Physics and Astronomy News Archive: August 2004

Image: NIST Unveils Chip-Scale Atomic Clock

NIST Unveils Chip-Scale Atomic Clock

Source: NIST   Posted: 8/30/04

The heart of a minuscule atomic clock—believed to be 100 times smaller than any other atomic clock—has been demonstrated by scientists at the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Image: Detecting the spin of a single electron

Detecting the spin of a single electron

Source: LANL   Posted: 8/29/04

University of California scientists working at Los Alamos National Laboratory and at the University of California, Los Angeles have demonstrated the ability to detect the spin of a single electron in a standard silicon transistor.
Image: Tiny 'David' Telescope Finds 'Goliath' Planet

Tiny 'David' Telescope Finds 'Goliath' Planet

Source: Harvard   Posted: 8/28/04

A newfound planet detected by a small, 4-inch-diameter telescope demonstrates that we are at the cusp of a new age of planet discovery. Soon, new worlds may be located at an accelerating pace, bringing the detection of the first Earth-sized world one step closer.
Image: Surface Physics of Complex Chemical Reactions on Icy Surfaces

Surface Physics of Complex Chemical Reactions on Icy Surfaces

Source: GaTech   Posted: 8/27/04

A technique borrowed from the surface physics community is helping chemists and atmospheric scientists understand the complex chemical reactions that occur on low-temperature ice.
Image: MIT-NASA team to test first interplanetary laser communication link

MIT-NASA team to test first interplanetary laser communication link

Source: MIT   Posted: 8/19/04

A NASA–MIT Lincoln Laboratory team will forge the first laser communication link between Mars and Earth.
Image: A task force outlines role of particle physics in studying universe

A task force outlines role of particle physics in studying universe

Source: Stanford   Posted: 8/18/04

At a time of momentous changes in our basic understanding of the universe, a new document outlines the essential role of particle physics in deciphering the laws of nature that govern dark matter, dark energy and more.
Image: Vibrations in crystal lattice play big role in high temperature superconductors

Vibrations in crystal lattice play big role in high temperature superconductors

Source: Berkeley   Posted: 8/17/04

An elegant experiment shows clearly that in high temperature superconductors, vibrations in the crystal lattice play a significant though unconventional role.
Image: Scientists Discover Ganymede has a Lumpy Interior

Scientists Discover Ganymede has a Lumpy Interior

Source: NASA/JPL   Posted: 8/17/04

Scientists have discovered irregular lumps beneath the icy surface of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede. These irregular masses may be rock formations, supported by Ganymede's icy shell for billions of years.
Image: Dying Star Goes Out With a Ring

Dying Star Goes Out With a Ring

Source: JPL/NASA   Posted: 8/11/04

A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the shimmering embers of a dying star, and in their midst a mysterious doughnut-shaped ring.
Image: Dramatic difference discovered in behaviour of matter and antimatter

Dramatic difference discovered in behaviour of matter and antimatter

Source: PPARC   Posted: 8/4/04

New results demonstrate dramatic difference in the behaviour of matter and antimatter. Discovery may help to explain why the Universe we live in is dominated by matter, rather than containing equal parts matter and anti-matter.
Image: Mercury-bound MESSENGER Launches from Cape Canaveral

Mercury-bound MESSENGER Launches from Cape Canaveral

Source: JHUAPL   Posted: 8/4/04

NASA's MESSENGER – set to become the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury – launched August 3rd at 2:15:56 a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Image: New Way of 'Seeing': A 'Neutron Microscope'

New Way of 'Seeing': A 'Neutron Microscope'

Source: NIST   Posted: 8/4/04

A prototype microscope that uses neutrons instead of light to “see” magnified images has been demonstrated at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).