Tag Archives: confirm

Quantum Computers Confirm the Reality of Wave Functions

Posted on by
Reply
SEI 270583733

The wave function of a quantum object might extend beyond mere mathematical representation

Povitov/Getty Images

Does quantum mechanics accurately depict reality, or is it merely our flawed method of interpreting the peculiar characteristics of minuscule entities? A notable experiment aimed at addressing this inquiry has been conducted using quantum computers, yielding unexpectedly solid results. Quantum mechanics genuinely represents reality, at least in the context of small quantum systems. These findings could lead to the development of more efficient and dependable quantum devices.

Since the discovery of quantum mechanics over a hundred years ago, its uncertain and probabilistic traits have confounded scientists. For instance, take superposition. Are particles truly existing in multiple locations simultaneously, or do the calculations of their positions merely provide varying probabilities of their actual whereabouts? If it’s the latter, then there are hidden aspects of reality within quantum mechanics that may be restricting our certainty. These elusive aspects are termed “hidden variables,” and theories based on this premise are classified as hidden variable theories.

In the 1960s, physicist John Bell devised an experiment intended to disprove such theories. The Bell test explores quantum mechanics by evaluating the connections, or entanglement, between distant quantum particles. If these particles exhibit quantum qualities surpassing a certain threshold, indicating that their entanglement is nonlocal and spans any distance, hidden variable theories can be dismissed. The Bell test has since been performed on various quantum systems, consistently affirming the intrinsic nonlocality of the quantum realm.

In 2012, physicists Matthew Pusey, Jonathan Barrett, and Terry Rudolph developed a more comprehensive test (dubbed PBR in their honor) that enables researchers to differentiate between various interpretations of quantum systems. Among these are the ontic perspective, asserting that measurements of a quantum system and its wavefunction (a mathematical representation of a quantum state) correspond to reality. Conversely, the epistemological view suggests that this wavefunction is an illusion, concealing a richer reality beneath.

If we operate under the assumption that quantum systems possess no ulterior hidden features that impact the system beyond the wave function, the mathematics of PBR indicates we ought to comprehend phenomena ontically. This implies that quantum behavior is genuine, no matter how peculiar it appears. PBR tests function by comparing different quantum elements, such as qubits in a quantum computer, assessing how frequently they register consistent values for specific properties, like spin. If the epistemological perspective is accurate, the qubits will report identical values more often than quantum mechanics would suggest, implying that additional factors are at play.

Yang Songqinghao and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge have created a method to perform PBR tests on a functioning IBM Heron quantum computer. The findings reveal that if the number of qubits is minimal, it’s possible to assert that a quantum system is ontic. In essence, quantum mechanics appears to operate as anticipated, as consistently demonstrated by the Bell test.

Yang and his team executed this validation by evaluating the overall output from a pair or group of five qubits, such as a sequence of 1s and 0s, and determined the frequency at which this outcome aligned with predictions regarding the behavior of the quantum system, factoring in inherent errors.

“Currently, all quantum hardware is noisy and every operation introduces errors, so if we add this noise to the PBR threshold, what is the interpretation? [of our system]? ” remarks Yang. “We discovered that if we conduct the experiment on a small scale, we can fulfill the original PBR test and eliminate the epistemological interpretation.” The existence of hidden variables vanishes.

While they successfully demonstrated this for a limited number of qubits, they encountered difficulties replicating the same results for a larger set of qubits on a 156-qubit IBM machine. The error or noise present in the system becomes excessive, preventing researchers from distinguishing between the two scenarios in a PBR test.

This implies that the test cannot definitively determine whether the world is entirely quantum. At certain scales, the ontic view may dominate, yet at larger scales, the precise actions of quantum effects remain obscured.

Utilizing this test to validate the “quantum nature” of quantum computers could provide assurance that these machines not only function as intended but also enhance their potential for achieving quantum advantage: the capability to carry out tasks that would be impractically time-consuming for classical computers. “To obtain a quantum advantage, you must have quantum characteristics within your quantum computer. If not, you can discover a corresponding classical algorithm,” asserts team member Haom Yuan from Cambridge University.

