#SWIFT SPACE TELESCOPE

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NASA's Swift reaches 20th anniversary in improved pointing mode

After two decades in space, NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is performing better than ever thanks to a new operational strategy implemented earlier this year. The spacecraft has made great scientific strides in the years since scientists dreamed up a new way to explore gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.

"The idea for Swift was born during a meeting in a hotel basement in Estes Park, Colorado, in the middle of a conference," said John Nousek, the Swift mission director at Pennsylvania State University in State College. "A bunch of astrophysicists got together to brainstorm a mission that could help us solve the problem of gamma-ray bursts, which were a very big mystery at the time."

Gamma-ray bursts occur all over the sky without warning, with about one a day detected on average. Astronomers generally divide these bursts into two categories. Long bursts produce an initial pulse of gamma rays for two seconds or more and occur when the cores of massive stars collapse to form black holes. Short bursts last less than two seconds and are caused by the mergers of dense objects like neutron stars.

But in 1997, at the time of that basement meeting, the science community disagreed over the origin models for these events. Astronomers needed a satellite that could move quickly to locate them and move to point additional instruments at their positions.

What developed was Swift, which launched Nov. 20, 2004, from Complex 17A at what is now Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Originally called the Swift Observatory for its ability to quickly point at cosmic events, the mission team renamed the spacecraft in 2018 after its first principal investigator Neil Gehrels.

Swift uses several methods for orienting and stabilizing itself in space to study gamma-ray bursts.

Sensors that detect the sun's location and the direction of Earth's magnetic field provide the spacecraft with a general sense of its location. Then, a device called a star tracker looks at stars and tells the spacecraft how to maneuver to keep the observatory precisely pointed at the same position during long observations.

Swift uses three spinning gyroscopes, or gyros, to carry out those moves along three axes. The gyros were designed to align at right angles to each other, but once in orbit the mission team discovered they were slightly misaligned. The flight operations team developed a strategy where one of the gyros worked to correct the misalignment while the other two pointed Swift to achieve its science goals.

The team wanted to be ready in case one of the gyros failed, however, so in 2009 they developed a plan to operate Swift using just two.

Any change to the way a telescope operates once in space carries risk, however. Since Swift was working well, the team sat on their plan for 15 years.

Then, in July 2023, one of Swift's gyros began working improperly. Because the telescope couldn't hold its pointing position accurately, observations got progressively blurrier until the gyro failed entirely in March 2024.

"Because we already had the shift to two gyros planned out, we were able to quickly and thoroughly test the procedure here on the ground before implementing it on the spacecraft," said Mark Hilliard, Swift's flight operations team lead at Omitron, Inc. and Penn State. "Actually, scientists have commented that the accuracy of Swift's pointing is now better than it was since launch, which is really encouraging."

For the last 20 years, Swift has contributed to groundbreaking results—not only for gamma-ray bursts but also for black holes, stars, comets, and other cosmic objects.

"After all this time, Swift remains a crucial part of NASA's fleet," said S. Bradley Cenko, Swift's principal investigator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The satellite's abilities have helped pioneer a new era of astrophysics called multimessenger astronomy, which is giving us a more well-rounded view of how the universe works. We're looking forward to all Swift has left to teach us."

Swift is a key part of NASA's strategy to look for fleeting and unpredictable changes in the sky with a variety of telescopes that use different methods of studying the cosmos.

IMAGE: Swift orbits above Earth in this artist's concept. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

[nasa]

Observations from both NASA’s James Webb and Hubble space telescopes created this colorful image of galaxy cluster MACS0416. The colors of different galaxies indicate distances, with bluer galaxies being closer and redder galaxies being more distant or dusty. Some galaxies appear as streaks due to gravitational lensing — a warping effect caused by large masses gravitationally bending the space that light travels through.

Like Taylor Swift, Our Universe Has Gone Through Many Different Eras

While Taylor's Eras Tour explores decades of music, our universe’s eras set the stage for life to exist today. By unraveling cosmic history, scientists can investigate how it happened, from the universe’s origin and evolution to its possible fate.

This infographic outlines the history of the universe.

0 SECONDS | In the beginning, the universe debuted extremely small, hot, and dense

Scientists aren’t sure what exactly existed at the very beginning of the universe, but they think there wasn’t any normal matter or physics. Things probably didn’t behave like we expect them to today.

Artist's interpretation of the beginning of the universe, with representations of the early cosmos and its expansion.

10^-32 SECONDS | The universe rapidly, fearless-ly inflated

When the universe debuted, it almost immediately became unstable. Space expanded faster than the speed of light during a very brief period known as inflation. Scientists are still exploring what drove this exponential expansion.

1 MICROSECOND | Inflation’s end started the story of us: we wouldn’t be here if inflation continued

When inflation ended, the universe continued to expand, but much slower. All the energy that previously drove the rapid expansion went into light and matter — normal stuff! Small subatomic particles — protons, neutrons, and electrons — now floated around, though the universe was too hot for them to combine and form atoms.

The particles gravitated together, especially in clumpy spots. The push and pull between gravity and the particles’ inability to stick together created oscillations, or sound waves.

Artist's interpretation of protons and neutrons colliding to form ionized deuterium — a hydrogen isotope with one proton and one neutron — and ionized helium — two protons and two neutrons.

THREE MINUTES | Protons and neutrons combined all too well

After about three minutes, the universe had expanded and cooled enough for protons and neutrons to stick together. This created the very first elements: hydrogen, helium, and very small amounts of lithium and beryllium.

But it was still too hot for electrons to combine with the protons and neutrons. These free electrons floated around in a hot foggy soup that scattered light and made the universe appear dark.

This animated artist’s concept begins by showing ionized atoms (red blobs), free electrons (green blobs), and photons of light (blue flashes). The ionized atoms scattered light until neutral atoms (shown as brown blobs) formed, clearing the way for light to travel farther through space.

380 THOUSAND YEARS | Neutral atoms formed and left a blank space for light

As the universe expanded and cooled further, electrons joined atoms and made them neutral. With the electron plasma out of the way, some light could travel much farther.

An image of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) across the entire sky, taken by ESA's (European Space Agency) Planck space telescope. The CMB is the oldest light we can observe in the universe. Frozen sound waves are visible as miniscule fluctuations in temperature, shown through blue (colder) and red (warmer) coloring.

As neutral atoms formed, the sound waves created by the push and pull between subatomic particles stopped. The waves froze, leaving ripples that were slightly denser than their surroundings. The excess matter attracted even more matter, both normal and “dark.” Dark matter has gravitational influence on its surroundings but is invisible and does not interact with light.

