What do gravitational wave detectors measure?
Let’s dive into the intricacies of spacetime and black hole mergers.
什么是gravitational wave detectors actually recording? Seems like a nonsensical question at first. LIGO and th...
astrophysics
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Astronomers discover the largest molecule yet in a planet-forming disc
A precursor of larger organic molecules that can lead to the emergence of life has been detected.
Researchers have detected the organic molecule dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) in a planet-forming disc for the first time, ...
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The Kessler syndrome
Meet the man who predicted the threat of space junk.
Of all the human-made satellites in low-Earth orbit, 95% are space junk – rocket thrusters, derelict satellites, and ...
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Astronomers discover a sideways black hole
New finding calls theories of black hole formation into question.
An international team of researchers have made a surprising astronomical discovery: a black hole that spins on its si...
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Spotted: a Tatooine-like exoplanet orbiting two stars
New, cheaper method shows planet-spotting proof of concept
A rare exoplanet orbiting two stars at once has been spotted by researchers using a ground-based telescope, in a firs...
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Is this the world’s weirdest telescope?
Three undersea neutrino detector observatories are in the works. What seems like a very difficult...
Traditionally, astronomy has used light to study distant celestial objects. But photons are not the only particles th...
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You may have missed…
Goldfish driving, Moon mysteries, stellar fly-bys and other science you may have missed this week.
Teaching a goldfish to driveIsraeli scientists have taught a goldfish how to drive, and it’s probably the best th...
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Have we spotted the birth of a black hole?
Two new observed supernovae are special: they’re partial blasts that mark the birth of a black hole.
Astronomers using a small telescope on top of California’s Mt Palomar, outside of San Diego, have detected not one bu...
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Why are planets spherical?
A battle between gravity and rotation gives our planets their shape.
Why are the Sun, the planets and their moons all spherical in shape? – LionelWait, what? The Earth is actual...
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Alan Duffy: a passion for science
Outgoing RiAus Lead Scientist Alan Duffy chats about astrophysics and science communication.
From staring at the night sky in Northern Ireland to now directing the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swi...
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Exoplanets dodge bombardment in their infancy
The fragile orbits of the TRAPPIST-1 planets confirm their gentle start to existence.
In 2017, NASA announced the discovery of seven rocky, Earth-sized planets orbiting in the habitable zone of a star ca...
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Fossilised stardust found in meteorites
Tracing ancient elements back to long-gone suns.
Like rocks on Earth preserving records of prehistoric times, some pristine meteorites hold records of ancient grains ...