“The concept of employing PBR as a benchmark for device efficacy is captivating,” he notes. Matthew Pusey PhD from York University, UK, one of the original PBR authors. However, Pusey remains uncertain about its implications for reality. “The primary purpose of conducting experiments rather than relying solely on theory is to ascertain whether quantum theory can be erroneous. Yet, if quantum theory is indeed flawed, what questions does that raise? The entire framework of ontic and epistemic states presupposes quantum theory.”

Understanding Reality To successfully conduct a PBR test, it’s essential to devise a method of performing the test without presuming that quantum theory is accurate. “A minority of individuals contend that quantum physics fundamentally fails at mesoscopic scales,” states Terry Rudolph, one of the PBR test’s founders from Imperial College London. “This experiment might not pertain to dismissing certain proposals, but let me be straightforward: I am uncertain! – Investigating fundamental aspects of quantum theory in progressively larger systems will always contribute to refining the search for alternative theories.”

reference: arXiv, Doi: arxiv.org/abs/2510.11213

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Gravitational Waves Confirm Stephen Hawking’s Black Hole Theory

Posted on by
Reply

Sure! Here’s the rewritten content while keeping the HTML tags intact:

SEI 265464289

Illustration of two black holes merging and emitting gravitational waves throughout the universe

Maggie Chiang from the Simons Foundation

Stephen Hawking’s theorem, established over 50 years ago, has aided astronomers in detecting waves produced by extraordinarily powerful collisions as they traverse Earth at light speed, shedding light on the merging of black holes thanks to significant advancements in gravitational wave astronomy.

In 1971, Hawking introduced the Black Hole Area theorem, which posits that when two black holes combine, the resultant event horizon cannot be smaller than the combined size of the original black holes. This theorem aligns with the second law of thermodynamics, which asserts that the entropy of a system cannot decrease.

The merging of black holes warps the structure of the universe, generating tiny ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves that move through the cosmos at the speed of light. Five gravitational wave observatories on Earth search for waves that are 10,000 times smaller than an atom. These include two detectors in the US—LIGO, a laser interferometer, alongside Italy’s Virgo, Japan’s Kagura, and Germany’s GEO600.

The recent event, named GW250114, mirrors the event that first detected gravitational waves in 2015.

Now, the upgraded LIGO detector is three times more sensitive than it was in 2015, enabling the capture of waves from collisions with remarkable detail. This has allowed scientists to confirm Hawking’s theorem, proving that the size of the event horizon actually increases following a merger.

When black holes collide, they generate gravitational waves with overtones akin to the sound of a ringing bell, as noted by Laura Nuttall, a member of the LVK team at the University of Portsmouth, UK. Previously, these overtones were too rapid to be detected clearly enough to assess the area of the event horizon before and after a merger, a crucial requirement to test Hawking’s theory. The initial 2021 study supporting the theory confirmed it at a 95% confidence level, but the latest findings suggest an impressive 99.999% confidence.

Over the past ten years, scientists have witnessed approximately 300 black hole collisions while observing gravitational waves. However, none have been as strong as GW250114, which was twice as powerful as any previously detected gravitational wave.

“What we are discovering in our data has tremendous implications for understanding basic physics,” remarked a researcher. “We’re eager for nature to provide us with further astonishing revelations.”

Only LIGO was operational when GW250114’s waves reached Earth; other detectors in the LVK collaboration were not active. This did not affect the validation of Hawking’s theory but limited researchers’ ability to pinpoint the waves’ origins more precisely.

Future upgrades to LIGO and upcoming observatories are anticipated to enhance sensitivity, offering deeper insights into black hole physics, according to Ian Harry, also from the University of Portsmouth and part of the LVK team. “We may miss some events, but we will certainly capture similar phenomena again,” Harry expressed. “Perhaps with our next set of upgrades in 2028, we might witness something of this magnitude and gain deeper insights.”