This animation illustrates the absorption of photons — light particles — by neutral hydrogen atoms.

ALSO 380 THOUSAND YEARS | The universe became dark — call it what you want, but scientists call this time period the Dark Ages 

Other than the cosmic microwave background, there wasn't much light during this era since stars hadn’t formed yet. And what light there was usually didn't make it very far since neutral hydrogen atoms are really good at absorbing light. This kicked off an era known as the cosmic dark ages.

This animation illustrates the beginning of star formation as gas begins to clump due to gravity. These protostars heat up as material compresses inside them and throw off material at high speeds, creating shockwaves shown here as expanding rings of light.

200 MILLION YEARS | Stars created daylight (that was still blocked by hydrogen atoms)

Over time, denser areas pulled in more and more matter, in some places becoming so heavy it triggered a collapse. When the matter fell inward, it became hot enough for nuclear fusion to start, marking the birth of the first stars!

A simulation of dark matter forming structure due to gravity.

400 MILLION YEARS | Dark matter acted like an invisible string tying galaxies together

As the universe expanded, the frozen sound waves created earlier — which now included stars, gas, dust, and more elements produced by stars — stretched and continued attracting more mass. Pulling material together eventually formed the first galaxies, galaxy clusters, and wide-scale, web-like structure. 

In this animation, ultraviolet light from stars ionizes hydrogen atoms by breaking off their electrons. Regions already ionized are blue and translucent, areas undergoing ionization are red and white, and regions of neutral gas are dark and opaque.

1 BILLION YEARS | Ultraviolet light from stars made the universe transparent for evermore

The first stars were massive and hot, meaning they burned their fuel supplies quickly and lived short lives. However, they gave off energetic ultraviolet light that helped break apart the neutral hydrogen around the stars and allowed light to travel farther.

Animation showing a graph of the universe’s expansion over time. While cosmic expansion slowed following the end of inflation, it began picking up the pace around 5 billion years ago. Scientists still aren't sure why.

SOMETIME AFTER 10 BILLION YEARS | Dark energy became dominant, accelerating cosmic expansion and creating a big question…?

By studying the universe’s expansion rate over time, scientists made the shocking discovery that it’s speeding up. They had thought eventually gravity should cause the matter to attract itself and slow down expansion. Some mysterious pressure, dubbed dark energy, seems to be accelerating cosmic expansion. About 10 billion years into the universe’s story, dark energy – whatever it may be – became dominant over matter.

An image of Earth rising in the Moon’s sky. Nicknamed “Earthrise,” Apollo 8 astronauts saw this sight during the first crewed mission to the Moon.

13.8 BILLION YEARS | The universe as we know it today: 359,785,714,285.7 fortnights from the beginning

We owe our universe today to each of its unique stages. However, scientists still have many questions about these eras.

Our upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will look back in time to explore cosmic mysteries like dark energy and dark matter – two poorly understood aspects of the universe that govern its evolution and ultimate fate.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[raddest-saddest]

She's givingggg...

Electric Touch (feat. Fall Out Boy) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)

Especially the Vela Pulsar and NGC 1365

Honorable mention because it's not quite on theme because it's not purple enough for this silly post but is the prettiest in my opinion: Kelper's Supernova Remnant

Source: NASA 💜 References: @taylorswift @taylornation @nasa

[loverlyrical]

Idk I find it pretty fascinating that space is so big and I, ME I get a chance to live 🌌

My favourite space images from Hubble space telescope. Thank you so much for giving us the stunning visuals of galaxies, stars and nebula. Happy 35th anniversary to the Hubble space telescope 🔭

[spacenutspod]

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 144 *Young Exoplanet Challenges Planet Formation Theories Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet, Taade 1b, that is just 3 million years old, challenging our current understanding of the speed at which planets form. This young planet, orbiting its star every seven Earth days, offers a unique glimpse into the early stages of planetary formation. The study, led by Madison Barber from the University of North Carolina, highlights the surprising rapidity of Taade 1b's formation compared to Earth's estimated 10 to 20 million-year formation period. The discovery provides new insights into the differences between our solar system and those hosting close-in giant planets like Taade 1b. *Photon Shape Revealed by New Quantum Theory A groundbreaking theory has allowed scientists to define the precise shape of a photon for the first time. Reported in Physical Review Letters, this research explores how photons, as particles of light, interact with matter at the quantum level. The study reveals that photons have a spherical shape with varying light levels, providing new insights into their dual wave-particle nature. This advance opens up new research avenues in quantum physics and nanophotonic technologies, potentially revolutionising communication, pathogen detection, and chemical reaction control. *NASA's Swift Space Telescope: 20 Years of Discovery NASA's Swift Space Telescope, dedicated to studying gamma-ray bursts, celebrates its 20th year in Space. Originally launched to solve the mystery of gamma-ray bursts, Swift has played a crucial role in identifying the origins of these powerful cosmic explosions. The observatory's rapid response capabilities have enabled significant discoveries beyond gamma-ray bursts, contributing to multi-messenger astronomy and enhancing our understanding of the universe. The Science Robert New research warns that combining blood-thinning drugs with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen doubles the risk of internal bleeding. A study on the DNA history of ancient aurochs reveals complex ancestry for modern cattle. Scientists discover that the boundaries between solid and liquid metals are more fluid than previously thought, with implications for metal alloy applications. Psychologists explore the human brain's predisposition to believe in the supernatural, highlighting pattern recognition and expectation effects. www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com www.bitesz.com 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. Enjoy incredible discounts and bonuses! Plus, it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ Check out our newest sponsor - Old Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Merch and now with official NASA merch. Well worth a look.... Become a supporter of this Podcast for as little as $3 per month and access commercial-free episodes plus bonuses: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support For more support options, visit our supporters page: Click Here 00:00 A new discovery challenges our current understanding of how planets are formed 00:26 Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet that's just 3 million years old 03:48 New theory explains how light and matter interact at the quantum level 06:55 NASA's Swift Space Telescope helps astronomers identify gamma ray bursts 16:01 People on blood thinners double risk of internal bleed when taking non steroidal anti inflammatories 18:24 Psychologists say the human brain is pre wired to believe in the supernatural ✍️ Episode References University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [https://www.unc.edu](https://www.unc.edu) NASA TV Mission [https://tess.mit.edu](https://tess.mit.edu) University of Birmingham [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk](https://www.birmingham.ac.uk) NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre [https://www.nasa.gov/goddard](https://www.nasa.gov/goddard) Physical Review Letters [https://journals.aps.org/prl](https://journals.aps.org/prl) Nature Journal [https://www.nature.com](https://www.nature.com) Australian Sceptics [https://www.skeptics.com.au](https://www.skeptics.com.au)

