Latest news with #TriCities
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
WA observatory at risk from Trump cuts helps make stunning black hole discovery
The LIGO Hanford Observatory near the Tri-Cities and its twin in Louisiana detected ripples of time and space passing through Earth from the most massive collision of black holes ever observed, a coalition of the world's four gravitational wave observatories announced Tuesday. The gravitational waves were confirmed by comparing signals from space that were detected by both U.S. LIGO observatories despite lasting only a 10th of a second. 'This is the most massive black hole binary we've observed through gravitational waves, and it presents a real challenge to our understanding of black hole formation,' said Mark Hannam of Cardiff University in Wales, who is a member of a coalition of the world's gravitational wave observatories, in a statement. In addition to the large mass of the merging black holes, they also were spinning more rapidly than any previously detected black hole, approaching the limit allowed by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The international coalition, the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration, described the detection in a fact sheet as an event 'both extraordinary and puzzling to interpret.' It is 'a potent reminder that the cosmos still holds many surprises, and we are only just beginning to uncover them,' it said. The interpretation of the data and the announcement came as the future of at least one of the U.S. LIGO observatories is in jeopardy as deep cuts to science programs are proposed by the Trump administration. Gravitational waves are caused by cataclysmic events in space, such as colliding black holes, merging neutron stars, exploding stars and possibly even the birth of the universe itself, according to CalTech, which is a joint operator and manager of the two LIGO observatories under an agreement with the National Science Foundation. Since the U.S. Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatories made scientific history in 2015 with the first-ever direct detection of gravitational waves, or ripples in space and time, from a black hole merger, about 300 more black hole mergers have been detected. The U.S. LIGO's have collaborated on discoveries with Italy's Virgo gravitational-wave observatory since 2007 and Japan's KAGRA observatory since 2019. Massive black hole The black hole collision detected on Nov. 23, 2023, in the United States, during an international observing run, produced a final black hole about 225 times the mass of Earth's sun. The two black holes that merged had individual masses of about 100 and 140 times that of the sun. 'It looks like we are seeing mergers of mergers,' which could lead to new information about steller evolution, said Michael Landry, head of the LIGO Hanford Observatory. Current stellar evolution models don't account for black holes so massive, which raises the possibility that what was detected was the merger of black holes, at least one of which had already merged to form a larger black hole, according to Hannam. The black holes could come from an extremely dense astrophysical environment, such as a nuclear star cluster or an active galactic nucleus, where black holes are more likely to collide, according to the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration fact sheet. Now theories of steller evolution suggest that black holes with masses between about 60 and 130 solar masses, such as one of those in the detection announced Tuesday, should be rare or not even exist, according to the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration. The initial merger detected in 2015, confirming Einstein's theory of relativity, had a final black hole mass of 62 times that of the sun. And until the one announced Tuesday, the most massive black hole merger detected was 140 times the mass of the sun, the same as the larger of the merging black holes in the new detection. 'This observation once again demonstrates how gravitational waves are uniquely revealing the fundamental and exotic nature of black holes throughout the universe,' said Dave Reitze, the executive director of LIGO at CalTech The high mass and extremely rapid spinning of the black holes that merged push the limits of both gravitational-wave detection technology and current theoretical models. Confirming LIGO detection The two black holes that collided were so incredibly heavy, that the signal they sent was lower in frequency and shorter compared to other detections, Landry said. In order to confirm that the the detection was from gravitational waves from space and not something on Earth, data from two or more sources was needed, in this case the Hanford and the Livingston, La., LIGOs, Landry said. Although just a tenth of a second long, the signal was 20 times louder than the typical detector noise, and a graph of the detections at both LIGOs closely match. They give a particularly clear view of the merger's grand finale when the newly formed black hole radiates energy through gravitational waves, vibrating and finally settling into a stable state, according to the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration fact sheet. Extracting accurate information from the signal to make sure it was not a random blip in the data required the use of models that simulate what a signal would look like for different black hole pairs, accounting for the intricate dynamics of highly spinning black holes, according to the fact sheet. The modeling found that the probability of random noise mimicking the detection was less than once in 10,000 years. 