In The News: Department of Physics and Astronomy
In a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the international LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration reports on the detection of two gravitational wave events in October and November of 2024 with unusual black hole spins. This observation adds an important new piece to our understanding of the most elusive phenomena in the universe.
In an extraordinary advancement for astrophysics, the international LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration has announced the detection of two gravitational wave events from last year that showcase unprecedented black hole spin characteristics. Published today in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, their findings unravel intricate details about black hole mergers, significantly deepening our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic phenomena. These detections open new frontiers in the quest to decode the fundamental physics governing black holes, their formation, and evolution in the universe.
Scientists have "heard" the symphony of two newborn black holes 鈥 each created when its respective parent black holes crashed together and merged. One of those collision events, in fact, was the first of its kind.
The international LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration reports the observations of two record-breaking events in gravitational wave observations. They were detected in October and November 2024, and they might be a crucial step forward in our understanding of the ripples in space-time and the events that create them.
A pair of once-in-a-lifetime comets are rocketing through our skies right now, and it's a rare treat because they won't be back for hundreds of years. The comets, C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN), look similar. Both comets have already had their brightest nights on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. But if you're out and about this final week of October, you can still spot these green gaseous globes and their streaming tails.
Metallicity is a fundamental part of the Universe. The Big Bang created mostly hydrogen, the simplest and lightest element, and a tiny bit of helium, the second lightest element. Those elements gather together in large quantities to form stars. For rocky planets to form, stars had to form first.
A new study led by 性视界传媒 scientists sheds light on how planets, including Earth, formed in our galaxy鈥攁nd why the life and death of nearby stars are an important piece of the puzzle.
There are an estimated 23 active rocket launch facilities across the globe, but a massive increase in launch requests from the satellite industry is spurring demand for more capacity, especially when it comes to rockets.
On an episode of the popular podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, British actor Idris Elba and the host (the former star of Parks and Recreation) are bonding over the aches and pains that arise in your 50s. Elba mentions that he's a big fan of grounding as a way to reduce inflammation and stiffness. He notes that a lot of people are skeptical of the wellness ritual, "but it works."
Federal investment in science and engineering research plays a key role in growing our economy and driving innovation in Nevada. Cuts and disruptions to this funding threaten our students and our future workforce and economic base.
Astrophysics professor and Afternoon Shift fan favorite, Mike Pravica, drops by The Afternoon Shift to chat all things space and our weird and wonderful universe.
The average person likely uses only a fraction of their creative abilities at work, often due to workplace structures, routines and expectations that prioritize efficiency over innovation. Studies suggest that although everyone has creative potential, many business owners and employees operate within constraints that limit creative expression.