These findings pave the way for future research into quantum gravity, a field where physicists aim to reconcile general relativity with quantum mechanics. Nuttall stated that the latest results indicate that both theories remain compatible, although inconsistencies are expected in future observations.

“At some point, discrepancies are likely to emerge, especially when close signals appear noisy as the detector’s sensitivity improves,” Nuttall explained.

Moreover, the recent data from LVK enabled scientists to confirm equations proposed by mathematician Leakir in the 1960s, which suggested that black holes could be described by two key metrics: mass and spin. Essentially, two black holes with identical mass and spin are mathematically indistinguishable. Observations from GW250114 have verified this assertion.

Physical Review Letters
doi: 10.1103/kw5g-d732

The Mystery of the Universe: Cheshire, England

Join a weekend with leading scientific minds. Unravel the mysteries of the universe in an engaging program that features a visit to the iconic Lovell telescope.

topic:

This adjusted version maintains the original structure and HTML formatting while presenting the content in a revised manner.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Confirm Newly Discovered Trans-Neptunian Objects Move in Neptune-like Rhythms

Posted on by
Reply

Identified during a significant survey of a large sloping object (lido) and classified as 2020 VN40, this TransNeptunian entity is the first confirmed object that completes one orbit around the Sun for every ten orbits of Neptune. This discovery, detailed in a paper published in the Journal of Planetary Science, aids researchers in comprehending the behavior of distant objects in the outer solar system and their formation. It lends support to the theory that various remote objects are momentarily “captured” by the gravitational pull of Neptune as they traverse space.

Artist’s impressions of the Transneptunian object. Image credits: NASA/ESA/G. Bacon, stsci.

“This marks a major advancement in our understanding of the outer solar system,” remarked Dr. Rosemary Pike, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“It demonstrates that even the most remote areas influenced by Neptune can harbor objects, offering fresh insights into the evolution of the solar system.”

“This is merely the beginning,” commented Dr. Katherine Bolk, an astronomer at the Institute of Planetary Science.

“We are opening new windows into the history of the solar system.”

The discovery of 2020 VN40 was facilitated by the Lido Survey, which focused on identifying unusual objects in the outer solar system.

This research utilized the Canadian French Hawaii Telescope for primary observations, with supplemental observations conducted by the Gemini Observatory and Magellan Bird.

The study aimed to locate remnants with orbits extending well above and below the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun—an area of the outer solar system that has not been thoroughly examined.

“We’ve witnessed considerable effort and extensive results,” stated Dr. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina and a member of the Lido team.

The average distance of VN40 in 2020 is approximately 139.5 times that of Earth’s distance from the Sun, following a notably tilted trajectory around the solar system.

The object becomes even more intriguing when considering its relationship with Neptune.

Unlike most objects that, based on their orbital duration ratios, are nearest to the Sun when Neptune is distant, the 2020 VN40 reaches its closest point to the Sun when Neptune is relatively nearby, based on its positional perspective above the solar system.

The inclination of the object’s orbit indicates that it is not positioned closely, as the 2020 VN40 is significantly lower than the general level of the solar system.

All other known resonant TransNeptunian objects have orbits that prevent such alignment when approaching the Sun, even from a flat perspective.

“This new discovery is like uncovering hidden rhythms in familiar songs,” expressed Dr. Ruth Murray Clay, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“It has the potential to alter our understanding of the movement of distant objects.”

____

Rosemary E. Pike et al. 2025. Lido: Discovery of a 10:1 resonator with a new, obsolete state. Planet. SCI. J 6, 156; doi:10.3847/psj/addd22

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Confirm Existence of Three Exoplanets Orbiting Nearby Solar-Type Stars.

Posted on by
Reply

G-Dwarf is one of these outside planets, HD 20794D, which is likely to be a rocky planet where the parent’s star can live. HD 20794。

This image shows a resident zone around HD 20794 (green) and three planets in the system. Image credit: Gabrielpérezdíaz / smm / IAC.