[wikipediapictures]

Stingray Nebula

“Archival data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, has faded precipitously over just the past two decades. Witnessing such a swift rate of change in a planetary nebula is exceedingly rare, say researchers. These images captured by Hubble in 1996 (left), when compared to Hubble images taken in 2016 (right), show a nebula that has drastically dimmed in brightness and changed shape. Bright blue shells of gas near the centre of the nebula have all but disappeared, and the wavy edges that earned this nebula its aquatic-themed name are virtually gone. The young nebula no longer pops against the black velvet background of the distant Universe.” - via Wikimedia Commons

[meo-on-prairie]

Pulmonaria

Gojo Satoru x Reader

Prompt: “You know there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love // The slowest way is never loving them enough”

Words count: 2844

Tags: ANGST, SO MUCH ANGST, fluff if you take out the James Webbs Space telescope, pain train all the way, not a happy ending, mention of blood and death, idiot to lovers a little too late, it’s not happy, highschool au, hanahaki au

Rambling: if you see this fic as “Pulmo flower” this is the revamp of that lmao, I posted it years ago and deactivated my entire account cuz i was insecure about my creativity, but i’m working on that. By re-releasing what I think is my proudest work. Please listen to “High Infidelity - Taylor Swift” and “Heather - Conan Gray” for this fic. 

/////

XX03 Daisy: innocence 

He gave me a Daisy when we first met— a wildflower he picked at the entrance of the playground, shoving it in my face as I sat on the swing. Grinning from ear to ear when he asks, “will you be my friend?”. And every birthday from then on, without fail, Daisies would be shoved to my face. Those damn Daisies occupied my lungs, took my breath away. 

XX09 Sunflower: unconditional love 

We’re inseparable, attached by the hip. It’s easier to count the times where we’re not together. I don’t know when it started, but he became my air, although sometimes it was hard to breathe, it’s hardest to breathe when he isn't near. The pressure in my chest became so great that it often forced out violent coughing fits. They are often violent and painful, sometimes unbearable, they feel like my lungs are trying to force something out that is incapable beyond reach. Until one day, those violent coughs forced me into unconsciousness. 

White. The first color that I saw when I opened my eyes. Cold and harsh white of the hospital room. the color white, it’s in everything I hate. White is the color of the hospital room glaring at me mockingly, laughing at the fact that I have a weak body. White is the color of snow signaling the arrival of winter and the freezing uncomfortable cold. White is also the color of his stupid hair, a painful reminder of someone I can never have. I hate the painful white color. 

But maybe the color white isn’t so bad if it allows yellow to shine so brightly. The Sunflowers on the table caught my attention from the corner of my eyes, the flowers warmed up the whole room instantly, funny how a speck of yellow can warm up the cold white room. The small note of the familiar handwriting attached to one of the flowers makes the flowers shine even brighter. "Get well soon! :( love and miss you a lot ~ Satoru". Slowly, painfully, I can feel the sunflowers blooming, occupying another space in my lungs, making it harder to breathe, especially without him. 

XX11 Cornflower: young love

Legend has it that Cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if his love was returned they would remain bright and fresh, if not they would wither away quickly. He gave me Cornflowers during freshmen orientation. Everything about cornflowers was annoying, the color was too bright and it hurt my eyes. It's a weak flower and dies easily, withering in two days. It reminded me of how similar I am to it, weak and annoying; both wither away when our love is not returned. But at the same time, it gave me hope… 

“Why Cornflowers?”

“They just look bright and pretty, something vibrant for a new chapter in our life right?”

“Right… of course.” 

Of course, there wouldn’t be any deep meaning to them. Hope is for fools.

XX14 Heather: admiration

November brings around the freezing cold of winter, I have always disliked the cold, it made breathing harder than it already was. When the bell for lunch rang, I quickly packed my bag to go meet up with Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko at the cafeteria.

To my surprise, Satoru wasn’t with them. The three of us went to get food anyway since all the good foods will be all gone if we’re late to the line. Satoru arrived at the cafeteria a few minutes later, with an unfamiliar girl trailing behind him. 

“Sorry I was late, I was trying to convince someone to join us” he explained quickly before turning his body sideways, “We got paired together for a project for Physics, she just moved here so be nice to her.”

“Hi, I’m Areum” she spoke softly, her shyness written all over her face. She was absolutely gorgeous, the soft curls of her long hair framed her face perfectly. She has a small figure, the clearly oversized sweater she’s wearing made her look adorable, a sight for sore eyes. Compared to her I’m not even half as pretty.

“Hello Areum, I’m Suguru, I see you’re wearing Satoru’s sweater,” he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the blush that quickly appeared on both Satoru’s and Areum’s faces. 

“S-She looked like she was about to freeze over in that room alright?!” Satoru defended hotly. 

“Sure thing buddy” Shoko joined Suguru on the teasing-Satoru-bandwagon before smiling at Areum, “My name is Shoko, by the way!”

I reached my arms out to flick Suguru and Shoko on their forehead, “stop teasing the poor girl!”

“Hi Areum, I’m Y/n, Satoru’s childhood friend, sorry you got stuck with that doofus for a Physics project of all thing” I joked, offering her a gentle smile while ignoring Satoru’s pouty complaints of something along the line of he’s not that bad at Physics.

Areum let out a shy giggle at my comment before sitting down to join our table. The four of us quickly settled into a comfortable atmosphere as we got to know Areum better, asking her the reason for her transfer so late into the school year, among other things. 

The entire time, Satoru’s eyes never strayed away from Areum’s face. His smile got wider every time she laughed. His gaze toward her made my stomach somersault and me feeling nauseous. They’re the same gazes I had toward him. It slowly gets harder to breathe as pressure builds up in my throat. I forced the cough that threatened to escape down, I was probably overthinking it anyway. 

But that feeling of nausea never went away. It only gets worse as the week comes and goes, especially when almost all of the conversations between me and Satoru had always led to her. I started to see him less and less since he always declined invitations to hang out with: “Sorry, I promised Areum that I would study Physics with her.”

Ever since Areum joined our little group, she got Satoru mesmerized. They’re practically attached by the hip, never one without the other. It was suffocating to see them together all the time. But how could I hate her? She was an absolute angel. Always speaking softly and gently, always kind to everyone around her. Hell, she noticed whenever I started to struggle for air when no one else did. I wish I could hate her even just a little bit, maybe then it wouldn’t be as painful.

