Cosmology is the scientific study of the large-scale properties of the universe as a whole. It aims to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and eventual fate of the universe. By examining cosmic phenomena such as the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background radiation, dark matter, and dark energy, cosmologists develop theories and models that explain how … Read more
There’s a hot new BEC in town that has nothing to do with bacon, egg, and cheese. You won’t find it at your local bodega, but in the coldest place in New York: the lab of Columbia physicist Sebastian Will, whose experimental group specializes in pushing atoms and molecules to temperatures just fractions of a … Read more
Researchers at the University of Michigan have made significant strides in the efficiency of devices that convert heat into electricity, pushing these technologies closer to practical use on the electrical grid. These developments, which include reaching near-theoretical maximum efficiencies, could revolutionize how we store and utilize renewable energy. Harnessing Heat for Energy Storage The innovation … Read more
The origin and evolution of the universe have fascinated humanity for millennia. Modern scientific theories, such as the Big Bang theory, provide a framework for understanding these cosmic processes. The universe began as an unimaginably dense and hot singularity around 13.8 billion years ago, expanding rapidly and cooling over time. Through cosmic inflation, galaxies, stars, … Read more
The dance of galaxies in the cosmic web is a mesmerizing spectacle of cosmic structure and evolution, revealing the intricate interplay of gravity, dark matter, and cosmic forces shaping the large-scale distribution of galaxies in the universe. The cosmic web is a vast network of filaments, voids, and clusters that connect galaxies across cosmic distances, … Read more
Pulsars are cosmic lighthouses, beacons of intense radiation and magnetic fields that emit beams of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation as they rotate rapidly. These exotic objects, often referred to as neutron stars, are the remnants of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. Pulsars were first discovered in 1967 by astrophysicist Jocelyn … Read more
Galactic clusters, vast collections of galaxies bound together by gravity, are among the most intriguing and dynamic structures in the universe. These clusters contain thousands of galaxies, as well as vast amounts of dark matter, hot gas, and other cosmic phenomena. Probing the depths of galactic clusters offers valuable insights into the formation and evolution … Read more
Solar flares are powerful bursts of energy and radiation that occur on the Sun’s surface, releasing vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation, energetic particles, and plasma into space. These solar eruptions are a fascinating yet potentially hazardous phenomenon that can impact Earth and our technology, leading to what is known as space weather. Understanding solar flares … Read more
Dark matter is one of the most mysterious and elusive substances in the universe. Despite making up approximately 27% of the total mass-energy content of the cosmos, its nature remains largely unknown. Scientists have been working tirelessly for decades to unravel the secrets of dark matter, aiming to understand its properties, distribution, and role in … Read more
The Standard Model of Particle Physics represents one of modern physics’ crowning achievements, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding the fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe. This model has been developed through decades of experimental discoveries and theoretical advancements, culminating in a description of particles and forces that govern the behavior of matter … Read more
Electrical engineers at Duke University have determined the theoretical fundamental limit for how much electromagnetic energy a transparent material with a given thickness can absorb. The finding will help engineers optimize devices designed to block certain frequencies of radiation while allowing others to pass through, for applications such as stealth or wireless communications. “Much of … Read more
Electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range offer many advantages for communications and advanced applications in scanning and imaging, but realizing their potential poses challenges. Researchers at Tohoku University have addressed one of the key challenges by developing a new type of tunable filter for signals in the terahertz wave band. They published their work in the … Read more
Luminiferous aether, once proposed as the medium through which light waves propagate, represents a fascinating chapter in the history of physics. Despite being a prominent concept in the 19th century, subsequent scientific advancements have revealed its conceptual limitations and ultimately led to its dismissal. Exploring the origins, development, and eventual demise of the luminiferous aether … Read more
Two physicists at the University of Konstanz are developing a method that could enable the stable exchange of information in quantum computers. In the leading role: photons that make quantum bits “fly.” Quantum computers are considered the next big evolutionary step in information technology. They are expected to solve computing problems that today’s computers simply … 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
European astronomers recently conducted extensive Very Long Baseline Interferometric (VLBI) observations on the radio jet structure of PKS 2215+020, a powerful quasar. The acquired VLBI data yielded crucial insights into the characteristics of this jet, indicating that PKS 2215+020 exhibits traits typical of a blazar. These findings, unveiled on February 17 in the Universe journal, … Read more
Theoretical physicist Farokh Mivehvar has investigated the interaction of two collections of atoms emitting light inside a quantum cavity—an optical device consisting of two high-quality, tiny mirrors facing each other that confine the light within a small area for an extended time. The model and predictions can be implemented and observed in state-of-the-art cavity/waveguide-quantum-electrodynamics experiments … Read more