“HD 20794 is not a normal star in HD 20794D,” said UNIGE ASTRONOMER XAVIER DUMUSQUE.

“Due to its lightness and proximity, it becomes an ideal candidate for the future telescope, and its mission is to directly observe the atmosphere of the outside planet.”

The HD 20794 is a bright G6V star in 6.04 % (19.7 light year) on the constellation of Ellidanus.

Stars, also known as LHS 19 or ERI, host at least three large -scale outside planets: HD 20794B, C, and D.

They have a track period of 18.3, 89.7, and 647.6 days, along with 2.2, 3, and 5.8 global quality.

“The interest of Super Earth Planet The HD 20794D is located in a zone where the stars can live and the place where liquid water can exist.

“Instead of tracing a relatively circular orbit like the Earth or Mars, the HD 20794D trains an elliptical trajectory with a large change in the distance to the star during the revolution.”

“Therefore, the planet vibrates between the inner ends of the star -free zone (0.75 au) and the track (2 au).”

“If there is water in the HD 20794D, it will promote the appearance of life from ice state to liquid state during the Earth revolution around the stars.”

Astronomer monitored the HD 20794 system with the ESO’s very large telescope (VLT) in the paranal of Chile, the Echelle branch device of the rocky planet and the stable spectrum observation (espresso) device.

They participated in espresso data along with the data of the high -precision radial speed planetary searcher (HARPS) device installed in the 3.6 -meter telescope of Chile, including archive data and new measurements from recent archives and new measurements.

“The HD 20794 system is a high -priority target for future air characteristics evaluation with direct imaging facilities,” said researchers.

Their paper Published in the journal Astronomy and astronomical physics。

______

N. Nari et al。 2025. Review of nearby star HD 20794 multi -planet system A & A 693, A297; DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451769

Source: www.sci.news

DESI’s Latest Observations Confirm General Relativity’s Predictions

Posted on by
Reply

astronomer using dark energy spectrometer The most advanced instrument (DESI) aboard NSF's Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory maps how nearly 6 million galaxies cluster together over 11 billion years of the universe's history I did. Their results provide one of the most rigorous tests of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity to date.

This artist's impression shows the evolution of the universe, starting with the Big Bang on the left and continuing with the emergence of the Cosmic Microwave Background. The formation of the first stars ends the Dark Ages of the universe, followed by the formation of galaxies. Image credit: M. Weiss / Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“General relativity has been very well tested at the scale of the solar system, but we also needed to test whether our assumptions work on even larger scales,” said the CNRS and Institute for Nuclear and High Energy Research. said cosmologist Dr. Pauline Zarouk. Physics.

“Studying the rate of galaxy formation allows us to directly test our theory, and so far it is consistent with what general relativity predicts on cosmological scales.”

In a new study, Dr. Zarouk and his colleagues found that gravity behaves as predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

This result validates our main model of the universe and limits the possibility of a modified theory of gravity. Modified gravity theories have been proposed as an alternative way to explain unexpected observations, such as the accelerated expansion of the universe, which is usually attributed to dark energy.

This complex analysis uses around 6 million galaxies and quasars, allowing researchers to look up to 11 billion years into the past.

Today's results provide an expanded analysis of DESI's first year of data. DESI created the largest 3D map of the universe to date in April, revealing hints that dark energy may be evolving over time.

April's results examine a particular feature of how galaxies cluster together, known as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs).

The new analysis expands the scope by measuring how galaxies and matter are distributed across the universe at different scales.

The study also improved constraints on the mass of neutrinos, the only fundamental particle whose mass has not yet been precisely measured.

Neutrinos slightly affect the clustering pattern of galaxies, which can be measured by the quality of the DESI data.

The DESI constraints are the most stringent to date and complement those from laboratory measurements.

The study required months of additional work and cross-checking. As with the previous study, they used a method that kept the results of the study hidden from the scientists until the end, reducing unconscious bias.