XX15 Rose: romance  

February 14th, probably the most annoying day of the year. The school ground is littered with pink and red, people carrying flowers, balloons, chocolate, and stuffed animals in different sizes around, blocking up the already crowded hallway. 

Some couples walk around, others busy sucking each other face off in a corner, and god knows what some of those freaks are doing in the bathroom stalls. I wish this day would be over already, everything is suffocating. I make my way through the hoard of people professing their undying love to each other in the schoolyard. Finally, I reached my first-period class, reaching my hand out to tug open the door when I heard my name being called. I turned around to see Satoru with one hand waving in the air like a madman and the other carrying a single pink rose. 

“Y/n! Hi!” He greeted me after coming to a stop in front of me.

“Good morning to you too, Satoru,” I said with a smile.

He shoved the pink rose he’s holding to my face with the bunny smile gracing his lips, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

I guess some old habits die hard after all, “Thanks, Satoru” I chuckled lightly as I accepted the flower. 

We stood there for what felt like forever until he started, “Y/n, so I----” the bell ring cutting Satoru off.

“Shit, gotta go, my first class is on the opposite side of campus, I’ll see you after school okay? Bye Y/n” He said quickly before running off. 

What was he about to say? Curse that damn bell, I swear that thing has the worst timing. I look down at the pink flower. The pink petals look soft and fluffy, a small pink rose starts to bloom in my lungs along with budding of hope. “No Y/n, you idiot, didn't you say that hope is for fools? Stop it before you get hurt!”. But I know it's already too late, I can't seem to control the smile that's growing on my lips and the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach. 

Maybe... Just maybe... he feels the same way. Maybe I was wrong about his feelings toward Areum. After all, he gave me a rose, the one flower that shouted “love” louder than any other flowers. This could be my chance to tell him how much he means to me. Suddenly, Valentine’s day became the most exciting day of the year. Bringing the rose closer to my nose, I can't wait to see him after school...

When the last bell signaling the end of the day rang, I practically bolted out of the room to meet Satoru at our usual spot. Excitement filled my body, I felt lighter than ever, but also nervous at the same time.

I arrived at the schoolyard to see a huge group of people crowding around in a circle blocking the way to our usual spot. I rolled my eyes as I prepared mentally to push through the crowd. 

With great difficulty, I started to join the crowd and maneuvered myself through the hoard of people while repeating "excuse me" over and over again. Eventually, I reached the other side of the human barrier, I breathed deeply and prepared to do it once again before looking up. The sight that greeted me when I looked up filled me with dread. My stomach dropped and I felt nauseous. The flowers in my lungs are multiplying, making it harder to breathe. I can feel my heart tighten up in my chest. 

Standing in the middle of the circle of people is Satoru, holding a bouquet of red roses, looking as handsome as when I last saw him. Light pink coating his cheeks, there is nervousness in his eyes as he stands in front of Areum, who is having both hands covering up half of her face. Surprises grace her beautiful form. Standing behind them are Shoko and Suguru, they're both holding up a giant sign that reads "will you be my Valentine?" with a glittery cursive font. Both of their faces show excitement as they look at Satoru and Areum. 

I held my breath as I prayed for whatever deity above for her to say no. Unfortunately, they seem to hate me with a burning passion. I watch as she nods slowly before exclaiming "yes!". I watch as Satoru lets out a sigh and then smiles brightly. The same smile that can light up the whole room. The same smile that makes me fall hopelessly in love with him. I watch them walk toward each other as people around them cheer loudly. I watch as Satoru shyly gives Areum the rose and she accepting them just as shyly. I watch as they embrace each other with wide smiles gracing their lips and people hollering and wolf-whistling around them. 

I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. The flowers are multiplying too quickly, filling up my lungs, making it almost impossible to breathe. I need to get out of here. I turned around abruptly, forcing my way through the crowd of people. Once I'm out of the circle, I break into a sprint. I ran and ran and ran and ran. I don't know where, I just want to be as far away from that crowd as possible. My lungs were burning from the lack of oxygen, but I kept running until I could no longer hear the cheering of people and dropped down to the ground. 

I tried inhaling to no avail. It hurt so much. Every time I try to inhale or exhale it would feel like needles are being scraped against the walls of my lungs. It's painful, no, fuck that, it's torturous, everything hurt like hell, the pain is agonizing. It makes me want to rip out my heart and lung and throw them far away to ease the pain in my chest. 

Pressure slowly builds up in my throat and it gets itchier and itchier forcing me to let out a cough. That cough is followed by another one, and another one, and another one until I'm coughing uncontrollably. My body doubled over and shook violently as I wheezed for air. I covered my mouth with my hands as I coughed into them. I choked violently before I felt wetness on my hands. 

I pulled my hands away from my face and looked down on them, holding back another cough. In my hand, a pool of blood and flower petals. The warm yellow of sunflowers, the cold white of daisies, and the gentle pink of roses are being dyed by the red of blood. Tears blurring my vision as I throw myself into another coughing fit. More blood was forced out of my body along with more flower petals. 

Suddenly my lungs started to burn even more. I cough harshly as something bigger than the petals force its way out of my throat and onto the floor, joining the existing puddle of blood. A pink rose. Soon enough the more flowers and blood forced their way out of my body to join the puddle of blood under me where the rose and flower petals lie. It hurts like hell with each cough, but... It became easier and easier to breathe after each time. 

When the last daisy fell into the pool of blood, the coughing fit stopped. The burning stopped along with the pain in my chest. The numbness I felt was almost exhilarating. My body felt lighter than ever, it felt like I was floating on clouds. I take in a deep breath and slowly exhale as darkness takes over me. 

XX16 Tiger Lily: “Please love me”

A figure of a man holding a bouquet walks silently toward the cemetery. His lean frame is adorned with a thick jacket to protect him from the harsh cold of winter, his form feels lonely as if a part of him is missing, gone from this world completely. The sun is setting over the horizon, coloring the sky in bright orange and pink. But Satoru couldn't care less, his world has lost all of its colors a while ago. The beauty of this world only appears dull to him, nothing can be pretty in a world without her. 

He walks solemnly through the cemetery, passing by the countless headstones. Until he reached one in particular. The headstone looks relatively new compared to the ones surrounding it. The writing on it read: "Y/n, XX97 - XX15, 'Loving you silently'". 

Satoru kneels in front of Y/n's grave as tears slowly spill from his eyes, blurring his vision. He placed the bouquet of Tiger Lilies in front of her grave, joining the other flowers that were already there from visitors earlier that day. He sat there regretfully silent as tears spilled from his eyes. 

