arXiv

Conceptual illustration of a diffractive solar sail.

Hidden physics complicates the dream of launching sailing spacecraft to other stars

A new theoretical study points to another problem with interstellar light sails: As they approach relativistic speeds, the Doppler effect and the deflection of light reduce the efficiency of the thrust. In one of the weakest contributions of light, even
Dust may betray supermassive black holes kicked out of galaxy centers

Dust may betray supermassive black holes kicked out of galaxy centers

An analysis of about 100 quasars has found a statistical relationship between the velocity shift of gas near a black hole and the amount of dust obscuring it. The researchers suggest that the pattern could be used to detect black holes.
Hubble Space Telescope image of Supernova 1994D (SN1994D) in the galaxy NGC 4526. Supernova SN 1994D is the bright spot on the lower left. Credit: NASA/ESA.

The universe is still accelerating: New study rejects claim that cosmic expansion has begun to slow down

An international team, including Nobel laureates Adam Ries and Brian Schmidt, found that the claim that dark energy is weakening was based on an incorrect age estimate of supernovae and the omission of a common correction in the mass
NASA artist's rendering showing potential habitat on Mars along with other terrestrial elements. Credit: NASA

New study explores how asteroid mining could support a colony on Mars

Researchers have investigated whether asteroids could be a source of metals and fuel for a future colony on Mars. The model suggests that this is possible, but only with careful selection of targets and use of local resources in space.
Disinformation. Illustration: depositphotos.com

AI agents can autonomously coordinate propaganda campaigns without human guidance

Lead researcher: "Coordinated AI agents can create the appearance of consensus, influence trend dynamics, and accelerate the spread of messages. In democratic contexts, especially around elections or crises, such capabilities could
Simulation of a collision event corresponding to the formation of a Higgs pair measured in 2017. Credit: ATLAS/CERN collaboration

Physicists combine several observations of Higgs boson pairs and discover clues about the stability of the universe

Remember how hard it was to find a single Higgs boson? Try to find two at the same place and time. This fascinating process, called Higgs pair production, can provide scientists with information about the self-interaction of