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    Category Astronomy/Space

    Ghostly and beautiful: ‘Planetary nebulae’ get more meaningful physical presence

    November 21, 2015, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    A collage showing 22 individual planetary nebulae artistically arranged in approximate order of physical size. The scale bar represents 4 light years. Each nebula's size is calculated from the authors' new distance scale, which is applicable to all nebulae across all shapes, sizes and brightnesses. The very largest planetary nebula currently known is nearly 20 light years in diameter, and would cover the entire image at this scale. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, ESO, Ivan Bojicic, David Frew, Quentin Parker

    A collage showing 22 individual planetary nebulae artistically arranged in approximate order of physical size. The scale bar represents 4 light years. Each nebula’s size is calculated from the authors’ new distance scale, which is applicable to all nebulae across all shapes, sizes and brightnesses. The very largest planetary nebula currently known is nearly 20 light years in diameter, and would cover the entire image at this scale. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, ESO, Ivan Bojicic, David Frew, Quentin Parker

    A way of estimating more accurate distances to the thousands of so-called planetary nebulae dispersed across our Galaxy has been announced by a team of three astronomers based at the University of Hong Kong: Dr David Frew, Prof Quentin Parker and Dr Ivan Bojicic...

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    Understand the Formation of the universe: Ground-breaking Research on Decay of Subatomic Particles Kaons

    November 20, 2015, Categories  Physics, Astronomy/Space

    The decay of a kaon (K+) into three pions (2 π+, 1 π−) is a process that involves both weak and strong interactions. Weak interactions : The strange antiquark (s) of the kaon transmutes into an up antiquark (u) by the emission of a W+ boson; the W+ boson subsequently decays into a down antiquark (d) and an up quark (u). Strong interactions : An up quark (u) emits a gluon (g) which decays into a down quark (d) and a down antiquark (d).

    The decay of a kaon (K+) into three pions (2 π+, 1 π−) is a process that involves both weak and strong interactions. Weak interactions : The strange antiquark (s) of the kaon transmutes into an up antiquark (u) by the emission of a W+ boson; the W+ boson subsequently decays into a down antiquark (d) and an up quark (u). Strong interactions : An up quark (u) emits a gluon (g) which decays into a down quark (d) and a down antiquark (d).

    Scientists devised the first calculation of how the behavior of kaons differs when matter is swapped out for antimatter, known as direct “CP” symmetry violation...

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    Stormy Space Weather puts Equatorial Regions’ Power at Risk

    November 20, 2015, Categories  Astronomy/Space, Environment/Geology

    Space scene (stock image). Earth's equatorial regions are largely unstudied and more susceptible to disruptive space weather than previously thought, which should prompt scientists to examine the infrastructure and economic implications on countries near the equator. Credit: © frenta / Fotolia

    Space scene (stock image). Earth’s equatorial regions are largely unstudied and more susceptible to disruptive space weather than previously thought, which should prompt scientists to examine the infrastructure and economic implications on countries near the equator. Credit: © frenta / Fotolia

    Dr Brett Carter of RMIT SPACE Research Centre and his team found these equatorial electrical disruptions threaten power grids in SE Asia, India, Africa and South America, where protecting electricity infrastructure from space shocks has not been a priority.

    “Massive space weather events have crashed power grids across North America and Europe, but we have found that often with little warning, smaller events strike in equatorial regions more frequently than previously thought,” Carter said...

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    Cool, Dim Dwarf Star is Magnetic Powerhouse

    November 20, 2015, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    Artist impression of red dwarf star TVLM 513-46546. ALMA observations suggest that it has an amazingly powerful magnetic field, potentially associated with a flurry of solar-flare-like eruptions. Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; Dana Berry / SkyWorks

    Artist impression of red dwarf star TVLM 513-46546. ALMA observations suggest that it has an amazingly powerful magnetic field, potentially associated with a flurry of solar-flare-like eruptions. Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; Dana Berry / SkyWorks

    Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have discovered that a dim, cool dwarf star is generating a surprisingly powerful magnetic field, one that rivals the most intense magnetic regions of our own Sun.

    The star’s extraordinary magnetic field is potentially associated with a constant flurry of solar-flare-like eruptions...

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