Read article 'Polarization brings to light the accretion discs inside quasars'
The extreme luminosity of quasars is thought to be generated by supermassive black holes accreting surrounding material at the heart of galaxies. If the accretion has a preferred rotation axis, the in...
Read article 'A supernova is caught in the act of exploding'
Astronomers have, for the first time, observed a star in the act of exploding. The event happened in January while NASA’s Swift satellite was observing another supernova in the same galaxy. The ...
Read article 'GLAST in orbit to explore extreme universe'
The Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) was launched by NASA on 11 June from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Read article 'The enigmatic Sun: a crucible for new physics'
Konstantin Zioutas argues the case for a new scenario for solar axions.
Read article 'Milagro maps out gamma-ray frontier'
Impressive results from this extensive air shower detector in New Mexico.
Read article 'Brilliant naked-eye GRB constrains theory'
GRB 080319B is the plain name for an extraordinary gamma-ray burst (GRB) that was so bright that it could be seen with the unaided eye for 30 s. The detailed observation of the prompt optica...
Read article 'WMAP 5-year results reveal neutrinos and tighten inflation'
After five years observing the oldest light in the universe, NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is refining our understanding of the universe. It finds evidence for cosmic neutri...
Read article 'Astronomers find galaxy at record distance'
The joint forces of NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes have identified a source that is likely to be the most distant galaxy known to date. If confirmed, this discovery will be a new mil...
Read article 'Positrons prefer one side of the galaxy'
A new study of the gamma-ray emission of positron annihilation in the Milky Way reveals an asymmetric distribution in the galactic disc. The only sources known to have a similar asymmetry are low-mass...
Read article 'Hot plasma fills the Orion nebula'
Observations with the XMM-Newton satellite have revealed soft X-ray emission from an extended region in the Orion nebula. The most massive stars in the heart of the nebula are probably at the origin o...