"Hey Y/n, How have you been?" he greets.

"I hope you’re doing well.” He lets out a forced chuckle, "Everyone has been missing you. Especially your mom, she cried everyday for months after you’re gone. She has been doing better now though, so you don't have to worry too much, I’ll take care of her in your stead."

Satoru let out a shaky breath as more tears spilled out from his eyes, “I miss you every damn day, I miss you so much that it’s hard to breathe. Fuck, I can’t look at daisy flowers without crying anymore!"

“I miss your smile that brightened up the whole room. I miss your eyes that held the universe. I miss your comforting voice” he said while choking up as tears fell harder from his glistening blue eyes, "But more than anything, I miss you who felt like home...”

“I’m sorry for being an idiot and realizing when it was already too late, you deserve so much better than my pathetic self” He sobs pitifully.

Satoru sat there with his back hunched over as tears fell endlessly from his eyes. At that moment, he looks small and fragile, as if we would break from a single touch. With each passing minute, it got harder and harder for him to breathe. His lungs begin to burn as the pressure slowly builds up in his throat, forcing him to violently cough up flower petals and blood. When the coughing fit died down, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood off of his lips. Slowly, he stood back up before glazing at the headstone longingly. 

“I’ll see you soon, Y/n,” he whispered with a bitter smile as he began to walk away.

[letmesleep8]

even if I die screaming // elliexreader

CHAPTER 4: There's an ocean in Nebraska

AO3 | chapter 3 | chapter 5

content warnings/tags: subtle homophobia, mentions of alcohol/being drunk, mention of cannibalism as a metaphor

notes: oh my, look who it is! i know it took me quite a while to post this. sorry, i was in a depression. but anyways, here is the chapter! i promise I'll try to post the next one soon this time. have a great evening! or morning. or anything.

tag list: @h4-rt3s @sallythatgurl-64 @pinkinternetfire @lorelaihehe (sorry if i tag you without you asking or something, unless you're lorelai, that was on purpose :3)

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"I hate it here so I will go to lunar valleys in my mind

When they found a better planet, only the gentle survived"

— I Hate It Here, Taylor Swift

January 23, 2039 Winter

Dear diary, 

Today was strange. I came home from the get-together and ate the whole rest of the cake I made. My head hurts and I feel like my fingers smell like Ellie. I can still feel her phantom touch in my face whenever I close my eyes for too long.

Mom’s drunk, she's already completely asleep in her bedroom. I locked myself up in mine, I’m afraid she’ll smell the weed. I feel bad, guilty. I can’t sleep. I am a terrible daughter and I deserve nothing she’s ever fought to give me. I am a disappointment and I promise I won’t do anything like this ever ag- 

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

I heard a noise on my window, I first thought it was maybe a bird. One more time, I heard something hitting the frame. I got up to check and got scared by the pebble that almost hit my face. 

“Oh fuck, I’m sorry!” Ellie looked worried and embarrassed. I simply laughed.

“What are you doing here? It’s, like, four a.m”, I sat on the frame. “You should be in bed.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” She swallowed, nervously. “ Y’wanna go for a walk?” I unknowingly held my breath and bit my bottom lip to the blood. If Mama wakes up and doesn’t see me in bed she would be so worried, but at the same time, I couldn’t pretend like living under her subtle rules wasn’t killing me slowly. 

“Help me get out.” I said and Ellie smirked, giving me her hand. I jumped off the frame and tripped a little. “Where are you taking me?” I started following her down to the trees. 

“Just follow, I promise you’ll like it.” She smiled and so did I. Just then I realized she hasn’t let go of my hand since I jumped out of the window. In fact, she squeezed it from time to  time. 

I went with her up to a small clearing across the creek, we had hung out around there before. The difference is that now there was a blanket on the floor with what seemed to be a telescope on top.

“What is this?” I sat, smiling. “Where’d you get this thing?”

“Oh, this old thing? Joel found it and gave it to me when I was, like, fifteen.” She sat down by my side. “I just remembered it, y’know, when you started tracing the stars on my back and shit…” 

I felt my cheeks getting completely flustered, so I hid my face between my hands. “I am so sorry about that, it was embarrassing as hell.” I sighed and chuckled, throwing my head back.

“It’s not embarrassing, you were just high”, Ellie laughed. “T’was sweet.” Her cheeks started becoming rosy too. I laid back on the blanket. “Hey, c’mere. Let’s check this thing out.” I  scooted closer to her, looking into the telescope and then giving her some space to look too, her shoulder brushing against mine. “Damn, the sky’s always so pretty in Wyoming. It was always smokey back in Boston.” She said, looking amazed. 

“You’re from Boston? “ I asked.

“Born and raised.” She replied.  “You?”

“Nebraska. Never traveled that far.” I chuckled. “Have you ever seen the ocean? “

“ Yeah, sure! Wait… Haven’t you?” I shook my head, she looked surprised.

“Yeah…” I laughed. “Nebraska isn’t really beachy, y’know?”

She laughed, elbowing me softly. “Well, then we gotta take you somewhere that is! Where’d you like to go, miss?” 

I smiled. It was fun pretending like we weren’t trapped here forever sometimes. “Well, I think California must be nice, you know? Maybe Florida. Just don’t think we could get there by horse.” 

She laid back on the blanket, arms above her head, and sighed. “Man, I wish it was easier to find a car that actually works. I could drive ya there, you’d see the beach.” 

I watched as she laid there, the skin under her slightly open flannel chilled by the breeze. I wondered if her chest was freckled too, where did her spots end? I didn’t even realize I was staring, when something slipped my mouth. “Well, actually-” I stopped myself, but it was kinda late, she seemed interested and I couldn’t leave those forest eyes guessing. “My mom, she keeps a car battery hidden. But it’s for desperate situations, a safe way out. But don’t tell anyone I said that!”

Ellie’s hand reached for my nose, booping me like a cat. “Relax, spacegirl. Your secret’s safe with me.” She laughed and I laid on the blanket too. 

The sky was a deep blue, the stars like snowflakes. I thought I saw a beam of light or something, maybe thunder, but soon I realized: it was a shooting star. “Ellie, quick, make a wish!” I closed my eyes. “Aw shit, okay.” She closed hers too, smiling. 

“I wished for my mom to find me new records.” I smiled, “what did you wish for, Els?”

She blushed in the slightest, looking away. “Oh, yeah, I forgot to make one.”

