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Mysterious object found in Milky Way works like an X-ray machine, sends signals every 44 minutes
Mysterious object found in Milky Way works like an X-ray machine, sends signals every 44 minutes

Economic Times

time5 days ago

  • Science
  • Economic Times

Mysterious object found in Milky Way works like an X-ray machine, sends signals every 44 minutes

AP This image provided by NASA shows X-rays from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (represented in blue) that have been combined with infrared data from NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope (cyan, light blue, teal and orange), and radio from MeerKat (red). An inset shows a more detailed view of the immediate area around this unusual object in X-ray and radio light. (NASA/Chandra/Spitzer/MeerKat via AP) A mysterious object in our galaxy is sending powerful signals into space every 44 minutes, and scientists are still trying to figure out what it is. The object, designated as ASKAP J1935+2148, was discovered by chance and has behavior unlike anything seen discovery is exciting and puzzling because it doesn't match the known patterns of any existing space object. Also Read: Bigger than 5,000 Suns; here's why this massive near-earth space cloud remained hidden till now? The object was first detected in 2023 using Australia's ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) radio telescope. It was observed while scientists were looking at something else entirely, a supernova remnant. A supernova remnant is the structure resulting from the explosion of a star in a supernova. Soon after, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory picked up X-rays from the same sky spot. The two telescopes working together confirmed that the object was emitting both X-rays and radio waves in sync every 44 minutes, lasting for a few minutes each pattern of emissions makes it the first known example of a "long-period transient" emitting in both radio and X-ray wavelengths. So far, scientists believe it could be a type of dead star, such as a neutron star or a white dwarf. These stars remain after larger stars explode or collapse. But this one is strange; it behaves like nothing else in its stars usually spin fast and send out bursts every few seconds or milliseconds. This object is slow but emits X-rays in 44 minutes, making it unique. It's too slow to be a typical pulsar but too active to be considered completely dormant. Some astronomers think it may represent a new type of magnetar, a neutron star with a powerful magnetic field. Others believe it could be entirely new and not yet classified by scientists. The mysterious object is located about 15,000 light-years from Earth, within the Milky Way galaxy. That's relatively close in space terms, especially considering the galaxy spans 100,000 lies in a dense part of the galaxy filled with gas, dust, and other stars, which makes it hard to observe in detail. However, its powerful and periodic signals reach us loud and clear. This discovery is important because it challenges our knowledge of dead stars and cosmic signals. Astronomers have studied stars for decades, but this object doesn't fit existing theories.'If it's a neutron star, it's unlike any we've ever seen,' said Ziteng Wang, lead author of the research from Curtin University in also shows that even well-known parts of space can surprise us. Also Read: 300 years after alchemy failed, CERN scientists finally turn lead into gold Scientists plan to use different telescopes to observe ASKAP J1935+2148 closely. They hope to learn more about how it works and what it's made new telescopes like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) come online in the next few years, researchers may discover more objects like this, and maybe even explain what they now, this strange X-ray emitting thing remains one of the most mysterious objects in our galaxy. The Milky Way is named for its milky white appearance as a dim band of light across the night sky, caused by countless distant stars. Its name comes from a Greek myth where the goddess Hera's spilled milk formed this glowing band. Our Solar System, including Earth, is located about 26,000 to 27,000 light-years from the Milky Way's center, situated on the inner edge of the Orion Arm (also called the Orion Spur), a minor spiral arm between the larger Sagittarius and Perseus Milky Way is a single galaxy and does not contain other galaxies within it. However, it has about 100 to 400 billion stars and is part of the Local Group, which includes over 50 galaxies, such as the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies.

