Environmentalists are turning into religious zealots Jul 7, 2008
The same can be said concerning certain theories in physics or cosmology. Scientists know they are dealing with religious emotion and not with logic when research facts are rejected because they cast doubt on pre-set assumptions. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Einstein is 'relatively' right yet again Jul 7, 2008
With the fundamental physics questions requiring ever-more powerful atom smashers to answer, the report suggested, natural cosmology labs like PSR JO737-3039A and B are the place scientists will have to look for new physics beyond Einstein. Maybe some day they will find something. (USA Today -- Tech)
First Underwater Neutrino Telescope Has Been Constructed Jul 6, 2008
For 70 years, the missing mass of the Universe (95% of its total mass) has been one of the central questions in cosmology. Some of this missing mass could be made up of elementary particles called weakly interacting massive particles or WIMPs for short. (Science Daily)
Unique pulsars prove Einstein was right Jul 5, 2008
"Einstein's theory predicted that, in such a field, an object's spin axis should slowly change direction as the pulsar orbits around its companion," said Victoria Kaspi, Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Using the beams of radio waves to determine the pulsars' movements, the researchers found that one of the two pulsars was indeed precessing, as Einstein predicted in 1915. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Einstein Was Right, Astrophysicists Say Jul 4, 2008
"Binary pulsars are the best place to test general relativity in a strong gravitational field," agreed Kaspi, McGill's Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology and Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics. ""Einstein's theory predicted that, in such a field, an object's spin axis should slowly change direction as the pulsar orbits around its companion. (Science Daily)
No peace over Pluto Jun 14, 2008
The fundamental issue is that not many planetary scientists even belong to the IAU. The vast majority of its members work on galaxies, and stars, and black holes and cosmology. The reason most of the IAU doesn't care is because it's not their issue. (MSNBC)
Europeans unite to tap early universe for secrets of fundamental physic May 24, 2008
This was the key conclusion from a recent workshop organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF), bringing together experts in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics ... The idea was to bring together the top European expertise in cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics, get the various sub-communities to be aware of what is being done 'elsewhere', and focus our efforts on using the early universe as a laboratory in which we can probe fundamental physics - in ways that we'll... (EurekAlert!)
Dark Forces at Work May 22, 2008
SAUL PERLMUTTER THE NEW COSMOS: His Supernova Cosmology Project revealed that the universes expansion is accelerating, a result that is still upending theories ... One of the chief astrophysicists behind the discovery of the acceleration of the expansion of the universe, among the most startling revelations in the history of cosmology, delights in the confusion about the observation ... It might be something unexpected that looks like acceleration, says , leader of the Supernova Cosmology... (Scientific American)
Missing Matter Of Universe Found; Cosmic Web Discovered May 21, 2008
ScienceDaily (May 20, 2008) Although the universe contains billions of galaxies, only a small amount of its matter is locked up in these behemoths. Most of the universe's matter that was cooked up during and just after the Big Bang must be found elsewhere. (Science Daily)
Get us off this planet, says Hawking Apr 23, 2008
When Hawking has something to say about cosmology Im all ears, but Id rather have experts stick to their topics of knowledge. Equally can we really afford to give up a quarter of a percent of our GDP to explore space. (Nature News Service)
Discovering a Dark Universe: A Q&A with Saul Perlmutter Apr 21, 2008
SAUL PERLMUTTER: His Supernova Cosmology Project revealed that the universes expansion is accelerating, a result that is still upending theories ... You were the team leader of the Supernova Cosmology Project in the 1990s, which consisted of a dozen members or so. (Scientific American)
Gravity Wave 'Smoking Gun' Fizzles: Gravitational Radiation Can Be Produced More Than One Way Apr 18, 2008
31, 2007) In the standard model of cosmology, the early universe underwent a period of fantastic growth. This inflationary phase, after only a trillionth of a second, concluded with a violent conversion of. (Science Daily)
Demand for Europe space rethink Apr 16, 2008
" Lord Rees, the professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics at Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy, said the unmanned part of Nasa's project is - like Europe's - hugely successful. This, he said, was where the UK should concentrate its energies. "If I was an American, I would be opposed to a return to the moon and going to Mars," he said. Differing views "We in Europe should try and get a world lead in space exploration and applications," said the Royal Society president, who also holds the position... (BBC News -- Europe)
