Webb Telescope Unveils Most Detailed Dark Matter Map to Date

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Utilizing the ultra-sharp images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have successfully crafted a highly detailed, wide-area mass map of the Universe. This groundbreaking map reveals the intricate interweaving of dark matter and ordinary matter, stretching from the filaments of galaxies to the dense clusters. Developed as part of the COSMOS-Web survey, this new map boasts more than double the resolution of previous efforts and delves deeper into the early universe’s evolution.

This web image shows about 800,000 galaxies, overlaid with a dark matter map in blue. Image credit: NASA / STScI / J. DePasquale / A. Pagan.

Dark matter constitutes roughly 85% of the universe’s total matter, yet it’s challenging to detect since it neither emits nor absorbs light, rendering it invisible to standard telescopes.

However, its gravitational influence alters the trajectory of light from far-off galaxies.

By examining subtle distortions in the shapes of numerous distant galaxies, scientists can ascertain how this unseen mass is distributed, irrespective of its nature.

When compared with known luminous structures, researchers can pinpoint the locations of dark matter.

Previous mass maps generated using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories suffered from limited resolution, sensitivity, and area coverage, restricting their views to only the largest cosmic structures.

Dr. Diana Scognamiglio from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and her team harnessed Webb’s imaging capabilities to analyze the shapes of approximately 250,000 galaxies, reconstructing the most detailed mass map of a contiguous universe region to date.

“This is the most extensive dark matter map produced in conjunction with Webb, boasting clarity unmatched by any prior dark matter maps from other observatories,” stated Dr. Scognamiglio.

“Previously, we only glimpsed blurred images of dark matter.”

“With Webb’s extraordinary resolution, we can now observe the universe’s invisible framework in unprecedented detail.”

This new map uncovers substantial galaxy clusters along with intricate networks of dark filamentary bridges and low-mass galaxies, too faint or too distant to be spotted by conventional telescopes.

These formations align with major cosmological models, suggesting that galaxies emerge at dense points between the dark matter filaments spreading throughout the universe.

Dr. Gavin Leroy, an astronomer at Durham University, remarked: “By illustrating dark matter with unparalleled precision, our map demonstrates how the unseen elements of the universe shaped visible matter, facilitating the creation of galaxies, stars, and ultimately, life itself.”

“This map highlights the crucial role of dark matter, the universe’s true architect, which gradually organizes the structures we observe through our telescopes.”

Professor Richard Massey of Durham University added, “Wherever normal matter exists in the universe today, dark matter is also present.”

“Every second, billions of dark matter particles pass through your body. They are harmless and continue on their paths unnoticed.”

“However, the entire cloud of dark matter surrounding the Milky Way possesses enough gravity to keep our galaxy intact. Without dark matter, the Milky Way would disintegrate.”

For more information, refer to the published results in this week’s edition of Nature Astronomy.

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D. Scognamiglio et al. Ultra-high resolution map of (dark) matter. Nat Astron published online on January 26, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02763-9

Source: www.sci.news

Unveiling the Ultimate Dark Matter Map: Discovering Unprecedented Cosmic Structures

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Dark Matter Distribution: Hubble vs. James Webb

Credit: Dr. Gavin Leroy/Professor Richard Massey/COSMOS-Webb Collaboration

dark matter distribution — Dark Matter Distribution: Hubble vs. James Webb

Credit: Dr. Gavin Leroy/Professor Richard Massey/COSMOS-Webb Collaboration

In a groundbreaking study, scientists leveraged subtle distortions in the shapes of over 250,000 galaxies to construct the most detailed dark matter map to date, paving the way for insights into some of the universe’s greatest enigmas.

Dark matter, elusive by nature, does not emit any detectable light. Its existence can only be inferred through its gravitational interactions with normal matter. Researchers, including Jacqueline McCreary from Northeastern University, utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to map a region of the sky larger than the full moon.

“This high-resolution image depicts the scaffold of a small segment of the universe,” noted McCreary. The new map boasts double the resolution of previous ones created by the Hubble Space Telescope, encompassing structures much farther away.

The researchers studied approximately 250,000 galaxies, noting that their shapes, while interesting, serve primarily as a backdrop for understanding gravitational distortions. As Liliya Williams from the University of Minnesota explained, “These galaxies merely act as the universe’s wallpaper.” The critical component is the way dark matter’s gravitational pull warps the light from these distant galaxies—a phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. The more distorted the shape of these galaxies is from a perfect circle, the greater the amount of dark matter situated between us and them.

By analyzing these optical distortions, the team was able to derive a map illustrating massive galaxy clusters and the cosmic web filaments linking them. Many of these newly identified structures deviate from prior observations of luminous matter, suggesting they are predominantly composed of dark matter. “Gravitational lensing is one of the few and most effective techniques for detecting these structures across vast regions,” Williams stated.

This research is significant, considering that dark matter constitutes about 85% of the universe’s total matter, crucial for the formation and evolution of galaxies and clusters. Understanding its distribution could shed light on its behavior and composition, according to Williams.

“This achievement is not just observational but also paves the way for various analyses, including constraints on cosmological parameters, the relationship between galaxies and their dark matter halos, and their growth and evolution over time,” McCreary highlighted. These parameters include the strength of dark energy, the enigmatic force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion.

While initial findings from the JWST map align with the Lambda CDM model of the universe, McCreary emphasizes that a thorough analysis of the data is still required to unearth new insights. “At first glance, it appears consistent with Lambda CDM, but I remain cautious. A final assessment will depend on complete results.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient Mayan Ruins Reveal 3,000-Year-Old Cosmic Map

Posted on November 20, 2025 by

A monumental ancient structure unearthed in Mexico could uncover how the early Maya civilization perceived the universe. Among them, new research indicates that the 3,000-year-old site known as Aguada Fénix served as a cosmogram, representing a geometric map of the cosmos.

Archaeologists initially discovered a large cross-shaped cavity (termed a cross hole) concealed within dense jungle in 2020. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that this was merely one of numerous interconnected holes linked by canals. The cumulative volume of these cross holes exceeds 3.8 million cubic meters, equivalent to nearly one and a half pyramids of Giza or over 1,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Researchers from the University of Arizona utilized laser technology to identify Aguada Fénix from aerial views, situated in the current state of Tabasco on the Gulf Coast.

They now assert that the earliest examples of these findings in Mesoamerica—colored pigments discovered in pits—align with the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. Specifically, vibrant blue azurite represents north, yellow ocher marks south, green malachite signifies east, and pearl-like shells denote west.

Mineral pigments found arranged to correspond with cardinal directions. Researchers suspect that the western deposits may originally included red pigments that have faded over time. – Photo credit: Takeshi Inomata/University of Arizona

According to Independent Maya Expert Dr. James A. Doyle, “The cross shape and color symbolism embedded in the architecture physically embody the concept of how the Earth’s planes are organized and directed.” The BBC Science Focus article also highlights that “the dams and canals underscore the significance of water both practically and symbolically, which is mirrored in the blue and green pigments, shells, and greenstone products.”

Crucially, the new study published in Scientific Progress posits that the construction was a collective effort by a non-hierarchical community, as there is no evidence linking dwellings, palaces, or a central ruling class to late Maya architecture.

Given the size of the structures (Doyle describes them as “some of the largest ever constructed in this area”), it is believed that at least 1,000 individuals would have collaborated over several years to carve the rock and create the cosmogram.

These individuals were likely not coerced by an elite class but were part of an egalitarian society that sought a communal space for stargazing and sharing astronomical knowledge. These vast areas probably also served for trade, social interactions, and religious ceremonies.

Researchers believe this jade artifact depicts a woman in the act of giving birth. – Photo credit: Takeshi Inomata/University of Arizona

Archaeologists have uncovered not only pigments but also jade carvings, primarily reflecting natural experiences rather than deities or leaders. These carvings largely depict animals, although some seem to portray women in childbirth.

Doyle emphasizes that there is still much to uncover about social equality at Aguada Fénix, particularly concerning the enigmatic jade woman.

“What if she represented a strong leader, akin to figures seen in many later societies across Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, and the central Andes?” he queried.

“As excavations progress and our understanding of Aguada Fénix’s builders deepens, we will gain a clearer insight into the disparities in wealth and influence.”

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New Map Unveils the Roman Empire’s 300,000 km Road Network

Posted on November 6, 2025 by

A newly released map and digital dataset called Itiner-e expands the known length of the Roman Empire’s road network by over 110,000 km.

Itiner-e is the most intricate and comprehensive open digital dataset of roads throughout the Roman Empire. Image credit: de Soto et al., doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-06140-z.

During its peak in the second century AD, the Roman Empire boasted a population exceeding 55 million and extended from present-day Britain to Egypt and Syria.

While the extensive road network facilitated development and maintenance, maps remain incomplete, and existing digitized versions are of low resolution.

“The study of Roman roads has a long-standing history,” remarked Tom Brumans, a researcher at Aarhus University, along with his colleagues.

“A plethora of information about roads has been confirmed through archaeological excavations, surveys, milestones placed regularly along Roman routes, and historical texts like the Antoninian Itinerary and the Poitingeriana Table, which offer a detailed regional overview of key connections between settlements and Roman roads.”

“However, the pursuit of identifying and locating this diverse body of research is complicated by a lack of comprehensive integration and digitization across the empire.”

Researchers employed archaeological and historical records, topographic maps, and satellite imagery to compile the Itiner-e dataset.

This dataset includes 299,171 km of roads, covering an area of approximately 4 million km, a marked increase from the prior estimate of 188,555 km.².

The growth in road coverage is attributed to enhanced documentation in the Iberian Peninsula, Greece, and North Africa, as well as adjustments to existing road routes based on geographical realities.

This includes the provision for roads traversing mountains to follow winding paths, rather than straight lines.

Itiner-e encompasses 14,769 road segments, with 103,478 km (34.6%) classified as primary roads and 195,693 km (65.4%) as secondary roads.

Only 2.7% of the road locations are known with certainty, while 89.8% remain less precise, and 7.4% are based on hypotheses.

“Itiner-e is the most detailed and comprehensive open-access digitization of Roman roads, and it also highlights existing knowledge gaps in the road system,” the authors stated.

“They emphasize that Itiner-e does not reflect temporal changes in the road network, and further studies are necessary to explore this across the Roman Empire.”

“Itiner-e could serve as a valuable resource for future research on the impact of Roman roads on connectivity, governance, migration, and disease transmission within the empire.”

For maps and datasets, refer to the paper published in Scientific Data.

