The secrets of black holes and dark matter could lie before the Big Bang, a new study of "bouncing" cosmology hints.

The Ukrainian pilot killed in a crash on Monday amid a massive attack by Russia was crucial to getting F-16 fighter jets for the country and was remembered as an “exemplary” airman. Lt. Col. Oleksiy…

Readers, Instead of sucking up to the political and corporate powers that dominate America, The Daily Caller is fighting for you — our readers. We humbly ask you to consider joining us in this fight.…

Readers, Instead of sucking up to the political and corporate powers that dominate America, The Daily Caller is fighting for you — our readers. We humbly ask you to consider joining us in this fight.…

by Michael Snyder When we were young, most believed we would achieve “the American Dream” someday. Today, two-thirds of us believe that the American Dream is unattainable. That is a searing indictment…

The Standard Model describes how the Universe has evolved at large scale. There are six numbers that define the model and a team of researchers have used them to build simulations of the Universe. The results of these simulations were then fed to a machine learning algorithm to train it before it was set the task of estimating five of the cosmological constants, a task which it completed with incredible precision.  The Standard Model incorporates a number of elements; the Big Bang, dark energy, cold dark matter, ordinary matter and the cosmic background radiation. It works well to describe the large scale structure of the Universe but there are gaps in our understanding. Quantum physics can describe the small scale of the Universe but struggles with gravity and there are questions around dark matter and dark energy too. Understanding these can help in our understanding of the evolution and structure of the Universe.  Enlarged region of the Saraswati Supercluster, the largest known structure in the Universe, showing the distribution of galaxies. Credit: IUCAA A team of researchers from the Flatiron Institute have managed to extract some hidden information in the distribution of galaxies to estimate the values of five of the parameters. The accuracy was a great improvement on values that were attained during previous attempts. Using AI technology the team’s results had less than half the uncertainty for the element that describes the clumpiness of the Universe than in the previous attempt. Their results also revealed estimates of other parameters that closely resembled observation. The paper was published in Nature Astronomy on 21 August.  The team generated 2,000 simulated universes after carefully specifying their cosmological parameters. These included expansion rate, the distribution and clumpiness of ordinary matter, dark matter and dark energy and using these the team ran the simulations. The output was then compressed into manageable data sets and this was used to compare against over one hundred thousand real galaxies data. From this, it was possible for the researchers to estimate the parameters for the real Universe.  The parameters the team managed to fine tune are those that describe how the Universe operates at the largest scale. These are essentially, the settings for the Universe and include the amount of ordinary matter, dark matter, dark energy, the conditions following the Big Bang and just how clumpy the matter is. Previously these settings were calculated using observations from the structure of galaxy clusters. To arrive at a more accurate group of settings observations needed to go down to smaller scale but this has not been possible.  The full-sky image of the temperature fluctuations (shown as color differences) in the cosmic microwave background, made from nine years of WMAP observations. These are the seeds of galaxies, from a time when the universe was under 400,000 years old. Credit: NASA/WMAP Instead of using observations, the team used their AI approach to extract the small scale information that was hidden in the existing observational data. At the heart of the approach was the AI system that learned how to correlate the parameters with the observed structure of the Universe – but at small scale.  In the future the team hope to be able to use their new approach to solve other problems. The uncertainty about the Hubble Constant is an example where the team hope AI can help to fine tune its value. Over the next few years though, and as observational data becomes more detailed both Hubble’s Constant and the Settings of the Universe will become far better understood along with our understanding of the Universe.  Source : Astrophysicists Use AI to Precisely Calculate Universe’s ‘Settings’ The post Estimating the Basic Settings of the Universe appeared first on Universe Today.

