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Stellar Physics
Los Alamos Technologies Help Scientists Detect, Record & Interpret 'Monster' Burst of Gamma Rays
March 21 — On the ground and in space, Los Alamos National Laboratory’s science tools provided early information on the first gamma ray burst so powerful that it could be seen with the naked eye. The burst was detected March 19 by NASA's Swift satellite, thanks to software on Swift’s Burst Alert Telescope, which was the first instrument to detect the sudden rise in gamma rays.
Saturn's Moon Rhea Sports a Dusty Halo
March 6 — Who'd have guessed that Saturn has its own moon-sized vacuum cleaners, circling the ringed planet and sucking up electrons from the plasma at the orbit of the icy moons. Or that one of Saturn's moons has its very own vacuum in the form of a hitherto-unknown dust halo, not quite visible as a ring, around the midsection of Rhea, discovered by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. Cassini is carrying among its instruments a pair of ion-mass and ion-beam spectrometers built by Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Seeing the unseen universe
July 31 — A new method for incorporating astronomical observational data into computer simulations promises to be a significant advance in enabling future cosmological surveys aimed at understanding dark energy and dark matter.
Los Alamos scientist to speak on gamma ray bursts
September 2 — A few times a day a special type of massive star transforms itself into a black hole, simultaneously collapsing and ejecting material in a jet that moves very close to the speed of light. During their fleeting existence, these jets flood much of the universe with an enormous burst of gamma rays.
Robotic telescope discovery sheds new light on gamma-ray bursts
May 18 — A new type of light was detected from a recent gamma-ray burst, as discovered by Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA scientists using both burst-detection satellites and a Los Alamos-based robotic telescope.
Los Alamos hosts Gamma-Ray Burst anniversary conference
September 8 — Scientists from around the world are convening this week to debate and share their latest research at the Gamma-Ray Burst 2003 Symposium in Santa Fe, September 9 – 12, 2003. Los Alamos National Laboratory is sponsoring the symposium, the largest of its type to date.
Biggest cosmic explosions also may propel fastest objects in universe
August 13 — The most powerful explosions in the universe, gamma-ray bursts, may generate the most energetic particles in the universe, known as ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), according to a new analysis of observations from NASA's Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory.The most powerful explosions in the universe, gamma-ray bursts, may generate the most energetic particles in the universe, known as ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), according to a new analysis of observations from NASA's Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory.
XMM-Newton satellite uncovers diffuse X-ray emission and the first accreting X-ray pulsar in Andromeda Galaxy
May 26 — In the most sensitive X-ray survey of our neighboring galaxy, Andromeda (M31), the X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite observatory (XMM-Newton) has uncovered hundreds of X-ray sources and provided new insights into the nature of the interstellar medium in the spiral arms of our own galaxy as well as those of Andromeda.
Hidden X-ray population revealed in satellite survey, new 'dipper' in Andromeda Galaxy
June 4 — In the most-sensitive study ever of our neighbor galaxy, the X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite observatory (XMM-Newton) has uncovered a new population of X-ray sources. Examining new satellite data, an international team of scientists led by researchers at the United States Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory discovered more than 100 X-ray sources in the Andromeda galaxy.
New Supernova models take on third dimension
June 4 — Astrophysicists from Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, have created the first 3-D computer simulations of the spectacular explosion that marks the death of a massive star. Presented to the American Astronomical Society meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., today, the research by Michael Warren and Chris Fryer eliminates some of the doubts about earlier 2-D modeling and paves the way for rapid advances on other, more exotic questions about supernovae.
Mars Odyssey quenches researchers' thirst for water data
May 28 — Researchers with the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory have determined that Mars has enough water to sustain human exploratory missions.
Astronomers link X-ray flashes to gamma-ray bursts
April 23 — Astronomers announced today the discovery of what may be the lower-energy "poor relations" of cosmic gamma-ray bursts, the fantastically powerful explosions occurring daily in distant galaxies throughout the universe. If the relationship is confirmed by future observations, this potentially new breed of burst, called an X-ray flash, will provide key information to solve the decades-old puzzle of how these most powerful explosions in the universe are produced.
Los Alamos spectrometers part of four-satellite Cluster II mission
August 4 — Imaging spectrometers developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory are among the science tools aboard the new, four-satellite Cluster II mission.
XMM-Newton discovers X-ray nova and unique, pulsating white dwarf in the Andromeda Galaxy
June 4 — In its first look at the Andromeda Galaxy, known as M31, the X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite observatory has revealed several unusual X-ray sources. In examining new satellite data, an international team of scientists, including researchers at the United States Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory, discovered an unusually bright spot created by an enormous X-ray nova outburst. Another mysterious object has been found as well: one of the "coolest" sources of the central region appears to be a luminous white dwarf with an extremely soft energy spectrum and the shortest X-ray pulsation period seen to date.
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