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P. De Soto et al. 2025. Itiner-e: A high-resolution dataset of roads in the Roman Empire. Scientific Data December 1731. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-06140-z

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Develop 3D Temperature Map of the Exoplanet WASP-18b

Posted on October 29, 2025 by

A newly released map of WASP-18b, a hot Jupiter exoplanet located approximately 325 light-years from Earth, showcases an atmosphere characterized by distinct temperature zones. Within this region, the scorching temperatures are capable of decomposing water vapor.

Hot Jupiter WASP-18b. Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

The WASP-18b map represents the first implementation of a method known as 3D eclipse mapping, or spectroscopic eclipse mapping.

This study features a 2D model. The paper, published in 2023 by members of the same research team, illustrated how eclipse mapping can leverage the sensitive observations from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope.

“This technique is unique in that it can simultaneously survey all three dimensions: latitude, longitude, and altitude,” stated Dr. Megan Weiner Mansfield, an astronomer at the University of Maryland and Arizona State University.

“This enables a greater level of detail than previously possible for studying these celestial objects.”

With this technology, astronomers can now begin to chart the atmospheric variations of many similar exoplanets observable through Webb, resembling how Earth-based telescopes once scrutinized Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and its striped cloud formations.

“Eclipse mapping allows us to capture images of exoplanets whose host stars are too bright for direct observation,” remarked Dr. Ryan Challenor, an astronomer at Cornell University and the University of Maryland.

“Thanks to this telescope and groundbreaking technology, we can start to understand exoplanets similarly to the neighboring worlds in our solar system.”

Detecting exoplanets is quite challenging as they typically emit less than 1% of the brightness of their host star.

Mapping a solar eclipse involves measuring a small fraction of the total brightness as the planet orbits behind the star, obscuring and revealing areas of the star in the process.

Scientists can link minute changes in light to specific regions, creating brightness maps. These maps can be rendered in various colors and translated into three-dimensional temperature readings based on latitude, longitude, and altitude.

“It’s quite difficult because you’re looking for changes where small sections of the Earth become obscured and then revealed,” Challenor explained.

WASP-18b has a mass approximately 10 times that of Jupiter, completes its orbit in just 23 hours, and achieves temperatures around 2,760 degrees Celsius (5,000 degrees Fahrenheit). Its strong signal makes it an excellent candidate for testing new mapping techniques.

While previous 2D maps relied on a single wavelength or color of light, the 3D map re-evaluated the same observations using Webb’s Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrometer (NIRISS) across multiple wavelengths.

“Each color corresponds to different temperatures and altitudes within WASP-18b’s gaseous atmosphere, allowing them to be combined into a 3D map,” Dr. Challenor noted.

“Mapping at wavelengths that water absorbs can indicate the layers of water in the atmosphere, while wavelengths that water doesn’t absorb facilitate deeper probing.”

“When combined, these provide a three-dimensional temperature map of the atmosphere.”

The new perspective uncovered spectroscopically distinct zones (with varying temperatures and potentially different chemical compositions) on the visible dayside of WASP-18b (the side that perpetually faces its star due to its tidally locked orbit).

The planet exhibits a circular “hotspot” that receives the most direct stellar light, with winds insufficient to redistribute the heat.

Surrounding the hotspot is a cooler “ring” located closer to the planet’s visible outer edge.

Interestingly, the measurements indicated that water vapor levels within the hotspot were lower than the average for WASP-18b.

“We believe this suggests that the heat in this area is so intense that water is beginning to decompose,” explained Challenor.

“This was anticipated by theory, but it’s exhilarating to confirm it through actual observations.”

“Further observations from Webb could enhance the spatial resolution of this pioneering 3D eclipse map.”

“Already, this technique will aid in refining temperature maps of other hot Jupiters, which comprise hundreds of the more than 6,000 exoplanets discovered to date.”

Dr. Mansfield expressed: “It’s thrilling that we now possess the tools to visualize and map the temperature of another planet in such intricate detail.”

“We can apply this technique to other exoplanet types. For instance, even if a planet lacks an atmosphere, we might be able to use this method to map surface temperatures and discern its composition.”

“While WASP-18b was more predictable, we believe there’s potential to observe phenomena we never anticipated before.”

The map of WASP-18b is detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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RC Challenor et al.. Horizontal and vertical exoplanet thermal structures from JWST spectroscopic eclipse maps. Nat Astron published online October 28, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02666-9

Source: www.sci.news

When the Map Fails: From Great North Run to Phantom Aldi | Running Adventure

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Organizers of the Great North Run have issued an apology for featuring a map of Sunderland instead of Newcastle on this year’s finishing medal. Unfortunately, this is just one in a long list of mapping errors.

Other notable mistakes include the Phantom supermarket, hazardous climbing routes, and geopolitical missteps.

Phantom Aldi

Earlier this year, the Welsh village of Siphiliog in Denbyshire faced unexpected traffic disruptions after Aldi appeared on the map.

A nearby farm, home to around 500 residents, was mistakenly labeled as a supermarket on Google Maps, leading to a surge of shoppers and milk tankers overwhelming the area.

In response, Google stated it operated “around the clock” to monitor suspicious activities and updated the listing.

Geopolitical Failure

In December, FIFA expressed regret over the omission of Crimea from Ukraine in its mapping.

While the map outlined countries unable to compete due to political tensions, it failed to acknowledge Russian-occupied regions recognized internationally as part of Ukraine since 2014.

“We fully appreciate the sensitivity surrounding this issue and though unintentional, we sincerely regret any distress it may have caused,” the organization stated in a letter to Igor Grishenko, the UAF’s general secretary.

Bennevis’ Dangerous Route

In 2021, Google Maps revised the directions for Bennevis, the UK’s tallest mountain, after warnings about potentially “fatal” paths.

The Scottish climbing charity, John Muir Trust, cautioned that the map’s directions for the nearest parking area to the summit were dangerously misleading, especially for novice climbers, leading them onto treacherous routes without alternative paths.

Google responded by clarifying that the issue pertained to driving routes, not walking directions, and updated the map to direct drivers to visitor centers instead.

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Marathon Mishaps

At last year’s San Francisco Half Marathon, the course was mistakenly found to be short by 0.5 miles, affecting the times of thousands of runners.

Organizers claimed the route was measured accurately, but the certification map was incorrect, resulting in various discrepancies.

This was not the first instance of a mismeasured race; between 2013 and 2015, the Greater Manchester Marathon was mapped incorrectly, marking it 380 meters short. Consequently, the times of approximately 24,000 runners were deemed invalid by British athletics.

Similar issues have also arisen in past events, including the Brighton Half Marathon and the Great Scotland Run.

Taking the Wrong Steps

Google corrected a mapping error in Edinburgh after drivers were wrongly guided down a flight of steps. This route was previously accessible by vehicles, but changes in the roads had led to the installation of stairs, resulting in at least two cars getting stuck at the bottom of Calton Hill. In January, Google announced that the mapping issue had been fixed.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Pioneering Map of Mammalian Brain Activity Might Have Revealed Intuition

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Map of mouse brain showing 75,000 neurons

Dan Berman, International Brain Research Institute

The initial comprehensive activity map of the mammalian brain has unveiled groundbreaking revelations regarding decision-making processes.

For many years, neuroscientists aspired to capture neuronal activity throughout the brain at an individual level. However, challenges persist, including the limitations on the number of neurons an electrode can record, the number of electrodes deployable in a single brain, and the number of animals that a solitary lab can study.

To address these hurdles, a collaboration among 12 laboratories is underway, with each conducting identical experiments and recording duplicates to ensure consistency in collected data. This joint effort, tracking the activity of over 650,000 neurons, has resulted in the first comprehensive brain activity map related to complex behaviors.

“This research exemplifies a novel approach to addressing intricate inquiries in contemporary neuroscience,” stated Benedetto de Martino of University College London, who was not a part of this study. “Similar to CERN, which unites physicists to tackle profound issues in particle physics, this project will bring together global laboratories to confront challenges too expansive for individual teams.”

In each facility, mice were trained to maneuver a small LEGO steering wheel to direct a striped target towards the center of the display. The target was easily distinguishable when the stripes contrasted sharply. As contrast dwindled, the target nearly vanished, compelling the mice to rely on prior knowledge to respond accurately for a reward.

Bias was factored into the experiment, impacting the mice’s expectations about the target’s location. For instance, it could appear on either side of the screen. When the bias was inverted, the mice adjusted their expectations accordingly.

The resulting activity map indicates that decision-related processes are dispersed throughout the brain, rather than localized in one specific area. “Many assertions claimed, ‘this region is responsible for this function.’ However, our findings reveal that decision-making involves numerous regions collaborating through a consensus,” remarked team member Alexandre Pouget from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Furthermore, the findings support earlier research indicating that decision-related signals form long before an action is executed. Pouget noted that even prior to the commencement of individual experiments, signals linked to forthcoming decisions are evident. These signals accumulate when the target is presented, prompting the mice to move the wheels until a threshold is reached.

The second study reveals that beliefs regarding the target’s position are encoded very early in the brain’s activity. Researchers discovered that whether the signal emerged from the eye or journeyed to the thalamus, the brain’s relay center, advanced expectations regarding the target’s left or right positioning were already established.

This suggests that from the moment sensory information is processed by our brains, it is inherently influenced by knowledge, altering the conscious decision-making process unconsciously, according to Pouget. “While speculative, this may align with what we interpret as intuition,” he added.

Interestingly, the encoding not only captures recent sensory experiences but also seems to document the recent history of choices made. Lawrence Hunt from Oxford University pointed out, “This indicates that our actions and subjective experiences shape our perceptions, rather than the true objective reality.”

Does this imply our decisions are predestined? “The brain and its environment operate as a deterministic system. People often resist this idea, but it is accurate,” Pouget stated. “This means one can predict, to an extent, what actions will be taken before a decision is made. Nevertheless, when new information arises, expectations must be recalibrated, remaining unaware of how the surrounding world will evolve,” he explained.

Looking ahead, researchers are optimistic that the findings and collaborative methodologies will enhance the understanding of conditions like autism. A mouse model of autism suggests these animals struggle to update previous expectations with new information, according to Pouget, which resonates with our behaviors and perceptions.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient Emotional Body Map: Insights into the Modern Mind

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Emotions can manifest as physical sensations—be it a surge of anger, a flutter of excitement, or waves of joy, our feelings often have a tangible presence in our bodies.

This phenomenon arises from the interplay between our mental and physical states.

For instance, experiencing anxiety on a first date may trigger a fight-or-flight response, leading to the release of hormones like adrenaline, which elevate heart rate and tense muscles, allowing you to perceive sensations in your chest and throughout your body.