“This research is one of the important projects of the DESI experiment to learn not only fundamental aspects of particles, but also fundamental aspects of the large-scale universe, such as the distribution of matter and the behavior of dark energy.” he said. Dr. Stephanie Juneau is an astronomer in NSF's NOIRLab and a member of the DESI Collaboration.

“By comparing the evolution of the distribution of matter in the universe with existing predictions, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity and competing theories, we are further narrowing down the possibilities for the gravitational model.”

“Dark matter makes up about a quarter of the universe, and dark energy makes up another 70%, but we don't actually know what either is,” says Dr. Mark Maus. student at Berkeley Lab and the University of California, Berkeley.

“The idea that we can take pictures of the universe and address these big fundamental questions is amazing.”

The DESI Collaboration today shared its results below. some papers in arXiv.org.

Source: www.sci.news

After days of observation, scientists confirm a 650-foot-high tsunami formed in Greenland.

Posted on by
Reply

summary

  • Seismologists detected unusual vibrations and determined that a 650-foot-high tsunami had occurred in Greenland.
  • The tsunami was caused by melting glacial ice that triggered landslides and washed away water in Greenland's fjords.
  • The waves it created continued to travel back and forth across the fjord for nine days.

Last September, seismologists around the world detected vibrations never before observed.

The monotony seemed to come from Greenland and continued for nine days.

“We saw some very strange signals at some stations in the north that we'd never seen before,” said Karl Ebeling, a seismologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.

Shortly after the vibrations began, a cruise ship sailing near a Greenland fjord noticed that a key landmark on the remote island of Ella, a scientific research and Danish military dog ​​sled patrol base, had been destroyed.

The event drew an international group of seismologists, the Danish military and oceanographers into the mystery: what struck the island, and where did it come from?

On Thursday, the researchers They published their findings in the journal Science.The island was hit by one of the largest tsunamis on record, leaving a scar about 650 feet high.

It was the result of a rare series of cascading events caused by climate change.

The researchers traced the initial trigger to the collapse of a glacier tongue that had been thinned by rising temperatures. This destabilized the steep mountainside, sending an avalanche of rock and ice into Greenland's deep Dikson Fjord. Massive amounts of water were displaced, causing towering waves to move across the narrow fjord, about a mile and a half wide.

The tsunami, at least as high as the Statue of Liberty, surged up the steep rock faces along the fjord and, because the landslide struck the waterway at a nearly 90-degree angle, sent waves circling the channel for nine days — a phenomenon scientists call a seiche.

“No one has ever seen anything like this,” said Christian Svennevig, lead author of the study and a geologist and senior research scientist at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland.

The findings are the result of a complex year-long investigation. The team determined that Ella Island, about 45 miles from the landslide site, was hit by a tsunami at least 13 feet high.

Tourists visit the island from time to time.

“The cruise ship had been docked off the coast just a few days before,” Svennevig said. “We were really lucky that no one was there when it happened.”

The seiche was the longest scientists had ever observed: Until now, tsunamis generated by landslides have typically produced waves that dissipate within a few hours.

“This is really a cascade of events that has never been observed before,” said Alice Gabriel, co-author of the study. “The Earth is a very dynamic system, and we're currently at a stage where this very delicate balance is being disrupted pretty dramatically by climate change.”

Tsunamis triggered by landslides occur more frequently than many people realize and are a danger to people living and working in some Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

In 2017, a landslide triggered a tsunami that killed four people and destroyed 11 homes. Attacked the village of Ngaatsiaq in West GreenlandThe tsunami was estimated to be at least 300 feet high. Two villages were abandoned in the aftermath of the tsunami due to fears of further landslides, and Svennevig said hundreds of people remain evacuated.

Bretwood “Higg” Higman, an Alaska geologist who studies landslide tsunamis but was not involved in the new study, said evidence suggests landslide tsunamis are a growing problem, but more research is needed.

“I'm pretty confident that these events are becoming more and more frequent,” he said. “Exactly how frequent these events are and can we predict the future? We're not there yet.”