Our Sun is one of the most fascinating objects in the universe and photographing it with specialized equipment to capture its splendor and beauty has become increasingly more common around the world. This is most evident with the work obtained by renowned astrophotographer, Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy), who owns Cosmic Background Studios in Florence, Arizona. On July 27, 2024, McCarthy posted an image of the Sun on X (formerly known as Twitter) taken with his specialized equipment designed to safely photograph our life-giving star, which revealed active coronal loops and plasma within the solar chromosphere that are some of the many intriguing features of the Sun. However, McCarthy is quick to mention in his post that this image isn’t entirely genuine, but a combination of several attributes. My recent solar print release drew a lot of questions about some of the features of the sun… particularly in this close up. The second post in this thread features a time-lapse showing how these coronal loops moved over time. pic.twitter.com/AdzVOhr55S— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) July 27, 2024 “This image is a piece of digital art that combines real astrophotos with some rendered features,” McCarthy tells Universe Today. “I captured the solar chromosphere with a solar-modified telescope, designed to block out the photosphere’s light to reveal the faint structure in the Sun’s atmosphere. The corona was captured during April’s total solar eclipse. Between the large-scale and small-scale structures of the photos, there’s a lot going on invisibly with the Sun’s magnetic field. Using some real data of that field as reference, I rendered coronal loops in a plausible way to show a more complete image of the scales of magnetic structure on the Sun.” The solar chromosphere is the second layer of the Sun’s atmosphere residing above the Sun’s surface, known as the photosphere (4,130 to 6,330 °C), and below the corona (just under 1,000,000 °C). The chromosphere is known for its red color that is observed hydrogen-alpha electromagnetic emissions and extends between 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers (1,900 to 3,100 miles) in height, which is approximately one percent of the Sun’s radius, while exhibiting temperatures ranging between 3,500 to 35,000 °C. It is the solar chromosphere that is responsible for producing coronal loops, which are arch-like structures produced by the Sun’s magnetic field activity, typically occurring from sunspots. In addition to the incredible image, McCarthy also posted an equally incredible 14-second video of these incredible features in action. You can see the plasma guided back onto the solar chromosphere by the magnetic loops in this time-lapse. Wild!See the full photo of the sun featuring the solar corona on my website here. I also have limited edition prints available for a short time. https://t.co/jHkqjin72c pic.twitter.com/sBK0N8KFMV— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) July 27, 2024 McCarthy tells Universe Today, “These are an example of the magnetic loops captured authentically by isolating the plasma caught in them. This produces coronal rain, plasma raining back onto the photosphere.” Our Sun is essentially a giant ball of plasma that is undergoing constant change, both within its interior and on its surface, including radio waves, solar wind, and magnetic field. Studying the magnetic field teaches scientists about 22-year cycles where the poles of the magnetic field flip and then return to their initial position, resulting in increased solar activity occurring over 11-year cycles during each transition. This increased magnetic field activity results in increased solar wind emanating from the Sun, leading to solar storms that can strike Earth, causing auroras near our planet’s poles while also harming satellites in orbit and electronic ground stations. One of the most revered incidents of solar storms on Earth was the Carrington Event, which occurred between September 1-2, 1859, resulting in worldwide auroras and telegraph station fires across the globe, as well. Scientists who study the Sun and its various features are known as solar physicists who use a combination of ground- and space-based telescopes to obtain data regarding the Sun’s activity on a 24/7 basis. Arguably one of the most successful missions to study the Sun is NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which was launched on August 12, 2018, and has traveled closer to the Sun than any human-made spacecraft in history, coming within 7.26 million kilometers (4.51 million miles) from the Sun’s surface in September 2023 and again in March 2024. During its mission, the Parker Solar Probe encountered magnetic field switchbacks, which is when the magnetic field reverses its direction, resulting in heating the solar corona. Examples of ground-based telescopes that study the Sun include the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory, which like McCarthy, uses specialized equipment to safely study the Sun and its various features, providing data and images that can be used for research and public outreach. Therefore, how can McCarthy’s work be used for scientific research, and has his past work been used for scientific research purposes? “This image is in no way intended for scientific research, but rather a product of scientific research,” McCarthy tells Universe Today. “That said, hydrogen alpha images of the sun offer real insight into the behavior of the sun’s magnetic field and are used by scientists worldwide. Amateurs capturing the sun in detail can complement the data produced by professional observatories on earth and in space and play a role in public outreach that can sometimes be lacking by professional institutions.” McCarthy has become well-known for capturing incredible images of the Sun and sharing them with the public, including breathtaking images and videos of tornado-like prominences emanating from the solar chromosphere in March 2023, which also captured images of the solar corona. Along with these images, McCarthy provides detailed descriptions of the events occurring in his work with the goal of exciting the public about the Sun and its many incredible features. “The Sun is unique in that every time I photograph it, it looks completely different,” McCarthy tells Universe Today. “The features are always changing. For that reason, it’s a target I will keep coming back to. While intended purely as a piece of digital art, my goal with this piece was to inspire people to ponder our fragile existence kept in balance by our host star. Hopefully it inspires more people to study it, as it gives us a better understanding of this universe we live in!” What new discoveries will we make about our Sun in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science! As always, keep doing science & keep looking up! Links: Andrew McCarthy: X (Twitter) & Website The post Coronal Loops-Digital Art Combination Captures Power of the Sun, Rendered by Andrew McCarthy appeared first on Universe Today.

