Nuclear fusion has long been hailed as the ultimate energy source of the future. Unlike nuclear fission, which powers today’s nuclear reactors by splitting atoms, fusion generates energy by combining atomic nuclei, the same process that powers the sun. If successfully harnessed, nuclear fusion could provide an almost limitless, clean, and sustainable energy source. Recent … Read more
Dark matter is one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics. It is an invisible substance that makes up approximately 27% of the universe, yet it neither emits nor absorbs light, making it undetectable through conventional means. Despite its elusive nature, scientists have found indirect evidence of its existence through its gravitational effects on galaxies … Read more
In the ever-evolving world of technology, quantum computing stands out as a revolutionary advancement that promises to redefine the boundaries of computation. Unlike classical computers that rely on bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations at unprecedented speeds. But what exactly makes quantum computing so powerful, and … Read more
Contrary to a previous report, there’s no evidence of an intermediate-mass black hole in Omega Centauri, the Milky Way’s most massive and luminous globular star cluster, a new study finds. Instead, a hive of much smaller black holes diving into and out of the tightly packed star cluster’s center can explain the movement and distribution … Read more
One of the farthest known quasars seems to have shut down the creation of new stars in all the galaxies within its vicinity. A quasar is a powerful source of light, created by torrid gas orbiting a gargantuan black hole at the center of a galaxy. The intense radiation from one quasar, named VIK J2348-3054, … Read more
They say that going to space changes you. Often, what’s being referenced is a shift in mindset, a renewed sense of perspective that comes from seeing our world from above, a phenomenon that’s been called the overview effect. But it seems unlikely that rocketing off into the atmosphere, experiencing powerful g-force acceleration followed by a … Read more
The time is nigh for nuclear clocks. In a first, scientists have used a tabletop laser to bump an atomic nucleus into a higher energy state. It’s a feat that sets scientists on a path toward creating the first nuclear clock, which would keep time based on the inner workings of atomic nuclei. The advance … Read more
Lightning and the sun — Science News, June 22, 1974 The latest addition to the growing list of meteorological phenomena which have been linked with solar activity is lightning…. Using data from 1930 to 1973, [a researcher] reports in the May 24 Nature that “in spite of year-to-year variations in the incidence of lightning, there … Read more
The orbits of a trio of stars can be so chaotic that it’s impossible to precisely calculate the stars’ future trajectories. That’s the real science behind the name of the hit Netflix show, 3 Body Problem. Much of the sci-fi show’s action hinges on a variety of other physics concepts. But in service of the … Read more
What’s dumped into a landfill is supposed to stay there, but a new study finds that toxic “forever chemicals” are wafting from the waste into the air. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been detected in the gas exuded by some Florida landfills in quantities comparable to or even greater than in the liquids … Read more