Both positive and negative emotions can influence various bodily functions, including digestion, breathing, perspiration, skin sensitivity, salivation, blood circulation, body temperature, facial tension, and more.

That’s why we often refer to “gut feelings” and “nervous energy.” These physiological shifts can significantly impact our emotions, creating a continual feedback loop connecting our body and mind.

In 2013, a Finnish researcher conducted a study in which individuals mapped out how different emotions corresponded to specific body areas.

While each person’s emotional experience is unique, common sensations can often be found in specific regions. For example, anger typically resonates in the chest and hands, while happiness is prominently felt in the chest and face.

Over time, our perceptions of where we feel emotions in our bodies may have evolved.

A follow-up study in 2024 examined the emotional mappings of people in ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) by analyzing a million words from historical texts to discover connections between emotions and body parts.

Researchers noted some parallels with present-day emotional responses. For instance, pride was linked to the heart by Mesopotamians, while happiness was most closely associated with the liver, and anger was related to the feet.

These distinctions may stem from Mesopotamian cultural beliefs surrounding the body, wherein the liver was viewed as the central organ of the soul’s essence.

This article addresses the inquiry from Elisevarn of Sheffield: “Why do we feel emotions in different parts of our body?”

For any questions, please email us at Question @sciencefocus.com or reach out via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram Page (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Astronomers Map the Distribution of Ordinary Matter Across the Universe

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers are making significant strides in comprehending how matter behaves and interacts in space utilizing fast radio bursts (FRB). They have found that over three-quarters of the universe’s ordinary material is concealed within sparse intergalactic gases, and they have also identified the furthest FRB event recorded to date.

This artist’s concept illustrates the density regions and red blank areas of the universe’s web in blue. Image Credit: Jack Madden/Illustristng/Ralf Konietzka/Liam Connor, CFA.

For many years, it has been established that at least half of the normal, predominantly proton-based baryonic material in the universe has gone unaccounted for.

Previous approaches by astronomers employed methods like X-ray and ultraviolet observations to gather significant clues regarding this missing mass, which manifests as extremely thin warm gases between galaxies.

The challenge arises from the high-temperature, low-density gas that remains mostly invisible to most telescopes, leaving scientists unable to assess its presence or distribution.

This is where FRBs come into play – brief, intense radio signals emitted by distant galaxies that researchers have recently demonstrated could measure baryonic matter in space, although its location remained a mystery until now.

In the latest study, scientists examined 60 FRBs, with the most distant FRB recorded at 1,174 million light-years (FRB 20200120E) from Messier 81 and reaching up to 9.1 billion light-years (FRB 20230521b).

This enabled them to pinpoint the missing material within intergalactic spaces or the intergalactic medium (IGM).

“The ‘baryon problem’ was never in doubt,” stated Dr. Liam Connor, an astronomer at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “The issue has always been about its location. Now with FRBs, we’ve established that three-quarters of it exists between galaxies in the cosmic web.”

By analyzing the delays in each FRB signal as it traveled through space, Dr. Connor and his colleagues tracked the gaseous medium along its path.

“FRBs function like flashlights in space, illuminating the intergalactic medium. By accurately gauging how the light slows down, we can assess this medium, whether it’s starkly visible or barely detectable,” Dr. Connor explains.

The findings are revealing—approximately 76% of the universe’s baryonic matter resides within the IGM.

Additionally, about 15% is found in galaxy halos, with a minor fraction embedded within stars and cool galactic gases.

This distribution aligns with predictions made by advanced cosmological simulations, yet this is the first instance of direct confirmation.

“This marks a triumph for contemporary astronomy,” noted Dr. Vikram Ravi, an astronomer from California.

“Thanks to FRBs, we are now approaching a new understanding of the universe’s structure and composition.”

“These brief flashes enable us to trace the invisible baryonic matter filling the expansive voids between galaxies,” he added.

“Baryons are pulled into galaxies by gravity; however, supermassive black holes and supernova explosions can expel them back into the IGM, cooling cosmic temperatures when they spiral out of control,” commented Dr. Connor.

“Our findings indicate that this feedback mechanism is effective, suggesting gas must be displaced from galaxies into the IGM.”

The team’s results are published today in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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L. Connor et al. Gas-rich cosmic web unveiled by the partition of missing baryons. Nature Astronomy Published online on June 16th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02566-y

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers create detailed map of neural connections in mouse brain

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The human brain is so complex that the scientific brain has a hard time understanding it. Nerve tissue, the size of a grain of sand, could be packed with hundreds of thousands of cells connected by miles of wiring. In 1979, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Francis Crick concluded that the anatomy and activity of only a cubic millimeter of brain material would forever surpass our understanding.

“It’s useless to seek the impossible,” says Dr. Crick. I wrote it.

46 years later, a team of over 100 scientists achieved that impossible by recording cell activity and mapping the structure of cubic millimeters of the mouse brain. In achieving this feat, they accumulated 1.6 petabytes of data. This is equivalent to 22 years of non-stop high-resolution video.

“This is a milestone,” said Davi Bock, a neuroscientist at the University of Vermont. the studywas published in the journal Nature on Wednesday. Dr. Bock said that it enabled advances that allowed it to cover the cubic bones of the cubic brain to map the entire brain wiring of a mouse.

“It’s completely doable and I think it’s worth doing,” he said.

Over 130 years It has passed since Spanish neuroscientist Santiago Ramon y Kajal first spies on individual neurons under a microscope, creating a unique branching shape. Scientists from subsequent generations have resolved many of the details about how neurons send voltage spikes into long arms called axons. Each axon makes contact with small branches or dendrites of adjacent neurons. Some neurons excite their neighbors and fire their own voltage spikes. Some quiet other neurons.

Human thinking emerges in some way from this combination of excitation and inhibition. But how this happens remains a ridiculous mystery as scientists could only study a small number of neurons at a time.

Over the past few decades, technological advances have allowed scientists to begin mapping the whole brain. 1986, British researcher Published A small worm circuit made up of 302 neurons. The researchers then charted larger brains, including 140,000 neurons in the fly’s brain.

After all, is Dr. Crick’s impossible dream possible? The US government began in 2016 100 million dollar effort Scan cubic millimeters of mouse brain. The project was called Cortical Network (or Mechanical Intelligence from Microns) and was led by scientists from the Allen Institute of Brain Science, Princeton University, and Baylor School of Medicine.

Researchers have zeroed into part of the mouse’s brain, which receives signals from the eyes and reconstructs what the animal is seeing. In the first phase of the study, the team recorded the neuronal activity in that area as they showed mouse videos of different landscapes.

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Source: www.nytimes.com

Unveiling the mysteries of the dark universe with a breathtaking new space map

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Euclidean Mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) has just released its first significant batch of research data, offering a fascinating glimpse into the vast cosmos.

This newly revealed image, covering a 63-square patch of the sky (over 300 times the size of a full moon), showcases millions of galaxies in intricate detail.

But this is just the beginning. The Euclidean mission, aimed at mapping the universe and unraveling the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, which constitute 95% of the universe, has only just begun.

Launched in February 2024 and released in July 2023, Euclid is designed to survey a third of the sky, eventually capturing images of 1.5 billion galaxies. In just a week of observations, the mission has already spotted 26 million galaxies, some located an astounding 10.5 billion light years away.

Professor Carole Mandel, ESA’s director of science, described the release as “a treasure trove of information for scientists to delve into.” In an official statement, she highlighted Euclid’s role as the “ultimate discovery machine,” enabling astronomers to explore the grand structure of the universe with unparalleled precision.

The initial observations of the mission showcase Euclid’s capability to map the large-scale structures of the universe using high-resolution visible instruments (VIS) and near-infrared spectrometers (NISPs), capturing galaxies across vast distances and helping scientists track the intricate web-like structure of space.

This image shows not only light, gravity lenses within the cluster, but also a variety of huge galaxy clusters. The cluster near the center is called J041110.98-481939.3 and is almost 6 billion light years away. -ESA/EUCLID/EUCLID Image processing by CONSORTIUM/NASA, J.-C, Cuillandre, E. Bertin, G. Anselmi

“Euclid’s potential to unveil more about dark matter and dark energy from the massive structure of the Cosmic Web can only be realized once the entire survey is completed,” stated Dr. Clotilde Laigle, a scientist from the Euclidean Consortium.

“Nevertheless, this first data release offers a unique view into the vast organization of galaxies, providing insights into the formation of galaxies over time.”

With an immense data stream – sending back 100 GB of data to Earth per day – scientists are challenged with cataloging and analyzing an unprecedented number of galaxies. To tackle this, AI algorithms, in collaboration with thousands of citizen scientists, have categorized over 380,000 galaxies in their initial dataset.

The AI model known as “Zoobot” was trained over a month on the Galaxy Zoo platform with the help of nearly 10,000 volunteers to enhance their galaxy classification skills.

Dr. Mike Walmsley, an expert in astronomical deep learning at the University of Toronto, highlighted the significance of AI in processing Euclid’s vast datasets.

While scientists are still grappling with this first data release, many are already envisioning the future.

“Euclid will truly revolutionize our understanding of the universe,” stated Professor Christopher Conselice from the University of Manchester. He depicted the results as just “the tip of the iceberg,” foreseeing Euclid’s revelations about dark energy and a complete picture of galactic evolution throughout the ages.

The mission is still in its nascent stages, with the released data accounting for only 0.4% of Euclid’s final investigation scope. Setting the stage for even more profound discoveries, the initial data release indicates that Euclid is poised to offer a remarkable new perspective on the universe. In October 2026, ESA is expected to release Euclid’s first major cosmological dataset, covering larger research areas and multiple deep field paths.

If this initial glimpse is any indication, the coming years promise a deluge of data and discoveries that could redefine our understanding of the universe.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The budgie’s brain contains a cognitive map of human-like vocal sounds

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Budgerigars has exceptional voices

ImageBroker.com / Alamy

The Budgerigars are some of the most fashionable birds, and it is reflected in their brains. The Budgie Brains contain maps of voice sounds similar to those found in the human brain, not seen in other birds.

“We've seen that parts of the brain have a representation of voice sounds similar to the important speech areas of the human brain,” he says. Michael Long in Grossmann School of Medicine, New York University.