Higman said he thought the Greenland study's researchers were “spot on” and that the research was an important example of how dangerous landslide-induced tsunamis could be.

The Arctic and sub-Arctic regions are warming two to three times faster than the rest of the Earth. As the ice melts, the exposed, dark surface absorbs more sunlight. Warming is triggering three dynamics that could make landslides more frequent in glacial regions, Higman said.

First, rising temperatures are eroding the permafrost within rock formations, weakening slopes and making them more susceptible to collapse. Second, warming is thinning the glaciers that support the rock slopes. Without the ice, sudden collapses could occur. Third, climate change is increasing the likelihood of heavy rains, which are the biggest risk factor for landslides because saturated rocks and soils become more slippery.

Higman has compiled a list of Alaska's slopes that are at risk for landslides that could trigger tsunamis. He said there are dozens of sites of concern that need further study, some of which are near populated areas where a landslide could be catastrophic.

“We're in an awkward position: Scientists know something, but they don't know enough to provide certainty to take action,” Higman said.

Last month, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 56-foot-high landslide tsunami in Alaska's Pedersen Lagoon. Higman visited the site and believes the tsunami was larger than initially predicted.

Globally, risks are growing due to expanding development in some polar regions and increased visitation by miners, shippers and tourists, Svennevig said.

“At the same time as the population increases, the risk of landslides, geological hazards also increases,” he said. “It's an unfortunate combination.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Archaeologists confirm Stonehenge altar stones originated from Scotland

Posted on by
Reply

A new study led by archaeologists from Curtin University suggests that Stonehenge’s iconic circle of stones – the Altar Stone, a six-tonne sandstone megalith – was discovered at least 750 kilometres from its current location.

Stonehenge. Image by Regina Wolfs.

Stonehenge, a Neolithic standing stone monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, provides invaluable information about prehistoric Britain.

Construction of Stonehenge began around 3000 BC and was modified over the next 2000 years.

The megaliths at Stonehenge are divided into two main categories: sarsens and bluestones.

The larger sarsens consist mainly of duriclast silicrite, taken from Marlborough’s West Woods, about 25km north of Stonehenge.

Bluestone is a general term for a variety of locally uncommon rocks, including volcanic tuff, rhyolite, dolerite, and sandstone.

Stonehenge’s central megalith, the Altar Stone, is the largest of the bluestones, measuring 4.9 x 1 x 0.5 metres, lying stone, weighing 6 tonnes, and is composed of a pale green mica sandstone with a distinctive mineral composition.

In the new study, Curtin University PhD student Anthony Clark and his colleagues studied the age and chemical composition of mineral grains within the altar stone fragments.

“Analysis of the age and chemical composition of the minerals in the altar stone fragments showed that they matched rocks from north-east Scotland, but were clearly different to the bedrock in Wales,” Mr Clarke said.

“We found that certain mineral grains in the altar stones are mostly between 1 and 2 billion years old, while other minerals date back to around 450 million years ago.”

“This provides a clear chemical fingerprint suggesting that the stone came from rocks in Scotland’s Auckland Basin, at least 750km from Stonehenge.”

“Given the constraints of Neolithic technology and its Scottish origin, this discovery raises intriguing questions about how such large stones could have been transported long distances around 2600 BC.”

Stonehenge layout and view of the Altar Stone. Image courtesy of Clark. others., doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07652-1.

“This discovery has important implications for our understanding of ancient communities, their connections and transportation,” Professor Chris Kirkland, from Curtin University, said.

“Our discovery of the altar stone’s origins highlights the importance of social co-operation in the Neolithic period and helps to paint a fascinating picture of prehistoric Britain.”

“Transporting such a large amount of cargo over land from Scotland to southern England would have been extremely difficult, so it is more likely that it was transported by sea along the English coast.”

“This suggests the existence of longer-distance trade networks and more advanced social organisation than is widely understood to have existed in the Neolithic in Britain.”