“You’re just lying now.” I laughed. “Come on, you can tell. What would you like right now? A car? A camera? A puppy?” 

I felt her eyes analyzing every single inch of my face and her lips parting, almost involuntarily. “I wish you liked girls.” I felt my heart dropping to my feet, my throat went dry, I stayed silent. She sat up immediately, I did the same. She started putting the telescope away, getting ready to leave. 

“Wait, Ellie, don’t-” I touched her shoulder. “I… don’t like boys, I- Girls… I’ve never tried.” 

I could see her face light back up but she was trying to keep it nonchalant. “Do… you want to?” I swallowed and breathed in deeply as I simply nodded in response. Her face went straight up red, it looked like fire. I think I may have caught her by surprise. 

The girl took her left hand towards my face, tucking away a strand of hair behind my ear. I was almost panting as she got closer to me, our noses touching. My eyes went to her lips, chapped but pink, burnt from the cold. She exhaled into mine as she finally locked them in, her hand now on the side of my neck. Almost as if programmed to, I opened them up for her.

Her mouth was heavenly, her tongue felt like a warm treat. So I kissed her, I kissed like I longed for it for ages, I kissed her like a movie, I kissed her like everyone could watch. I took my hand to her neck, hers climbed its way up to my hair, holding onto it like I’d run away. But I would never, I wish we would stay like this until the end of times. 

Quickly, the simple kiss had turned hungry. I felt like she was going to eat me whole, devour me like a beast and, truthfully, I didn’t even mind, I waited for it, too. I wished for her body so bad that I wouldn’t even mind becoming part of it. It felt like an out-of-body experience how she held me like I was always hers. 

Until I heard a voice coming from beyond the creek. “Els, sorry for interrupting but she should come with me. Quick.” It was Dina, she seemed worried. I followed her, she told Ellie to not come along. 

When we went back to town near my house, I could hear my mom talking to Mike. “Just- gone! I just woke up and she wasn’t there.” Dina stepped closer, “found her!” She smiled, not really knowing what to say. 

Mama took into a tight hug. “Oh my God, you scared me so much!” I could smell the worry in her, or maybe it was just the alcohol. Didn’t take long for her to switch and slightly shake me. “Where the hell were you!?” I froze. 

“I- I was just stargazing, with Dina, you were asleep-” I didn’t have a clue what to say, I am a terrible liar. Always been. 

“Don’t you lie to me! Where were you?!” Her voice became angrier. “You were with that girl again, weren’t you? Joel 's girl? I told you to stay away from her!”

“No, mom, I wasn’t with Ellie, I swear.” My lip was trembling. “I just went for a walk! I thought you were asleep…” 

“Go home. Right now. Go.” She looked so disappointed. My eyes filled with water, I had never seen her like that. Mike tried waving goodbye to me but I was so  distraught that I didn’t even pay attention. I just went straight back home and cried in my room for the rest of the night, sitting on the windowsill. I felt unworthy.

[thecutestgrotto]

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[windowcleaningsupplies]

Enhancing Clarity: A Comprehensive Guide to Window Cleaning Tools

Windows serve as the portals to our homes and offices, allowing natural light to flood our spaces and offering views of the world beyond. However, maintaining their cleanliness is essential not only for aesthetic appeal but also for ensuring a healthy living or working environment. In the arsenal of tools available for this task, there exists a plethora of options tailored to different needs and preferences. In this guide, we delve into the world of window cleaning tools, exploring their functionalities, advantages, and how they contribute to achieving sparkling, streak-free glass surfaces.window cleaning supplies

Squeegees:

Squeegees are perhaps the quintessential tool for achieving streak-free windows. Consisting of a rubber blade attached to a handle, they efficiently remove water and cleaning solutions from glass surfaces. Their design allows for swift, uniform strokes, making them ideal for both residential and commercial applications. Squeegees come in various sizes to accommodate different window dimensions, and some models feature adjustable handles for added convenience.

Microfiber Cloths:

Microfiber cloths have revolutionized the way we clean windows, offering superior absorbency and trapping capabilities compared to traditional cotton cloths. These ultra-fine fibers capture dirt, dust, and grime with ease, leaving windows spotless and lint-free. When paired with a cleaning solution, microfiber cloths excel at polishing glass surfaces to a brilliant shine without leaving behind residue or streaks. They are reusable and machine washable, making them an eco-friendly option for sustainable cleaning practices.

Extension Poles:

For windows located in high or hard-to-reach areas, extension poles are indispensable tools that enhance accessibility and safety. These telescopic rods can be attached to squeegees, scrubbers, or other cleaning implements, allowing users to reach windows situated on upper floors or in narrow spaces without the need for ladders or scaffolding. Extension poles come in various lengths, with some models featuring twist-lock mechanisms for secure attachment and adjustable angles for versatile use.

Scrubbers:

Stubborn dirt and grime often require a bit of elbow grease to eradicate, and scrubbers are designed precisely for this purpose. These abrasive pads or brushes feature durable bristles or abrasive surfaces that effectively loosen and dislodge dirt from glass surfaces. When paired with a cleaning solution, scrubbers provide thorough cleaning power, preparing the glass for a streak-free finish when used in conjunction with a squeegee or microfiber cloth. Some scrubbers feature pivoting heads or swivel mechanisms for enhanced maneuverability, ensuring thorough cleaning even in tight spaces.

Window Cleaning Solution:

Choosing the right cleaning solution is crucial for achieving optimal results when cleaning windows. While commercial glass cleaners are readily available, many opt for homemade solutions using ingredients such as vinegar, dish soap, or rubbing alcohol. These DIY solutions are often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, providing effective cleaning power without harsh chemicals or fumes. Regardless of whether you choose a commercial or homemade solution, be sure to use a spray bottle for even application and minimal waste.

Water-fed Pole Systems:

Water-fed pole systems offer a streamlined approach to window cleaning, particularly for large-scale or multi-story buildings. These systems consist of telescopic poles equipped with water jets and soft bristle brushes at the tip. Purified water is pumped through the pole and sprayed onto the window surface, loosening dirt and debris. The brushes agitate the dirt, while the continuous flow of water rinses it away, leaving behind a clean, streak-free surface. Water-fed pole systems are highly efficient and reduce the need for chemical cleaners, making them an eco-friendly option for commercial window cleaning operations.

Conclusion:

Maintaining clean and clear windows enhances the overall appearance and ambiance of any space while promoting a healthy indoor environment. With the myriad of window cleaning tools available, from squeegees and microfiber cloths to extension poles and water-fed pole systems, achieving sparkling, streak-free windows has never been easier. By investing in the right tools and techniques, you can keep your windows looking their best year-round, allowing natural light to illuminate your surroundings and providing unobstructed views of the world beyond.

