Four and a half billion years ago, the nascent solar system was a chaotic cloud of gas and dust. This primordial mix, swirling around the newly formed sun, began to condense and coalesce into solid bodies, giving rise to asteroids and planets. This initial stage of planetary formation occurred within a structure known as a … Read more
For the first time, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ices have been observed in the far reaches of our solar system on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). A research team, led by planetary scientists Mário Nascimento De Prá and Noemí Pinilla-Alonso from the University of Central Florida’s Florida Space Institute (FSI), made the findings by using the … Read more
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have gained new insights in the field of high-pressure carbon chemistry: They synthesized two new carbides—compounds of carbon and another chemical element—with unique structures. The results may provide an unexpected explanation of the wide spread of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the universe. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. Carbides … Read more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of astronomy by enabling new approaches to data analysis, pattern recognition, and knowledge discovery. From processing vast amounts of observational data to enhancing simulations, AI techniques are enhancing our understanding of the universe and accelerating scientific discoveries. The role of AI in astronomy encompasses a wide range of … Read more
The interstellar medium (ISM) is the vast expanse of gas and dust that fills the space between stars in galaxies. Comprising a complex mixture of elements, molecules, and particles, the ISM plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of stars, planets, and galaxies. Understanding the properties and dynamics of the interstellar medium is … Read more
Quasars, short for “quasi-stellar radio sources,” are among the most enigmatic and fascinating objects in the cosmos. They are incredibly bright and energetic, emitting radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays. Quasars are powered by the accretion of material onto supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, … Read more
For the first time, scientists have been able to explain the mystery behind the unusual chemical composition in one of the universe’s most distant galaxies. The state-of-the-art theoretical model that the breakthrough research has established could be a key to our better understanding of the far universe. Professor Chiaki Kobayashi of the Centre for Astrophysics … Read more
On October 19th, 2017, astronomers with the Pann-STARRS survey observed an interstellar object passing through our system—1I/2017 U1 ‘Oumuamua. This was the first time an ISO was detected, confirming that such objects pass through the solar system regularly, as astronomers predicted decades prior. Just two years later, a second object was detected, the interstellar comet … Read more
An innovative probe which can operate in temperatures as high as molten lava has been created by researchers. The team from the University of Bristol and CEA Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique in France have designed and successfully tested rotary blades for generating flow in molten silicon, crucial for industries such as steel or nuclear which … Read more
Researchers have found water vapor in the disk around a young star exactly where planets may be forming. Water is a key ingredient for life on Earth and is also thought to play a significant role in planet formation, yet until now, astronomers have never been able to map how water is distributed in a … Read more
Porous materials are essential for many chemical processes, such as light harvesting, adsorption, catalysis, energy transfer, and even new technologies for electronic materials. Therefore, many efforts have been made to control the porosity of different manufactured materials. To address this, researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences recently demonstrated … Read more
It’s a small piece of obsidian, just over 5 centimeters long, likely found on a hard-scrabble piece of ranchland in the Texas panhandle. But when SMU anthropologist Matthew Boulanger looks at it, he gets a mental image of Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado making his way across the plains more than 470 years ago … Read more
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) are two fundamental molecules essential for life as we know it. While they share similarities in their chemical composition and play crucial roles in genetic processes, they also exhibit distinct differences that are essential for understanding the complexity of biological systems. DNA, famously known as the “molecule of … Read more
University of Wyoming archaeology Professor Todd Surovell and his team of collaborators have discovered a tube-shaped bead made of bone that is about 12,940 years old. The bead, found at the La Prele Mammoth site in Converse County, is the oldest known bead in the Americas. Surovell’s research is published in Scientific Reports; the paper … Read more
Measuring the age of the universe, a question that has captivated astronomers and cosmologists for centuries, involves probing the depths of space and time to unravel the mysteries of cosmic evolution. Through a combination of theoretical models, observational data, and cutting-edge technologies, scientists have pieced together a remarkably detailed picture of the universe’s origins, composition, … Read more
Galaxies and nebulae are two captivating astronomical phenomena, each with distinct characteristics and roles in the vast tapestry of the universe. Understanding the differences between galaxies and nebulae is crucial in unraveling the complexities of cosmic structures, their formations, and their contributions to the cosmic landscape. A galaxy is an immense system of stars, stellar … Read more
The captivating image captured by NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope unveils the intricate beauty of N79, an H II region nestled in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), one of our Milky Way’s satellite galaxies. This nebula, known as N79, is a vast expanse of interstellar atomic hydrogen, brought to life by Webb’s Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), … Read more
Globular clusters are captivating and enigmatic stellar formations, each containing thousands to millions of stars densely packed into a spherical shape. These ancient and tightly bound collections of stars orbit around the centers of galaxies, adding to the cosmic tapestry of our universe. Understanding the nature, formation, and significance of globular clusters provides valuable insights … Read more
Delving into the celestial history of our solar system and Earth’s origins fuels the imagination of both scientists and the public. The ongoing exploration of our planet’s current state and the surrounding cosmic entities provides a profound understanding of their evolution from the primordial dust and gas disk encircling the nascent sun about 4.5 billion … Read more
Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It explores a vast range of topics, including the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. This discipline delves into various levels of biological organization, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems. Through methods like observation, experimentation, and analysis, biologists seek … Read more