Browse Physics

Interactions between primordial photons and axions may be why the accepted model of nucleosynthesis overestimates the abundance of the isotope lithium-7.

Theorists suggest that the weeks-long flare measured last year from a distant galaxy was probably beamed by a jet of material aligned with the rotational axis of a mammoth black hole.

An underground neutrino detector has found the first evidence of a nuclear reaction that produces deuterium in the sun.

A crust-busting vibration of a neutron star—induced by a merger with another dense object—may explain pre-emptive flashes for some gamma-ray bursts.

An unusual excess of radio emission from outside the Milky Way may come from dark matter.

A new experiment finds structure in the cosmic ray spectrum at very high energies, supporting theories about the origin and propagation of cosmic rays.

Dense plasmas created by lasers used for inertial confinement fusion research have been used to extract precise basic nuclear physics data.

Smallish black holes left behind from the early universe might cause detectible vibrations as they pass through the sun or other stars.

Cosmic microwave background data have been combed for evidence of bubble universe collisions that might signal the existence of eternal inflation.

The idea that the observed expansion of the universe is related to our unique vantage point—as opposed to dark energy—seems to be inconsistent with telescope data.

A report from the PAMELA satellite says the electron flux in cosmic rays is consistent with the existence of new sources, such as dark matter particles or other astrophysical phenomena, but the results are still inconclusive.

Tests of an early design for a gravity-wave detector determine sensitivity limits in a new frequency window.

Dense matter containing strange quarks may significantly affect neutron star formation.

More realistic simulations of merging binary black holes should help guide experiments designed to detect gravity waves.

Calculations show that vacuum electromagnetic fluctuations can be a source of rotational friction on a spinning particle.

More accurate predictions of the silicon content in meteoritic grains allow for a better understanding of the exploding stars that produced them.

New data from the PAMELA satellite on the abundance of antiprotons in cosmic rays still leave the door open for dark matter theories, as well as other explanations.

Plasma chamber offers a laboratory-scale view of magnetic field eruptions on the sun’s surface.

A lab-scale model for the future space-based gravitational wave detector inspires confidence that noise can be suppressed as planned.