Formed in Birmingham back in 1968, Black Sabbath created Heavy Metal music with the release of their groundbreaking self-titled debut album and inspired countless bands in the following decades, including Metallica. The American Thrash Metal certainly wouldn't have been the same without Sabbath's influence and the band's guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield always praised the band when he had the chance. Over the decades he had the chance to pay tribute to them multiple times and also revealed which are some of his favorite songs from their discography. The 2 Black Sabbath songs James Hetfield said are favorites "Into The Void" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5XnrZn47Q&pp=ygUPIkludG8gVGhlIFZvaWQi Released in 1971 on Black Sabbath's third album "Master of Reality", the song "Into The Void" is one of James Hetfield's favorite songs of the Heavy Metal band. He revealed that in an interview with Classic Rock where he also said that Tony Iommi is his favorite guitarist when it comes to guitar riffs and rhythm. "As far as being a riff and rhythm guy, my favorite guitarist is Tony Iommi, no doubt about that. He seemed like one of those quiet geniuses. At one time he was the frontman of the band and Ozzy was to one side. The riff was more important than the vocals. It was all in minor, it has that feel. He can go from the heaviest doom riff into a happy mode and it would still sound heavy. We can’t do happy, but Tony can pull it off. My favorite track is 'Into The Void'," James Hetfield said. In an interview with Guitar Center back in 2014 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), Hetfield had already explained why Iommi influenced him so much. “Obviously Tony Iommi is a big influence on most metal guitar players. And obviously the riffs, the single note riffs and they sounded fat. When you analyze the sound it’s not really fat sounding. It’s got an edge to it that cuts,” James Hetfield said. Curiously, "Into The Void" was also one of Eddie Van Halen's favorite ones. "Black Sabbath" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVdMbUx1_k&pp=ygUbYmxhY2sgc2FiYmF0aCBibGFjayBzYWJiYXRo Like everyone in the 70s, James Hetfield was also scared when he first heard the title track of Sabbath's debut album. The bells, the rain, the demonic riff and the satanic lyrics really gave him the chills but he like it. That's what he recalled during his speech when he had the chance, alongside his bandmate Lars Ulrich, to induct Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 2006. During that ceremony James and Lars were joined by their bandmates Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo to perform a couple of Sabbath tracks on stage. They played “Hole In The Sky”, “Iron Man”, But it was in an interview with Rolling Stone that he listed that song as one of his favorites of all time. “This song scared the shit out of me. It’s beyond heavy.” Sabbath is actually his favorite band of all time. He said that in an interview with San Jose Sharks back in 2015 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). “(All time favorite) band is hard because there is so many. Led Zeppelin is in there, Motörhead, boy… they all offer (something) a little bit different. But if I was stuck for one: Black Sabbath,” James Hetfield said. Metallica not only performed Sabbath songs live, but they also recorded their own version of the tracks. They covered “Sabbra Cadabra” and “National Acrobat” that were featured on their 1998 covers album “Garage Inc.” In 2009 the Thrash Metal group played “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” with Ozzy Osbourne. It happened at Madison Square Garden as part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.The post The 2 Black Sabbath songs James Hetfield said are favorites appeared first on Rock And Roll Garage.