When it comes to “shattering” cosmic ghosts, only the most extreme objects in the universe are up to the task: neutron stars. Scientists have simulated collisions between these extremely dense and dead stars and shown that such powerful events can briefly “trap” neutrinos, also known as “ghost particles.” This discovery could help scientists better understand… Read More »
Scientists found three neutron starsStars born in the fire of other exploding stars cooled surprisingly quickly, bringing us closer to understanding the exotic nature of the matter in the cores of these extreme objects. The discovery was made by a Spanish team led by Alessio Marino of the Institute of Space Sciences in Barcelona (ICE-CSIC),… Read More »
Black hole week ends today (May 10), and there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with “egg-casual” black hole science. Using gravitational wave measurements made by the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Virgo and KAGRA detectors in Italy and Japan, scientists found that the orbits of some binary black… Read More »
In 2015, the iconic Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) made the first concrete detection of gravitational waves. The waves were the result of the collision of two black holes far away in the universe; Since then, numerous such signals have been detected from mergers of black holes, neutron stars, and even a few mixed… Read More »
Scientists may be one step closer to discovering how gamma-ray bursts became some of the most powerful explosions in the known universe. For context, a single gamma-ray burst, or GRB, can produce more energy in seconds than the sun will radiate in billions of years. Because of this power, scientists suggest that GRBs are created… Read More »
Scientists suggest that some dead stars made of the densest material in the known universe, called “neutron stars”, may serve as traps for dark matter particles that crash into each other at high speeds and annihilate each other. The crew says the destruction process will likely heat the dead stars from the inside out. Dark… Read More »
When distant stars explode, they emit flashes of energy called gamma-ray bursts that are bright enough for telescopes on Earth to detect them. Studying these pulses, which can also come from the merger of some exotic astronomical objects such as black holes and neutron stars, can help astronomers like me understand the history of the… Read More »
Some 90s trends have made a very welcome comeback; Others no one needs to see again. But unlike the frosted tips, baggy Batik shirts, landline phones and pogs that have (hopefully?) been consigned to the trash can, binary stars are resurfacing as worth studying. And not too soon. In short, binary stars are vital in… Read More »