Budgerigars (Melopstitacus undulatus), also known as a paraquiet, is a small parrot native to Australia. They are epic vocal learners and can mimic a variety of sounds, including human speech. The boudgie, known as the pack, had a vocabulary of about 1,728 words. According to the Guinness World Records. “The ability to mimic phonetically is very rare in the animal kingdom,” Long says.

and Zetian Yang, Additionally, NYU medical schools used silicon probes for a long time to record electrical activity in the Budgies' brains. They focused on a part of the forebrain, the central nucleus of the forebrain horn, which was known to be involved in motor control of vocalization. When Budgies made the call, Long and Yang tracked how their electrical activity had changed.

“Our research was the first to measure parrot brain activity during vocalization,” Long says.

The pair discovered neurons in the central nucleus of the anterior horn thyroid. “There are cells that are active because of consonants,” Long says. Others make vowels, but some are active for high-pitched sounds, others for low pitch.

This brain structure is compared to a keyboard. “There's this kind of key, or in this case, a set of brain cells, and you can represent each of these vocal outcomes and play whatever it wants,” he says. “What the parrot presented is this beautiful and elegant solution to creating vocal sounds.” The human brain has a similar vocal map.

Long and Yang repeated the experiment with a zebra finch (taeniopygia guttata), not vocal mimic. “They have one song they learn,” Long says. “It's about two seconds, sometimes less.” It takes several months to perfect.

Unlike the Budgerigars, the Zebra Finch showed no signs of a “map” of the sound of the brain's voice. Instead, “A Zebra Finch develops chords that are almost almost inexplicable for this song,” says Long. He says that Budgie's brain uses a simple, intuitive system to generate complex calls, while Zebra Finch Brain uses a complex system to make something simple.

“It shows that neural activity and associated vocal behavior are closer to parrots and humans than songbirds and parrots.” Erich Jarvis At Rockefeller University in New York.

“Almost everything we know about the detailed mechanistic basis of learned vocalization comes from several species of songbirds singing relatively simple songs.” Jesse Goldberg At Cornell University in New York. “The parrot therefore offers an incredible opportunity to study both the mechanisms and evolution of complex vocal learning and production.”

I say there are several reasons why I evolved imitation. Zhilei Zhao At Cornell University. One is courtship. “Women actually prefer men with the ability to copy,” he says, and if a man loses his ability, “they are more likely to fool him.” Also, the Budgies have a very dynamic social life. “Form small groups for several days.” Once the group is established, members begin to create unique “contact calls.” “People think it might be something like a password for this group,” says Zhao.

Other skilled mimics may have similar vocal maps in their brains. “My very strong speculation is that other parrots have the same functionality, but they are simply not explored.” He also doubts something similar, the Lyrebirds, a phenomenal mimic that can even mimic artificial sounds like camera shutters.

In the long run, I hope that studying how boudgies produce sounds for a long time will help people understand language disorders. People with strokes often experience aphasia. I can't call the correct words in my head. “You reach for those words and it’s not there,” Long says. “Now we have the opportunity to fight to understand what we think is at the root of many communication disorders that affect people in devastating ways.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The double-edged sword of the best map of the early universe ever for cosmologists

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

New image of cosmic microwave background radiation in part of the sky – the zoomed area is about 20 times the width of the moon seen from Earth

ACT collaboration. ESA/Planck Collaboration

The latest and greatest maps of the early universe, five times more detailed than anything before, are accurately supported by the main models of the universe, but are also a double-edged sword, as new data does not provide clues to solve some of the greatest mysteries of cosmology.

The map shows the universe’s cosmic microwave background (CMB). This is a faint remaining radiation from the early stages of the universe. It began as the earliest light just 380,000 years after the Big Bang, but the expansion of the universe over billions of years has shifted frequency from the visible spectrum to microwaves.

Now, new data from Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) gave us a clearer image of the CMB only from half of the sky that can be imaged from the Chilean observatory location.

Joe Dunkley At Princeton University, which worked on the project, the data says it has more vigorously and accurately reduced the composition of the universe, its size, age, and magnification rate. But the truly important discovery was that nothing contradicts the current major model of the universe. Lambda-CDM.

Previous data set the universe’s age at 13.8 billion years old, and the velocity at which it is expanding – known as the Hubble constant – is 67-68 km per 67-68 km per megapulsek distance from Earth. The ACT data essentially confirms this, but increases accuracy and confidence in those findings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggtt9qhn7os

CMB is first mapped by NASA’s Space Background Explorer (COBE) in the 1980s and 90s, then by NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropic Probe (WMAP) in the 2000s, and then from the European Space Agency’s Planck Spacecraft to provide early knowledge from 2009 to 2013. universe.

One of the restrictions on the act is that unlike these previous space-based missions, it is a ground-based telescope. Therefore, it is limited to half of the sky. Nevertheless, the action not only provides better resolution and sensitivity than these previous maps, but also measures the direction in which the polarization or light waves of CMB are oscillated, revealing some information about how CMB light evolved over time.

“With a closer look at the polarization of the CMB, we could have seen something different. We could have seen the destruction of standard space models,” says Dunkley. “Every time you look at the universe differently, you can’t be sure the original model is still working. You were ready to see something coming out of that model.

This may be a relief for anyone working on Lambda-CDM, but it was not welcome news for all scientists. Colinhill At Columbia University in New York, he says he wanted to see some evidence in data on a phenomenon that has not yet been recognized (probably a new type of energy or particle). This helps explain the so-called Hubble tension.

“We’ve all been blown away by how consistent we are. [the ACT data] It’s really on the standard model. We all produce models from different aspects, looking for places where they break and where nature can give us something to sink our teeth. And so far, nature hasn’t created that crack,” says Hill.

He says that the most viable theory for the contradiction of Hubble tension requires phenomena that simply do not appear in the ACT data we currently have. This brings the scientist back to seek another explanation. “The new measurements will make theorists, including me, even closer restraint jackets,” says Hill. “That deepens the mystery.”

ACT collected data that constituted this new map between 2017 and 2022, but is now shut down. Dunkley says that while a new Chilean telescope will start work later this year, we are unlikely to get a higher resolution map for a few years. As for the other half of the sky, only two locations on Earth could potentially host a new telescope with results: Greenland and Tibet. Dunkley says that unfortunately Greenland still doesn’t have the infrastructure needed for such a project, and Tibet is politically sensitive.

Jens Chluba At the University of Manchester in the UK, scientists on the project are already working with data, but say the open release of ACT maps will cause a surge in activity.

The Mystery of the Universe: Cheshire, England

Spend a weekend with some of the brightest minds of science. Explore the mysteries of the universe in an exciting program that includes an excursion to see the iconic Lovell telescope.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

NASA’s Spherex set to launch after delays, will map 450 million galaxies on mission

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The new NASA Observatory was launched into space on Tuesday with a mission that would help scientists unravel what happened in the first fraction one second after the Big Bang.

The Spherex mission (short for Universe History, Reionization Epoch, Ice Explorer’s Spectroscopic Optical Meter) is designed to map the entire sky, study millions of galaxies, and stitch together how the universe has formed and evolved.

According to NASA, it has been postponed several times since late February to help engineers evaluate the rocket and its components recently due to bad weather at launch sites.

The cone-shaped spacecraft ended Tuesday at approximately 8:10pm above the Space Sex Falcon 9 rocket from Van Denburg Space Force Base in California. Also, to get into orbit there were four suitcase-sized satellites deployed on another mission by NASA to study the sun.

The $488 million Spherex Observatory will investigate the entire sky four times over a two-year mission. Spacecraft instruments observe the universe in 102 different colors or wavelengths.

The Spherex Observatory, located horizontally, allows you to see all three layers of photon shields and telescopes.
BAE System / NASA

Colors in the infrared range have longer wavelengths than what the eye sees, so they are essentially invisible to humans. However, in the universe, infrared light from stars, galaxies and other celestial bodies contains important information about composition, density, temperature and chemical composition.

A technique known as spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze infrared light and divide it into different colors, just like the way prisms divide sunlight into colorful rainbows. Therefore, data collected by the Spherex Observatory gives researchers insight into the chemistry and other properties of hundreds of millions of galaxies in the universe.

NASA said these observations would help scientists study how galaxies are formed, trace the origins of Milky Way waters, and connect what happened later. The Big Bang that Created the Universe Approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NASA launches a space observatory to map 450 million galaxies

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The new NASA Space Observatory is set to launch into orbit on Thursday with a crucial mission to map over 450 million galaxies.

The Spherex mission, short for the spectrophoton meter of space history, reionization epoch, and Ice Explorer history, will map the entire sky four times over two years, giving scientists the chance to study galaxy formation and uncover insights into the universe’s evolution.

“That’s going to answer the fundamental question: how did we get here?” Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA headquarters, stated in a recent news briefing.

Spherex is scheduled to be launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:09 pm on Thursday.

The cone-shaped spacecraft will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket along with four suitcase-sized satellites deployed simultaneously for another NASA mission to study the sun.

A spacecraft preliminary design that includes a hexagonal solar shield to help keep your instrument cool.
NASA / JPL-Caltech

The $488 million Spherex mission has been in development for approximately 10 years. According to NASA, it aims to map objects using 102 infrared colors and light.

Infrared technology allows scientists to see through dust and gas, observing some of the oldest stars and galaxies in the universe. By utilizing spectroscopy, scientists can analyze the composition, density, temperature, and movement of celestial objects.

The Spherex Observatory employs spectrometers to explore the sky in three dimensions and study hundreds of millions of galaxies’ properties, as stated by Jamie Bock, a lead investigator at the Spherex mission and a physics professor at the California Institute of Technology.

Bock mentioned that these observations could provide insights into galaxy formation and allow researchers to examine the origins of water and other organic materials in the Milky Way galaxy.

“When you dissect light, you can determine the galaxy’s distance, construct a three-dimensional map, and identify the water fingerprint,” Bock explained.

Unraveling the origins of water can enhance scientific understanding of life’s evolution on Earth and possibly reveal clues about vital life components elsewhere in the galaxy.

“This new capability can lead to discoveries or surprises,” Bock added.

By mapping the celestial sky, the Spherex mission addresses one of astronomy’s enduring mysteries: The Big Bang that Created the Universe approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

One theory proposed in the late 1970s and early 1980s suggests the universe experienced a staggering trillion-fold expansion in the first fraction of a second post-big bang. Known as cosmic inflation, this theory aims to explain the universe’s curved geometry, structure formation, and rapid expansion.

However, astronomers have grappled with connecting the driving force behind this cosmic inflation and why it occurred. By meticulously mapping hundreds of millions of galaxies, the Spherex mission can test theories in new ways, aiding scientists in refining the physics underlying the universe’s inflation and rapid expansion.

