Latest news with #FAST
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scientists Startled by Discovery of Small Star Swimming Through Outer Layers of Another Larger Star
A team of researchers in China have discovered a stunning binary system in which a stellar object known as a pulsar orbited inside the outer layers of its companion star — which it accomplished after stripping its host's innards and dispersing them into space. The findings, detailed in a new study published in the journal Science, are an incredibly rare example of a "spider star" that preys on its companion, so-named because of the female arachnids that devour males after mating. And tantalizingly, the grisly scene is some of the best evidence yet of a stage of stellar evolution called the common envelope phase, which has never been directly observed by astronomers. Pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron stars, the incredibly dense stellar cores that are left over in the aftermath of a supernova. Everything about neutron stars exhaust superlatives — their gravity most of all. They are so tightly packed, containing more mass than our Sun inside a form just a dozen miles in radius, that all their atoms and their constituent protons and electrons have been crushed into neutrons, with just a teaspoon of this improbable matter weighing trillions of pounds. Their powerful magnetic fields, billions of times stronger than Earth's, unleash beams of radio waves into space along their poles. Further beggaring belief, some neutron stars become pulsars, which spin up to hundreds of times per second after siphoning material from a stellar companion, if it has one. Their sweeping beams of radiation, like cosmic lighthouses, look like a repeating signal to observers. The newly discovered pulsar, PSR J1928+1815, intrigued the astronomers because its radio pulses suggested that it was extremely close to its host, completing an orbit every 3.6 hours. They also noticed that for one-sixth of that orbit, the pulsar would vanish from view, indicating that the host was eclipsing it. "That's a large part of the orbit," coauthor Jin-Lin Han, a radio astronomer at the National Astronomical Observatories in Beijing, told Gizmodo. "That's strange, only a larger companion can do this." Over four and a half years, Han's team closely observed the system using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in southern China, the largest and most powerful single-dish radio telescope in the world. Their observations revealed that the host star was between one to 1.6 times the mass of our Sun, while the pulsar was more likely 1.4 stellar masses. Determining the make of the host star, however, took some additional sleuthing. Its tight orbit and the fact that it was only detectable in radio wavelengths, Giz noted, ruled out its being a Sun-like star. And since it was large enough to eclipse the pulsar, it had to be something larger than a stellar remnant like another neutron star. That pointed to something altogether more spectacular: a helium star, created after the pulsar, when it was still an ordinary neutron star, tore off its host's layers and created a huge common envelope, a cloud of hydrogen gas that swallows both the stars. In this case, the poor star under attack managed to cling on to its evacuated innards for just 1,000 years — a blink in a stellar lifespan — before the whole, mighty envelope fell apart. Fleeting as it was, its impact is lasting: the friction exerted by the gases gradually nudged both stars closer together. Common envelopes are rare because the process of a neutron star stripping its companion, which causes it to spin and graduate to a pulsar, usually results in all the siphoned material being devoured. But if the companion is massive enough, much of it survives. The discovery marks the first spider star found orbiting a helium star. While the astronomers didn't get to witness the envelope in action, this is some of the most convincing evidence to date that this long-theorized stage of stellar evolution exists. In all, the team estimates that there're just 16 to 84 star systems like this one in the entire Milky Way — and, against all odds, we got to see one. More on space: Scientists Puzzled by Mysterious Motion in Atmosphere of Saturn's Moon
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA plans to build a giant radio telescope on the 'dark side' of the moon. Here's why.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. NASA scientists are currently working on plans to build a giant radio telescope in a nearly mile-wide crater on the "dark side" of the moon. If approved, it could be constructed as early as the 2030s and cost more than $2 billion, project scientists told Live Science. Astronomers want to build the first-of-its-kind dish, known as the Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT), to help unravel some of the universe's biggest mysteries — but also because they are concerned about growing levels of invisible radiation leaking from private satellite "megaconstellations," which could soon disrupt Earth-based radio astronomy. The proposed telescope will be built entirely by robots and consist of a giant wire mesh suspended via cables within a crater on the moon's far side, similar to the collapsed alien-hunting Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico or China's giant Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), which were both built within natural depressions on Earth. This will shelter the dish from satellite signals, as well as prevent interference from solar radiation and Earth's atmosphere. The LCRT project is currently being investigated by a team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology. It was first proposed in 2020 and was awarded $125,000 in "phase I" funding from NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC). In 2021, the project reached "phase II" and was awarded an additional $500,000 of NIAC funding. The team is preparing to apply for "phase III" funding, which could be granted as early as next year, and they are currently building a 200:1 scale prototype that will be tested at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory in California later this year, Gaurangi Gupta, a research scientist at JPL who is part of the LCRT project, told Live Science. If the funding is approved — and the project passes this final phase — it will become a fully-fledged mission and the telescope could potentially be built at some point in the 2030s, Gupta said. Related: Scientists may finally be close to explaining strange radio signals from beyond the Milky Way The