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Category: physics – Page 31

Unexpected shape of lead-208 nucleus prompts reevaluation of atomic nuclei models

An international research collaboration led by the University of Surrey’s Nuclear Physics Group has overturned the long-standing belief that the atomic nucleus of lead-208 (²⁰⁸Pb) is perfectly spherical. The discovery challenges fundamental assumptions about nuclear structure and has far-reaching implications for our understanding of how the heaviest elements are formed in the universe.

Lead-208 is exceptionally stable due to being a “doubly magic” nucleus—and is the heaviest that we know of. However, a new study published in Physical Review Letters used a high-precision experimental probe to examine its shape and found that rather than being perfectly spherical, the nucleus of lead-208 is slightly elongated, resembling a rugby ball (prolate spheroid).

Dr. Jack Henderson, principal investigator of the study from the University of Surrey’s School of Mathematics and Physics, said, “We were able to combine four separate measurements using the world’s most sensitive experimental equipment for this type of study, which is what allowed us to make this challenging observation. What we saw surprised us, demonstrating conclusively that lead-208 is not spherical, as one might naively assume. The findings directly challenge results from our colleagues in nuclear theory, presenting an exciting avenue for future research.”

Why are ‘fireworks’ coming from a black hole? This is what scientists say

A supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy is creating a light show that’s intriguing astronomers.

Flares of light have been observed in a disk orbiting the black hole Sagittarius A*, according to a team of astrophysicists studying the black hole who published their findings Tuesday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Known as an accretion disk, it’s hot, contains a steady flow of materials like gas or plasma, and flickers constantly. The disks emit light that can be detected using infrared and X-ray instruments, which helps astronomers better observe the black holes the disks orbit.

Astronomers Just Unveiled 3,628 Supernovae That Could Rewrite Cosmic History

A massive dataset of 3,628 Type Ia Supernovae from the Zwicky Transient Facility is being released, offering new insights into cosmic expansion.

This unprecedented collection will refine how cosmologists measure distances and study dark energy. With high-precision data from cutting-edge telescopes, scientists aim to resolve discrepancies in the standard cosmological model and explore new physics.

A Game-Changing Dataset for Cosmology.

Alien Ocean could Hide Signs of Life from Spacecraft

Searching for life in alien oceans may be more difficult than scientists previously thought, even when we can sample these extraterrestrial waters directly.

A new study focusing on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn that sprays its ocean water into space through cracks in its icy surface, shows that the physics of alien oceans could prevent evidence of deep-sea life from reaching places where we can detect it.

Published today (Thursday, 6 February 2025) in Communications Earth and Environment, the study shows how Enceladus’s ocean forms distinct layers that dramatically slow the movement of material from the ocean floor to the surface.

Holograms Take 3D Printing to the Next Level — With Amazing Precision and Speed

Traditional 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, but tomographic volumetric additive manufacturing (TVAM) takes a different approach. It uses laser light to illuminate a rotating vial of resin, solidifying material only where the accumulated energy surpasses a specific threshold. A key advantage of TVAM is its speed—it can produce objects in seconds, whereas conventional layer-based 3D printing takes about 10 minutes. However, its efficiency is a major drawback, as only about 1% of the projected light contributes to forming the intended shape.

Researchers from EPFL’s Laboratory of Applied Photonic Devices, led by Professor Christophe Moser, and the SDU Centre for Photonics Engineering, led by Professor Jesper Glückstad, have developed a more efficient TVAM technique, as reported in Nature Communications

<em> Nature Communications </em> is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that publishes high-quality research from all areas of the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry, Earth sciences, and biology. The journal is part of the Nature Publishing Group and was launched in 2010. “Nature Communications” aims to facilitate the rapid dissemination of important research findings and to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and communication among scientists.

Journey to other dimensions

Most of us take it for granted that there are three dimensions, perhaps four if we count time. But for over 200 years, mathematicians and scientists have proposed further dimensions. In some standard versions of contemporary physics eleven dimensions are now proposed. But might the notion of additional dimensions be an empty idea that derails physics? Richard Feynman argued that proponents of extra dimensions.

This Gravitational-Wave Breakthrough Could Rewrite What We Know About the Universe

A new adaptive optics technology is set to transform gravitational-wave detection, allowing LIGO

LIGO, or the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory to detect cosmic gravitational waves and to develop gravitational-wave observations as an astronomical tool. There are two LIGO observatories in the United States—one in Hanford, Washington, and the other in Livingston, Louisiana. These observatories use laser interferometry to measure the minute ripples in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves from cosmic events, such as the collisions of black holes or neutron stars.

Collision Alert! A Supermassive Black Hole is Headed for the Milky Way

2.4 billion years from now there will be a black hole colliding with the Milky Way.

A supermassive black hole hidden in the Large Magellanic Cloud is on a collision course with the Milky Way! Scientists discovered it using hypervelocity stars, and in 2.4 billion years, it will merge with Sagittarius A at our galaxy’s center. This event could reshape our galaxy and trigger gravitational waves! 🌌 Want to know what happens next? Watch the full video to explore the science behind this cosmic collision. Don’t miss it—subscribe now for more space discoveries! 🚀

Paper link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction.
00:30 The Discovery and Characteristics of the Supermassive Black Hole.
03:11 The LMC-Milky Way Collision and Its Consequences.
05:34 Other Famous Supermassive Black Holes and What They Teach Us.
07:23 Outro.
07:35 Enjoy.

MUSIC TITLE : Starlight Harmonies.

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