“What Spherex does is test specific inflation models by tracking hundreds of millions of galaxies in three dimensions,” Brock noted.

Domagal-Goldman expressed that the Spherex Mission’s exploration of galaxies, cosmic inflation, and the universe’s origins could deepen human comprehension of basic physics.

“We are fortunate to live in an era where we can uncover answers about the universe’s long narrative of human existence on this planet,” he remarked.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Staff laid off and map tools shut down amidst a tumultuous week at EPA

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

summary

Over the past two weeks, EPA staff have had to compete with dramatic reforms at the agency.
Approximately 1,100 “probation” employees were said to be possible to be fired, and 168 staff working on environmental justice issues have been taken on leave.
Lee Zeldin, new manager at the EPA, said agency priorities include improving AI and automotive jobs.

Lee Zeldin led the Environmental Protection Agency in a short and a half weeks. HR movements shaking wildly, rattling some staff, like many others.

On the day of Zeldin's confirmation last week, the EPA notified about 1,100 “probation” employees that they could close at any time for less than one year.

Then on Thursday, the agency placed 168 staff members on administrative leave. The affected people were working on environmental justice issues across the EPA's 10 regional offices and headquarters.

This week, the agency removed an online mapping tool called EJScreen. It was being used by federal, state and local governments to make decisions that support environmental justice. The term explains the idea that people should have equitable access to a clean, healthy environment, and that some underserved communities face historically unbalanced environmental harms. It refers to. For example, state highway agencies You can use EJScreen Check demographic information for which the road construction project was planned.

Zeldin took on his post a day after a federal worker received a “road fork” email offering resignation shopping. Their deadline to accept the offer was Thursday night, but a federal judge put the initiative on hold that day, following legal challenges from the union. The program will be blocked until at least Monday.

in Addresses to staff viewed by over 10,000 people On Tuesday, Zeldin said he has the authority to streamline the EPA and reduce the waste in it.

“We accused Congress of being as efficient as possible with the taxes sent to us,” Zeldin said, adding that Americans “are feeling a lot of financial pain.” Ta.

His initial actions and the shock they inflict on staff suggest that Zeldin and the Trump administration are not wasting time dramatically reworking the EPA and redefine its purpose. .

Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Molly Vaserio said the EPA is focused on adhering to President Donald Trump's executive orders, including an order entitled “Extreme and Waste Government DEI Program.” Ta.

“The EPA is enthusiastically implementing President Trump's executive order and subsequent related implementation memos. President Trump has been elected to delegate from the Americans to do this,” Vaselio said. .

Several EPA staff members said fear and hype quickly permeated the agency.

“The past two weeks have been pretty scary,” said Marie Owens Powell, chairman of the U.S. Government Employees Federation Council 238, the union representing around 8,500 EPA staff. “Every day, it was something. It was exhausting.”

Powell worked As an EPA Storage Tank InspectorAdded that there were other recent surprises, such as when the pronouns of staff preference were removed from email signatures without notice.

Another EPA worker asked that his name not be made public due to fear of retaliation, but explained that the feeling was “limbo” or “purgatory.”

“We are afraid of doing work that can be seen as completely opposed to the executive order or against Trump's agenda. We want to speak up and push back. But the fear is obvious,” the staff said. “We're all waiting to see who's next.”

Vaseliou met with staff at the Career EPA to visit several disaster sites, including East Palestine, Ohio, and visited several disaster sites, including trains carrying chemicals in February 2023, and to visit several disaster sites, and toxins. He said he had spent his first few weeks of emitting smoke. He also went to Los Angeles. There, a wildfire that broke out last month raided thousands of homes and headed to West North Carolina where Hurricane Helene killed dozens of people.

In Zeldin's news release on Tuesday We laid out five priorities For the EPA under his leadership, including an effort to “pursuing energy independence,” we will develop “the cleanest energy on the planet” to ensure clean air and water. However, some of his agenda diverges from the core mission of the EPA, at least as it operates under past administrations. These include advances in artificial intelligence, reforming and reviving permits for auto work.

Jeremy Simmons, senior adviser to the Environmental Protection Network, a former EPA staff group, said he is worried about the direction the agency is on the lead, based on Zeldin's statement.

“If you're worried about toxic contamination in your community, it's difficult to see yourself on that agenda,” said Symons, who worked at the EPA from 1994 to 2001, in the service of the political agenda. ”

Congressional Democrats appear to be preparing for the fight for the future of the EPA. D-Mass. Sen. Ed Markey of the group attempted to enter agency headquarters on Thursday, calling for a meeting with representatives from Elon Musk's Government Efficiency Bureau.

“We just went in and asked for a meeting with a representative from Doge. We were denied and we were turned away,” Markey said at a press conference outside the building.

Vaseliou said he had not taken the appropriate steps necessary to allow Markey to enter headquarters and described the event as a “promotion stunt.”

A Markey spokesperson said Thursday that the senator has not received confirmation as to whether Doge's representatives are at the EPA. However, multiple sources say the names of workers that NBC News identified as members of Doge member Cole Killian were listed in the EPA directory.

Emails to Killian's EPA email requesting an interview were not immediately returned. Vaseliou did not answer questions about Killian or whether he was connected to Doge.

When asked about Marquee's concerns on Thursday, White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said Democrats were “gaslighting” about Doge's mission.

“To reduce waste, fraud, abuse and become a better steward of the hard-earned dollars for American taxpayers may be a crime for Democrats, but it's not a crime in court,” Fields said. I said that.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Gaia Announces Most Detailed Map of Milky Way to Date, Achieves Skyscan Milestone in Mission

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Released on December 19, 2013, ESA's star mapping satellite “Gaia” We are now nearing the sky, but this does not mean the mission is complete. Technical tests are scheduled in the weeks before Gaia moves into its “retirement” orbit, with two major data releases scheduled for around 2026 and the end of the century, respectively.

An artist's impression of the Milky Way galaxy based on data from ESA's Gaia Space Telescope. Image credit: ESA / Gaia / DPAC / Stefan Payne-Wardenaar.

ESA Director of Science Carol Mandel said: “Today, as the science observations conclude, we celebrate this amazing mission that has exceeded all our expectations, extending almost twice its original predicted lifetime.” said.

“The treasure trove of data collected by Gaia has given us unique insight into the origin and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy, and has also provided insight into astrophysics and the solar system in ways we still don't fully understand. It transformed science.”

“Gaia is built on Europe’s unique excellence in astronomical measurements and will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”

“After 11 years in space, surviving micrometeorite impacts and solar storms along the way, Gaia has completed collecting scientific data,” said Gaia project scientist Johannes Sahlmann.

“All eyes are now on preparing for the next data release.”

“We are excited to carry out this incredible mission and are excited about the discoveries that await us.”

An annotated artist's impression of the Milky Way galaxy, based on data from ESA's Gaia Space Telescope. Image credit: ESA / Gaia / DPAC / Stefan Payne-Wardenaar.

Gaia has used the three instruments many times over the course of its mission to observe and chart the stars' positions, distances, movements, changes in brightness, compositions, and numerous other characteristics.

This will allow Gaia to achieve its primary goal of building the largest and most accurate map of the Milky Way, displaying our home galaxy like no other mission has been able to achieve to date. is completed.

“Gaia has changed our impression of the Milky Way, so it contains major changes from previous models,” said Stefan Payne Waldenaar, a science visualizer at the House of Astronomy and the IAU Directorate of Astronomy Education. said.

“Even basic ideas such as the rotation of the galaxy's central bar, the distortion of the disk, the detailed structure of the spiral arms, and the interstellar dust near the sun have been revised.”

“Still, we are still speculating about the distant parts of the Milky Way based on incomplete data.”

“As more Gaia data is released, our view of the Milky Way will become even more accurate.”

Gaia's science and engineering teams are already hard at work preparing for Gaia Data Release 4 (DR4), scheduled for 2026.

The amount and quality of data is increasing with each release, and Gaia DR4, with an expected 500 TB data product, is no exception.

Additionally, it will cover the first 5.5 years of the mission, which is the length of the mission as originally planned.

“This is the release of Gaia that the community has been waiting for, but it's exciting considering it only covers half of the data collected,” said Dr. Antonella Valenari, an astronomer at the National Institute of Astronomical Sciences. Ta.

“Although the mission is currently suspending data collection, it will be business as usual for many years to come as we continue to make these impressive datasets available.”

Over the past decade, Gaia has accumulated more than 3 trillion observations of nearly 2 billion stars and other astronomical objects, revolutionizing the way we see our home galaxy and neighboring universe, and advancing its mission. You have completed the empty scan stage. Image credit: ESA / Gaia / DPAC / Stefan Payne-Wardenaar.

After several weeks of testing, Gaia will leave its current orbit around Lagrangian Point 2, 1.5 million km from Earth, away from the Sun and be placed into a final heliocentric orbit far from Earth's sphere of influence. .

The spacecraft is scheduled to be passivated on March 27, 2025 to avoid harm or interference with other spacecraft.

During the technical test, Gaia's orientation is changed, temporarily making it several orders of magnitude brighter and making it much easier to observe with small telescopes.

Gaia mission manager Uwe Lammers said: “Gaia will shine among the stars before her sad retirement and will treat us with this final gift to bid her farewell.”

“This is a moment to celebrate this transformative mission and to thank all the teams who have worked hard for more than a decade to operate Gaia, plan observations, and ensure the smooth return of valuable data to Earth.”

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists Uncover Potentially the Oldest 3D Map in the World

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Paleolithic rock shelter at Segonyol 3 in the Paris Basin contains a miniature representation of the surrounding landscape, according to a team of archaeologists from the University of Adelaide and Paris Mines Paris PSL.

Segonyol 3 3D map display on the floor of the rock shelter. Image credit: Médard Thiry.

The Segonyol 3 Rock Shelter has been known since the 1980s for its artistic carvings of two horses in Upper Paleolithic style on either side of a female pubic statue.

In 2017, archaeologists discovered that Paleolithic people manipulated sandstone to reflect the female figure, opening cracks that allowed water to seep into the sandstone, resulting in runoff at the base of the pelvic triangle. I discovered something.

A new study shows that some of the sandstone shelter floors were shaped and adapted by Paleolithic peoples about 13,000 years ago, and modeled to reflect the area’s natural water flow and topographic features. It suggests that it has been converted.

“What we have described is not a map of distance, direction, and travel time as we understand it today, but a three-dimensional map that depicts features of the landscape, such as outflows and confluences from uplands to streams and rivers. It’s a miniature of the original. Dr Anthony Milnes, an archaeologist at the University of Adelaide, said:

“Perception of the direction of water flow and landscape features may have been more important to Paleolithic people than modern concepts such as distance and time.”

