Dance of auroras: First direct observation of electron frolic

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The shower of electrons bouncing across Earth's magnetosphere -- commonly known as the Northern Lights -- has been directly observed for the first time by an international team of scientists. While the cause of these colorful auroras has long been hypothesized, researchers had never directly observed the underlying mechanism until now.
via Science Daily
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Donald Lynden-Bell, Quasar and Black Hole Expert, Dies at 82

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An astrophysicist, he joined six colleagues in suggesting that the universe is expanding sideways, and not evenly, challenging conventional theories.
via New York Times

Recreating outer space in the lab

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Thermodynamics provides insight into the internal energy of a system and the energy interaction with its surroundings. This relies on the local thermal equilibrium of a system.
via Science Daily
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ESO's VLT working as 16-meter telescope for first time

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The ESPRESSO instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile has used the combined light of all four of the 8.2-meter Unit Telescopes for the first time. Combining light from the Unit Telescopes in this way makes the VLT the largest optical telescope in existence in terms of collecting area.
via Science Daily
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