Physics and Astronomy News Archive: December 2003

Image: NASA Releases Dazzling Images From New Space Telescope

NASA Releases Dazzling Images From New Space Telescope

Source: NASA/JPL   Posted: 12/25/03

A new window to the universe has opened with Dec 18th release of the first dazzling images from NASA's newly named Spitzer Space Telescope, formerly known as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility.
Image: Radioactive potassium may be major heat source in Earth's core

Radioactive potassium may be major heat source in Earth's core

Source: UCBerkeley   Posted: 12/13/03

Radioactive potassium, common enough on Earth to make potassium-rich bananas one of the "hottest" foods around, appears also to be a substantial source of heat in the Earth's core, according to recent experiments by University of California, Berkeley, geophysicists.
Image: Extremely cold molecules created

Extremely cold molecules created

Source: Sandia   Posted: 12/11/03

Using a method usually more suitable to billiards than atomic physics, researchers from Sandia National Laboratories and Columbia University have created extremely cold molecules that could be used as the first step in creating Bose-Einstein molecular condensates.
Image: Solar Electrons, Auroras Associated with Recent Geomagnetic Storms

Solar Electrons, Auroras Associated with Recent Geomagnetic Storms

Source: UCSD   Posted: 12/11/03

Using an orbiting camera designed to block the light from the sun and stars, an international team of solar physicists has been able for the first time to directly image clouds of electrons surrounding Earth that travel from the sun during periods of solar flare activity.
Image: Planet-formation model indicates Earthlike planets might be common

Planet-formation model indicates Earthlike planets might be common

Source: UWashington   Posted: 12/11/03

Astrobiologists disagree about whether advanced life is common or rare in our universe. But new research suggests that one thing is pretty certain – if an Earthlike world with significant water is needed for advanced life to evolve, there could be many candidates.
Image: Pulsar find boosts hope for gravity-wave hunters

Pulsar find boosts hope for gravity-wave hunters

Source: CSIRO   Posted: 12/4/03

A discovery made with CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope in eastern Australia may have brought forward the day when astronomers will directly detect cosmic gravity waves for the first time.