17
Nov 11

Cosmic particle accelerators get things going

Source: ESA


Artist's impression of the four Cluster spacecraft flying through the thin layer of Earth's bow shock.
Image credits: SA/AOES Medialab.

ESA's Cluster satellites have discovered that cosmic particle accelerators are more efficient than previously thought. The discovery has revealed the initial stages of acceleration for the first time, a process that could apply across the Universe.

On 9 January 2005, Cluster's four satellites passed through a magnetic shock high above Earth. The spinning craft were aligned almost perfectly with the magnetic field, allowing them to sample what was happening to electrons on very short timescales of 250 milliseconds or less.

The measurements showed that the electrons rose sharply in temperature, which established conditions favourable to larger scale acceleration. (read more)

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17
Nov 11

The Cool Clouds of Carina

Source: ESO Photo Release eso1145


The cold stellar formation clouds in the Carina Nebula, seen by APEX.
Image credits: ESO/APEX/T. Preibisch et al. (Submillimetre);
N. Smith, University of Minnesota/NOAO/AURA/NSF (Optical)

Observations made with the APEX telescope in submillimetre-wavelength light reveal the cold dusty clouds from which stars form in the Carina Nebula. This site of violent star formation, which plays host to some of the highest-mass stars in our galaxy, is an ideal arena in which to study the interactions between these young stars and their parent molecular clouds. (read more)

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