Ghosts Of Galaxies Apr 16, 2008
The detection of these immense stellar fossils confirms the predictions of the cold dark matter model of cosmology, which proposes that present-day grand design spiral galaxies were formed from the merging of less massive stellar systems. The first of these debris structures surrounds the galaxy NGC 5907, located 40 million light-years from Earth and formed from the destruction of one of its dwarf satellite galaxies at least four thousand million years ago. (Science Daily)
William L. Kraushaar, 87, cosmic-radiation expert Apr 10, 2008
Although the satellite's transmissions were brief, they were also decisive and helped refute the notion of a "steady state" cosmology, previously proposed by Fred Hoyle, Hermann Bondi and Thomas Gold, in which the universe was deemed constant and infinite, with a continuous creation of new matter. Explorer's measurements of relatively weak gamma rays suggested conditions more favorable to the theory of a Big Bang in accounting for the universe's creation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Is God Particle the right term for massive mystery in physics? Apr 10, 2008
have been greatly supportive of the big bang theory (yes, there are some competing theories in cosmology which can be supported by much of what has been seen too and for all of them scientists are devising new experiments, the failure of which would cause its theory to either be discarded, or the experiment to be heavily studied for flaws). Creationism is a hypothesis: the only evidence given are words written by humans in some ancient texts. (Reuters)
In search of the God particle Apr 8, 2008
Hysteria aside, Professor Higgs seemed pleased that so many people outside the rarefied world of particle physics and cosmology are taking an interest in what will happen at Cern in the coming few years. He for one is certain that something awesome is about to happen, even if his particle is not found although he thinks that is unlikely. (Independent)
Galaxy Cluster Farthest Away Ever Apr 1, 2008
We believe LBG-2377 is a seed that eventually will grow into a massive galaxy cluster, said James Bullock, director of the Center for Cosmology at UCI and a study co-author. Our finding suggests that this is a monster structure being born in a very bright, catastrophic event with a lot of gas and matter collapsing at once, Bullock said. (Science Daily)
The Night Sky: The say I left the planet Mar 29, 2008
But how about the big-ticket issues of cosmology and existence ... For starters, cosmology as a branch of astrophysics tries to isolate the "study of everything" from philosophy, metaphysics and religion ... And this--in a long-winded way--is why, in my opinion, cosmology or strings will never explain the universe. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
The Pagan Rage of Rev. Wright Mar 22, 2008
In Wrights judgmental Manichaean cosmology, all with dark skins are victims of beasts with white skins, whose evil is responsible for every African-American problem and shortcoming. In Wrights un-Christian black-vs-white religion, every black person wears a white hat, and every white person wears a black one. (Newsmax)
Daniel Dooley: A biopic in words (Part II) Mar 18, 2008
That was the worst thing because throughout the seven-year process he thought he was studying cosmology. But nevertheless, Daniel is still credited by the science community for having developed the theory of the hair dryer-shaped universe. (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
Ready, Set, Supernova Mar 17, 2008
A. de Ugarte Postigo/ESO et al., Dark Cosmology Centre/Univ. of Copenhagen, Instituto de Astrof. (Science News for Kids)
Polish Professor Is Awarded $1.6 Million Templeton Prize Mar 16, 2008
Heller has become a compelling figure in the realms of physics and cosmology, theology, and philosophy Hellers extensive writings have evoked new and important consideration of some of humankinds most profound concepts ... by combining elements from multiple scientific fields (mathematics, philosophy, cosmology and theology), allowing all of them to be a part of the solution, rather than contradict each other. (eFluxMedia)
A New Day in Precision Cosmology Mar 16, 2008
NASA / WMAP Science Team Ask what's the greatest scientific triumph of our lifetime, and somewhere near the top of the list would be the establishment of "precision cosmology." In just the last decade or so, astronomers working in a remarkable specialty have determined with high accuracy such things as the date of the Big Bang, the amount and makeup of all the matter and energy in the universe, the large-scale shape of space, and how cosmic structure (galaxy clusters, galaxies, stars) grew and... (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Western Australia Govt pumps A$20m into star trek Mar 1, 2008
