All articles tagged with #distance measurement
At CES 2026, Lego demonstrated a “Lego ruler” using two Smart Bricks that can measure 2D and 3D distances with high precision, lighting up and counting segments every 10 studs across distances up to about 4–5 meters (12–16 feet) and also indicating relative orientation, hinting at new adult-builder possibilities.
Astronomers are exploring new methods to measure the expansion of the Universe, aiming to resolve the Hubble tension. A recent paper introduces a technique that utilizes red giant stars at the "Tip-of-the-Red-Giant-Branch" (TRGB) phase, leveraging their brightness fluctuations to improve distance measurements. While this method enhances confidence in expansion measurements, it may not fully resolve the discrepancy in Hubble constant values. Nevertheless, refining these measurements could unveil new insights into the fundamental workings of the Universe.
Astronomers have developed a new method of measuring cosmic distances by analyzing the frequencies of "music" played by vibrating stars. This technique, called asteroseismology, converts the vibrations and oscillations of stars into soundwaves, which can then be used to determine the distance to the stars. By comparing these distance measurements with the parallaxes obtained by the European Space Agency (ESA) satellite Gaia, scientists can improve the accuracy of Gaia's measurements and build a precise 3-dimensional map of the Milky Way. This method could also be used in upcoming space missions to detect and survey exoplanets.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in LIDAR technology with the development of coherent two-photon LIDAR, which overcomes the range limitations imposed by coherence time. By utilizing two-photon interference of thermal light beyond coherence, this new technique allows for accurate and precise ranging of remote objects situated far beyond the coherence time dictated by the spectral bandwidth of the light source. The Coherent Two-Photon LIDAR is robust to turbulence and ambient noise, making it highly applicable in challenging environments. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize industries reliant on precise distance measurements, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and environmental monitoring.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided astronomers with the ability to determine the distances of nearly 200 galaxies and galaxy clusters, offering valuable insights into the evolution of galaxies and the clusters they inhabit. The telescope's powerful instruments, including the Canadian NIRISS, have allowed researchers to measure galactic distances by analyzing light signatures and redshift. The study has revealed new galaxies and overdensities within galaxy clusters, shedding light on the formation of star clusters after the Big Bang. This research marks an important milestone in understanding the changes that have occurred in the universe since its early days.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure cosmological distances with greater precision by detecting Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), which are traces of the Big Bang. By analyzing the orientations and density of approximately one million galaxies, anomalies in galaxy orientations were identified as indicators of BAO. This method allows for a more accurate mapping of the universe and provides insights into the history of cosmic expansion, dark matter, and dark energy.
A recent study suggests that the red supergiant star Betelgeuse could potentially explode into a supernova in the coming decades, but one scientist proposes that it may have already happened due to its distance from Earth. The exact distance of Betelgeuse has been debated, with estimates ranging from 450 to 550 light years away. If Betelgeuse exploded in the past 499 years, the light from the event has not yet reached Earth, making it impossible to know if it has already blown up. However, if it exploded in 1600 AD, we would only find out in the year 2100. Regardless, the supernova is not expected to have any negative impact on Earth.
A recent study suggests that the red supergiant star Betelgeuse could potentially explode into a supernova in the coming decades, but one scientist proposes that it may have already happened due to its distance from Earth. The exact distance of Betelgeuse has been debated, with estimates ranging from 450 to 550 light years away. If Betelgeuse exploded in the past 499 years, the light from the event has not yet reached Earth, making it impossible to know if it has already blown up. However, if it exploded in 1600 AD, we would only find out in the year 2100. Regardless, the supernova is not expected to have any negative impact on Earth.
Chinese astronomers have proposed a new method of measuring distances in the universe using a specific subset of RR Lyrae stars called double-period RR Lyrae stars (RRd stars). By analyzing the pulsations and brightness of these stars, astronomers can establish a period-luminosity relation independent of the elemental abundance, eliminating the need for spectroscopic observations. This new method could increase the accuracy of distance measurements to nearby galaxies by 1-2%, providing valuable insights into the evolution of the universe and the role of dark matter.