Astrophysical

Recent studies of SS 433 have unveiled the mechanisms behind its gamma-ray emissions, revealing how particles are accelerated within its jets. This discovery challenges existing theories and provides a closer look at the processes driving relativistic jets, crucial for understanding cosmic phenomena. Credit: SciTechDaily.comHow Gamma Rays Track the Velocity of the Galactic Microquasar SS 433’s Jets and Uncover Highly Efficient Particle Acceleration.The microquasar SS 433 stands out as one of the most intriguing objects…

Researchers have advanced the understanding of dark matter through simulations supporting the self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) theory. This theory potentially resolves inconsistencies in dark matter densities observed in different galaxies, posing a challenge to the traditional cold dark matter (CDM) model and highlighting the dynamic nature of dark matter. Credit: SciTechDaily.comDark matter may be more vibrant than previously thought, UC Riverside study reports.Thought to make up 85% of matter in the universe, dark…

The Current13:00Turning deep space data into musicMusic can often transport you to another time and place. But now a Montreal composer is bringing listeners far out into the cosmos with a piece of music created from NASA's data on the Milky Way."At the end of the piece, especially … I'm focusing in on the black hole that's at the centre of the galaxy. And you get this feeling of stars spiralling toward the centre," said Sophie Kastner, composer of Where Parallel Lines Converge."I wanted to have all of these pingy, like,…

Behold Janus, a celestial enigma that defies conventional norms! Unlike the figurative phrase denoting two-facedness, this white dwarf star embodies the very essence of duality, quite literally. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Roman god, Janus, with one face gazing forward and the other backward, symbolizing transitions, this peculiar stellar remnant has earned its fitting moniker. Scientists have been captivated by the unique composition of Janus, as it bears an extraordinary feature - hydrogen dominates one side,…

Scientists studying masers— naturally occurring lasers that amplify microwave radio emissions— around the massive star MWC 349A discovered a 500 km/s jet of material launching out of the star’s gas disk from within the winds that are flowing away from the star. The bigger surprise is that the jet may be caused by magnetic forces. This artist’s conception shows a zoomed in view of MWC 349A and its surrounding disk of gas and dust that are being shaped by the winds and high-speed jet. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Weiss…