According to the official website s press materials, The SKA science reach will be extraordinary, allowing new discoveries in astroparticle physics and cosmology, fundamental physics, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and solar system science. An issue of from 2006 said the SKA will cost A$1 billion to build (although the WA Govt s statement says A$2b) and is expected to be operational by 2020. (iTWire)
The End of Cosmology [Video] Feb 29, 2008
The End of Cosmology [Video. An accelerating universe wipes out traces of its own origins. (Scientific American)
Eco-Faith and Sustainability Feb 29, 2008
In a 2001 Harvard Divinity School Publication (Indigenous Traditions and Ecology: the Interbeing of Cosmology and Community), Lawrence E. Sullivan wrote that religion can bring about spiritual modulations that unveil attractive new images of well-being and prosperity, respecting the limits of life in a sustainable world while revering life at its sources. The theme of revering life echoes American theologian Thomas Berry, who wrote in 1991 of the importance of joy and poetry in our relationship... (Suite101.com)
37 comments Feb 29, 2008
Monnie, Dallas, TXFeb 27, 2008 @ 06:33 PMTo Rich in Chicago: The study of cosmology is by its very nature not subject to the establishment of experimental data ... "The study of cosmology is by its very nature not subject to the establishment of experimental data." I'm not sure I agree. (Human Events Online)
Crystal Bells Stay Silent As Physicists Look For Dark Matter Feb 28, 2008
The nature of dark matter is one of the mysteries in particle physics and cosmology, said Dr. Dennis Kovar, Acting Associate Director for High Energy Physics in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. Congratulations to the CDMS collaboration for improved sensitivity and a new limit in the search for dark matter. (Science Daily)
MIT to Develop Telescope for Moon Feb 26, 2008
"The telescope will look at radiation from very, very early in the history of the universe. We want to see how the gases (formed) into galaxies," said professor Jeffrey Hoffman, a member of the Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology project. Hoffman said they want to install it on the far side of the moon so the array is shielded from Earth-based radio waves that would interfere with the telescope's sensitive antennae. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
New Telescopes Planned For Moon Feb 25, 2008
The Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology (LARC) project is headed by Jacqueline Hewitt, a professor of physics and director of MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Science. LARC includes nine other MIT scientists as well as several from other institutions. (Science Daily)
> read more Feb 23, 2008
The astronomers hoped their discovery would finally settle the nature of these exploding white-dwarf stars, which have become a critical tool for cosmology in the last ten years. But, as happens so often, a definitive answer isn't coming easily. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Jekyll-Hyde neutron star discovered by researchers Feb 22, 2008
Magnetars are actually very exotic objects, said Dr. Kaspi, McGills Lorne Trottier Chair in Astrophysics and Cosmology and Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics. Their existence has only been established in the last 10 years, and we know of only a handful in the whole galaxy. (EurekAlert!)
$1.5 M Grant awarded to physics program Feb 19, 2008
Saulson, who is currently teaching an intermediate astronomy course for physics majors at SU, will use his endowment as part of SU physic's department initiative on multi-messenger cosmology. Multi-messenger cosmology combines many different areas of cosmological research in order to better understand the universe. (Daily Orange, NY)
Two New Exoplanets Discovered Feb 15, 2008
Then David Bennett, a research associate professor of astrophysics and cosmology at the University of Notre Dame, refined Gaudi's preliminary model using sophisticated software, and revealed additional details about the system. This is the third time a Jupiter-mass planet was found by microlensing, Gaudi explained. (Science Daily)
Two new planets found in distant system Feb 15, 2008
David Bennett, a research associate professor of astrophysics and cosmology at the University of Notre Dame, refined the preliminary model revealing additional details about the system. The researchers said the newly discovered planets appear to be gaseous, like Jupiter and Saturn, but only about 80% as big. (USA Today -- Tech)
Strange fluids may shed light on the universe Feb 14, 2008
At last months Cosmology Meets Condensed Matter conference in London, it emerged that space-time could be simulated in the lab using weird substances known as superfluids, which flow without resistance and can even climb up the walls of jars. Intriguingly, the equations governing the particles inside superfluids are similar to those that represent the early universe, says Ray Rivers at Imperial College London. (EurekAlert!)
