emitting Jets of Plasma
A supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy 1ES 1927+654 has been observed reactivating after a quiet period. Jets of hot gas were released from both sides of the black hole, surprising astronomers. Researchers speculate that a white dwarf star in close orbit may be interacting with the black hole, providing key insights into cosmic behavior....
-
Astronomers Uncover New Details of CIZA0107 Galaxy Cluster Merger with VLA
A team of astronomers, led by Emma Schwartzmann from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, used the Very Large Array (VLA) to study the nearby galaxy cluster merger CIZA J0107.7+5408 (CIZA0107). The observations provided new insights into the dynamics of galaxy mergers, revealing a disturbed system with two subclusters and diffuse radio emission span...
-
Thunderstorms May Skew Ultra-High-Energy Gamma Ray Measurements, Experts Warn
The detection of ultra-high-energy gamma rays by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Tibet has sparked debate over the accuracy of the findings. Experts suggest that thunderstorms could interfere with measurements by amplifying particle showers in the atmosphere, leading to overestimated gamma ray energy levels. A study by As...
-
MeerKAT Detects Gravitational Wave Background, Uncovering Cosmic Activity
Scientists using the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array have made a groundbreaking discovery, confirming the presence of a gravitational wave background in the universe. This unexpected phenomenon, detected with unprecedented precision, suggests that supermassive black hole collisions may occur more frequently than previously thought. By observing the sig...
-
Astronomers Spot New Cosmic Explosions 100 Times Brighter Than the Sun
Astronomers have discovered a new class of cosmic explosions, known as 'millinovas,' which are 100 times brighter than the Sun. These events, first identified in 2023, were observed in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The millinovas are thought to occur when white dwarfs feed off a companion star, prod...
-
ISRO’s AstroSat Observes First-Ever Nuclear Explosion in Andromeda Galaxy
Using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard ISRO’s AstroSat, scientists have identified far-ultraviolet emissions from 42 novae in the Andromeda Galaxy. This marks the first detection of such emissions during their outbursts, offering new insights into the processes of stellar explosions. Four of these novae were observed in real-time a...
-
Namibian Observatory Spots Highest Energy Cosmic Electrons Opening Better Understanding of Cosmic Rays
The H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has detected the highest-energy cosmic ray electrons ever observed, suggesting sources within a few hundred light-years. The findings point to extreme phenomena like pulsars and supernova remnants, offering insights into cosmic processes and particle accelerators. The breakthrough provides crucial data for future...
-
Distant Galaxies Crash to Produce Massive Sonic Boom, Could Reveal Secrets About the Universe: Report
The galaxy NGC 7318b has collided with its neighbours in Stephan’s Quintet, creating one of the most powerful shockwaves observed in space. The resulting debris, glowing plasma, and star formation are being studied using advanced spectrographic tools, offering rare insights into galaxy formation and evolution.
-
Two Black Holes With Unusual Behaviour Disrupt Traditional Theories About Their Formation
Astronomers are observing two unique black holes defying established cosmic theories. One, known as the "serial killer" black hole, is preparing to consume its second star in five years, an event that rarely occurs within such a timeframe. The other black hole, part of a triple system called V404 Cygni, has a structure that defies traditional black...
-
James Webb Space Telescope Spots Massive Black Hole With Half the Mass of Its Surrounding Galaxy
A groundbreaking discovery has been made with the identification of a remarkably massive black hole in the quasar ULAS J1120+0641. This black hole, with a mass of 1.4 billion solar masses, constitutes nearly half of the total mass of its host galaxy. Observations were made using the James Webb Space Telescope, which provided unprecedented detail in...
-
Study Claims Black Holes Could be Driving Universe's Expansion
A new study proposes that black holes could hold the key to dark energy, which fuels the accelerating expansion of the universe. Using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), astronomers observed a possible correlation between the growth of black holes and an increase in dark energy. The study's co-authors, Gregory Tarlé and Duncan Farrah...
-
Euclid Space Telescope Unveils First Images of Its Cosmic Atlas
The first stunning images from the European Space Agency's Euclid telescope reveal a mosaic of over 14 million galaxies, marking just 1% of its cosmic atlas. Captured over two weeks, this vast collection aims to enhance our understanding of dark matter and dark energy, contributing to the largest and most accurate map of the universe yet. The teles...