“Our study shows that anthropogenic changes to the hydraulic behavior in and around the shelter have extended to modeling natural water flow in the landscape of areas surrounding rock shelters. “

“These are exceptional discoveries that clearly demonstrate the mental, imaginative and engineering abilities of our distant ancestors.”

Thanks to extensive research into the origins of the Fontainebleau sandstone, the authors recognized several minute morphological features that could not have formed naturally and suggest that they were modified by early humans. Masu.

“Our research showed that Paleolithic humans carved sandstone to facilitate specific flow channels for infiltrating and directing rainwater, something previously recognized by archaeologists.” said Dr. Medard Tilly of Paris Mines – PSL.

“Perhaps this metal fitting has a deeper mythical meaning related to water.”

“The two hydraulic installations, the sexual sculpture and the miniature landscape, are located 2-3 meters apart from each other and certainly convey the deep meaning of the concepts of life and nature that are never accessible to us.”

Researchers discovered the existence of three-dimensional modeling by looking closely at fine-scale geomorphological features.

“This brand new discovery provides a better understanding and insight into the capabilities of these early humans,” said Dr. Tilly.

Prior to this discovery, the oldest known three-dimensional maps were understood to be large portable rock slabs carved by Bronze Age people some 3,000 years ago.

The map depicts the local river network and embankments, and reflects the concept of more modern maps used for navigation.

“Collaboration across disciplines, such as archaeology, geology and geomorphology, is vitally important in science,” Dr Milnes said.

“We believe that the most productive research results are at the boundaries between disciplines.”

“It is important to reevaluate field studies and conduct frequent site visits,” Dr. Tilley said.

“It is clear from our ongoing projects that insights and interpretations do not emerge immediately, but through new observations and interdisciplinary discussions.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper in Oxford Archeology Journal.

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Medard Tilly and Anthony Mills. 2025. Paleolithic map carved to show the flow of water to the shelters of the Paris Basin. Oxford Archeology Journal 44 (1): 2-26;doi: 10.1111/ojoa.12316

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers achieve unprecedented level of detail in creating gravitational wave background map

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers using the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array, an international experiment using South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope, have discovered further evidence of gravitational wave signals originating from supermassive black hole mergers.

miles others. Created the most detailed map of gravitational waves throughout the universe to date. Image credit: Carl Knox / OzGrav / Swinburne University of Technology / South African Radio Astronomical Observatory.

“Our research opens up new avenues for understanding the universe we live in,” said astronomer Dr Matt Miles from the ARC Gravitational Wave Discovery Center (OzGRav) and Swinburne University of Technology. .

“By studying the background, we can listen to the echoes of cosmic events over billions of years. It reveals how galaxies and the universe itself have evolved over time.”

The MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array observes and times pulsars (fast-spinning neutron stars) with nanosecond precision.

Pulsars act as natural clocks, and their steady pulses allow scientists to detect minute changes caused by passing gravitational waves.

This galaxy-scale detector provides the opportunity to map gravitational waves across the sky, revealing patterns and intensities that defy previous assumptions.

“The gravitational wave background is often thought to be uniformly distributed across the sky,” says Rowena Nathan, an astronomer at Ozgrab University and Monash University.

“The galaxy-sized telescope formed by the MeerKAT pulsar timing array allows us to map the structure of this signal with unprecedented precision, potentially revealing insights into its source.”

Astronomers have found further evidence of gravitational wave signals originating from merging supermassive black holes, capturing a signal more powerful than a similar global experiment in just one-third of the time.

“What we’re seeing suggests a much more dynamic and active Universe than we expected,” Dr. Miles said.

“We know that supermassive black holes are merging off Earth, but now we’re starting to know where they are and how many there are.”

Researchers used pulsar timing arrays to improve existing methods to build highly detailed gravitational wave maps.

This map revealed an interesting anomaly: an unexpected hotspot in the signal, suggesting a possible directional bias.

“The presence of a hotspot could point to a distinct source of gravitational waves, such as a pair of black holes billions of times more massive than the sun,” Nathan said.

“Looking at the arrangement and pattern of gravitational waves tells us how our universe exists today and contains signals from around the time of the Big Bang.”

“While there is still more work to be done to determine the significance of the hotspots we discovered, this is an exciting step forward for our field.”

“These discoveries raise exciting questions about the formation of supermassive black holes and the early history of the universe.”

“Further monitoring by the MeerKAT array could improve these gravitational wave maps and reveal new cosmic phenomena.”

“The research also has broader implications, with data that could help international scientists explore the origin and evolution of supermassive black holes, the formation of galactic structures, and even hints at early cosmic events. provided.”

The results were published in three papers. Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Matthew Miles others. 2024. MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array: 4.5 Years of Data Release and Noise and Stochastic Signals in the Millisecond Pulsar Population. MNRASin press. doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae2572

Matthew Miles others. 2024. MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array: The first search for gravitational waves with the MeerKAT radio telescope. MNRASin press. doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae2571

Kathryn Grandthal others. 2024. MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array: Map of the gravitational wave sky with 4.5 years of data released. MNRASin press. doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae2573

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers create a map of star formation in the heart of NGC 1386

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

NGC1386 is a spiral galaxy located 53 million light years away in the constellation Eridanus.

This image of NGC 1386 combines data from VST and ALMA. Image credits: ESO / ALMA / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan / NRAO / Prieto others. / Deep investigation of Fornax.

Dr. Almudena Prieto of the Canarias Institute for Astronomy and colleagues observed the central region of NGC 1386 as part of an experiment. PARSEC projecta parsec-scale multiwavelength survey of the nearest galactic center.

“Stars often form in star clusters, which are collections of thousands of stars that originate from giant clouds of molecular gas,” the astronomers said.

“The blue ring at the center of this galaxy is ripe with star clusters filled with young stars.”

To examine this ring in more detail, Dr. Prieto and his co-authors used data from ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

The data shows that these clusters all formed around the same time 4 million years ago.

“This is the first time that synchronous star formation has been observed in a galaxy containing mainly old stars,” the researchers said.

They used the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) to uncover further secrets of NGC 1386.

“The new images show numerous gas clouds as golden rings, ready to form a second wave of young stars,” the scientists said.

“But we still have to wait five million years for these to emerge.”

“Even though it is old, NGC 1386 continues to rejuvenate,” the researchers added.

of findings Published in September 2024. Royal Astronomical Society Monthly Notices.

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Almudena Prieto others. 2024. PARSEC's view of star formation at the galactic center: from primordial clusters to star clusters in early-type spirals. MNRAS 533 (1): 433-454;doi: 10.1093/mnras/stae1822

Source: www.sci.news

First Detailed Map of Solar Coronal Magnetic Field Created by Inouye Solar Telescope

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This groundbreaking achievement will improve our understanding of the Sun’s atmosphere and shed light on how its changing conditions affect our technology-dependent society.

The Inouye Solar Telescope has released the first map of the magnetic field signal in the solar corona measured using the Zeeman effect. Image courtesy of NSF/NSO/AURA/NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

The Earth’s magnetic field protects us from the solar wind, protects our atmosphere and makes life possible.

But electromagnetic fields and high-energy particles from extreme solar activity could disrupt satellites, power grids, and other systems necessary for an increasingly technological society.

Understanding these dynamic interactions, which change on timescales ranging from days to centuries, is crucial to safeguarding our infrastructure and current ways of life.

Measuring the magnetic properties of the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, has long challenged astronomers and the limits of technology.

today, Daniel K. Inouye Solar TelescopeLocated near the summit of Haleakala on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the facility is a state-of-the-art facility designed to study coronas.

The satellite has produced the first and most detailed map of the coronal magnetic field to date, taking an important first step in solving these mysteries.

“Inoue’s achievements in mapping the Sun’s coronal magnetic field are a testament to the innovative design and capabilities of this pioneering and unique observatory,” said Dr. Tom Shad, NSF National Solar Observatory investigator.

“This groundbreaking discovery is expected to greatly improve our understanding of the Sun’s atmosphere and its impact on the solar system.”

The researchers used the Zeeman effect, which measures magnetic properties by observing the splitting of spectral lines, to create a detailed map of the magnetic field of the solar corona.

“Spectral lines are distinct lines that appear at particular wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum and represent light absorbed or emitted by atoms and molecules,” they explained.

“These lines are unique to each atom and molecule and act like a fingerprint. By looking at the spectrum, scientists can determine the chemical composition and physical properties of an object.”

“When exposed to a magnetic field like the Sun’s, these lines split apart, giving us insight into the magnetic properties of the object.”

Previous attempts to detect such signals, last reported 20 years ago, have lacked the detail and regularity needed for widespread scientific investigation.

Now, Inouye’s unparalleled capabilities make it possible to study these important signals in detail and on a regular basis.

The solar corona can usually only be seen during a total solar eclipse, when most of the Sun’s light is blocked and Earth’s sky becomes dark.

But the Inouye Telescope uses a technique called coronagraphy to create an artificial eclipse that allows it to detect extremely faint polarized signals, highlighting its unparalleled sensitivity and cementing its status as a unique window into viewing our home star.

This telescope is Cryogenic near-infrared spectropolarimeter (Cryo-NIRSP) is one of the telescope’s main instruments used to study the corona and map its magnetic field.

“Just as detailed maps of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere have improved the accuracy of weather forecasts, this remarkably complete map of the magnetic field of the Sun’s corona will help us more accurately predict solar storms and space weather,” said Dr. Carrie Black, program director for NSF’s National Solar Observatory.

“The invisible yet incredibly powerful forces captured in this map will continue to drive solar physics for the next century and beyond.”

“Mapping the strength of the corona’s magnetic field is a fundamental scientific advance not only for solar research but for astronomy in general,” said Dr. Christoph Keller, director of the National Solar Observatory.

“This marks the beginning of a new era in understanding how stars’ magnetic fields affect planets in our solar system and the thousands of exoplanetary systems currently known.”

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This article has been edited from an original release by the National Solar Observatory.

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers map clouds on Mars

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The image is Mars Cloud Map Captured High resolution stereo camera (HRSC) Equipment On ESA's Mars probe “Mars Express”.

Leech waves on Mars are created when wind encounters an obstacle and builds up on the “leeward” or leeward side. Image courtesy of ESA / DLR / FU Berlin.

