Astronomers may have detected background ripples in spacetime itself

The gravitational waves we’ve detected so far have been like tsunamis in the spacetime sea. Now, a 13-year survey of light from pulsars scattered across the galaxy may have revealed the first hints of gentle gravitational wave background signals.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingAstronomers may have detected background ripples in spacetime itself

Neutron stars scanned for signals of dark matter turning into light

Dark matter should outnumber regular matter five to one, yet it remains frustratingly elusive. But there might be ways to spot it, and now astronomers have scanned neutron stars for telltale signals of a proposed dark matter particle called an axion.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNeutron stars scanned for signals of dark matter turning into light

Graphene tractor beams could one day redirect lightning strikes

Lightning is a major trigger for wildfires, like the record-breaking blazes that devastated Australia and California this year. But what if we could redirect lightning to strike safely? Graphene particles trapped in a tractor beam could do just that.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingGraphene tractor beams could one day redirect lightning strikes

CERN scientists design trap to transport antimatter between facilities

Antimatter is a tricky substance to store and transport, mostly because it annihilates any container you try to put it in. Now CERN researchers have outlined a new antimatter trap designed to safely carry the volatile stuff to new facilities.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingCERN scientists design trap to transport antimatter between facilities

Scientists calculate how much matter there is in the universe

Scientists have estimated the total amount of matter in the universe using a more precise method. By calculating the mass of hundreds of galaxy clusters, the team found that matter makes up around a third of the contents of the universe.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingScientists calculate how much matter there is in the universe

Gravitational waves signal most massive black hole collision ever recorded

The LIGO and Virgo Scientific Collaboration has detected gravitational waves coming from the most massive black hole collision that it's ever recorded. The end result created a gargantuan black hole that belongs to a new class.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingGravitational waves signal most massive black hole collision ever recorded

Gravitational waves signal most massive black hole collision ever recorded

The LIGO and Virgo Scientific Collaboration has detected gravitational waves coming from the most massive black hole collision that it's ever recorded. The end result created a gargantuan black hole that belongs to a new class.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingGravitational waves signal most massive black hole collision ever recorded

CERN’s powerful new linear accelerator fires up ahead of LHC upgrade

After a two-year shutdown for repairs and upgrades, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is beginning to fire back up. The newest particle accelerator, Linac 4, completed its first test run over the past few weeks, and will produce much more powerful beams.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingCERN’s powerful new linear accelerator fires up ahead of LHC upgrade

Neutrino experiments find no sign of expected new subatomic particle

An extensive search for a hypothetical particle has turned up empty. The sterile neutrino is a proposed subatomic particle that could even be a candidate for the mysterious dark matter, but two new experiments have all but ruled it out.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNeutrino experiments find no sign of expected new subatomic particle

Second-generation of powerful X-ray laser fires for the first time

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an extremely powerful X-ray laser – and now it's about to get even more powerful. The second generation of the instrument has now achieved first light, with scientists demonstrating fine control of the beam.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSecond-generation of powerful X-ray laser fires for the first time