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Physics
Neutron star measurements put limits on color superconductivity in dense quark matter
Ground-based radio telescopes, gravitational wave detectors, and space-based X-ray telescopes (right) all measure neutron stars (top left, showing mergers) and pairings of differently colored quarks in dense matter (bottom left). ). ). Credit: Rachel Steinhorst, NASA/Roscosmos, California Institute of Technology/MIT/LIGO Lab At very high densities, quarks are expected to form pairs, similar to electrons in superconductors. This behavior of dense…
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Science
Neutron star “mountains” will cause ripples in space-time
The gravitational pull from the fast-spinning neutron star mountains creates ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) searches for such waves. Credit: Charles Horowitz The collapsed dead stars known as neutron stars are a trillion times denser than lead, and their surfaces are poorly characterized. Nuclear theorists have investigated the mountain-building mechanisms at work…
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Space & Cosmos
Dark energy camera captures sparkling galaxies in the Antria star cluster
The Antria Galaxy Cluster (Abell S636) is a group of at least 230 galaxies located approximately 130 million light-years away in the direction of the Antria constellation (air pump). There are many different types of galaxies, including lenticular galaxies, irregular galaxies, and microdwarfs. This cluster is dominated by two giant elliptical galaxies: NGC 3268 (center) and NGC 3258 (bottom right).…
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Space & Cosmos
Video: Our Sun is the star of a new simulation
Credit: NASA NASA’s supercomputers are unraveling the causes of some of the sun’s most complex behaviors. Now, using data from a series of solar observing spacecraft observing the star at the center of our solar system, researchers are able to investigate the dynamics of the sun in an unprecedented way. This animation shows the strength of the turbulent motion in…
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Space & Cosmos
Astronomers map ‘danger zone’ of planet-forming disks in star clusters
X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Drake et al, IR: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Spitzer; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. walk Most stars form collections called clusters or federations that contain very massive stars. These massive stars emit large amounts of high-energy radiation that can destroy relatively fragile disks of dust and gas that are in the process of merging to form new planets. A team of astronomers uses NASA’s…
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Space & Cosmos
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse? The bright star Betelgeuse is likely to have a “Betel buddy” star companion.
Graphic depiction of Betelgeuse and Betel Buddy. Credit: Lucy Reading-Ikanda/Simons Foundation Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, may not be on the verge of exploding as a supernova, according to a new study of star brightening and dimming. Instead, recent research shows that the observed pulses of starlight are probably caused by an invisible companion star…
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Space & Cosmos
Investigating the statistical possibility of triple star systems containing exoplanets
An example of a triple star system. Credit: Caltech/R. Hart (Infrared Processing Analysis Center, or IPAC) Why is it important to look for exoplanets in triple star systems? And how many planets can we find there? That’s what a recent study accepted in Astrophysics & Space Science seeks to address, after investigating the statistical possibility of a triple star system…
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Space & Cosmos
As a result of a cosmic upheaval, a new star is about to be born in the sky
Anthony R. Wood, The Philadelphia Inquirer Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Astrophysicists say that any moment now, a new star as bright as Polaris will appear in the night sky — the result of a cosmic explosion that happened thousands of years ago in a distant constellation. NASA scientist Rebecca Hounsell calls it a “once-in-a-lifetime event that will spawn many new…
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