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How to reboot the Large Hadron Collider

mnewman — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:11:54 +0000

When you push “start” on your microwave or computer, the device flips right on — but major physics experiments like the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, don’t work that way. Instead, engineers and physicists need to take a few weeks every year to carefully reset the colliderContinue reading "How to reboot the Large Hadron Collider"

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Hardy desert moss might survive on Mars

Elizabeth Gamillo — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 21:30:00 +0000

A desert moss with a knack for tolerating harsh conditions on Earth might survive Mars’ desolate landscape, too, according to research published July 1 in The Innovation. The moss, Syntrichia caninervis, can survive drought, frigid temperatures as low as –320.8 degrees Fahrenheit (–196 degrees Celsius), and high radiation levels — as well as all threeContinue reading "Hardy desert moss might survive on Mars"

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Neptune-like planet ‘Phoenix’ baffles astronomers with its atmosphere

mnewman — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 19:22:43 +0000

Astronomers have discovered a planet beyond our solar system that’s so cozy with its host star, its supremely puffy atmosphere should have been stripped down to bare rock billions of years ago. Yet the planet’s thick air has endured its star’s immense radiation for possibly billions of years, challenging conventional theories about how planets ageContinue reading "Neptune-like planet ‘Phoenix’ baffles astronomers with its atmosphere"

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The secrets and scandal of the Prague astronomical clock

mnewman — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 15:48:29 +0000

One of the world’s most famous astronomical clocks looms over a side street in the old city of Prague, with a complex astronomical dial, multiple myths, and a recent scandal — all worth investigating. The Gothic-style tower was built during the 14th century to warn townsfolk of danger ranging from fires to invasions, and laterContinue reading "The secrets and scandal of the Prague astronomical clock"

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The rumblings that led to the ‘alien spheres’ probably came from a truck

Elizabeth Gamillo — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:20:42 +0000

Seismic activity from a meteorite that landed in the Pacific Ocean in 2014 led to an underwater expedition and speculation from some the meteorite might be of interstellar origin. A new study suggests the seismic activity likely has a much more down-to-Earth explanation. It was from a truck. That’s the conclusion from a team ofContinue reading "The rumblings that led to the ‘alien spheres’ probably came from a truck"

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How should we classify the cosmos?

Alison Klesman — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:59:45 +0000

So much is happening in astronomy these days that it’s hard to keep track of the cosmic zoo, much less how each object fits into the overall celestial landscape. Scientists typically organize their respective domains through classification systems, such as biology’s five kingdoms and three domains, chemistry’s periodic table, and physics’ standard model. Finding orderContinue reading "How should we classify the cosmos?"

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Advanced Imaging Conference calls it quits

David J. Eicher — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 21:21:42 +0000

Sad news in the world of amateur astronomy arrived this week. The organizers of the 20-year-old Advanced Imaging Conference, a gathering held periodically in San Jose, California, announced that this major gathering is coming to an end. The event was famous as a meeting where astro enthusiasts could share the latest tips, techniques, and ideasContinue reading "Advanced Imaging Conference calls it quits"

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The best times to see planets with a small telescope

Astronomy Staff — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 20:10:32 +0000

With just a small or medium-sized telescope, skygazers can easily observe planets. You’ll be surprised how much of our solar system you can see! And you don’t need a dark sky to view all of our solar system’s planets; even under city lights, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be easy to see with a telescope. AContinue reading "The best times to see planets with a small telescope"

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Astronomy welcomes Daniela Mata

David J. Eicher — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:49:08 +0000

Please join me in welcoming Astronomy’s newest associate editor, Daniela Mata. Daniela obtained her B.S. in mathematics at her hometown university, Texas A&M International University in Laredo. She also completed a summer study program in Belgium and Germany. Loving the European lifestyle, Daniela then completed a six-month internship at Instituto Nazionale di Astrofisica — Osservatorio AstronomicoContinue reading "Astronomy welcomes Daniela Mata"

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Comet ZTF’s antitail

Astronomy Staff — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 12:46:45 +0000

Drew Evans, taken from outside Flagstaff, Arizona Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) began sporting an antitail late last month, as captured in this image from the night of Jan. 24. An antitail is a dust trail made of particles that, unlike a typical dust trail, are too large to be blown away by the Sun’s radiationContinue reading "Comet ZTF’s antitail"

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