With the Copernicus Sentinel-3A satellite fully fledged and its data freely available, the task of monitoring and understanding our changing planet has been made that much easier. Seeing the effect spring has on our plant life is just one …
Inferences about Supernova Physics from Gravitational-Wave Measurements: GW151226 Spin Misalignment as an Indicator of Strong Black-Hole Natal Kicks
Author(s): Richard O’Shaughnessy, Davide Gerosa, and Daniel Wysocki
An analysis of data from LIGO’s second gravitational-wave event indicates that a supernova can impart a strong kick to the black hole it creates.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 011101] Published Thu Jul 06, 2017
Event-Ready Bell Test Using Entangled Atoms Simultaneously Closing Detection and Locality Loopholes
Author(s): Wenjamin Rosenfeld, Daniel Burchardt, Robert Garthoff, Kai Redeker, Norbert Ortegel, Markus Rau, and Harald WeinfurterRubidium atoms 400 meters apart have been used to demonstrate the first event-ready violation of a Bell inequality, free fr…
Preparing for Mercury: BepiColombo stack completes testing
ESA’s Mercury spacecraft has passed its final test in launch configuration, the last time it will be stacked like this before being reassembled at the launch site next year.
Preparing for Mercury: BepiColombo stack completes testing
ESA’s Mercury spacecraft has passed its final test in launch configuration, the last time it will be stacked like this before being reassembled at the launch site next year.
Astronomers find two classes of gas giant planets
Evidence indicates giant planets form differently depending on their mass.
Brown dwarfs are as plentiful as stars
A new survey suggests that there may be one failed star for every successful one out there.
Teaching physics using Microsoft Excel
Excel is both ubiquitous and easily understandable. Most people from every walk of life know how to
use MS office and Excel spreadsheets. Students are also familiar with spreadsheets. Most students
know how to use spreadsheets for data analysis. Besi…
Experimental Realization of Type-II Dirac Fermions in a PdTe_{2} Superconductor
Author(s): Han-Jin Noh, Jinwon Jeong, En-Jin Cho, Kyoo Kim, B. I. Min, and Byeong-Gyu Park
Three separate groups report experimental evidence of novel type-II Dirac quasiparticles, suggesting possible applications in future quantum technology.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 016401] Published Wed Jul 05, 2017
Giant iceberg in the making
All eyes are on Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf as a deep crack continues to cut across the ice, leaving a huge chunk clinging on. When it eventually gives way, one of the largest icebergs on record will be set adrift. Even before the inevitable happens, ESA’s CryoSat mission can reveal some of the future berg’s vital statistics.
Giant iceberg in the making
All eyes are on Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf as a deep crack continues to cut across the ice, leaving a huge chunk clinging on. When it eventually gives way, one of the largest icebergs on record will be set adrift. Even before the inevitable happens, ESA’s CryoSat mission can reveal some of the future berg’s vital statistics.
Drone in radio-free zone
Technology image of the week: Drone testing inside ESA’s Hertz radio chamber
Cosmic farming
Human spaceflight image of the week: Citizen scientists help to grow crops in space
BepiColombo live
Watch Thursday’s media briefing on our mission to Mercury, 09:00 GMT (11:00 CEST). Ask questions on Twitter via #askESA
Open Day 2017
Find out everything about ESA’s Open Day in the Netherlands on Sunday 8 October, including how to register to attend
Uncharted territory
Space Science Image of the Week: Cassini is half way through a series of daring dives between Saturn and its rings
NASA releases stunning views of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot
As Juno prepares for an up-close look at Jupiter’s giant storm, astronomers are supplementing their knowledge with Earth-based observations.
Earth-based Views of Jupiter to Enhance Juno Flyby
Telescopes in Hawaii have obtained new images of Jupiter and its Great Red Spot, which will assist the first-ever close-up study of the Great Red Spot, planned for July 10.
Earth-based Views of Jupiter to Enhance Juno Flyby
Telescopes in Hawaii have obtained new images of Jupiter and its Great Red Spot, which will assist the first-ever close-up study of the Great Red Spot, planned for July 10.
NASA’s Juno Spacecraft to Fly Over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot July 10
NASA’s Juno spacecraft will fly directly over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the gas giant’s iconic, 10,000-mile-wide storm, on July 10, providing the closest-ever view of it.
NASA’s Juno Spacecraft to Fly Over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot July 10
NASA’s Juno spacecraft will fly directly over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the gas giant’s iconic, 10,000-mile-wide storm, on July 10, providing the closest-ever view of it.