New cosmic theory unites dark forces Feb 12, 2008
Two biggest mysteries in cosmology may be one ... The two biggest mysteries in cosmology may be one. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Probing The Cosmic Web Of The Universe: New Light On Dark Energy Jan 31, 2008
"Explaining why the expansion of the Universe is currently accelerating is certainly the most fascinating question in modern cosmology," says Luigi Guzzo, lead author of a paper in this week's issue of Nature, in which the new results are presented ... This cosmology science machine is installed at the 8 ... 16, 2007) Researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Dark Cosmology Centre at the Niels Bohr Institute have brought us one step closer to understanding what the universe is made of. (Science Daily)
A Universe Tied Up With Cosmic String? Jan 21, 2008
The four-person team are members of COSMOS, the UK's world-leading cosmology supercomputing consortium fronted by Stephen Hawking. Using a Silicon Graphics supercomputer they made predictions of how the strings would affect the Cosmic Microwave Background, relic radio waves from the Big Bang which fill the universe. (Science Daily)
American, Russians share science prize Jan 18, 2008
For his decisive contributions to high-energy astrophysics and cosmology, in particular processes and dynamics around black holes and neutron stars and demonstration of the diagnostic power of structures in the background radiation, the prize citation read. A prize-awarding ceremony will take place at the academy in Stockholm on April 23, in the presence of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. (Globe and Mail)
Unlocking Galactic Mysteries, Star Formation, Dark Matter Jan 17, 2008
"The non-circular motions revealed by the THINGS observations, turn out to be too small to solve a long-standing problem in cosmology, namely the inability of state-of-the-art computer simulations to describe the distribution of dark matter in disk galaxies. It was thought that random motions could explain that inability, but our data show otherwise," de Blok explained. The THINGS images revealed what Elias Brinks of the University of Hertfordshire, UK, called a "stunning complexity of... (Science Daily)
Big brain theory: Have cosmologists lost theirs? Jan 17, 2008
It could be the weirdest and most embarrassing prediction in the history of cosmology, if not science ... This bizarre picture is the outcome of a recent series of calculations that take some of the bedrock theories and discoveries of modern cosmology to the limit ... "When you break an egg and scramble it you are doing cosmology," said Sean Carroll, a cosmologist at the California Institute of Technology. (International Herald Tribune)
The Sky's The Limit For The Custer Institute Jan 17, 2008
Also on January 26, a lecture on cosmology will be given by astrophysicist Dr. Ken Lanzetta, a professor at Stony Brook University. The lecture, to be held at 5 p.m., will tackle introduction-level discussions of the Big Bang Theory, relativity, matter, the expanding universe and string theory. (Suffolk Life Newspapers, NY)
Astronomers Find Rare Double Einstein Ring Jan 15, 2008
For details of what I mean, see the article "Modern Cosmology: Science or Folktale?" by Michael J. Disney in the American Scientist, 09/10 2007. Violation: lect> Additional Comments. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Your views: Evolutionary ladder Jan 12, 2008
"It consists of a series of interviews with respected scientists in such disciplines as cosmology, biology, astrophysics, archeology and biochemistry who have come to the conclusion that evolutionary theory has too many holes to be supported by the latest findings in science.I dare anyone who is inclined to Darwinism to read this book.Food for thought: How was matter created out of nothing? To evolve and develop, evolving matter had to start with something. Where did it come from?Don't tell me... (Florida Today)
Physicists Uncover New Solution For Cosmic Collisions Jan 12, 2008
1, 1999) By taking a closer look at two of the lightest elements in the universe, a University of Illinois scientist is helping to solve a mystery that lies at the intersection of cosmology, cosmic rays and. . (Science Daily)
Review: Copernicus' Secret Jan 12, 2008
" And he gives a clear account of the political and administrative structures of the cathedral chapter where Copernicus was a senior figure. He describes how the Teutonic knights originally moved into this Prussian area after the Crusades and how at the time of Copernicus their territory almost completely surrounded the Warmian diocese, which owed its loyalty to the Jagiellonian kings in Krakow. Copernicus owed his position to his uncle Lucas Watzenrode, a member of a patrician merchant family... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
How To Measure Mysterious Dark Energy Jan 11, 2008
Results of the simulations, carried out by Durham University's world-leading Institute for Computational Cosmology (ICC), tell researchers how to measure dark energy -- a repulsive force that counteracts gravity ... The simulations, which took 11 days to run on Durham's unique Cosmology Machine (COSMA) computer, looked at tiny ripples in the distribution of matter in the Universe made by sound waves a few hundred thousand years after the Big Bang. (Science Daily)
* Parallel universes may be more than sci-fi daydreams Dec 31, 2007
"Your alter ego is simply a prediction of the so-called concordance model of cosmology," he said. Another type of multiverse arises with the theory of chaotic inflation, which tells us that parallel worlds are expanding so rapidly that they remain out of reach even if one could travel at the speed of light forever. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Mysterious Cosmic Powerhouses Explored Dec 25, 2007
