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Astronomers find bounty of failed stars 
A University of Toronto-led team of astronomers has discovered over two dozen new free-floating brown dwarfs, including a lightweight youngster only about six times heftier than Jupiter, that reside in two young star clusters. What's more, one cluster contains a surprising surplus of them, harbouring half as many of these astronomical oddballs as normal stars.
A University of Toronto-led team of astronomers has discovered over two dozen new free-floating brown dwarfs, including a lightweight youngster only about six times heftier than Jupiter, that reside in two young star clusters. What's more, one cluster contains a surprising surplus of them, harbouring half as many of these astronomical oddballs as normal stars.
Astronomy
Source: University of Toronto
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011, 8:45am
Rating: | Views: 3764 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Toronto
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011, 8:45am
Rating: | Views: 3764 | Comments: 0
Astrophysicists find evidence of black holes' destruction of stars
Astrophysicists have found evidence of black holes destroying stars, a long-sought phenomenon that provides a new window into general relativity. The research, reported in the latest issue of the Astrophysical Journal, also opens up a method to search for the possible existence of a large population of presently undetectable "intermediate mass" black holes which are hypothesized to be prec
Astrophysicists have found evidence of black holes destroying stars, a long-sought phenomenon that provides a new window into general relativity. The research, reported in the latest issue of the Astrophysical Journal, also opens up a method to search for the possible existence of a large population of presently undetectable "intermediate mass" black holes which are hypothesized to be prec
Astronomy
Source: New York University
Posted on: Tuesday, Oct 11, 2011, 12:00pm
Rating: | Views: 1239 | Comments: 0
Source: New York University
Posted on: Tuesday, Oct 11, 2011, 12:00pm
Rating: | Views: 1239 | Comments: 0
Survey gives clues to origin of Type Ia supernovae
The largest survey to date of distant exploding stars is giving astronomers new clues to what's behind the Type Ia supernovae they use to measure distances across the cosmos.
The largest survey to date of distant exploding stars is giving astronomers new clues to what's behind the Type Ia supernovae they use to measure distances across the cosmos.
Astronomy
Source: University of California - Berkeley
Posted on: Monday, Oct 10, 2011, 8:30am
Rating: | Views: 1159 | Comments: 0
Source: University of California - Berkeley
Posted on: Monday, Oct 10, 2011, 8:30am
Rating: | Views: 1159 | Comments: 0
Astronomers find elusive planets in decade-old Hubble data
In a painstaking re-analysis of Hubble Space Telescope images from 1998, astronomers have found visual evidence for two extrasolar planets that went undetected back then.
In a painstaking re-analysis of Hubble Space Telescope images from 1998, astronomers have found visual evidence for two extrasolar planets that went undetected back then.
Astronomy
Source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Posted on: Friday, Oct 07, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1315 | Comments: 0
Source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Posted on: Friday, Oct 07, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1315 | Comments: 0
Seven Supernovae Found in Single Galaxy—A First
In a galaxy 250 million light-years from Earth, astronomers have spotted a record-breaking number of supernovae found at the same time.
In a galaxy 250 million light-years from Earth, astronomers have spotted a record-breaking number of supernovae found at the same time.
Astronomy
Source: National Geographic News
Posted on: Friday, Oct 07, 2011, 8:00am
Rating: | Views: 1121 | Comments: 0
Source: National Geographic News
Posted on: Friday, Oct 07, 2011, 8:00am
Rating: | Views: 1121 | Comments: 0
Crab pulsar dazzles astronomers with its gamma-ray beams
A thousand years ago, a brilliant beacon of light blazed in the sky, shining brightly enough to be seen even in daytime for almost a month. Native American and Chinese observers recorded the eye-catching event. We now know that they witnessed an exploding star, which left behind a gaseous remnant known as the Crab Nebula.
A thousand years ago, a brilliant beacon of light blazed in the sky, shining brightly enough to be seen even in daytime for almost a month. Native American and Chinese observers recorded the eye-catching event. We now know that they witnessed an exploding star, which left behind a gaseous remnant known as the Crab Nebula.
Astronomy
Source: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Posted on: Thursday, Oct 06, 2011, 2:00pm
Rating: | Views: 2623 | Comments: 0
Source: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Posted on: Thursday, Oct 06, 2011, 2:00pm
Rating: | Views: 2623 | Comments: 0
Most ancient supernovas are discovered
Supernovas -- stars in the process of exploding -- open a window onto the history of the elements of Earth's periodic table as well as the history of the universe. All of those heavier than oxygen were formed in nuclear reactions that occurred during these explosions.