'This gives us extreme confidence in the non-terrestrial origin of the signal, and thus in the reality of this gravitational-wave signal,' according to the fact sheet. The detection was from the fourth observing run of the collaboration and of the four international observatories that began in May 2023. Additional observations from the first half of the run through January 2024 will be published later this summer. Proposed LIGO closure The confirmation of the discovery of the heaviest black hole ever detected comes as the Trump administration's proposed budget for fiscal 2026 calls for closing either the Louisiana or Hanford LIGO. It is part of a 57% cut proposed by the administration for the National Science Foundation. The proposal has been given to Congress, which is working on bills now in the House and the Senate to set budgets for the National Science Foundation and its projects. According to LIGO CalTech, it is rare that a signal is so strong that a claim of detection can be made with just one observatory. Two or more detectors operating in unison are fundamental to LIGO's ability to contribute to the burgeoning field of gravitational wave astronomy, it said. To be able to hunt for and also find the visible light or other electromagnetic radiation associated with certain gravitational wave events using more traditional observatories, three or more gravitational-wave observatories are needed for triangulation to locate the region of the sky that contains the source of the wave, according to LIGO CalTech. To date, just one such source, the first-ever-known neutron star merger, has also been seen by observatories relying on light after a gravitational-wave detection. 'Though LIGO's mission is to detect gravitational waves from some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe, the data LIGO collects may also contribute to other areas of physics such as gravitation, relativity, cosmology, astrophysics, particle physics and nuclear physics,' according to LIGO CalTech. Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Waterloo Region looks to make dent in affordable housing crisis with new development
Rental prices for apartments in the tri-cities are among the highest across the country, according to recent data from Statistics Canada. But one of Waterloo Region's newest affordable housing project, at 420 Kingscourt Drive in Waterloo, aims to help those being priced out of the private market. The site is currently a construction zone, but work is expected to wrap up by the fall. For some, it can't come fast enough. 'Our affordable housing waitlist is currently over 10,000 applications,' said Ryan Pettipiere, director of housing services for the region. The project will be owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo and offer 73 units made up of one, two and three-bedroom units. 'A third of the units are dedicated to the lowest income earners in our community – those on social assistance, either Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program,' explained Pettipiere. 'Another third of those units is being offered to those on a fixed income.' The trouble is that two-thirds of the units are already accounted for because of that lengthy wait list. The remaining one-third, about 24 units, are still up for grabs for people being priced out of the private market. 'Those median market units, the applications are available right now. They can be found online at the Waterloo Region Engage page,' Pettipiere said. The region deems a situation 'unaffordable' if a resident is paying more than 30 per cent of their before-tax income on housing costs. But at a glance, housing advocates argue the units aren't all that affordable. The monthly rent for each unit by bedroom type is as follows: One-bedroom: $1,467 Two-bedroom: $1,627 Three-bedroom: $1,786 The monthly flat utility fee for each unit, by bedroom type, is: One-bedroom: $96 Two-bedroom: $159 Three-bedroom: $241 Jacquie Wells, chair of ACORN's Waterloo Region chapter, advocates for people in need of affordable housing. 'A one-bedroom apartment for $1,400 is only probably a few hundred dollars cheaper than what you would pay on the private market at this point,' she said. While Wells appreciates the region's efforts to try and tackle the issue, she said it will take all levels of government to even begin making a dent in the problem. 'It's just a drop in the bucket, and the amount of resources and planning that has to go into creating these affordable housing projects [is huge],' said Wells, who also noted the income limits for the units was quite high. To be eligible, applicants must have an income less than the required household income limit for the unit size: Maximum annual household net income limit (after tax) for a one-bedroom: $88,020 Maximum annual household net income limit (after tax) for a two-bedroom: $97,590 Maximum annual household net income limit (after tax) for a three-bedroom: $107,160 Pettipiere also agreed that multiple levels of government need to play a hand in addressing affordable housing. There are a handful of other regional projects in the pipeline, but he admitted they are just one tool in the toolkit. 'In no way will that meet the overall demand for affordable housing,' Pettipiere said. 'But it is a significant contribution and a significant expense in undertaking, and supported by the region and the federal government, to make these homes affordable and affordable for everyone.'
