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Astronomy / Space Science - Chemistry - 13.07.2017

Complex Gas Motion in the Centre of the Milky Way
How does the gas in the centre of the Milky Way behave? Researchers from Heidelberg University, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Oxford, recently investigated the motion of gas clouds in a comprehensive computer simulation. The new model finally makes it possible to conclusively explain this complex gas motion.

Astronomy / Space Science - 13.06.2017

Jupiter is the oldest planet of the Solar System: Cosmochemists from Münster precisely date Jupiterâ? s formation for the first time
Jupiter is not only the largest planet of the Solar System, but it is also the oldest, say researchers from the University of Münster. They, for the first time, determined a precise age of Jupiter, which was previously only approximately known. One problem has always been that there are no samples from Jupiter and, therefore, that no direct measurements were possible.

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 08.03.2017

New Technologies for Astronomical Research
Three working groups from Heidelberg, Cologne and Potsdam are involved in a joint project to develop a new technology for astronomical research. The researchers intend to render micro-optic systems used in telecommunications suitable for use in large telescopes. The collaborative project is being supported by the Königstuhl State Observatory of the Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University, the Institute of Physics I of the University of Cologne, and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics in Potsdam.

Astronomy / Space Science - 26.01.2017

Peeking around cosmic corners
Research news Using galaxies as giant gravitational lenses, an international group of astronomers headed by Max Planck@TUM tenure track professor Sherry Suyu measured independently how fast the Universe is expanding. The newly measured expansion rate for the local Universe is consistent with earlier findings.

Astronomy / Space Science - 26.01.2017

Early arrival of water on Earth: Findings of planetologists in Münster contradict hypothesis of a late cometary origin / Publication in "Nature"
Water on Earth is the precondition for life as we know it. But where does it come from, and how long has it been here? Scientists currently discuss two possibilities: Either water was here at an early stage, during the main phase of Earth's formation, or Earth was initially completely dry and water only arrived later - through the impacts of comets or 'wet' asteroids originating from the outer areas of the solar system.

Astronomy / Space Science - 19.09.2016

Earth contains more dust from red giant stars than primitive meteorites
All objects in our solar system are build from matter synthesized in previous generations of stars. Using high-precision isotope measurements of neodymium and samarium, scientists from Münster (Germany), Chicago and Livermore (USA) have now found that Earth contains more material from red giant stars than primitive meteorites (chondrites) located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Astronomy / Space Science - 16.09.2016

The death of a planet nursery?
The dusty disk surrounding the star TW Hydrae exhibits circular features that may signal the formation of protoplanets. LMU astrophysicist Barbara Ercolano argues, however, that the innermost actually points to the impending dispersal of the disk. When the maps appeared at the end of March, experts were electrified.

Astronomy / Space Science - Earth Sciences - 02.09.2016

Researchers report on findings from Dawn space mission
In 2015 the Dawn spacecraft reached the asteroid Ceres, the largest celestial body in the so-called asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The data collected by Dawn will make it possible for scientists to analyse the geological properties of Ceres and understand its origins. The latest issue of the "Science" journal contains reports by several international teams of researchers on their findings.

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 16.08.2016

Lore of lonely regions
A research group led by LMU physicist Nico Hamaus is calculating the dynamics of cosmic voids and deriving new insights into our entire universe. Much of our universe is taken up by vast, hollow regions of empty space, which we call cosmic voids. They are forever expanding as the tiny amounts of matter they contain are striving to reach the outer edges, attracted by the gravity of the denser regions surrounding them.

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 26.04.2016

Very Sharp and Very Good: Successful Test for the Astronomical Measuring Instrument LUCI
After a ten-year design and construction period, a new universal device for astronomical observation at the world's largest single telescope, the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona (USA) has been finalised and tested successfully. The highly complex instrument named LUCI allows astronomers to record images and spectra in the infrared with outstanding quality.