Supernovas -- stars in the process of exploding -- open a window onto the history of the elements of Earth's periodic table as well as the history of the universe. All of those heavier than oxygen were formed in nuclear reactions that occurred during these explosions.
Astronomy
Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011, 11:30am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011, 11:30am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
Weird Exoplanetary System Dances to the Beat
If there's one thing to be said for the Kepler mission, it's certainly turning up some very strange new worlds.
If there's one thing to be said for the Kepler mission, it's certainly turning up some very strange new worlds.
Astronomy
Source: Discovery Channel News
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011, 8:21am
Rating: | Views: 1102 | Comments: 0
Source: Discovery Channel News
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011, 8:21am
Rating: | Views: 1102 | Comments: 0
ScienceShot: Asteroid Vesta Exceeds Expectations
Mini-planet holds some surprises
Mini-planet holds some surprises
Astronomy
Source: Science
Posted on: Tuesday, Oct 04, 2011, 8:12am
Rating: | Views: 1102 | Comments: 0
Source: Science
Posted on: Tuesday, Oct 04, 2011, 8:12am
Rating: | Views: 1102 | Comments: 0
ALMA opens its eyes
At present, around a third of ALMA's eventual 66 radio antennas, with separations up to only 125 metres rather than the maximum 16 kilometres, make up the growing array on the Chajnantor plateau in northern Chile, at an elevation of 5000 metres. And yet, even under construction, ALMA has become the best telescope of its kind — as reflected by the extraordinary number of astronomers who requested t
At present, around a third of ALMA's eventual 66 radio antennas, with separations up to only 125 metres rather than the maximum 16 kilometres, make up the growing array on the Chajnantor plateau in northern Chile, at an elevation of 5000 metres. And yet, even under construction, ALMA has become the best telescope of its kind — as reflected by the extraordinary number of astronomers who requested t
Epic volcanic activity flooded Mercury's north polar region
Ever since the Mariner 10 mission in 1974 snapped the first pictures of Mercury, planetary scientists have been intrigued by smooth plains covering parts of the surface. Some suspected past volcanic activity, but there were no telltale signs like protruding volcanoes. Also, Mercury's northern plains are the same brightness as its cratered highlands, yet diffe
Ever since the Mariner 10 mission in 1974 snapped the first pictures of Mercury, planetary scientists have been intrigued by smooth plains covering parts of the surface. Some suspected past volcanic activity, but there were no telltale signs like protruding volcanoes. Also, Mercury's northern plains are the same brightness as its cratered highlands, yet diffe
Astronomy
Source: Brown University
Posted on: Friday, Sep 30, 2011, 11:15am
Rating: | Views: 1133 | Comments: 0
Source: Brown University
Posted on: Friday, Sep 30, 2011, 11:15am
Rating: | Views: 1133 | Comments: 0
Stardust discovered in far-off planetary systems
The debris discs are remnants of the formation of the planets. "We are dealing with enormous accumulations of chunks of matter which create dust when they collide", Alexander Krivov says. This dust is of greatest importance for the astronomers, because it helps to draw conclusions about the planet formation. There are even two debris discs in our solar system, the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt
The debris discs are remnants of the formation of the planets. "We are dealing with enormous accumulations of chunks of matter which create dust when they collide", Alexander Krivov says. This dust is of greatest importance for the astronomers, because it helps to draw conclusions about the planet formation. There are even two debris discs in our solar system, the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt
Astronomy
Source: Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 29, 2011, 1:30pm
Rating: | Views: 2831 | Comments: 0
Source: Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 29, 2011, 1:30pm
Rating: | Views: 2831 | Comments: 0
Galaxy caught blowing bubbles
The intricate glowing shells of gas in Holmberg II were created by the energetic lifecycles of many generations of stars. High-mass stars form in dense regions of gas, and later in life expel strong stellar winds that blow away the surrounding material. At the very end of their lives, they explode in as a supernova. Shock waves rip through these less dense regions blowing out and heating the gas,
The intricate glowing shells of gas in Holmberg II were created by the energetic lifecycles of many generations of stars. High-mass stars form in dense regions of gas, and later in life expel strong stellar winds that blow away the surrounding material. At the very end of their lives, they explode in as a supernova. Shock waves rip through these less dense regions blowing out and heating the gas,
Astronomy
Source: ESA/Hubble Information Centre
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 29, 2011, 12:15pm
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Source: ESA/Hubble Information Centre
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 29, 2011, 12:15pm
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Light from galaxy clusters confirm theory of relativity
All observations in astronomy are based on light emitted from stars and galaxies and, according to the general theory of relativity, the light will be affected by gravity. At the same time all interpretations in astronomy are based on the correctness of the theory of relatively, but it has never before been possible to test Einstein's theory of gravity on scales larger than the solar system. Now a
All observations in astronomy are based on light emitted from stars and galaxies and, according to the general theory of relativity, the light will be affected by gravity. At the same time all interpretations in astronomy are based on the correctness of the theory of relatively, but it has never before been possible to test Einstein's theory of gravity on scales larger than the solar system. Now a
Physics
Source: University of Copenhagen
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 28, 2011, 2:45pm
Rating: | Views: 1169 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Copenhagen
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 28, 2011, 2:45pm
Rating: | Views: 1169 | Comments: 0
Feast your eyes on the Fried Egg Nebula
The monster star, known to astronomers as IRAS 17163-3907, has a diameter about a thousand times bigger than our Sun. At a distance of about 13 000 light-years from Earth, it is the closest yellow hypergiant found to date and new observations show it shines some 500 000 times more brightly than the Sun.
