Physics and Astronomy News Archive: November 2003

Image: Supersonic cracks

Supersonic cracks

Source: MaxPlanckInst   Posted: 11/19/03

Glass breaks, rubber bursts—there are numerous ways in which materials can fail under extreme conditions. Many of the atomic mechanisms of materials failure however still remain a mystery. One such mystery of cracks that propagate faster than speed of sound was recently uncovered by the researchers at the Max Planck Institute.
Image: New Sandia UV LEDs emit short-wavelength, high-power output

New Sandia UV LEDs emit short-wavelength, high-power output

Source: Sandia   Posted: 11/19/03

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories developing ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) recently demonstrated two deep UV semiconductor optical devices that set records for wavelength/power output.
Image: Focus on solar outbursts

Focus on solar outbursts

Source: ESA   Posted: 11/19/03

While scientists and aurora spotters marvel at the explosions on the Sun, everyone responsible for the hundreds of satellites that serve human needs, from weather observations to car navigation, wishes that these potentially damaging events were more predictable.
Image: Uncovering mysteries beneath the Earth's surface

Uncovering mysteries beneath the Earth's surface

Source: NortheasternU   Posted: 11/19/03

Back in the old days, when doctors looked for tumors, exploratory surgery was the only option. Today they use CAT scans, x-rays, ultrasound, and other non-intrusive methods for checking out what lies beneath the skin’s surface. But how do we determine what is beneath the Earth’s surface?
Image: Leonid Meteor Shower Roars into Skies

Leonid Meteor Shower Roars into Skies

Source: Caltech   Posted: 11/11/03

Observers of the night skies should take delight. Arriving fresh on the heels of the recent total lunar eclipse is the annual Leonid meteor shower. Make plans to watch the show on the night of Tuesday, November 18.
Image: ESA's new view of the Milky Way - in gamma rays!

ESA's new view of the Milky Way - in gamma rays!

Source: ESA   Posted: 11/11/03

ESA's gamma-ray observatory Integral is making excellent progress, mapping the Galaxy at key gamma-ray wavelengths. It is now poised to give astronomers their truest picture yet of recent changes in the Milky Way's chemical composition. At the same time, it has confirmed an 'antimatter' mystery at the centre of the Galaxy.
Image: NOVA's string theory program now available online

NOVA's string theory program now available online

Source: PBS/NOVA   Posted: 11/5/03

Eleven dimensions, parallel universes, and a world made out of strings. It's not science fiction, it's string theory. If you missed the recently aired PBS/NOVA show on the sting theory, 'The Ultimate Universe' with Prof. Brian Greene, don't despair. You can now see this program in full online.
Image: 'Dark matter' forms dense clumps in ghost universe

'Dark matter' forms dense clumps in ghost universe

Source: UBerkeley   Posted: 11/5/03

The "dark matter" that comprises a still-undetected one-quarter of the universe is not a uniform cosmic fog, says a University of California, Berkeley, astrophysicist, but instead forms dense clumps that move about like dust motes dancing in a shaft of light.
Image: Voyager approaching solar system's final frontier

Voyager approaching solar system's final frontier

Source: NASA/GSFC   Posted: 11/5/03

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft is about to make history again as the first spacecraft to enter the solar system's final frontier, a vast expanse where wind from the Sun blows hot against thin gas between the stars: interstellar space.