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Dozens of newly discovered gravitational lenses could reveal ancient galaxies and the nature of dark matter

Thousands more potential lenses await assessment

Earlier this year a machine learning algorithm identified up to 5,000 potential gravitational lenses that could transform our ability to chart the evolution of galaxies since the Big Bang.

Now astronomer Kim-Vy Tran from ASTRO 3D and UNSW Sydney and colleagues have assessed 77 of the lenses using the Keck Observatory in Hawai’i and Very Large Telescope in Chile. She and her international team confirmed that 68 out of the 77 are strong gravitational lenses spanning vast cosmic distances.

[Read more…] about Dozens of newly discovered gravitational lenses could reveal ancient galaxies and the nature of dark matter

How do collisions of rocks with planets help the planets evolve?

Brisbane

Planetary scientist Katarina Miljkovic is available to discuss the nature of planets in Brisbane this week. She will give free public talks on Thursday 29 September and Friday 30 September. It’s part of a national tour of public and school talks promoting opportunities for women in physics.

The planets in our solar system are vastly different although they all formed from the same cloud of gas and dust around a star – our sun. Why is this?

Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic thinks the answers lie in studying how asteroids, comets and meteors bombarded the planets in the past, changing the surface conditions.

She works at Curtin University’s Space Science and Technology Centre and School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and uses data from several NASA missions.

[Read more…] about How do collisions of rocks with planets help the planets evolve?

How do collisions of rocks with planets help the planets evolve?

Newcastle

Planetary scientist Katarina Miljkovic is available to discuss the nature of planets in Newcastle this week. She will give a free public talk on Wednesday 28 September. It’s part of a national tour of public and school talks promoting opportunities for women in physics.

The planets in our solar system are vastly different although they all formed from the same cloud of gas and dust around a star – our sun. Why is this?

Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic thinks the answers lie in studying how asteroids, comets and meteors bombarded the planets in the past, changing the surface conditions.

She works at Curtin University’s Space Science and Technology Centre and School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and uses data from several NASA missions.

[Read more…] about How do collisions of rocks with planets help the planets evolve?

Minister Bowen speaking from 7:30 am: Wednesday at the Better Futures Forum at UNSW Canberra

BETTER FUTURES FORUM Wednesday 7 September

Minister Bowen will speak to the Better Futures Forum at breakfast, 7.30 to 8.30 am, at the Adams Auditorium, UNSW Canberra, Wednesday 7 September 2022.

Media invited onsite for breakfast. Minister Bowen’s speech will be streamed in the morning session starting 9AM.

[Read more…] about Minister Bowen speaking from 7:30 am: Wednesday at the Better Futures Forum at UNSW Canberra