Exchange Bank Promotes Ali Spitzer to Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Exchange Bank Promotes Ali Spitzer to Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer

Business Wire

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • Business Wire

Exchange Bank Promotes Ali Spitzer to Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exchange Bank (OTC: EXSR) is pleased to announce the promotion of Ali Spitzer to Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, recognizing her outstanding leadership and continued contributions to the Bank's long-term success. Spitzer brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in multiple leadership positions since joining the Exchange Bank. From her early days as a Credit Analyst to roles as Underwriter, Loan Officer, and most recently Credit Administrator, Spitzer has demonstrated exceptional versatility, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to the principles of community banking. 'Ali's promotion is a reflection of her unwavering dedication, her ability to lead with both integrity and vision, and the respect she has earned throughout the organization,' said Troy Sanderson, President and CEO of Exchange Bank. 'She exemplifies the leadership qualities that drive our mission and strengthen our commitment to the communities we serve.' In addition to her professional accomplishments, Spitzer has been recognized by her peers and the broader business community. She was recently named one of the North Bay Business Journal's Influential Women of 2025 and is a past recipient of the North Bay Business Journal's 40 Under 40 award, celebrating rising leaders in the region. Spitzer's civic involvement includes her current board position with the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, where she continues to play a meaningful role in regional economic development. She has previously served on the boards of the Sonoma Community Action Network and the Business Alliance of Sonoma County, contributing significantly during community recovery efforts following the Tubbs Fire and other local crises. Her dedication to community banking is matched by her passion for helping customers and communities achieve their goals, and she remains committed to supporting organizations that drive local progress. About Exchange Bank Headquartered in Sonoma County and founded in 1890, Exchange Bank is a full-service community bank with assets of $3.27 billion. Exchange Bank provides a wide range of personal, commercial, and trust and investment management services with 17 retail branches in Sonoma County, a retail branch in Roseville and Trust & Investment Management offices in Santa Rosa, Roseville, Marin County and Silicon Valley. The Bank's legacy of financial leadership and community support is grounded in its core values of commitment, respect, integrity, and teamwork. Exchange Bank is known for its people who care about their customers, their company, and the communities where they live and work. Exchange Bank is a 19-year winner of the North Bay Business Journal's Best Places to Work survey and a 13-time winner of the Best Bank of Sonoma County by the Press Democrat's Readers' Choice 2024 awards. Exchange Bank was named Best Consumer Bank by the NorthBay biz Magazine's Best of the North Bay readers' poll and Best Local Bank by The Petaluma Argus Courier People's Choice Awards 2024. Exchange Bank is also a winner of the 2024 San Francisco Business Times Corporate Philanthropy award, and the Bohemian Magazine's Best of the North Bay 2024 named Exchange Bank Best Business Bank and Best Consumer Bank. Member FDIC — Equal Housing Lender — Equal Opportunity Employer

Orange County D.A. says his workplace was a miserable 'lions' den,' in court testimony
Orange County D.A. says his workplace was a miserable 'lions' den,' in court testimony

Yahoo

time23-05-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Orange County D.A. says his workplace was a miserable 'lions' den,' in court testimony

Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer appeared at a civil trial this week and denied claims he retaliated against a former executive and whistleblower who sought to protect female prosecutors who were sexually harassed in the D.A.'s office. In a lawsuit filed against the county by former senior assistant Dist. Atty. Tracy Miller, at one point the highest-ranking woman in the prosecutors office, Spitzer and others are accused of retaliation and trying to force Miller out of her job after she questioned Spitzer's actions as D.A. Those actions included his handling of allegations that a male superior, who was also the best man at Spitzer's wedding, sexually harassed young female prosecutors. Spitzer denied the accusations during hours of testimony that became at times tense and emotional. In a San Diego courtroom this week, Spitzer acknowledged deep tensions within the D.A.'s office following his 2018 election victory over former Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas. Spitzer, who appeared to wipe away tears during his testimony, told jurors he believed he was walking "in the lions' den" after winning the election and expected opposition from employees who had worked for Rackauckas. "I knew it was going to be miserable, and it was miserable," Spitzer said, his voice cracking. Read more: A blood feud rocks O.C. law enforcement with claims of 'dirty cop,' 'corrupt' D.A. In her lawsuit, Miller alleges that Spitzer and former chief assistant Dist. Atty. Shawn Nelson — who is now an Orange County Superior Court Judge — forced the prosecutor out through "purposeful and intentional retaliation." The reason for this, Miller alleges, is that she was protecting female subordinates who had reported sexual misconduct by a male superior, Gary LoGalbo, who is now deceased. "Miller was punished for refusing to allow Spitzer to lionize the predator, gaslight, and further savage the reputation of the victims," her lawsuit says. According to the suit, Miller had also raised concerns about Spitzer's handling of the D.A.'s office, including worries that Spitzer had violated the Racial Justice Act by bringing up questions of race while trying to determine whether or not to seek the death penalty against a Black defendant. She also claimed that Spitzer considered a prosecutor's race in assignments and that he had possibly undermined a homicide case. But it was the allegations of sexual harassment against LoGalbo, a former friend and roommate of Spitzer's, that plaintiff attorneys say most threatened Spitzer's leadership and prompted him to target Miller. "[Spitzer] knew that if this was believed, the (district attorney's) office would suffer one of the worst scandals ever," said John Barnett, an attorney representing Miller during his opening statement Monday. "He punished (Miller) for protecting one of her young prosecutors." Attorneys representing the county, as well as Spitzer and Nelson, argue that the men wanted Miller to stay in the prosecutor's office and valued her experience, pointing out they promoted four women to top positions due to her recommendations. Defense Attorney Tracey Kennedy argued during her opening statement Monday that even though LoGalbo had been friends with Spitzer years ago, the relationship had changed by the time the allegations were raised. "(Spitzer) had no reason to protect Mr. LoGalbo at the expense of the Orange County DA's office, and the expense of his career," Kennedy said. Instead, she said, Spitzer and Nelson had set out to make much needed reforms for the office. "They had a mission to change the D.A.'s office," she said. Read more: California security firm CEO, workers charged after woman forcibly removed from Republican town hall The county investigation substantiated the sexual harassment allegations against LoGalbo, but an April 2021 report found that allegations of retaliation were unsubstantiated because no actions were taken against the employees. Much of Spitzer's time on the witness stand Tuesday centered on his role in the LoGalbo investigation, and what appeared to be differing versions of what occurred. At one point during questioning, Spitzer disclosed that the version of events he gave the county's investigator during the internal probe — about a highly scrutinized private meeting with a supervisor — had been "inaccurate." Chris Duff, a former senior deputy district attorney, had told the county investigator that Spitzer met with him in the law library of a Westminster courthouse in January 2021 and instructed him to write up one of the sexual harassment victims in her upcoming evaluation for being "untruthful." Duff said he refused to do so, according to a report of the internal investigation. Spitzer initially denied discussing the evaluation during the meeting and told the investigator, Elisabeth Frater, that he "never said that" to Duff because he didn't want anything "to be perceived in any way whatsoever that we were retaliating against her." But in court this week, Spitzer offered a different version of events. "What I told Frater was inaccurate," Spitzer said, adding that he did discuss concerns he had about the female prosecutor's honesty regarding an email she wrote. "I did talk to Duff about that." But Spitzer maintained his concerns were about the prosecutor's veracity, and not about the claims she had raised against LoGalbo. After Duff met with Spitzer, Miller sent a note to Spitzer telling the district attorney she was aware of the conversation, and arguing against writing up the female prosecutor. During his testimony, Spitzer said that he was disappointed with Miller, and that she had not gone directly to him with her concerns about various issues. At one point, Spitzer said, he had grown to wonder why Miller would take notes during executive meetings. "You could see anytime a subject came up, Tracy was taking notes about our meetings," Spitzer said. "There was a point of time where it was very curious to me, why do you seem to be memorializing everything we're doing?" When he was first elected in 2018, Spitzer said he believed he was walking "in the lions' den" and expected opposition from his direct reports. For that reason, he said, he chose Shawn Nelson to be his number two. "I picked him because I was going into battle, in the lions' den," Spitzer said. Miller's lawsuit is just the latest in a series of troubles that have recently hit the district attorney's office, including allegations of retaliation raised by top prosecutors and investigators in the office. The county is also facing eight sexual harassment lawsuits involving allegations against LoGalbo. In March, a now-retired investigator of the office also sent letters to the California attorney general, the U.S. Department of Justice, the State Bar of California, and other agencies to investigate Spitzer and other top officials at the prosecutor's office. All the latest on Orange County from Orange our free TimesOC me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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