Mars Express's elliptical orbit allows the HRSC camera to observe the surface from a low altitude to map the planet at the highest possible resolution, but also to capture observations at a lower resolution from a higher altitude, covering a much larger portion of the surface in a typical edge-to-edge field of view.

These high altitude observations are ideal for observing Martian atmospheric phenomena.

More than 20 years have passed since the launch of the Mars Express mission, and a vast amount of image data on Martian atmospheric phenomena has been accumulated, which has great potential for scientific applications.

“Martian clouds are as diverse and fascinating as those seen in Earth's skies, but they also have some features that are unique to the Red Planet,” said Dr Daniela Tyrsch, researcher at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

“One of my favorite phenomena is the beautiful 'cloud street' – a linear line of fleecy clouds that form around the rise of the giant volcano Tharsis Mons and the lowlands of the Northern Hemisphere during the Northern Hemisphere spring and summer.”

“They are similar to cumulus clouds on Earth, but form under different atmospheric conditions.”

“Impressive dust clouds stretching hundreds of kilometres have also been observed, a phenomenon that is fortunately not experienced on Earth.”

Dust plays a major role in the Martian atmosphere and climate.

Rare upwelling events can cause beige, dusty clumps to drift through the planet's atmosphere.

Large differences in temperature and air pressure during certain seasons can create stronger than normal winds and kick up large amounts of dust from the Martian surface.

The dust cloud rising from the summit of the giant volcano resembles an eruptive cloud, even though it is no longer active.

Large, swirling dust storms and cyclones are also observed near the Martian north pole every year.

Studying these phenomena is crucial for scientists to understand the Martian atmosphere and air mass circulation.

Rolling “gravity clouds” are one of the most common formations on both Mars and Earth.

They are found in the mid-latitudes of both hemispheres in winter, as well as over the Tharsis volcanic plateau in the Southern Hemisphere winter.

Lee waves are a special type of gravity cloud that can accumulate on the lee side of ridges, mountains, and other obstacles, forming repeating ridges.

Some of the cloud types studied are specific to certain locations and seasons, but there are also clouds such as “crepuscular clouds” that appear in the early morning at any time and any place throughout the year.

The new atlas provides valuable insight into the physics of clouds and storms, their appearance, and when and where they form.

This knowledge will not only help us better understand the dynamics of Mars' atmosphere and climate cycles, but will also be useful in studying the climates of other planets, such as Earth and Venus.

“ESA has extended the Mars Express mission until at least 2026, which will allow us to continue to enrich the database and further our understanding of the Martian atmosphere,” Dr Tilsch said.

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Daniella Tirsch others2024. Clouds and storms captured by HRSC – a catalog of Martian atmospheric phenomena. EPSC Abstract 17, EPSC2024-44; doi: 10.5194/epsc2024-44

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers develop 3D radiation map of Jupiter’s moons

Posted on August 28, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using data collected by the Advanced Stellar Compass (ASC) and Stellar Reference Unit (SRU) on NASA’s Juno spacecraft, scientists have created the first complete 3D radiation map of the Jupiter system. The map characterizes the intensity of high-energy particles near the orbit of the icy moon Europa and shows how the radiation environment is shaped by small moons orbiting close to Jupiter’s rings.

This diagram shows a model of radiation intensity at different points on the Juno spacecraft’s orbit around Jupiter. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / DTU.

“With Juno, we’ve been trying to invent new ways to use sensors to learn about nature, and we’ve been using many of our science instruments in ways that were not originally intended,” said Juno principal investigator Dr. Scott Bolton, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute.

“This is the first detailed radiation map of this high-energy region and marks a major step forward in understanding how Jupiter’s radiation environment works.”

“It’s significant that we’ve been able to map this area in detail for the first time, because we don’t have instruments designed to look for radiation.”

“This map will help plan observations for future missions to the Jovian system.”

Juno’s ASC instrument, consisting of four star cameras mounted on the spacecraft’s magnetometer boom, takes images of the stars to determine the spacecraft’s orientation in space.

But the instrument is also a valuable detector for detecting the flow of high-energy particles within Jupiter’s magnetosphere.

The cameras record “hard radiation” – ionizing radiation that affects the spacecraft with enough energy to penetrate the ASC’s shielding.

“The ASC takes an image of the star every quarter of a second,” said Juno scientist Dr. John Leif Jorgensen, a researcher at the Technical University of Denmark.

“The highly energetic electrons that penetrate the shield leave distinctive signatures in our images, like firefly trails.”

“The device is programmed to count the number of fireflies, allowing us to accurately calculate the amount of radiation.”

Juno’s orbit is constantly changing, so the spacecraft has traversed nearly every region of space near Jupiter.

The ASC data suggests that there is more very high-energy radiation, relative to low-energy radiation, near Europa’s orbit than previously thought.

The data also confirm that there are more energetic electrons on the side of Europa facing in the direction of its orbital motion than on the rear side of Europa.

This is because most of the electrons in Jupiter’s magnetosphere pass Europa from behind due to the planet’s rotation, but the very energetic electrons flow backwards, like a fish swimming upstream, and slam into the front of Europa.

The Jupiter radiation data is not the ASC’s first scientific contribution to the mission: even before it arrived at Jupiter, ASC data was used to measure interstellar dust bombarding Juno.

Using the same dust-detection techniques, the imager also discovered a previously undiscovered comet, identifying tiny pieces of the spacecraft ejected by fine dust particles that collided with Juno at high speed.

Like Juno’s ASC, the SRU will act as a radiation detector and low-light imaging instrument.

Data from both instruments show that, like Europa, small shepherd moons that orbit inside or near the edges of Jupiter’s rings and help maintain their shape also appear to interact with the planet’s radiation environment.

If the spacecraft flies over magnetic field lines that connect to ring moons or dense dust, the radiation dose to both the ASC and SRU drops sharply.

The SRU is also collecting rare low-light images of the rings from Juno’s unique vantage point.

“Many mysteries remain about how Jupiter’s rings formed, and very few images have been collected by previous spacecraft,” said SRU principal investigator Dr. Heidi Becker, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“If you’re lucky, you might even be able to capture a little shepherd moon in your photo.”

“These images allow us to get a better idea of where the ring moons are currently located and to see the distribution of dust relative to the distance from Jupiter.”

of Survey results Will be published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Source: www.sci.news

Incredible Map Reveals Earth’s Place in the Expansive Universe

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

This story is part of our “Cosmic Perspective” series, which confronts the incredible vastness of the universe and our place in it. Read the rest of the series here.

This map shows the cosmic ring that surrounds us, stretching out to distances of up to 200 million light-years. At this scale, the universe is made up of galaxy clusters and voids, the latter being regions with relatively few galaxies. The Milky Way at the center is part of the Local Group, while the Virgo Cluster is our nearest neighbour.

The magnificent spiral

The Milky Way’s spiral structure is dominated by two major arms called Scutum-Centaurus and Perseus. It also features a dense region called the central bar. Our solar system sits on a more modest structure called the Orion Arm.

No matter how complex the questions about our metaphorical place in the universe, astronomy can help us understand Earth’s physical location.

Earth orbits at a distance of 150 million kilometers from the Sun, which in turn orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Specifically, Earth is located in the Orion Arm, about 26,500 light years from the center.

The Milky Way Galaxy is part of the Local Group of galaxies. Its nearest neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy, is about 2.5 million light-years away and is the largest galaxy in the Local Group. We are currently hurtling towards the Andromeda Galaxy at over 100 kilometers per second, and in about 4 billion years the two galaxies will collide.

Local Groups

It will shake up local groups, but it will barely be on the radar of the wider cosmic neighborhood.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers Develop Detailed Geological Map of Oxia Plain

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using data from ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, planetary scientists created a 1:30,000-scale geological map of the Oxian Plain, the landing site for ESA’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission. Created.

Faudon other. Created the most detailed geological map of Oxia Planitia, the Mars landing site for ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover. Image credit: Faudon other., doi: 10.1080/17445647.2024.2302361.

Oxia Planum Located on the northern edge of Arabian Terra, it preserves a record of the diverse geological processes that shaped the region.

It is a transitional region between the cratered Arabian Terra and the young lowland plain of the Chryse Planitia.

“Oxia Planum is located near the Martian equator and contains deposits that are nearly 4 billion years old,” said Open University researcher Peter Faudon and colleagues.

“On a geological scale, this would be the oldest landing site ever visited by a spacecraft on Mars.”

“This region is rich in clay minerals that form due to the presence of water. These rocks are ideal for preserving evidence of the earliest forms of life. This makes it possible to predict that life once existed on Mars. It’s a great place to look for clues as to whether this is the case.”

To map the Oxian Plains, the authors used several instruments, including the Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and the HiRISE camera on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). We used data from.

This map details 15 rock units classified into 6 groups and 7 textural and surface units.

“This map includes the main types of rock and structures with unique shapes, such as ridges and craters,” the researchers said.

“It also features materials that are placed on top, blown by the wind or blown long distances when a meteorite hits the Earth’s surface, for example.”

The result is the highest-resolution map of the Oxian plains to date at a scale of 1:25000, where 1 centimeter corresponds to 250 meters on the surface of Mars.

Average daily driving time is 25-50 minutes. rosalind franklin rover On the map it is 1-2 mm.

“This map is really interesting because it’s a guide to where the answers are,” Dr. Faudon said.

“This serves as a visual hypothesis for what we currently know about the different rocks at the landing site.”

“With the instruments on board the Rosalind Franklin rover, you can test your knowledge on the fly when the time comes.”

of result Published in map journal.

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peter faudon other. 2024. High-resolution map of the Oxian Plains on Mars. Landing site for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission. map journal 20(1); doi: 10.1080/17445647.2024.2302361

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers produce the most extensive map of quasars in the universe ever recorded

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

of new mapThis quasar, called Quaia, contains about 1,295,502 quasars from across the visible universe and could help astronomers better understand the properties of dark matter.

story fisher other. This is an all-sky quasar catalog that samples the largest comoving volume of any existing spectroscopic quasar sample.Image credit: Story Fisher other., doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad1328.

Quasars are powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies and can be hundreds of times brighter than entire galaxies.

When the black hole's gravity kicks up nearby gas, the process creates a very bright disk, and sometimes a jet of light, that can be observed with telescopes.

The galaxies that quasars live in are hidden in huge clouds of invisible dark matter.

The distribution of dark matter gives insight into how much dark matter is present in the universe and how strongly clustered it is.

Astronomers compare these measurements across cosmic time to test current models about the composition and evolution of the universe.

Quasars are so bright that astronomers use them to map dark matter in the distant universe and fill in a timeline of how the universe evolved.