most up-to-date plans for the telescope include a 1,150-foot-wide (350 meter) meshed reflector, which is larger than Arecibo's collapsed dish but smaller than FAST. This is around three times smaller than the 3,300-foot (1,000 m) reflector initially proposed in 2020, which would have been the largest single telescope ever built. The researchers have already selected their preferred crater — a 0.8-mile-wide (1.3 km) depression in the moon's Northern Hemisphere — but are keeping its exact location under wraps. This is not the first time that scientists have proposed putting a radio telescope on the moon. The idea dates back to at least 1984, Gupta said. However, due to the technical challenges of building such a structure, it has never been seriously considered until now. "But with state-of-the-art technology, LCRT can potentially solve all these issues and make this concept a reality," Gupta said. However, the latest "rough estimate" suggests the construction of the LCRT could cost around $2.6 billion, Gupta said. This might prove to be the final stumbling block, especially as NASA's budget is being severely slashed by the Trump administration. The number of satellites orbiting Earth is rising fast, thanks to the emergence of private satellites, particularly SpaceX's rapidly growing Starlink constellation. This can create several problems, including an increase in space junk, rising light pollution in the night sky and a build-up of metal pollution in the upper atmosphere from satellite reentries. A lesser-known issue is that private satellites are prone to accidentally leaking radiation into space, which can interfere with radio telescopes trying to study distant objects such as ancient galaxies, nearby exoplanets and supermassive black holes. Several radio astronomers recently told Live Science that, if the number of satellites around our planet reaches maximum capacity, we could reach an "inflection point" beyond which radio astronomy would be extremely limited, and even impossible in some wavelengths. If this were to happen, "it would mean that we are artificially closing 'windows' to observe our universe," Federico Di Vruno, an astronomer at the Square Kilometer Array Observatory and co-director of the International Astronomical Union's Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky, told Live Science. Having a shielded telescope on the moon could allow radio astronomy to persist even if this worst-case scenario comes to pass. However, this one telescope would only allow us to do a fraction of the science currently being achieved by radio observatories across the globe, meaning our ability to study the cosmos would still be drastically limited. Other researchers are also exploring the possibility of using a constellation of moon-orbiting satellites, as an accompaniment or alternative to the LCRT, Gupta said. However, these will likely have a much reduced window for observations than the larger telescope. In addition to preserving radio astronomy, LCRT could also allow us to scan wavelengths that Earth-based telescopes cannot. Radio signals with wavelengths greater than 33 feet (10 m), known as ultra-long wavelengths, do not easily pass through Earth's atmosphere, making them almost impossible to study from the ground. But these wavelengths are also vital in studying the very beginning of the universe, known as the cosmic dark ages, because signals from this epoch have been extremely red-shifted, or stretched out, before they reach us. "During this phase, the universe primarily consisted of neutral hydrogen, photons and dark matter, thus it serves as an excellent laboratory for testing our understanding of cosmology," Gupta said. "Observations of the dark ages have the potential to revolutionize physics and cosmology by improving our understanding of fundamental particle physics, dark matter, dark energy and cosmic inflation." The LCRT would also be shielded from solar radiation, which can also interfere with some other radio signals, allowing those wavelengths to be more easily studied on the moon. If LCRT is approved it will be a major coup for science. But it will not actually be the first lunar radio telescope. In February 2024, Intuitive Machine's Odysseus lander — the first private spacecraft to land on the moon and the first American lunar lander for more than 50 years — carried NASA's first Radiowave Observations on the Lunar Surface of the photo-Electron Sheath (ROLSES-1) instrument to the moon's near side. Despite the fact that the lander face-planted and ended up tilted on its side, the 30-pound (14 kilogram) telescope was still able to briefly collect the first lunar radio data. However, because ROLSES-1 was facing Earth, almost all the signals it collected came from our own planet, offering little astronomical value, according to a study uploaded March 12 to the pre-print journal arXiv. "This is a good demonstration of why we need to be on the far side for reliable measurements of the dark ages signal in a radio-quiet environment," Gupta said RELATED STORIES —Radio signal from 8 billion light-years away could reveal the secrets of the universe's 'dark age' —Astronomers discover new 'odd radio circle' near the center of our galaxy —Strange radio signals detected from Earth-like planet could be a magnetic field necessary for life Later this year, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost II lander will also attempt to land on the moon's far side. Among its scheduled payloads is the Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night (LuSEE Night) — a mini radio telescope from the U.S. Department of Energy that will scan the sky for ultra-long-wavelength signals, Live Science's sister site previously reported. "The observations from these telescopes would be valuable for understanding the lunar environment, and the challenges and potential mitigation strategies to detect ultra-long wavelength signals," Gupta said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carbone Restaurant Group is a GOLD Sponsor at the Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2025) - Carbone Restaurant Group, the parent company of the growing FAST FIRED by Carbone pizza franchise, is pleased to announce it is a GOLD Sponsor at the Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit held at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel from Monday, June 2nd to Thursday, June 5th, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. This four-day invitation only and curated event will feature: public and private companies across emerging and growth sectors highly selective audience of global