Veteran Ocean Satellite to Assume Added Role
A veteran oceanography satellite that has expanded our knowledge of global sea level, ocean currents and climate will take on an added role: improving maps of the sea floor.
Veteran Ocean Satellite to Assume Added Role
A veteran oceanography satellite that has expanded our knowledge of global sea level, ocean currents and climate will take on an added role: improving maps of the sea floor.
How a Speck of Light Becomes an Asteroid
June 30 is International Asteroid Day. Have you ever wondered how asteroids are discovered? Here’s the story.
How a Speck of Light Becomes an Asteroid
June 30 is International Asteroid Day. Have you ever wondered how asteroids are discovered? Here’s the story.
Phase-Imposing Initiation of Cherenkov Superradiance Emission by an Ultrashort-Seed Microwave Pulse
Author(s): G. A. Mesyats, N. S. Ginzburg, A. A. Golovanov, G. G. Denisov, I. V. Romanchenko, V. V. Rostov, K. A. Sharypov, V. G. Shpak, S. A. Shunailov, M. R. Ulmaskulov, M. I. Yalandin, and I. V. Zotova
The phase of Chereknov superradiant emission is controlled by the injection of a short electromagnetic pulse.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 264801] Published Fri Jun 30, 2017
Individual Tracer Atoms in an Ultracold Dilute Gas
Author(s): Michael Hohmann, Farina Kindermann, Tobias Lausch, Daniel Mayer, Felix Schmidt, Eric Lutz, and Artur WideraThe tracking of individual atoms diffusing in a cold, rarefied gas reveals the influence that a single impact has on randomizing the m…
Markov Property of the Conformal Field Theory Vacuum and the a Theorem
Author(s): Horacio Casini, Eduardo Testé, and Gonzalo Torroba
Vacuum entanglement entropy is used to prove the irreversibility of renormalization group flows in four or fewer spacetime dimensions.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 261602] Published Fri Jun 30, 2017
Phase-Imposing Initiation of Cherenkov Superradiance Emission by an Ultrashort-Seed Microwave Pulse
Author(s): G. A. Mesyats, N. S. Ginzburg, A. A. Golovanov, G. G. Denisov, I. V. Romanchenko, V. V. Rostov, K. A. Sharypov, V. G. Shpak, S. A. Shunailov, M. R. Ulmaskulov, M. I. Yalandin, and I. V. Zotova
The phase of Chereknov superradiant emission is controlled by the injection of a short electromagnetic pulse.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 264801] Published Fri Jun 30, 2017
Individual Tracer Atoms in an Ultracold Dilute Gas
Author(s): Michael Hohmann, Farina Kindermann, Tobias Lausch, Daniel Mayer, Felix Schmidt, Eric Lutz, and Artur WideraThe tracking of individual atoms diffusing in a cold, rarefied gas reveals the influence that a single impact has on randomizing the m…
Markov Property of the Conformal Field Theory Vacuum and the a Theorem
Author(s): Horacio Casini, Eduardo Testé, and Gonzalo Torroba
Vacuum entanglement entropy is used to prove the irreversibility of renormalization group flows in four or fewer spacetime dimensions.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 261602] Published Fri Jun 30, 2017
Week In Images
Our week through the lens: 26-30 June 2017
Week In Images
Our week through the lens: 26-30 June 2017
Could foreground stars make faraway quasars twinkle?
A team of astronomers thinks gas around hot stars might be distorting radio signals from distant quasars.
Ambrym
Earth observation image of the week: the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, also featured on the Earth from Space video programme
Sleuthing for Seismic Answers in the Sooner State
A NASA-led study examines the geology of last September’s magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the strongest ever measured by instruments in state history.
Sleuthing for Seismic Answers in the Sooner State
A NASA-led study examines the geology of last September’s magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the strongest ever measured by instruments in state history.
An Algorithm Helps Protect Mars Curiosity’s Wheels
A new software program reduces wear and tear on the Curiosity Mars rover wheels.
An Algorithm Helps Protect Mars Curiosity’s Wheels
A new software program reduces wear and tear on the Curiosity Mars rover wheels.
To make model landings
Technology image of the week: 3D-printed models of planetary bodies used for testing guidance and navigation systems
Ariane 5 launch proves reliability and flies new fairing
An Ariane 5 carrying two telecom satellites inside a new lighter fairing lifted off on the fourth mission from Europe’s Spaceport in two months.
Ariane 5 launch proves reliability and flies new fairing
An Ariane 5 carrying two telecom satellites inside a new lighter fairing lifted off on the fourth mission from Europe’s Spaceport in two months.