The monster star, known to astronomers as IRAS 17163-3907, has a diameter about a thousand times bigger than our Sun. At a distance of about 13 000 light-years from Earth, it is the closest yellow hypergiant found to date and new observations show it shines some 500 000 times more brightly than the Sun.
Astronomy
Source: ESO
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 28, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
Source: ESO
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 28, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
From the comfort of home, Web users may have found new planets
Since the online citizen science project Planet Hunters launched last December, 40,000 web users from around the world have been helping professional astronomers analyze the light from 150,000 stars in the hopes of discovering Earth-like planets orbiting around them.
Since the online citizen science project Planet Hunters launched last December, 40,000 web users from around the world have been helping professional astronomers analyze the light from 150,000 stars in the hopes of discovering Earth-like planets orbiting around them.
Astronomy
Source: Yale University
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011, 10:45am
Rating: | Views: 1178 | Comments: 0
Source: Yale University
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011, 10:45am
Rating: | Views: 1178 | Comments: 0
New doubts about 'poster child' of exoplanets
It is proving surprisingly tricky to pin down Fomalhaut b – one of the only exoplanets to have been directly imaged
It is proving surprisingly tricky to pin down Fomalhaut b – one of the only exoplanets to have been directly imaged
Astronomy
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011, 8:08am
Rating: | Views: 1067 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011, 8:08am
Rating: | Views: 1067 | Comments: 0
An angry bird in the sky
In the nebula, which lies around 6500 light-years from Earth, hot newborn stars that formed from clouds of hydrogen gas shine brightly with ultraviolet light. This intense radiation in turn excites the surrounding hydrogen cloud, making it glow a distinctive shade of red. This red shade is typical of star-forming regions, another famous example being the Lagoon Nebula
In the nebula, which lies around 6500 light-years from Earth, hot newborn stars that formed from clouds of hydrogen gas shine brightly with ultraviolet light. This intense radiation in turn excites the surrounding hydrogen cloud, making it glow a distinctive shade of red. This red shade is typical of star-forming regions, another famous example being the Lagoon Nebula
Astronomy
Source: ESO
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
Source: ESO
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011, 11:00am
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
Astronomers break ranks over space telescope costs
Fears grow as cost overruns for the James Webb Space Telescope threaten to devour money allocated to other planetary science and solar physics projects
Fears grow as cost overruns for the James Webb Space Telescope threaten to devour money allocated to other planetary science and solar physics projects
Astronomy
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Monday, Sep 19, 2011, 8:15am
Rating: | Views: 1083 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Monday, Sep 19, 2011, 8:15am
Rating: | Views: 1083 | Comments: 0
Pluto's icy exterior may conceal an ocean
If the dwarf planet's core has as much radioactive potassium as scientists think, it may have a subsurface ocean and the conditions to sustain life
If the dwarf planet's core has as much radioactive potassium as scientists think, it may have a subsurface ocean and the conditions to sustain life
Astronomy
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Friday, Sep 16, 2011, 9:05am
Rating: | Views: 1045 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Friday, Sep 16, 2011, 9:05am
Rating: | Views: 1045 | Comments: 0
Mystery light in night sky over Southwest
NASA: Streaking light was probably piece of asteroid
NASA: Streaking light was probably piece of asteroid
Astronomy
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 6:31pm
Rating: | Views: 1044 | Comments: 0
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 6:31pm
Rating: | Views: 1044 | Comments: 0
Tatooine-like planet discovered
A planet with two suns may be a familiar sight to fans of the "Star Wars" film series, but not, until now, to scientists. A team of researchers, including Carnegie's Alan Boss, has discovered a planet that orbits around a pair of stars. Their remarkable findings will be published Sept. 16 in Science.