[drifting-falling-star]

TF Fankid OC Quick Facts! [Asks Open!]

Compass Quick Facts! [Prowl x Starscream] -Song: Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift -She/Her -Faction: Autobots -Altmode: Police motorcycle -Colors, etc: Blue, black, white; red optics; 11.8ft -In a romantic relationship with Lunar -Guardian(s): Prowl -Voice Claim: Azula [Avatar: The Last Airbender]

Lunar Quick Facts! [Megatron x OP] -Song: Waiting On A Miracle - Stephanie Beatriz -She/Her -Faction: Autobots -Altmode: Space Infrared Telescope -Colors, etc: Blue, silver, white; white optics; 16.5ft -In a romantic relationship with Compass -Guardian(s): Optimus Prime -Voice Claim: Princess Bubblegum [Adventure Time]

Requiem Quick Facts! -Song: Propaganda! - Crusher -He/Him -Faction: Decepticons -Altmode: IBM 305 RAMAC -Colors, etc: Silver; purple optics; 19ft -Younger twin of Venture -Guardian(s): Nightlight, Megatron -Voice Claim: Edward Elric [Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood]

Skyline Quick Facts! [Skyfire x Elite Trine] -Song: DEATHWISH - poutyface -She/They -Faction: Autobots -Altmode: F-15 Strike Eagle -Colors, etc: Cyan, purple, a touch of orange; red optics 31ft -Part of the triplets: middle child -Guardian(s): Skyfire -Voice claim: Kyubey [Puella Magi Madoka Magica]

Starsweeper Quick Facts! [Skyfire x Elite Trine] -Song: It's Alright - Mother Mother -They/Them -Faction: Autobots -Altmode: F-15 Strike Eagle -Colors, etc: Red, black, flashy; blue optics; 31ft -Part of the triplets; oldest child -Guardian(s): Skyfire -Voice claim: Kyoko Sakura [Puella Magi Madoka Magica]

Sunblast Quick Facts! -Song: Centuries - Fall Out Boy -He/Him -Faction: Decepticons -Altmode: Global Hawk -Colors, etc: Dark blue; red optics; 22ft -Guardian(s): Nightlight, Soundwave -Voice claim: The Collector [The Owl House]

Venture Quick Facts! -Song: Two Birds - Regina Spektor -She/Her -Faction: Decepticons -Altmode: Mitsubishi F-2 -Colors, etc: Purple, dark blue; red optics; 25ft -Older twin of Requiem -Guardian(s): Nightlight, Megatron -Voice Claim: Historia Reiss [Attack On Titan]

Wind Chime Quick Facts! [Skyfire x Elite Trine] -Song: Sleeping Through the End of the World - PuffHost -She/Her -Faction: Autobots -Altmode: Boeing X-37 -Colors, etc: Sunny yellow, dark gray accents; red optics; 43ft -Cracked left optic -Part of the triplets; youngest child -Guardian(s): Skyfire -Voice claim: Violet Evergarden [Violet Evergarden English Dub]

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NASA’s NICER maps debris from recurring cosmic crashes

For the first time, astronomers have probed the physical environment of repeating X-ray outbursts near monster black holes thanks to data from NASA’s NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) and other missions.

Scientists have only recently encountered this class of X-ray flares, called QPEs, or quasi-periodic eruptions. A system astronomers have nicknamed Ansky is the eighth QPE source discovered, and it produces the most energetic outbursts seen to date. Ansky also sets records in terms of timing and duration, with eruptions every 4.5 days or so that last approximately 1.5 days.

“These QPEs are mysterious and intensely interesting phenomena,” said Joheen Chakraborty, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. “One of the most intriguing aspects is their quasi-periodic nature. We’re still developing the methodologies and frameworks we need to understand what causes QPEs, and Ansky’s unusual properties are helping us improve those tools.”

Ansky’s name comes from ZTF19acnskyy, the moniker of a visible-light outburst seen in 2019. It was located in a galaxy about 300 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. This event was the first indication that something unusual might be happening.

A paper about Ansky, led by Chakraborty, was published Tuesday in The Astrophysical Journal.

A leading theory suggests that QPEs occur in systems where a relatively low-mass object passes through the disk of gas surrounding a supermassive black hole that holds hundreds of thousands to billions of times the Sun’s mass.

When the lower-mass object punches through the disk, its passage drives out expanding clouds of hot gas that we observe as QPEs in X-rays.

Scientists think the eruptions' quasi-periodicity occurs because the smaller object’s orbit is not perfectly circular and spirals toward the black hole over time. Also, the extreme gravity close to the black hole warps the fabric of space-time, altering the object’s orbits so they don’t close on themselves with each cycle. Scientists’ current understanding suggests the eruptions repeat until the disk disappears or the orbiting object disintegrates, which may take up to a few years.

“Ansky’s extreme properties may be due to the nature of the disk around its supermassive black hole,” said Lorena Hernández-García, an astrophysicist at the Millennium Nucleus on Transversal Research and Technology to Explore Supermassive Black Holes, the Millennium Institute of Astrophysics, and University of Valparaíso in Chile. “In most QPE systems the supermassive black hole likely shreds a passing star, creating a small disk very close to itself. In Ansky’s case, we think the disk is much larger and can involve objects farther away, creating the longer timescales we observe.”

Hernández-García, in addition to being a co-author on Chakraborty’s paper, led the study that discovered Ansky’s QPEs, which was published in April in Nature Astronomy and used data from NICER, NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and Chandra X-ray Observatory, as well as ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) XMM-Newton space telescope.

NICER’s position on the International Space Station allowed it to observe Ansky about 16 times every day from May to July 2024. The frequency of the observations was critical in detecting the X-ray fluctuations that revealed Ansky produces QPEs.

Chakraborty’s team used data from NICER and XMM-Newton to map the rapid evolution of the ejected material driving the observed QPEs in unprecedented detail by studying variations in X-ray intensity during the rise and fall of each eruption.

The researchers found that each impact resulted in about a Jupiter’s worth of mass reaching expansion velocities around 15% of the speed of light.

The NICER telescope’s ability to frequently observe Ansky from the space station and its unique measurement capabilities also made it possible for the team to measure the size and temperature of the roughly spherical bubble of debris as it expanded.

