Physics and Astronomy News Archive: February 2007

Image: Super-thin Filter, 50 Atoms Thick, Sorts Individual Molecules

Super-thin Filter, 50 Atoms Thick, Sorts Individual Molecules

Source: RochesterU   Posted: 2/23/07

A newly designed porous membrane, so thin it's invisible edge-on, may revolutionize the way doctors and scientists manipulate objects as small as a molecule.
Image: Extrasolars' light guides atmosphere research

Extrasolars' light guides atmosphere research

Source: MIT   Posted: 2/23/07

New observations of extrasolar planets reported by three teams of scientists.
Image: Fluid Dynamics Works on Nanoscale in Real World

Fluid Dynamics Works on Nanoscale in Real World

Source: GaTech   Posted: 2/23/07

Using computer simulation experiments scientists show that the stochastic Navier-Stokes formulation does work for fluid nanojets and nanobridges in a vacuum.
Image: 20 Years of Surprises from Supernova 1987A

20 Years of Surprises from Supernova 1987A

Source: Harvard   Posted: 2/23/07

Twenty years ago, astronomers witnessed one of the brightest stellar explosions in more than 400 years. The titanic supernova, called SN 1987A, blazed with the power of 100 million suns for several months following its discovery on Feb. 23, 1987.
Image: Comets Clash at Heart of Helix Nebula

Comets Clash at Heart of Helix Nebula

Source: JPL/NASA   Posted: 2/14/07

A bunch of rowdy comets are colliding and kicking up dust around a dead star, according to new observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.
Image: Supernovae - Cosmic Lighthouses

Supernovae - Cosmic Lighthouses

Source: Max Plank   Posted: 2/14/07

Astrophysicists explain the differences in the brightness of supernova explosions
Image: Flow of tiny bubbles mimics computer circuitry

Flow of tiny bubbles mimics computer circuitry

Source: MIT   Posted: 2/14/07

In work that could dramatically boost the capabilities of 'lab on a chip' devices, MIT researchers have created a way to use tiny bubbles to mimic the capabilities of a computer.
Image: The Colorful Demise of a Sun-Like Star

The Colorful Demise of a Sun-Like Star

Source: JPL/NASA   Posted: 2/14/07

A new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows the colorful 'last hurrah' of a star like our sun.
Image: Physicists find way to ‘see’ extra dimensions

Physicists find way to ‘see’ extra dimensions

Source: UWisc   Posted: 2/7/07

Peering backward in time to an instant after the big bang, physicists have devised an approach that may help unlock the hidden shapes of alternate dimensions of the universe.
Image: MIT 'optics on a chip' may revolutionize telecom, computing

MIT 'optics on a chip' may revolutionize telecom, computing

Source: MIT   Posted: 2/7/07

In work that could lead to completely new devices, systems and applications in computing and telecommunications, MIT researchers are bringing the long-sought goal of 'optics on a chip' one step closer to market.
Image: NASA-European Spacecraft Swoops Under Sun's Pole

NASA-European Spacecraft Swoops Under Sun's Pole

Source: JPL/NASA   Posted: 2/7/07

Joint NASA- and ESA-managed spacecraft Ulysses, has reached maximum latitude in its exploration of the heliosphere, the bubble in space blown out by the solar wind.
Image: New Sensor Detects Direction of Sound Under Water

New Sensor Detects Direction of Sound Under Water

Source: Gatech   Posted: 2/7/07

Using optical fibers, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found a way to create a sensor that detects the direction from which a sound is coming under water.