A planet with two suns may be a familiar sight to fans of the "Star Wars" film series, but not, until now, to scientists. A team of researchers, including Carnegie's Alan Boss, has discovered a planet that orbits around a pair of stars. Their remarkable findings will be published Sept. 16 in Science.
Astronomy
Source: Carnegie Institution
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 4:00pm
Rating: | Views: 1173 | Comments: 0
Source: Carnegie Institution
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 4:00pm
Rating: | Views: 1173 | Comments: 0
The turbulent lives of stars
The stars are boiling! The reason is the energy generated in the center of the star that wants to escape. If this does not happen quickly enough, the star starts to 'boil' in the outer layers causing vibrations that result in light variations, like in the Sun.
The stars are boiling! The reason is the energy generated in the center of the star that wants to escape. If this does not happen quickly enough, the star starts to 'boil' in the outer layers causing vibrations that result in light variations, like in the Sun.
Astronomy
Source: University of Vienna
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 9:41am
Rating: | Views: 1101 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Vienna
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 9:41am
Rating: | Views: 1101 | Comments: 0
How the Milky Way got its spiral
The signature spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy were likely formed by an epic collision between the Milky Way and the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy, according to a University of Pittsburgh researcher and his collaborators, published today in the prestigious British journal Nature.
The signature spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy were likely formed by an epic collision between the Milky Way and the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy, according to a University of Pittsburgh researcher and his collaborators, published today in the prestigious British journal Nature.
Astronomy
Source: University of Pittsburgh
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 9:41am
Rating: | Views: 1197 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Pittsburgh
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 15, 2011, 9:41am
Rating: | Views: 1197 | Comments: 0
Fifty new alien worlds revealed
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Astronomers announce the discovery of more 50 new planets beyond our solar system, including 16 that are just a notch above our own planet.
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Astronomers announce the discovery of more 50 new planets beyond our solar system, including 16 that are just a notch above our own planet.
Video: Space junk reaches "tipping point"
Half a century of space exploration has left thousands of particles orbiting the planet. Scientists say the so-called "space junk" poses a risk to future space missions and they're now considering a variety of ideas to clean it up.
Half a century of space exploration has left thousands of particles orbiting the planet. Scientists say the so-called "space junk" poses a risk to future space missions and they're now considering a variety of ideas to clean it up.
Astronomy
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Friday, Sep 09, 2011, 10:17am
Rating: | Views: 1080 | Comments: 0
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Friday, Sep 09, 2011, 10:17am
Rating: | Views: 1080 | Comments: 0
Invisible world discovered
Usually, running five minutes late is a bad thing since you might lose your dinner reservation or miss out on tickets to the latest show. But when a planet runs five minutes late, astronomers get excited because it suggests that another world is nearby.
Usually, running five minutes late is a bad thing since you might lose your dinner reservation or miss out on tickets to the latest show. But when a planet runs five minutes late, astronomers get excited because it suggests that another world is nearby.
Astronomy
Source: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Posted on: Friday, Sep 09, 2011, 8:00am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
Source: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Posted on: Friday, Sep 09, 2011, 8:00am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
Young stars take a turn in the spotlight
Observers often overlook NGC 2100 because of its close proximity to the impressive Tarantula Nebula (eso0650) and the super star cluster RMC 136 (eso1030). The glowing gas of the Tarantula Nebula even tries to steal the limelight in this image -- the bright colours here are the nebula's outskirts. This new picture was created from exposures through several different colour filters using the EMMI i
Observers often overlook NGC 2100 because of its close proximity to the impressive Tarantula Nebula (eso0650) and the super star cluster RMC 136 (eso1030). The glowing gas of the Tarantula Nebula even tries to steal the limelight in this image -- the bright colours here are the nebula's outskirts. This new picture was created from exposures through several different colour filters using the EMMI i
Baby Star Found on Earth's Doorstep
The nearest newborn sun may sport glowing planets
The nearest newborn sun may sport glowing planets
Astronomy
Source: Science
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011, 7:55am
Rating: | Views: 1073 | Comments: 0
Source: Science
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011, 7:55am
Rating: | Views: 1073 | Comments: 0
One last chance to view spectacular supernova
Brightest supernova of a generation has triggered keen interest among astronomers
Brightest supernova of a generation has triggered keen interest among astronomers
Astronomy
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011, 7:55am
Rating: | Views: 1056 | Comments: 0
Source: CBSNews
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 07, 2011, 7:55am
Rating: | Views: 1056 | Comments: 0
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