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
Police, bylaw officers move in on Coquitlam encampment
Vancouver Watch The city moved in to clear an encampment outside a homeless shelter, but the province says not enough is being done to set up supportive housing in the Tri-Cities.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
City and province point fingers as encampment outside Coquitlam homeless shelter cleaned up
The city moved in to clear an encampment outside a homeless shelter, but the province says not enough is being done to set up supportive housing. Almost as soon as the homeless shelter at 3030 Gordon Ave. in Coquitlam opened its doors, people began living in tents outside. The encampment has grown over the years, and the city says it's become a hazard to residents and the neighbouring businesses. 'We have had close to 30 fires break out, including some residents that have very unfortunately been injured,' said Coquitlam Coun. Matt Djonlic. On Thursday morning, bylaw officers accompanied by RCMP moved in to clean up the camp, removing propane tanks and other combustable materials in preparation for a deep clean of the area, which has become a biohazard. 'This is not at all about removing tents, taking residents' personal possessions,' Djonlic said. 'This is about safety for the unhoused residents who are there, as well as the larger community.' The province says the encampment outside the Gordon Avenue shelter is proof there aren't enough supportive housing units in the region, and it blames local government. 'On several occasions, I've met with leadership of the Tri-Cities to say, 'We have dollars, we will put the dollars in place if you identify a site that you have that you will zone to allow this type of housing,'' said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. 'We are ready to move. And every time we've raised that issue, we've heard, 'Somebody else should do it.'' Djonlic insists the city isn't blocking more supportive housing in Coquitlam. 'This idea of simply, 'Give us city land.' It's a lot more complex than what the minister, I think, is making it out to be,' he said. 'Where would that be? Where does that make sense? And again, I remind the minister, we have done exactly that, and we are being met with challenges outside 3030 Gordon. We cannot have another case of a shelter like this where we are having encampments outside,' Djonlic said. The CEO of a medical clinic near the Gordon Avenue shelter has pleaded with the city to do something about the encampment. 'Our concern is to have safe environments for our patients, for our staff,' said Arash Boloori of MedRay Imaging. 'We have had many issues for our patients and staff.' He says there have been broken windows, human feces and dead bodies outside the clinic, and he's been forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars in security to keep staff and patients safe. 'I think those concerns are valid, and it's exactly where we run into instances where neighborhoods push back,' said Djonlic. 'And we are seeing now other local governments who are pointing to 3030 Gordon and saying, 'Look how it doesn't work in Coquitlam, that's why we aren't going to offer it in our communities.'' The councillor wants to see a commitment for more wraparound supports from the province before another shelter is opened in Coquitlam, but the housing minister insists nothing can happen without a parcel of land from the city. 'Many communities are stepping forward with locations, but Tri-Cities is one of the more frustrating areas in the province right now where there is a significant need, but we just cannot find the locations to get this housing on the ground,' said Kahlon. After the cleanup is complete, Djonlic knows most – if not all – of the people who had tents outside the Gordon Avenue shelter will return, and they won't be forced to leave. 'They don't have elsewhere to go,' he said. Maggie Moudatsos is one of them. She's split her time between the shelter and the encampment outside for the past three years. 'We are not here to be slobs, we are not here to interfere, but where are we supposed to go?' she said. 'I'm on disability. Who will rent to me? And for how much?' For her, and a handful of other entrenched residents, the encampment is home.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘No Kings' protests begin across the Tri-Cities
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) — 'No Kings' protests are taking place across the Tri-Cities Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration. Demonstrations have been planned for Abingdon, Kingsport and other localities in the region. PREVIOUS: JCPD releases statement regarding 'No Kings Day' protests No Kings Kingsport, organized by Indivisible Tri-Cities and 50501, began with a convoy of decorated cars on Saturday morning in Jonesborough, passing through Johnson City and Bristol, before heading to the Model City. Attendee and businessman Craig Hoge told News Channel 11 Saturday morning that he and the group don't intend to protest in any way but peacefully. 'We protest a lot of things; most of it's billionaires getting tax breaks, for poor people and middle class getting tax increases, things like that. USAID getting demolished, which kills 100 people a minute. And the U.S. is known for being better than that.' Hoge said the grassroots organizations coordinating the protests have thought out peace-keeping measures and are promoting safety. 'They have safety people. They have rules. They have bottled water. They make sure everybody is safe, and stays safe, and doesn't respond to anybody. If somebody comes by and shows us their IQ with their middle finger, we act accordingly and don't do anything.' A food drive is also taking place alongside the demonstration at Memorial Gardens Park in Kingsport, across from Dobyns-Bennet High School. Non-perishable donations are encouraged. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
