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Vera C. Rubin Observatory will track orphan stars to reveal a cosmic ‘fossil record’
Astronomers plan to study stars roaming the cosmos alone. The forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will see “first light” in 2025, will study the glow from stars that were ripped from their home galaxies, to better understand how the universe has evolved. The investigation of this faint and difficult-to-see “intracluster light” from stars between…
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Vera C. Rubin Observatory will track orphan stars to reveal a cosmic ‘fossil record’
Astronomers plan to study stars roaming the cosmos alone. The forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will see “first light” in 2025, will study the glow from stars that were ripped from their home galaxies, to better understand how the universe has evolved. The investigation of this faint and difficult-to-see “intracluster light” from stars between…
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New theory claims to unite Einstein’s gravity with quantum mechanics
The image depicts an experiment in which heavy particles(illustrated as the moon), cause an interference pattern (a quantum effect), while also bendingspacetime. The hanging pendulums depict the measurement of spacetime. The actual experiment istypically performed using Carbon-60, one of the largest known molecules. The UCL calculationindicates that the experiment should also be performed using higher…
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Ghostly galaxy haunting astronomers reappears—’a real monster’
A ghostly galaxy that forms hundreds of new stars every year, has reappeared after proving difficult to find. AzTECC71 first appeared in images captured from the Hubble Space Telescope but was very hard to see. However, astronomers have now found it again, in images from the James Webb Telescope, which show it in multi-colored filters.…
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30 Years Ago: STS-61, the First Hubble Servicing Mission
“Trying to do stellar observations from Earth is like trying to do birdwatching from the bottom of a lake.” James B. Odom, Hubble Program Manager 1983-1990. The discovery after its launch that the Hubble Space Telescope’s primary mirror suffered from a flaw disappointed scientists who could not obtain the sharp images they had expected. But…
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Why isn’t there any sound in space? An astronomer explains why in space no one can hear you scream
Matter in deep space is very spread out, which makes it impossible for any sound waves to travel. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Recommended for you
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Mehmet Ergun earns prize in solar category of Astronomy photographer of year competition
Turkish astrophotographer Mehmet Ergun secured third place in the Solar category of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition, hosted by the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London. Astrophotographers capture frames resembling scenes from science fiction, unseen to the naked eye, using advanced technological equipment to craft unique compositions. In this prestigious competition held by the…
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Mehmet Ergun earns prize in solar category of Astronomy photographer of year competition
Turkish astrophotographer Mehmet Ergun secured third place in the Solar category of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition, hosted by the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London. Astrophotographers capture frames resembling scenes from science fiction, unseen to the naked eye, using advanced technological equipment to craft unique compositions. In this prestigious competition held by the…
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Universe’s Chemical Enrichment Designed for Life
Before the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) provided its exquisitely detailed view into deep space (the early cosmos), astronomers were able to establish an understanding of how the periodic table of elements took shape. They were able to use ground-based telescopes in concert with the Hubble Space Telescope to observe a consistent, ongoing scaling relationship…
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The ‘Comet of the Century’ Failed to Impress, but It Wasn’t Such a Disaster After All
Half a century on, Kohoutek may be due a little more respect. Though it disappointed the media and the public, it proved to be a bonanza for serious scientists. Illustration by Meilan Solly / Images via Wikimedia Commons, Newspapers.com and New York Times Fifty years ago, in late 1973, a recently discovered comet, hurtling toward…