Enormous supernova explosions, gamma-ray bursts from distant galaxies, the violent birth of stars, and the incredible consequences of collisions between galaxies or black holes: These are some of the most extreme and mysterious events in the universe, yet our largest telescopes and satellites glimpse only their dim afterglow. That’s why astronomers use the world’s largest supercomputers to transform theories and formulas into animated 3-D simulations of explosions, collapses and collisions. The computer simulations help astronomers verify their theories—and they provide us with this gallery of phenomonal images. [Popsci]
Researching the prospects for life beyond our solar system is moving to the next level. Exoplanet hunters are getting instruments that promise to spot Earth-like planets around alien stars. In some cases, they may even yield crude estimates of how life-friendly such a planet may be. [CSM]
Like astrophysical doctors, astronomers have given the Milky Way a galactic check-up - and discovered it’s twice as big as first thought. [Australian]
Warm dust increases chances of alien life [Telegraph].
February 27th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
