Observations of the cosmic microwave background by the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile suggest that the universe is 13.8 billion years old. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/new-view-old-light-twist-debate-universes-age…
Tag: cosmic
This day in 2013: The Day the Earth Smiled
Today is the anniversary of The Day the Earth Smiled, the 3rd-ever image of Earth from the outer solar system, taken by the great Cassini spacecraft on July 19, 2013. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/the-day-earth-smiled-2013-cassini-image-of-earth-moon-planets…
To find giant black holes, start with our solar system’s center
A new study from researchers at Vanderbilt University suggests that to find the most massive black holes, measure the effects of their gravitational waves on the flashes of light coming from pulsars. The best location to do that is at the precise gravitational center of the solar system. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/black-holes-gravitational-waves-pulsars-solar-system…
Observatory’s quick reflexes capture fleeting flash
Rapid follow-up of the optical afterglow from one of the most distant confirmed short gamma-ray bursts (SGRB), thought to be the merger of two neutron stars, is casting new light on these enigmatic objects. The observations, made by the international Gemini Observatory, a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab, confirmed the object’s distance and placed it squarely in the epoch of cosmic high…
‘Geyser’ aurora and ‘cosmic bat’ nebula shortlisted for astronomy photo prize
An astrophotography competition run by London’s Royal Observatory Greenwich, announces a shortlist of exceptional images for its 2020 contest. Source: https://www.livescience.com/astronomy-photos-contest-2020-shortlist.html
Breakthrough in deciphering birth of supermassive black holes
A research team led by Cardiff University scientists say they are closer to understanding how a supermassive black hole (SMBH) is born thanks to a new technique that has enabled them to zoom in on one of these enigmatic cosmic objects in unprecedented detail. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-07-breakthrough-deciphering-birth-supermassive-black.html…
Earth-shaking science in the freezer: Next generation vibration sensors at cryogenic temperatures
A cutting-edge vibration sensor may improve the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors to find the tiniest cosmic waves from the background hum of Earth’s motion. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-07-earth-shaking-science-freezer-vibration-sensors.html…
A proposed new mission to Venus
The proposed VERITAS mission to Venus is one of the finalists for NASA’s Discovery Program. If selected, it will revolutionize our knowledge about the planet’s geology and how this formerly habitable world became a fiery wasteland. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/veritas-mission-venus-surface-interior-geology…
The solar system: Facts about our cosmic neighborhood
Take a journey through our solar system. Source: https://www.livescience.com/our-solar-system.html
Alien civilisations could move their star to avoid a cosmic disaster
A researcher has come up with an idea for a huge machine that advanced civilisations could use to move their star system around the galaxy – and we might be able to spot one in action Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2248537-alien-civilisations-could-move-their-star-to-avoid-a-cosmic-disaster/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…