Readying for goodbye
Operations image of the week: Its prime technology demonstration mission is complete and teams are preparing for the final shut down of LISA Pathfinder on 18 July
Amplitude Sensing below the Zero-Point Fluctuations with a Two-Dimensional Trapped-Ion Mechanical Oscillator
Author(s): K. A. Gilmore, J. G. Bohnet, B. C. Sawyer, J. W. Britton, and J. J. Bollinger
A spin-based technique is able to measure the center-of-mass motion of a 2D crystal of trapped ions to a precision 40 times below the object’s zero-point energy.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 263602] Published Thu Jun 29, 2017
Amplitude Sensing below the Zero-Point Fluctuations with a Two-Dimensional Trapped-Ion Mechanical Oscillator
Author(s): K. A. Gilmore, J. G. Bohnet, B. C. Sawyer, J. W. Britton, and J. J. Bollinger
A spin-based technique is able to measure the center-of-mass motion of a 2D crystal of trapped ions to a precision 40 times below the object’s zero-point energy.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 263602] Published Thu Jun 29, 2017
Earth from Space
Join us Friday, 30 June, at 10:00 CEST for the ‘Earth from Space’ video programme
That’s a wrap
Human spaceflight image of the week: Aquanauts wrap up a 10-day underwater mission testing exploration technology.
Astronomy.com will host a live feed on Asteroid Day
You can tune in to Asteroid Day 2017 via our website.
Astronomers spot a pair of orbiting supermassive black holes
This first-of-its-kind observation indicates a past galaxy merger.
Origins of rolling friction
When a hard object rolls on a soft surface, or vice versa, rolling friction arises from deformation
of the soft object or the soft surface. The friction force can be described in terms of an offset in
the normal reaction force or in terms of energy l…
Brenda Jennison—1941 to 2017
This is a tribute to acknowledge the contribution made by Brenda Jennison to physics education
The implementation of binding blocks in the classroom
We discuss a series of activities for A-level students which can be carried out using the binding
blocks three dimensional chart of nuclides. The planned activities cover four main sections which
can be linked to the A-level curriculum; nuclear decay…
Measuring the coefficient of restitution and more: a simple experiment to promote students’ critical thinking and autonomous work
A simple experiment on the determination of the coefficient of restitution of different materials is
taken as the basis of an extendable work that can be done by students in an autonomous way. On the
whole, the work described in this paper would invo…
Origins of rolling friction
When a hard object rolls on a soft surface, or vice versa, rolling friction arises from deformation
of the soft object or the soft surface. The friction force can be described in terms of an offset in
the normal reaction force or in terms of energy l…
Brenda Jennison—1941 to 2017
This is a tribute to acknowledge the contribution made by Brenda Jennison to physics education
The implementation of binding blocks in the classroom
We discuss a series of activities for A-level students which can be carried out using the binding
blocks three dimensional chart of nuclides. The planned activities cover four main sections which
can be linked to the A-level curriculum; nuclear decay…
Measuring the coefficient of restitution and more: a simple experiment to promote students’ critical thinking and autonomous work
A simple experiment on the determination of the coefficient of restitution of different materials is
taken as the basis of an extendable work that can be done by students in an autonomous way. On the
whole, the work described in this paper would invo…
Nuclear Force Imprints Revealed on the Elastic Scattering of Protons with ^{10}C
Author(s): A. Kumar et al.The scattering of protons from a carbon isotope can be used to test models of the strong force.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 262502] Published Wed Jun 28, 2017
Nuclear Force Imprints Revealed on the Elastic Scattering of Protons with ^{10}C
Author(s): A. Kumar et al.The scattering of protons from a carbon isotope can be used to test models of the strong force.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 262502] Published Wed Jun 28, 2017
Celebrate Asteroid Day with NASA’s special broadcast
Learn more about near-Earth objects and ask any asteroid questions you have!
NASA Keeps a Close Eye on Tiny Stowaways
Cleanliness on the International Space Station is a priority.
NASA Celebrates International Asteroid Day with Special Broadcast
NASA will mark International Asteroid Day Friday, June 30, with a special program on NASA TV and online featuring the agency’s work to find and study near-Earth objects.
NASA Keeps a Close Eye on Tiny Stowaways
Cleanliness on the International Space Station is a priority.
NASA Celebrates International Asteroid Day with Special Broadcast
NASA will mark International Asteroid Day Friday, June 30, with a special program on NASA TV and online featuring the agency’s work to find and study near-Earth objects.
