Space exploration, scientific discoveries, astronomy, and physics.
146 articles
Physicists face immense challenges in detecting the hypothetical graviton, the quantum particle of gravity. Extreme sensitivity requirements, fundamental physical limits like black hole formation, and overwhelming background noise from neutrinos suggest the universe may be hiding its quantum heart.
Fermilab's MicroBooNE experiment has delivered a significant blow to the theory of sterile neutrinos. By precisely distinguishing between real neutrino interactions and background noise, the experiment found no evidence for the elusive particle, casting doubt on its role in solving mysteries like neutrino mass and dark matter.
Physicists are exploring innovative methods, such as resonant mass detectors and optical Weber bars, to overcome the immense challenges of detecting the elusive graviton, the quantum particle of gravity. These experiments aim to leverage gravitational waves and advanced quantum sensing techniques to probe the quantum nature of spacetime.
New observations using the warped light of quasars and supernovae through gravitational lensing are helping to refine measurements of the universe's expansion rate. This technique, time-delay cosmography, is crucial for understanding the accelerating expansion and potentially solving the 'Hubble tension'.
The Artemis 2 mission will feature the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), the first toilet designed for deep space travel beyond the Moon. This advanced system represents a significant upgrade from the rudimentary 'Apollo bags' used by earlier lunar explorers, offering astronauts enhanced comfort and privacy.
A specialized NASA WB-57 aircraft experienced a gear-up landing at Ellington Field during a suspected training mission. Thankfully, no one was injured. The incident raises questions about the future of the N927NA aircraft, a vital asset for high-altitude research.
Elementary school teacher Barbara Morgan witnessed the Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters but persevered to achieve her dream of flying to space, joining the ISS in 2007.
The NTSB's second report on the UPS MD-11 crash confirms center engine failure as the cause. Flight recorder data and surveillance footage were used to reconstruct the final moments, revealing a rapid loss of control and impact.
In 1983, an Apple II microcomputer, stripped of its casing and painstakingly modified, became the first personal computer to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle's STS-9 mission. This pioneering device supported a plant growth experiment, paving the way for modern spaceborne computing.
From early cameras to the latest smartphones, everyday consumer technology has a long and vital history in space exploration. NASA's increasing reliance on these devices simplifies operations, enhances astronaut experience, and brings the cosmos closer to home.
