Friday 15 September 2017

Hubble observes pitch black planet

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Astronomers have discovered that the well-studied exoplanet WASP-12b reflects almost no light, making it appear essentially pitch black. This discovery sheds new light on the atmospheric composition of the planet and also refutes previous hypotheses about WASP-12b's atmosphere. The results are also in stark contrast to observations of another similarly sized exoplanet.
via Science Daily
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Star formation influenced by local environmental conditions

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Three scientists have carried out extensive computer simulations related to star formation. They conclude that the present idealized models are lacking when it comes to describing details in the star formation process.
via Science Daily
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Apparent macroscopic violation of the second law of thermodynamics in a quantum system is discovered

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Researchers have encountered a partial violation of the second law of thermodynamics in a quantum system known as Hofstadter lattice. This partial violation has no place within the framework of classical physics.
via Science Daily

Advanced material developed for ultra-stable, high capacity rechargeable batteries

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A novel organic material of superior electrical conductivity and energy retention capability for use in battery applications has been developed by scientists. This invention paves the way for the development of ultra-stable, high capacity and environmental friendly rechargeable batteries.
via Science Daily

Cassini Is Gone. Here Are the Next Space Missions to Watch Out For.

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Now that Cassini has gone out in a blaze of glory, here's our guide to cosmic missions over the next decade that you should get excited about now.
via New York Times

Cassini concludes pioneering mission at Saturn

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The international Cassini mission has concluded its remarkable exploration of the Saturnian system in spectacular style, by plunging into the gas planet’s atmosphere.


via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Cassini-Huygens/Cassini_concludes_pioneering_mission_at_Saturn

Parting views

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Cassini’s last look around Saturn’s neighbourhood before concluding its 13-year journey of discovery
via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Highlights/Parting_views

100 Steps Forward

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A beautiful conjunction of Venus and Moon, human, sand, and Milky Way is depicted in this night skyscape from planet Earth. The scene is a panorama of 6 photos taken in a moment near the end of a journey. In the foreground, footsteps along the wind-rippled dunes are close to the Huacachina oasis in the southwestern desert of Peru. An engaging perspective on the world at night, the stunning final image was also chosen as a winner in The World at Night's 2017 International Earth and Sky Photo Contest.

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The science (and showers) of Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Art McDonald presenting in CERN's main auditorium on 4 September (Image: Julien Ordan/CERN)

Watch Art McDonald, Nobel prize-winning physicist, speaking on the science involved in building the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.

Speaking at CERN last week, he discusses how scientists and technicians building the machine took more than 70,000 showers as part of their efforts to maintain a completely clean and uncontaminated laboratory, and how at one point the team had to repair the 78-tonne tank of liquid scintillator after it sprung a leak, using the same principles that you would use to fix a flat tyre on your bike. 

McDonald was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2015 with Takaaki Kajita "for the discovery of neutrino oscillations, which shows that neutrinos have mass". He is the director of this unique observatory, which hopes to detect solar neutrinos through their interactions with a large tank of heavy water.

Watch the recording here.


via CERN: Updates for the general public
http://home.cern/about/updates/2017/09/science-and-showers-sudbury-neutrino-observatory

Grand finale

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How to follow the last hours of the Cassini–Huygens mission as the spacecraft plunges into Saturn's atmosphere
via ESA Space Science
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Cassini-Huygens/How_to_follow_Cassini_s_end_of_mission