Hidden Area and Mechanical Nonlinearities in Freestanding Graphene
Author(s): Ryan J. T. Nicholl, Nickolay V. Lavrik, Ivan Vlassiouk, Bernadeta R. Srijanto, and Kirill I. Bolotin
The crumpling of graphene sheets explains a “soft spot” in the material’s mechanical response.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 266101] Published Tue Jun 27, 2017
Hidden Area and Mechanical Nonlinearities in Freestanding Graphene
Author(s): Ryan J. T. Nicholl, Nickolay V. Lavrik, Ivan Vlassiouk, Bernadeta R. Srijanto, and Kirill I. Bolotin
The crumpling of graphene sheets explains a “soft spot” in the material’s mechanical response.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 266101] Published Tue Jun 27, 2017
Forces on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field: the macro–micro connection
The classic problem of determining the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is
critically analysed. A common explanation found in many introductory textbooks is to represent the
force on the wire as the sum of the forces on charge car…
Forces on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field: the macro–micro connection
The classic problem of determining the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is
critically analysed. A common explanation found in many introductory textbooks is to represent the
force on the wire as the sum of the forces on charge car…
Lightning Sparking More Boreal Forest Fires
A new study finds lightning storms were the main driver of recent massive fire years in Alaska and northern Canada, with the storms likely to migrate north as climate warms.
Lightning Sparking More Boreal Forest Fires
A new study finds lightning storms were the main driver of recent massive fire years in Alaska and northern Canada, with the storms likely to migrate north as climate warms.
Magnetically Induced Optical Transparency on a Forbidden Transition in Strontium for Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy
Author(s): Matthew N. Winchester, Matthew A. Norcia, Julia R. K. Cline, and James K. Thompson
A magnetic field applied to an atomic sample in an optical cavity generates optical transparency that could be used to enhance the frequency stability of lasers.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 263601] Published Mon Jun 26, 2017
Magnetically Induced Optical Transparency on a Forbidden Transition in Strontium for Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy
Author(s): Matthew N. Winchester, Matthew A. Norcia, Julia R. K. Cline, and James K. Thompson
A magnetic field applied to an atomic sample in an optical cavity generates optical transparency that could be used to enhance the frequency stability of lasers.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 263601] Published Mon Jun 26, 2017
#AsteroidDay webcast
On 30 June, ESA experts will join scientists, astronauts and (space) rock stars in a 24-hour global webcast. Live segment from ESA’s ESOC mission control centre runs 08:30-10:00 GMT (10:30-12:00 CEST)
#AsteroidDay webcast
On 30 June, ESA experts will join scientists, astronauts and (space) rock stars in a 24-hour global webcast. Live segment from ESA’s ESOC mission control centre runs 08:30-10:00 GMT (10:30-12:00 CEST)
Plug and play
‘Plug and play’ challenges with young space fans in the space pavilion at the Paris Air and Space Show, 24 and 25 June
Summer solstice Sun
Space Science Image of the Week: A multi-hued view of the Sun seen from space on 21 June
Investigating and improving introductory physics students’ understanding of the electric field and superposition principle
We discuss an investigation of the difficulties that students in a university introductory physics
course have with the electric field and superposition principle and how that research was used as a
guide in the development and evaluation of a resear…
Investigating and improving introductory physics students’ understanding of the electric field and superposition principle
We discuss an investigation of the difficulties that students in a university introductory physics
course have with the electric field and superposition principle and how that research was used as a
guide in the development and evaluation of a resear…
Le Bourget Roundup
Roundup from ESA WebTV of Paris Air and Space Show
Le Bourget Roundup
Roundup from ESA WebTV of Paris Air and Space Show
Mars Rover Opportunity on Walkabout Near Rim
NASA’s senior Mars rover, Opportunity, is examining rocks at the edge of Endeavour Crater for signs that they may have been either transported by a flood or eroded in place by wind.
Mars Rover Opportunity on Walkabout Near Rim
NASA’s senior Mars rover, Opportunity, is examining rocks at the edge of Endeavour Crater for signs that they may have been either transported by a flood or eroded in place by wind.
