All articles tagged with #astrophysics
Scientists tested the possibility of breaking Einstein's speed of light rule by examining high-energy gamma rays from distant cosmic sources. Their findings confirmed Einstein's predictions, setting tighter limits on potential violations of Lorentz invariance and advancing our understanding of fundamental physics, though the quest to unify quantum theory and gravity continues.
A new study suggests that dark energy may be weakening, potentially leading to a reversal of the universe's expansion and a catastrophic collapse into a Big Crunch, challenging long-held scientific beliefs and sparking debate among astrophysicists.
Scientists propose using the Gaia space telescope to search for exotic dark matter objects like boson stars and Q-balls through microlensing, which could reveal their presence or set limits on their contribution to dark matter, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe's unseen mass.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia explored the potential link between axions, a dark matter candidate, and white dwarf stars, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope. Although their analysis did not find evidence of axion-induced cooling, it established new limits on axion-electron interactions, guiding future dark matter research. The study highlights the importance of exploring various astrophysical phenomena to understand elusive particles like axions.
A new study using supercomputers has produced the most detailed simulations to date of how stellar-mass black holes consume and eject matter, incorporating complex physics and general relativity, revealing insights into the behavior of accretion disks, jets, and magnetic fields around black holes.
A new study using supercomputers has produced the most detailed simulations to date of how stellar-mass black holes consume and eject matter, incorporating complex physics and general relativity, which could also apply to supermassive black holes and help explain recent astronomical observations.
Astronomers have observed a rare stellar explosion, dubbed AT2025ulz, which appears to be a 'superkilonova'—a complex event involving both a supernova and a kilonova, resulting from the birth and merger of two neutron stars, challenging existing theories and potentially marking only the second such detection.
The article discusses the gravitational lensing effect of the Sun on the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS during its close approach in October 2025, highlighting its unusual properties and the potential to observe this subtle effect with telescopes, amidst various other anomalies that suggest intriguing, possibly non-natural origins.
A mysterious gamma-ray glow at the Milky Way's center could be evidence of dark matter particles annihilating each other, with simulations suggesting the shape of the glow is consistent with dark matter rather than pulsars, though both remain plausible explanations. Future observatories may help clarify the source.
Researchers have developed a new model showing that dark matter, specifically asymmetric dark matter, can influence the collapse of stars in the 8-10 solar mass range, potentially leading to the formation of unusually low-mass neutron stars and affecting supernova energetics, offering new insights into dark matter's role in stellar processes.
Scientists have potentially identified the smallest clump of pure dark matter ever observed, using gravitational lensing of an Einstein ring, which supports the cold dark matter theory and helps constrain dark matter properties.
Scientists have detected the 'heartbeat' of a newborn magnetar within a gamma-ray burst, revealing that some GRBs are powered by magnetars rather than black holes, which challenges previous understanding and opens new avenues for cosmic research.
Simulations show that neutrino flavor transformations during neutron star mergers significantly influence the production of heavy elements like gold and platinum, potentially increasing their yield and affecting gravitational wave brightness, highlighting the importance of including neutrino physics in astrophysical models.
Rainer Weiss, a Nobel laureate physicist, played a pivotal role in the detection of gravitational waves through the LIGO observatory, confirming Einstein's century-old prediction and advancing our understanding of the universe. His work involved designing highly sensitive laser interferometers to measure minuscule ripples in space-time caused by cosmic events, marking a major milestone in astrophysics.
Astronomers study a mysterious interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, proposing it could serve as a 'seed' for planet formation, especially around larger stars, potentially explaining the rapid development of gas giants and offering new insights into planetary system evolution.