For example, scientists are already comparing the new quasar map to the Cosmic Microwave Background, the oldest snapshot of light in the universe.

As this light travels to us, it is bent by an intervening web of dark matter (the same web drawn by quasars), and by comparing the two, scientists can determine how matter changes over time. You can measure how strongly it clumps together.

“The new quasar catalog differs from all previous catalogs in that it provides the largest volumetric three-dimensional map in the history of the universe,” said David, an astronomer at the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute in New York.・Professor Hogg said. University.

“This is not the catalog with the most quasars or the highest quality quasar measurements, but it is the catalog with the largest total volume of the universe mapped.”

Professor Hogg and his colleagues constructed the Quasar map using data from the third data release of ESA's Gaia mission, which includes 6.6 million quasar candidates, as well as data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Explorer and Sloan Digital Sky Survey. did.

By combining the datasets, contaminants such as stars and galaxies were removed from Gaia's original dataset and the distance to the quasar was determined more precisely.

“We were able to measure how matter clustered in the early universe with as much precision as those from major international research projects. Data as a 'bonus' from the Milky Way This is quite remarkable considering that we got . We are focusing on the Gaia project,” said Dr. Kate Storey-Fisher, a postdoctoral researcher at the International Physics Center Donostia.

“It's very exciting to see this catalog spurring so much new science.”

“Researchers around the world use quasar maps to measure everything from variations in the initial density that seeds the cosmic web, to the distribution of voids in the universe, to the movement of our solar system through space. ”

Astronomers have created a map showing where dust, stars, and other nuisances are expected to obstruct the view of certain quasars. This is important in interpreting quasar maps.

“This catalog of quasars is a great example of how productive astronomy projects can be,” Professor Hogg said.

“Gaia was designed to measure stars in our galaxy, but it also discovered millions of quasars, giving us a map of the entire universe.”

of result will appear in astrophysical journal.

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Kate Story Fisher other. 2024. Quair, Gaia-unWISE quasar catalog: all-sky spectroscopic quasar samples. APJ 964, 69; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad1328

Source: www.sci.news

New Map Reveals Pregnancy’s Impact on Organ Interactions

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Mapping how interactions between different organs change during pregnancy could help us better understand conditions such as pre-eclampsia.

Tetra Images, LLC / Alamy

Scientists have mapped for the first time the metabolic changes that different parts of a primate's body undergo during pregnancy. The results suggest that pregnancy-related conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes may be due to “rewiring” errors when these changes occur.

Outside of pregnancy, different body systems normally “supply” each other with molecular nutrients, known as metabolites, in relatively equal exchange.

However, during pregnancy, major changes occur in tissues throughout the body. for example, Heart pumps up to 40% more. However, the thymus gland, which is involved in the immune system, “shrinks very quickly” to prevent rejection of the fetus. See Chan Ng at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

After studying Effects of metabolites on stem cells, Ng was curious about the role they play during pregnancy. During this period, “a lot of things are growing and regenerating…It's something you only see in comic books and superhero movies where people transform,” he says.

To learn more, Ng et al. collected 273 tissue samples from 12 cynomolgus monkeys (cynomolgus monkey), including when the monkey was in each trimester of pregnancy and when it was not pregnant. Samples were taken from 23 body parts, including five areas of her body: uterus, liver, spinal cord, skin, blood and heart.

The researchers analyzed the samples for metabolites and compared each site during non-pregnancy to the equivalent site during the third trimester.

As expected, when the macaques were not pregnant, Ng said, the metabolites were distributed fairly evenly across the body. But to her surprise, pregnancy caused her interactions to be “dramatically reprogrammed.”

For example, during the first trimester, the uterus reduced communication with the heart and skeletal muscles and instead “coupled” with the developing placenta. During the second trimester of pregnancy, the fully formed placenta began pumping “large amounts of metabolites” to the heart, ovaries, and liver. On the other hand, the uterus gradually migrated towards union with the scalp by the third trimester of pregnancy.

Also, during the third trimester, important exchanges between skeletal muscles and the spinal cord took place. Researchers have not investigated why these coupling changes occur.

When the flow of “reprogrammed” metabolites deviates from what is considered normal during pregnancy, certain conditions can occur, Ng says.

In a separate experiment, researchers took serum samples from 32 pregnant women and found that levels of the metabolite corticosterone were “significantly reduced” in patients with preeclampsia, Ng said. He states: Then, when they removed corticosterone from human placental cells in the lab, they caused pre-eclampsia-like inflammation. “Corticosterone is an important steroid in human pregnancy,” says Ng. “It’s been undervalued.”

The second important metabolite is thought to be palmitoylcarnitine, which helps process fatty acids and regulate immunity. Ongoing human stem cell research led by Ng suggests that human stem cells may be involved in gestational diabetes, he says.

Based on their findings, the researchers developed an “atlas” of 91 metabolites that consistently change in the tissues of pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. This provides a framework for the involvement of metabolites in regulating health during human pregnancy, Ng said. “There is a treasure trove of small molecules and metabolites that we have discovered. [which] I hope this will further encourage research into new treatments,” he says.

Previous studies have investigated metabolic changes such as: While pregnant rats and mice do, cynomolgus monkeys have reproductive systems much more similar to humans, Ng said. Even though macaques have a shorter gestation period than humans (about 26 weeks compared to the average 40 weeks), they still serve as a reliable model for human reproduction, especially pregnancy-related conditions, he said.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Researchers map the genetic code of sea cucumbers residing in hydrothermal vents

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Chinese researchers have mapped the entire genome. chiridotaheheva a type of sea cucumber collected at a depth of 2,428 m during a submarine trip to a hydrothermal vent.

Chirodotaheheba In the Gulf of Mexico. Image credit: Aquapix and Expedition to the Deep Slope 2007.

The sea cucumber is echinoderm and as such are related to sea urchins and starfish, a group of animals with a very unusual body design.

They are found on the ocean floor around the world, where they devour detritus and use their tentacles to explore sediments.

Although other high-quality sea cucumber genomes are available, this study provides the first genome of a sea cucumber specimen. chiridotaheheva — collected at a hydrothermal vent.

beginning explained In 2004, chiridotaheheva It is known from the deep waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean, but has an international distribution.

It is one of the few echinoderms. occupy All three types of chemosynthetic ecosystems are included: hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and organic fallouts. This suggests that this species is well adapted to the reducing environment of the deep sea.

Unlike most species that live in cold or hydrothermal vents; chiridotaheheva It does not host chemosynthetic bacteria.

It obtains nutrients from a variety of sources and extracts organic components from sediment debris, suspended solids, and wood debris when available.

“The organisms found in hydrothermal vents are among the most unique life forms on Earth, having evolved special adaptations to survive and reproduce in these harsh conditions,” said the lead author. Dr. Eugene Pu by Sanya Institute of Deep Sea Science and Technology and colleagues.

“For example, many microorganisms employ special metabolic functions to cope with the abundance of sulfur and iron and to withstand the enormous heat near the vent.”

“In addition to microorganisms, there are also multicellular and higher-order organisms that have adapted to the conditions of hydrothermal vents, such as various types of nematodes, snails, crabs, and shrimp.”

In the study, the authors sequenced the genome of an individual. chiridotaheheva collected from the ocean floor of the Indian Ocean Kairei Bent Field (2,428 meters deep).

“The water around the Kailey vent is particularly rich in dissolved iron, compounded by the harsh conditions of high hydrostatic pressure, darkness, and temperature fluctuations,” the researchers said.

“Initial comparative genomic analyzes showed that several gene families are expanded in this sea cucumber, meaning that this species has a higher repertoire of certain gene sets than closely related species. To do.”

“These expanded and unique genes are involved in DNA repair and iron metabolism, among other processes. It shows for the first time that it is reflected.”

“The genomic data will provide a valuable resource for further research on both sea cucumbers and unique spout animals.”

of result appear in the diary Giga Science.

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Y Pooh other. 2023. High-quality chromosome genome assembly of sea cucumber chiridotaheheva and its hydrothermal adaptation. Giga Science, in press. doi: 10.1093/gigascience/giad107

Source: www.sci.news

For the First Time, NASA Unveils World Map of Earth’s Surface Minerals

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

NASA’s EMIT has produced the first global map of hematite, goethite, and kaolinite in the dry regions of Earth using data from the year ending November 2023. The mission collected billions of data measurements of three different minerals along with seven minerals that could impact climate when released into the air. The mission, EMIT, aims to provide a detailed map of the mineral composition of Earth’s dust source regions, which can help scientists model the impact of fine particles on climate change.

EMIT launched to the International Space Station in 2022, will be launched by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and surveys the Earth’s surface from approximately 250 miles in the air. The mission captures high-resolution images to create detailed maps of surface composition and is capable of detecting plumes of methane and carbon dioxide emitted by various human activities. EMIT’s data will be used to improve climate models and study the effects of dust on global ecosystems, including its impact on phytoplankton blooms and the transport of essential nutrients over long distances.

In addition to tracking the 10 major minerals as part of its primary mission, EMIT’s data also tracks other minerals, vegetation types, snow and ice, and even humans at or near the surface. The instrument was selected from NASA’s Earth Venture Instrument-4 public offering and is managed by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. The data collected by EMIT is publicly available for use by other researchers and the public at the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Fra Mauro: Transforming Cartography into a Science with the Epic Medieval Map

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Igor Mitreski

Fra Mauro’s beautiful and intricate world map

History_docu_photo/Alamy

When I was in Venice a few years ago, I visited the Corer Museum to absorb the history of the city. Located in St. Mark’s Square, this museum features imposing statues and paintings of naval battles and ancient weapons. However, as I passed the last exhibition room, another artifact caught my eye, hanging alone in an alcove. It was a map of the world, or “mappa mundi” in Latin, and it was unlike any other map I had ever come across.

The world depicted here in an 8-foot-diameter gold frame is a combination of lapping blue ocean and off-white land, all covered in handwritten notes. It was one of the most beautiful, beautifully intricate things I’ve ever seen.

Created 550 years ago by a monk called Fra Mauro, the map was largely ignored for centuries, but it shows a level of accuracy not present in previous maps. Considering this, it is a deplorable situation. If you turn it upside down, you can recognize it as a map of Africa and Eurasia, with Mauro placed south at the top.

After visiting Venice, I decided to find out more about this map. This project culminated in my book. The dark sea begins here. I spent over a year researching his literature on world maps, poring over Mauro’s creations, and trying to understand what he was trying to say. It turned out to be part of the inflection point from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Source: www.newscientist.com