Controlling the Topological Sector of Magnetic Solitons in Exfoliated Cr_{1/3}NbS_{2} Crystals
Author(s): L. Wang, N. Chepiga, D.-K. Ki, L. Li, F. Li, W. Zhu, Y. Kato, O. S. Ovchinnikova, F. Mila, I. Martin, D. Mandrus, and A. F. Morpurgo
Film thickness dependent changes in the topological properties of magnetic solitons are tracked via magnetotransport measurements in exfoliated crystals of the monoaxial chiral helimagnet Cr1/3NbS2.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 257203] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure
Author(s): D. S. Akerib et al. (LUX Collaboration)
The best limits, to date, on WIMP spin-dependent interactions with protons and neutrons are obtained by the PICO and LUX collaborations, respectively.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 251302] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Multispecies Trapped-Ion Node for Quantum Networking
Author(s): I. V. Inlek, C. Crocker, M. Lichtman, K. Sosnova, and C. Monroe
For the first time, ion-photon entanglement and two-quibit gating, two operations necessary for realizing fully functioning quantum computing nodes, are realized in the same experiment.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 250502] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO−60 C_{3}F_{8} Bubble Chamber
Author(s): C. Amole et al. (PICO Collaboration)The best limits, to date, on WIMP spin-dependent interactions with protons and neutrons are obtained by the PICO and LUX collaborations, respectively.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 251301] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Extremely Large Magnetoresistance in a Topological Semimetal Candidate Pyrite PtBi_{2}
Author(s): Wenshuai Gao, Ningning Hao, Fa-Wei Zheng, Wei Ning, Min Wu, Xiangde Zhu, Guolin Zheng, Jinglei Zhang, Jianwei Lu, Hongwei Zhang, Chuanying Xi, Jiyong Yang, Haifeng Du, Ping Zhang, Yuheng Zhang, and Mingliang TianA magnetoresistance of 11.2 m…
Controlling the Topological Sector of Magnetic Solitons in Exfoliated Cr_{1/3} NbS_{2} Crystals
Author(s): L. Wang, N. Chepiga, D.-K. Ki, L. Li, F. Li, W. Zhu, Y. Kato, O. S. Ovchinnikova, F. Mila, I. Martin, D. Mandrus, and A. F. Morpurgo
Film thickness dependent changes in the topological properties of magnetic solitons are tracked via magnetotransport measurements in exfoliated crystals of the monoaxial chiral helimagnet Cr1/3NbS2.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 257203] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure
Author(s): D. S. Akerib et al. (LUX Collaboration)
The best limits, to date, on WIMP spin-dependent interactions with protons and neutrons are obtained by the PICO and LUX collaborations, respectively.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 251302] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Multispecies Trapped-Ion Node for Quantum Networking
Author(s): I. V. Inlek, C. Crocker, M. Lichtman, K. Sosnova, and C. Monroe
For the first time, ion-photon entanglement and two-quibit gating, two operations necessary for realizing fully functioning quantum computing nodes, are realized in the same experiment.
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 250502] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO−60 C_{3} F_{8} Bubble Chamber
Author(s): C. Amole et al. (PICO Collaboration)The best limits, to date, on WIMP spin-dependent interactions with protons and neutrons are obtained by the PICO and LUX collaborations, respectively.[Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 251301] Published Fri Jun 23, 2017
Extremely Large Magnetoresistance in a Topological Semimetal Candidate Pyrite PtBi_{2}
Author(s): Wenshuai Gao, Ningning Hao, Fa-Wei Zheng, Wei Ning, Min Wu, Xiangde Zhu, Guolin Zheng, Jinglei Zhang, Jianwei Lu, Hongwei Zhang, Chuanying Xi, Jiyong Yang, Haifeng Du, Ping Zhang, Yuheng Zhang, and Mingliang TianA magnetoresistance of 11.2 m…
Week In Images
Our week through the lens: 19-23 June 2017
Superpowers in Space
‘Being in space is like having superpowers’, Thomas Pesquet at the Paris Air and Space Show (French)
Sound check
Sound check with citizens – replay of an informal discussion hosted by ESA Director General Jan Woerner at the Paris Air and Space Show
NASA is reviewing the WFIRST mission
Unexpected budget cuts may cause a slight delay.
New Hubble find challenges our ideas about galaxies
This puzzling object is the wrong shape for its type.
Le Bourget Day 4
Roundup of Day 4 at the Paris Air and Space Show, 22 June
Underlining some aspects of the equivalence principle
We want to shed light on some discussed aspects of the principle of equivalence. We consider two
different phases in the evolution of the principle. We pay attention to the fact that some textbooks
do not dwell on the mathematical meaning of ‘local…
Coefficient of performance of Stirling refrigerators
Stirling coolers transfer heat in or out of the working fluid during all four stages of their
operation, and their coefficient of performance depends on whether the non-isothermal heat exchanges
are performed reversibly or irreversibly. Both of these…