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Tag Astrophysics

Federal physics advisory panel recommends funding next generation IceCube observatory, other major experiments

December 7, 2023

A group of scientists tasked with advising the federal government's investments in particle physics research is recommending that the United States fund a planned expansion of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, an international scientific collaboration operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison at the South Pole.

IceCube shows Milky Way galaxy is a neutrino desert

June 29, 2023

For the first time, the IceCube Neutrino Observatory has produced an image of the Milky Way using neutrinos — tiny, ghostlike astronomical messengers.

Massive halo finally explains stream of gas swirling around the Milky Way

September 9, 2020

Astronomers have solved a 50-year-old puzzle, discovering that the halo of warm gas surrounding the Magellanic Clouds likely acts as a protective cocoon.

First optical measurements of Milky Way’s Fermi Bubbles probe their origin

June 3, 2020

Using the Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper telescope, astronomers have for the first time measured the Fermi Bubbles in the visible light spectrum.

Researchers recreate the sun’s solar wind and plasma “burps” on Earth

July 29, 2019

A new study by UW–Madison physicists mimicked solar winds in the lab, confirming how they develop and providing an Earth-bound model for the future study of solar physics.

Cosmic ray exhibits, conference explore the universe’s mysteries

July 18, 2019

Event Horizon: portraits of three physicists captured holding an object that inspired their careers, and Messages from the Horizon, which consists of spinning LEDs representing black holes, are on display in the Main Gallery of the Memorial Union.

Seminar on astrobiology aims to inspire a look into the bounds of life

March 21, 2019

By bringing together biologists, chemists, engineers, astronomers and others, astrobiology aims to uncover the origin of life on our planet and life’s prospects in the cosmos.

Gamma ray telescope ready for prime time

January 18, 2019

A new telescope, part of an international effort to develop and build the world’s largest, most sensitive gamma-ray detector, was unveiled to the public Thursday. UW–Madison scientists developed a camera at the heart of the telescope.

LAB3 exhibition helps high school students merge physics and art

September 7, 2018

A new exhibition featuring artworks inspired by scientific research led by UW–Madison physicists, and created by high school students with the help of artists and writers.

Stellar magnetism: What’s behind the most brilliant lights in the sky?

January 30, 2018

"The best picture yet of magnetic reconnection in space” offer insight into the role of magnetic reconnection in celestial explosions, eruptions and extraordinary emissions of energy.

UW awarded $12.5 million to study astrophysical plasma here on Earth

October 9, 2017

The new Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory, or WiPPL, will research fundamental properties of plasma in order to better understand our universe, where the hot gas is abundant.

IceCube helps demystify strange radio bursts from deep space

September 25, 2017

A University of Wisconsin–Madison physicist and his colleagues are turning IceCube, the world’s most sensitive neutrino telescope, to the task of helping demystify powerful pulses of radio energy generated up to billions of light-years from Earth.