Science

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New instrument extends LIGO’s reach

Technology “squeezes” out quantum noise so more gravitational wave signals can be detected.

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Researchers install a new quantum squeezing device into one of LIGO’s gravitational wave detectors.

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First NASA Parker Solar Probe Results Reveal Surprising Details of Sun

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NASA's Parker Solar Probe observed a slow solar wind flowing out from the small coronal hole – the long, thin black spot seen on the left side of the Sun in this image captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory – on October 27, 2018. While scientists have long known that fast solar wind streams flow from coronal holes near the poles, they have not yet conclusively identified the source of the Sun's slow solar wind.

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New maps of salinity reveal the impact of climate variability on oceans

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Global sea-surface salinity 2012 and 2017

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Astronomers Propose a Novel Method of Finding Atmospheres on Rocky Worlds

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This artist’s impression shows a rocky exoplanet with a wispy, cloudy atmosphere orbiting a red dwarf star. Astronomers have identified a new method that could allow Webb to detect an exoplanet’s atmosphere in just a few hours of observing time.

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Hubble Detects Dynamic Galactic Duo

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Hubble Detects Dynamic Galactic Duo

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Space is key to monitoring ocean acidification

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SMOS in orbit.

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NASA, French Space Laser Measures Massive Migration of Ocean Animals

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Researchers used the space-based CALIPSO lidar to measure the planet’s largest animal migration, which takes place when small sea creatures swim up from the depths at night to feed on phytoplankton, then back down again just before sunrise.

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NASA Embarks on Five U.S. Expeditions Targeting Air, Land and Sea

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Five new NASA field research campaigns investigating a number of phenomena across the United States get underway this year.

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Giant magnetic ropes in the outskirts of a spiral galaxy

First detection of regular magnetic field reversals in the halo of NGC 4631

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The spiral galaxy NGC 4631 is seen edge-on, with its disk of stars shown in pink. The observed magnetic field pattern is displayed by the hair-like structure in green and blue. It extends beyond the disk into the galaxy's extended halo. Green indicates magnetic fields pointing roughly toward us and blue fields pointing away from us. This phenomenon, with the field alternating in direction, has never before been seen in the halo of a galaxy.

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NASA’s Webb to Unveil the Secrets of Nearby Dwarf Galaxies

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The dwarf galaxy Sculptor, above, is a companion to the Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers will use Webb to study the motions of stars in Sculptor and Draco, another dwarf companion to the Milky Way. By studying how the stars move, the researchers will be able to determine how the dark matter is distributed in these galaxies.