1, 1999) By taking a closer look at two of the lightest elements in the universe, a University of Illinois scientist is helping to solve a mystery that lies at the intersection of cosmology, cosmic rays and. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Cal's cosmic thinkers to get a place to hang out Dec 6, 2007
"Physical space is surprisingly important. It's amazing in this over-connected world of cell phones and e-mail," said Saul Perlmutter, a UC Berkeley professor of physics who gave the center $600,000 of his 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize ... The cosmology center will create a "culture of growing young scientists," he said ... "You are standing among giants in the fields of astrophysics and cosmology," Richards told those who turned out for the opening. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Cosmology Theatre Dec 4, 2007
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section. The Linda Hall library was originally the home of Herbert and Linda Hall, who left their estate for the public use as a library. (University News, MO)
Galaxies Are Born Of Violence Between Dark Matter and Interstellar Gas Dec 1, 2007
The findings, published in Science, solve a longstanding problem of the widely accepted model -- Cold Dark Matter cosmology -- which suggests there is much more dark matter in the central regions of galaxies than actual scientific observations suggest. "This standard model has been hugely successful on the largest of scales--those above a few million light-years--but suffers from several persistent difficulties in predicting the internal properties of galaxies," says Sergey Mashchenko, research... (Science Daily)
Scientists solve cosmological puzzle Nov 30, 2007
The findings, published today in Science, solve a longstanding problem of the widely accepted model Cold Dark Matter cosmology which suggests there is much more dark matter in the central regions of galaxies than actual scientific observations suggest. This standard model has been hugely successful on the largest of scalesthose above a few million light-yearsbut suffers from several persistent difficulties in predicting the internal properties of galaxies, says Sergey Mashchenko, research... (EurekAlert!)
Dark energy -- 10 years on Nov 30, 2007
The December issue also includes reporting from Robert P Crease, historian at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, US, on the difficulty of deciding who should gain credit for the discovery of the accelerating universe and comment from Lawrence M Krauss, director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics at Case Western Reserve University, US, on the possibility that we may never be able to tell if dark energy is a cosmological constant or something more exotic still.... (EurekAlert!)
Einstein's Biggest Blunder? Dark Energy May Be Consistent With Cosmological Constant Nov 29, 2007
16, 2007) Researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Dark Cosmology Centre at the Niels Bohr Institute have brought us one step closer to understanding what the universe is made of. The new data shows that. (Science Daily)
Cosmic-ray source still in doubt Nov 20, 2007
The origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is one of the great mysteries of cosmology. Last week a team reported that they thought they had tracked down the source. (Nature News Service)
Astronomers scan skies for gravitational waves using new tech Nov 20, 2007
In fact, Prof Brady and his team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Centre for Gravitation and Cosmology are using the facilities at LIGO to trace the gravitational waves -- a feat that would change what we know about the cosmos. The waves, produced when massive objects in space move violently, carry the imprint of the events that cause them. (Hindu)
Newswatch, Police/Fire Nov 13, 2007
He also will give a specialized talk at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Institute for Astronomy on "Galaxy Formation: Successes and Challenges for the Standard Cosmology.". Peebles and Princeton colleague Robert Dicke predicted a faint glow of radio emission would result from the universe's birth, or big bang. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Thais buy pink shirts in king's honour Nov 12, 2007
"If many people wear pink, I am afraid that will strengthen Mars' influence." The planet in Thai astrology, which is derived from the Hindu cosmology, is associated with conflict and violence and it is believed that if lots of people wear pink it would strengthen its characteristics. Loading. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
* Thais don pink to help king regain health Nov 10, 2007
COSMOLOGY: Astrologers have said that Mars would help strengthen the ailing monarch. Thais believe that pink represents Mars AGENCIES, BANGKOK Saturday, Nov 10, 2007, Page 5. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Big Chunk Of The Universe Is Missing -- Again... Nov 6, 2007
(May 17, 2000) Draping the earth and entire universe in a thin, ever-present veil, their origin remains one of the greatest puzzles of cosmology. However, the mystique of gamma rays -- particles of light comprising. (The Drudge Report)
Bursting dark energy's bubble Nov 3, 2007
It has been called one of the greatest discoveries in modern cosmology, and most astronomers believe that it makes up more than two-thirds of the stuff in the Universe ... "We should do the easiest things first that inform the cosmology the most," Riess agrees. (Nature News Service)
Cold Evidence for a Cosmic "Texture"? Oct 31, 2007
Cosmology detectives have largely built their current view of the early universe's structure, content, and evolution on these temperature maps, especially the all-sky map produced by NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). That seems fair enough, since the WMAP results nicely fit other observational evidence from satellites, balloon-borne experiments, and detectors on the ground and many known properties of the universe we live in today. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
