Physics and Astronomy News Archive: December 2004

Image: Aging Universe May Still be Spawning Massive Galaxies

Aging Universe May Still be Spawning Massive Galaxies

Source: NASA/JPL   Posted: 12/26/04

NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer has spotted what appear to be massive 'baby' galaxies in our corner of the universe.
Image: New 'hot' fusion experiment begins

New 'hot' fusion experiment begins

Source: MIT   Posted: 12/14/04

MIT and Columbia University students and researchers have begun operation of a novel experiment that confines high-temperature ionized gas, using the strong magnetic fields from a half-ton superconducting ring inside a huge vessel reminiscent of a spaceship.
Image: Mars Rovers Spot Water-Clue Mineral, Frost, Clouds

Mars Rovers Spot Water-Clue Mineral, Frost, Clouds

Source: NASA/JPL   Posted: 12/13/04

Scientists have identified a water-signature mineral called goethite in bedrock that the NASA's Mars rover Spirit examined in the 'Columbia Hills,' one of the mission's surest indicators yet for a wet history on Spirit's side of Mars.
Image: Rensselaer Researchers Experiment With Solar Underwater Robots

Rensselaer Researchers Experiment With Solar Underwater Robots

Source: RPI   Posted: 12/12/04

A collaborative group of researchers are conducting experiments with underwater robots at Rensselaer's Darrin Fresh Water Institute (DFWI) on Lake George, N.Y., as part of the RiverNet project, an NSF-funded initiative.
Image: Scientists Find Atomic Clues to Tougher Ceramics

Scientists Find Atomic Clues to Tougher Ceramics

Source: LBL   Posted: 12/9/04

A collaboration of scientists led by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has uncovered clues at the atomic level that could lead to a new generation of much tougher advanced ceramics.
Image: NIST Demonstrates Data ‘Repair Kit’ for Quantum Computers

NIST Demonstrates Data ‘Repair Kit’ for Quantum Computers

Source: NIST   Posted: 12/6/04

A practical method for automatically correcting data-handling errors in quantum computers has been developed and demonstrated by physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).