growth investors insightful panel discussions led by globally renowned experts and thought leaders VIP networking events and a captivating entertainment program Centurion One Capital 6th Annual LA Summit Format: Presentations, Panel Discussions and 1 X 1 Investor MeetingsPresentation Dates: Wednesday, June 4th and Thursday, June 5th, 2025Time: 9:00 AM PDT - 5:00 PM PDTVenue: The Beverly Hills Hotel For more information and registration details, please visit: CARBONE RESTAURANT GROUP is looking forward to attending this landmark event and having the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and global growth investors and building meaningful relationships and exploring the next wave of growth companies shaping North America's future. About CARBONE RESTAURANT GROUP Carbone Restaurant Group (CRG) is a dynamic and forward-thinking company committed to delivering exceptional food experiences through sustainable and convenient concepts. CRG provides a diverse range of offerings, including its flagship FAST FIRED by Carbone QSR pizza franchise and a portfolio of delivery-only brands. Benjamin Nasberg, CEO, is scheduled to present on Wednesday, June 4th at 11:10 AM PT. Benjamin will also be attending investor meetings and participating on a panel discussion. "Carbone has a unique approach to the restaurant sector. We are committed to people and sustainability while providing an innovative value proposition that drives our franchise model and acquisition strategy." The company recently opened in Brampton Ontario, and Surrey BC, marking a significant milestone in its national growth strategy. Since launching, the franchise inquiries continue to flood in due to the positive feedback surrounding the brand. The company is also actively identifying acquisition targets and preparing for massive growth across the United States and Canada. This strategic expansion aligns with the company's mission to bring its innovative, convenient and high-quality offerings to new markets. "We are excited by the overwhelming response we've received from our customers," said Nasberg. "This success reinforces our belief in the strength of our brand and our ability to thrive in diverse markets. With strong demand and a robust pipeline of new locations, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth and establish our brands, along with those we acquire as household names across North America." Learn more about Carbone Restaurant Group at Loes Chafeloes.c@ About Centurion One Capital Centurion One Capital ("Centurion One") is the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the growth and success of growth companies in North America. With an unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions and strategic guidance, Centurion One is a trusted strategic partner and catalyst to propel issuers to unlock their full potential. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who combine extensive financial expertise with deep knowledge of various sectors. We take a proactive and results-driven approach, working closely with our clients to develop tailored strategies and execute transactions that maximize value and drive long-term success. Centurion One - Empowering Growth. Driving Innovation. Partnering for Success. For more information about Centurion One, visit To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Samoa takes a step into uncertainty with snap election
Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves." Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Samoa takes a step into uncertainty with snap election
Samoa's parliament will dissolve next week ahead of the Pacific nation's first snap election in 40 years, but it's still not clear when the polling day will be - or its contestants. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is reportedly poised to set up a new party to run in the polls, just a week after her government was brought down. Fiame was unable to pass her budget this week, crippling her minority government and prompting a trip to the head of state. "The Head of State signed the notice of dissolution of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to be effective on the 3rd of June 2025," Fiame said in a national statement. Fiame announced the dissolution of Samoa's parliament however, a date has not been set. Fiame said the judiciary must determine the poll day, given the electoral act asks parties and candidates to be confirmed six months from an election, but the constitution requires an election to be held three months after parliament's dissolution. The fall of the 68-year-old's government is another watershed moment in Samoa's democracy. In 2021, Fiame became the first female prime minister in Samoa's history, and one of the few to have led a Pacific government, ending the 23-year reign of Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi. Fiame's decision in January to eject La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the FAST party chairman, from cabinet over a raft of criminal charges precipitated this year's crisis. Several MPs walked with La'auli, reducing Fiame's government to a minority, and while she survived a pair of no-confidence motions earlier this year, the budget impasse ended her reign. In a scathing editorial published this week, the Samoa Observer said La'auli and his supporters were responsible for the early poll - and the constitutional crunch. "How did we get here? The answer is simple. It is the failure by some in power to follow the law and think that their positions make them untouchable," the editorial read. "And who suffers? The people of this nation. "If the law had been followed and there had been no intention of manipulating it to suit people's agendas, the path to the next general elections would have been smoother." The editorial did not spare Fiame, saying she should have addressed the nation more often, "leading many to question her ability to lead the nation". "But one thing she has done properly is follow the law. That attribute is leader-like," it continued. While Fiame is reportedly planning to launch a new party when parliament dissolves, the legal uncertainty means it is not clear whether it will be allowed. The Samoa Observer said citizens should prepare for an election season with "many gifts" to be showered across districts. "But under the law and being morally righteous, as Christians, is it right for us to take these gifts?" it read. "Wake up, Samoa. It is said all is part of God's plan, and if it is, the power has been handed back to the people to elect people into power who will work for the people and not for themselves."