“We have succeeded in determining the age and chemical signature of perhaps one of the most famous stones from any world-famous ancient site,” said Professor Richard Bevins, from Aberystwyth University.

“We can now say that this iconic rock is Scottish rather than Welsh, but further research is needed to establish exactly where in the north-east of Scotland the Altar Stone came from.”

“The discovery is truly shocking, but if plate tectonics and atomic physics are correct, the altar stone is Scottish,” said Dr Robert Iksar, from University College London.

“This work raises two important questions: why and how was the altar stone transported from the far north of Scotland, over 70 kilometres away, to Stonehenge?”

of Survey results Published in the journal Nature.

_____

AJI Clark others2024. The altar stone of Stonehenge originates from Scotland. Nature 632, 570-575;doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07652-1

Source: www.sci.news

New JWST images confirm accuracy of theories on young star formation

Posted on by
Reply

Serpens Nebula: A row of jets appears as red streaks in the upper left corner

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (NASA-JPL), Joel Green (STScI)

Astronomers have captured a star alignment: New images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) show jets emanating from a young star lining up in a straight line, finally proving a phenomenon that has long been suspected but never before been observed.

As a giant gas cloud collapses and begins to form stars, its rotation accelerates — similar to how an ice skater pulls their arms in closer to their body to spin faster. This rotation causes a disk of dust and gas to form around the young star at the cloud's center, feeding the cloud itself.

Strong magnetic fields in the disk send jets of material along the star's rotation axis, which can be used to measure the young star's rotation direction. The JWST image of the Serpens Nebula, about 1,400 light-years away, shows 12 baby stellar clumps. All the jets are pointing in roughly the same direction..

“Astronomers have long assumed that when clouds collapse and stars form, the stars tend to rotate in the same direction,” he said. Klaus Pontoppidan At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California statement“But we've never seen it so directly before.”

The new observations suggest that these stars all inherit their rotation from the same long string of gas. Over time, this rotation may change as the stars interact with each other and other space objects. This is evident from the fact that another group of younger, possibly older, stars in the same image of the Ophiuchus Nebula do not have aligned jets.

topic:

  • Performer/
  • James Webb Space Telescope

Source: www.newscientist.com

Marine scientists confirm that killer whales only take one breath during a dive

Posted on by
Reply

To collect information on the animals’ behaviors, Professor Andrew Treitz and his team at the University of British Columbia utilized drone footage and biological data from tags attached to 11 northern and southern resident killer whales in Queen Charlotte Sound, Queen Charlotte Strait, Johnston Strait, and Strait of Juan de Fuca along the British Columbia coast.

Still image from UAV drone video showing data logger placement and breathing. Image credit: McRae et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302758.

“Orcas are like sprinters; they lack the endurance for deep and prolonged dives like blue or humpback whales,” Professor Treitz noted.

Research revealed that killer whales predominantly spend their time off the coast of British Columbia, engaging in shallow dives lasting less than a minute.

An adult male recorded the longest dive time of 8.5 minutes.

By determining that the whales took only one breath during the dive, researchers could calculate their oxygen consumption rates per minute for adults and juveniles.

This information contributes to estimating the energy expenditure of killer whales and their daily fish consumption needs.

University of British Columbia student Tess McRae stated, “This will aid in understanding if killer whales, especially the endangered southern population, are obtaining sufficient food. It’s a critical aspect.”

The orcas in the study took 1.2 to 1.3 breaths per minute at rest, increasing to 1.5 to 1.8 breaths per minute while moving or hunting.

For comparison, humans typically take around 15 breaths per minute at rest and 40 to 60 breaths per minute during physical activity.

“It’s akin to holding your breath, rushing to the grocery store, shopping, and returning before being able to breathe again,” explained Dr. Beth Volpoff, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia.

Published findings in the online journal PLoS ONE.

_____

TM McRae et al. 2024. Killer whale breathing rate. PLoS ONE 19 (5): e0302758; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302758

Source: www.sci.news