Spin Centers Propel Quantum Computing Forward
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:59Quantum computing, harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, is set to revolutionize fields such as medicine and machine learning by tackling problems too complex for classical computers. Quantum simulators, which consist of interacting quantum units, can be programmed to emulate intricate physical models, allowing scientists to extract valuable insights by controlling and measuring the in
Tachyons Redefine Theoretical Boundaries in Modern Physics
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:59Tachyons are hypothetical particles that exceed the speed of light. Often considered the "enfant terrible" of modern physics, these superluminal particles were previously thought to be incompatible with the special theory of relativity. However, a recent paper in Physical Review D by physicists from the University of Warsaw and the University of Oxford reveals that such assumptions were unfounde
Three-Dimensional Acoustic Quantum Hall Effect Demonstrated in New Study
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:59The quantum Hall effect (QHE) stands as a significant milestone in condensed matter physics, paving the way for advancements in topological physics. Extending QHE into three dimensions, however, presents substantial challenges. The primary difficulty lies in the extension of Landau levels into bands along the magnetic field direction, preventing the formation of bulk gaps. A recent approac
A meteor streaked across the NYC skyline before disintegrating over New Jersey
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:00A meteor streaked across the New York City skyline before disintegrating over nearby New Jersey, according to NASA.
William Cooke, the head of the space agency's Meteoroid Environments Office, said the fireball was first sighted at an altitude of 51 miles (82 kilometers) above Manhattan at around 11:17 a.m. Tuesday.
The meteor passed over the southern part of Newark, New Jersey, before disintegrating 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the town of Mountainside, he said. No meteorites or other fragments of space debris reached the planet's surface.
The space rock moved at a speed of about 41,000 mph (66,000 kph) and descended at a relatively steep angle of 44 degrees from vertical, Cooke said.
Its exact trajectory is uncertain, since reports are based only on eyewitness accounts and no camera or satellite data is currently available, he said.
As of Wednesday morning, there had been approximately 40 eyewitness reports filed on the American Meteor Society website, which the agency used to generate its estimates, Cooke said.
The fireball was not part of the Perseid meteor shower, and reports of loud booms and shaking could be explained by military aircraft in the vicinity around the time of its appearance, he said.
A meteor streaked over the NYC skyline before disintegrating over New Jersey
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:00A meteor streaked across the New York City skyline before disintegrating over nearby New Jersey, according to NASA.
William Cooke, the head of the space agency's Meteoroid Environments Office, said the fireball was first sighted at an altitude of 51 miles (82 kilometers) above Manhattan at around 11:17 a.m. Tuesday.
The meteor passed over the southern part of Newark, New Jersey, before disintegrating 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the town of Mountainside, he said. No meteorites or other fragments of space debris reached the planet's surface.
The space rock moved at a speed of about 41,000 mph (66,000 kph) and descended at a relatively steep angle of 44 degrees from vertical, Cooke said.
Its exact trajectory is uncertain, since reports are based only on eyewitness accounts and no camera or satellite data is currently available, he said.
As of Wednesday morning, there had been approximately 40 eyewitness reports filed on the American Meteor Society website, which the agency used to generate its estimates, Cooke said.
The fireball was not part of the Perseid meteor shower, and reports of loud booms and shaking could be explained by military aircraft in the vicinity around the time of its appearance, he said.
Rosotics unveils 3D printer with space applications
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 16:00Lunar leap: GNSS-powered autonomous navigation for moon-bound spacecraft
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 15:24As lunar missions gain momentum, the demand for advanced navigation technologies that exceed traditional Earth-based systems grows. A new study addresses the challenges of weak Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals and spacecraft maneuvers in the lunar space, emphasizing the need for sophisticated integrated navigation systems.
Combining GNSS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), and star trackers, this research paves the way for enhanced accuracy and stability in space navigation, essential for the success of future space exploration.
Researchers from Shandong University, in collaboration with the Shandong Key Laboratory of Optical Astronomy and Solar-Terrestrial Environment, have published the study in Satellite Navigation on July 1, 2024. The study introduces an adaptive Kalman filter to enhance GNSS performance for spacecraft navigating in the Earth–moon space.
HyPrSpace tests hybrid rocket engine at DGA Missile Site
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44HyPrSpace, a pioneering startup in hybrid propulsion technology, has completed the first bench test of its hybrid rocket engine at the DGA Missile Tests site in Saint-Medard-en-Jalles (Gironde). This milestone is a significant step in validating HyPrSpace's patented hybrid propulsion system and showcases the transition from theoretical models to practical, full-scale applications. The Term
Food aromas study sheds light on taste issues in space
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44Scientists from RMIT University have conducted a pioneering study on food aromas, potentially explaining why astronauts often find their meals tasteless in space, leading to inadequate nutritional intake. The study, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology, also has significant implications for improving the diets of isolated individuals, such as nursing home r
Musk to move companies out of California over transgender law
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44Elon Musk on Tuesday said he will move the headquarters of SpaceX and X to Texas after a California law blocked schools from forcing teachers to notify parents about changes to a student's gender identity. "This is the final straw," Musk said on X a day after California governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill that fired up the already fraught culture wars in a tumultuous US election year.
Astrobotic's VOLT rover passes key Lunar surface tests
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44Astrobotic has advanced its efforts to create a lunar power grid by beginning a summer-long test campaign for its VSAT Optimized for Lunar Traverse (VOLT). The VOLT rover, designed to traverse the Moon's surface, features a vertical solar array to harness solar energy for charging various lunar assets such as habitats, rovers, and scientific instruments, particularly at the lunar south pole.
AI enhancements drive Mars rover discoveries
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44Artificial intelligence is transforming how scientists analyze rock samples collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars. For nearly three years, Perseverance has been utilizing AI to autonomously identify minerals in Martian rocks. This innovative use of AI on Mars marks a significant step toward creating "smart" spacecraft capable of independent scientific exploration. The AI techno
ESA prepares for close encounter with Asteroid Apophis in 2029
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44Thirty years ago, on July 16, 1994, astronomers witnessed the dramatic collision of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet with Jupiter, sparking significant interest in planetary defence and raising the question: "Could we prevent such an event from happening to Earth?" Today, ESA's Space Safety programme takes a significant step towards answering this question. The programme has been authorized to b
New analysis of Cassini data yields insights into Titan's seas
Wednesday, 17 July 2024 14:44A new study of radar experiment data from the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn has yielded fresh insights related to the makeup and activity of the liquid hydrocarbon seas near the north pole of Titan, the largest of Saturn's 146 known moons. The key takeaway: Using data from several bistatic radar experiments, a Cornell University-led research team was able to separately analyze and esti