Astronomy / Space Science - 15.04.2016

Planetary Striptease
Planets of the 'super-Earth? category lose their atmosphere through too great proximity to their star. That is the result of an international research project coordinated by astronomer Dr. Mia Lundkvist, who is doing post-doc research at the Königstuhl observatory of Heidelberg University's Centre for Astronomy (ZAH).

Astronomy / Space Science - Physics - 14.04.2016

Confirmation of supernova explosion in the neighborhood of our solar system
Approximately two million years ago a star exploded in a supernova close to our solar system: Its traces can still be found today in the form of an iron isotope found on the ocean floor. Now scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), together with colleagues from the USA, have found increased concentrations of this supernova-iron in lunar samples as well.

Astronomy / Space Science - Chemistry - 14.04.2016

Heidelberg Researchers Analyse Chemical Composition of Dust from Beyond the Solar System
The Cosmic Dust Analyser on the international Cassini spacecraft has detected the faint but distinct signature of dust coming from outside our Solar System, from the local interstellar cloud: an almost empty bubble of gas and dust we are travelling through with a distinct direction and speed. This graphic summarises the location of Saturn, and the Solar System, with respect to the local interstellar cloud, and our place in the Milky Way galaxy.

Astronomy / Space Science - Earth Sciences - 20.11.2015

DFG Funds New Collaborative Research Center at Freie Universität Berlin
DFG Funds New Collaborative Research Center at Freie Universität Berlin: Project to Study the Late Growth History of the Earth, Its Moon, and Other Terrestrial Planets Joint Project with Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Technische Universität Berlin, Museum für Naturkunde, and German Aerospace Center in Berlin A new Collaborative Research Center (CRC) at Freie Universität aims to provide insights on the late growth history of the Earth, its moon, and other terrestrial planets.

Physics - Astronomy / Space Science - 18.11.2015

Calibrating Quantum Machines
Theoretical Physicists at Freie Universität Berlin Develop Method to Detect Functioning of Quantum Machines Scientists at Freie Universität Berlin have developed a new method to certify the proper functioning of quantum machines. Such quantum machines allow the simulation of complex systems that cannot be simulated even with modern supercomputers.

Physics - Astronomy / Space Science - 14.09.2015

New exotic particle state puzzles theorists
Scientists of the COMPASS collaboration at CERN have observed a new exotic combination of light quarks. Researcher from the Cluster of Excellence "Origin and Structure of the Universe" of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) had a leading role in the data analysis of the new finding. So far theoretical physicists are not able to correctly describe all characteristics of this exotic new particle.

Physics - Astronomy / Space Science - 08.09.2015

Dark Matter: CRESST searches for "lightweights"
The Earth, planets, stars, and galaxies form only the visible portion of the matter in the universe. Greater by far is the share accounted for by invisible "dark matter". Scientists have searched for the particles of dark matter in numerous experiments - so far, in vain. With the CRESST experiment, the search radius can be considerably expanded: The CRESST detectors are being overhauled and are then able to detect particles whose mass lies below the current measurement range.

Physics - Astronomy / Space Science - 02.09.2015

The symmetry of the universe
Our existence is still a great mystery in theoretical physics. Why did anti-matter disappear almost completely from our universe, whereas matter did not? Scientists are attempting to solve this mystery at the particle accelerator of the major European research institute at CERN. The ALICE collaboration has now published the most precise measurement of the properties of light atomic nuclei and anti-nuclei ever made in the "Nature Physics" journal.

Astronomy / Space Science - Chemistry - 28.05.2015

Shining Message about the End of the Dark Ages
An international team, including researchers from the Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University (ZAH), has discovered three "cosmic Methusalems" from the earliest years of the universe. These unusual stars are about 13 billion years old and experts assign them to the first generations of stars after the "dark ages".

Astronomy / Space Science - 20.05.2015

Asteroid Research Benefits From Gaia Satellite Mission
Astronomical research on asteroids, i.e. minor planets, is also benefiting from the large-scale Gaia mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). Even though the astrometry satellite's main purpose is to precisely measure nearly one billion stars in the Milky Way, it has tracked down a multitude of minor planets in our solar system.