“All NICER’s Ansky observations used in these papers were collected after the instrument experienced a ‘light leak’ in May 2023,” said Zaven Arzoumanian, the mission’s science lead at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “Even though the leak – which was patched in January – affected the telescope’s observing strategy, NICER was still able to make vital contributions to time domain astronomy, or the study of changes in the cosmos on timescales we can see.”

After the repair, NICER continued observing Ansky to explore how the outbursts have evolved over time. A paper about these results, led by Hernández-García and co-authored by Chakraborty, is under review.

Observational studies of QPEs like Chakraborty’s will also play a key role in preparing the science community for a new era of multimessenger astronomy, which combines measurements using light, elementary particles, and space-time ripples called gravitational waves to better understand objects and events in the universe.

One goal of ESA’s future LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, in which NASA is a partner, is to study extreme mass-ratio inspirals — or systems where a low-mass object orbits a much more massive one, like Ansky. These systems should emit gravitational waves that are not observable with current facilities. Electromagnetic studies of QPEs will help improve models of those systems ahead of LISA’s anticipated launch in the mid-2030s.

“We’re going to keep observing Ansky for as long as we can,” Chakraborty said. “We’re still in the infancy of understanding QPEs. It’s such an exciting time because there’s so much to learn.”

TOP IMAGE: A system astronomers call Ansky, in the galaxy at the center of this image, is home to a recently discovered series of quasi-periodic eruptions. Credit Sloan Digital Sky Survey

LOWER IMAGE: The NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer) X-ray telescope is reflected on NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 flight engineer Nick Hague’s spacesuit helmet visor in this high-flying “space-selfie” taken during a spacewalk on Jan. 16, 2025. NASA/Nick Hague

[nasa]

5 Unpredictable Things Swift Has Studied (and 1 It’s Still Looking For)

Our Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory — Swift for short — is celebrating its 20th anniversary! The satellite studies cosmic objects and events using visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray light. Swift plays a key role in our efforts to observe our ever-changing universe. Here are a few cosmic surprises Swift has caught over the years — plus one scientists hope to see.

#BOAT

Swift was designed to detect and study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe. These bursts occur all over the sky without warning, with about one a day detected on average. They also usually last less than a minute – sometimes less than a few seconds – so you need a telescope like Swift that can quickly spot and precisely locate these new events.

In the fall of 2022, for example, Swift helped study a gamma-ray burst nicknamed the BOAT, or brightest of all time. The image above depicts X-rays Swift detected for 12 days after the initial flash. Dust in our galaxy scattered the X-ray light back to us, creating an extraordinary set of expanding rings.

Star meets black hole

Tidal disruptions happen when an unlucky star strays too close to a black hole. Gravitational forces break the star apart into a stream of gas, as seen above. Some of the gas escapes, but some swings back around the black hole and creates a disk of debris that orbits around it.

These events are rare. They only occur once every 10,000 to 100,000 years in a galaxy the size of our Milky Way. Astronomers can’t predict when or where they’ll pop up, but Swift’s quick reflexes have helped it observe several tidal disruption events in other galaxies over its 20-year career.

Active galaxies

Usually, we think of galaxies – and most other things in the universe – as changing so slowly that we can’t see the changes. But about 10% of the universe’s galaxies are active, which means their black hole-powered centers are very bright and have a lot going on. They can produce high-speed particle jets or flares of light. Sometimes scientists can catch and watch these real-time changes.

For example, for several years starting in 2018, Swift and other telescopes observed changes in a galaxy’s X-ray and ultraviolet light that led them to think the galaxy’s magnetic field had flipped 180 degrees.

Magnetic star remnants

Magnetars are a type of neutron star, a very dense leftover of a massive star that exploded in a supernova. Magnetars have the strongest magnetic fields we know of — up to 10 trillion times more intense than a refrigerator magnet and a thousand times stronger than a typical neutron star’s.

Occasionally, magnetars experience outbursts related to sudden changes in their magnetic fields that can last for months or even years. Swift detected such an outburst from a magnetar in 2020. The satellite’s X-ray observations helped scientists determine that the city-sized object was rotating once every 10.4 seconds.

Comets

Swift has also studied comets in our own solar system. Comets are town-sized snowballs of frozen gases, rock, and dust. When one gets close to our Sun, it heats up and spews dust and gases into a giant glowing halo.

In 2019, Swift watched a comet called 2I/Borisov. Using ultraviolet light, scientists calculated that Borisov lost enough water to fill 92 Olympic-size swimming pools! (Another interesting fact about Borisov: Astronomers think it came from outside our solar system.)

What's next for Swift?

Swift has studied a lot of cool events and objects over its two decades, but there are still a few events scientists are hoping it’ll see.

Swift is an important part of a new era of astrophysics called multimessenger astronomy, which is where scientists use light, particles, and space-time ripples called gravitational waves to study different aspects of cosmic events.

In 2017, Swift and other observatories detected light and gravitational waves from the same event, a gamma-ray burst, for the first time. But what astronomers really want is to detect all three messengers from the same event.

As Swift enters its 20th year, it’ll keep watching the ever-changing sky.

Keep up with Swift through NASA Universe on X, Facebook, and Instagram. And make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[danielwege-blog]

NASA flagra 3 buracos negros destruindo estrelas gigantes: explosões mais energéticas desde o Big Bang abalam galáxias a bilhões de anos-luz da Terra

News https://portal.esgagenda.com/nasa-flagra-3-buracos-negros-destruindo-estrelas-gigantes-explosoes-mais-energeticas-desde-o-big-bang-abalam-galaxias-a-bilhoes-de-anos-luz-da-terra/

NASA flagra 3 buracos negros destruindo estrelas gigantes: explosões mais energéticas desde o Big Bang abalam galáxias a bilhões de anos-luz da Terra

Publicado em 07/06/2025 às 16:57

A NASA, em parceria com a ESA e outras instituições, revelou uma descoberta extraordinária: três buracos negros supermassivos foram flagrados devorando estrelas gigantes com uma violência cósmica jamais vista desde o Big Bang. Esses eventos ocorreram entre 2016 e 2020, em galáxias distantes, e cada um liberou mais energia do que 100 supernovas juntas. As observações foram confirmadas por diversos telescópios e satélites espaciais, como Swift, WISE e Gaia.

A destruição das estrelas provocou explosões que brilharam por meses, lançando radiações tão poderosas que afetaram toda a galáxia ao redor. A pesquisa, liderada pelo estudante de doutorado Jason Hinkle, foi publicada na revista Science Advances e representa uma nova classe de eventos cósmicos, chamada de “transientes nucleares extremos”, informou a NASA em comunicado.

Um disco de gás quente gira ao redor de um buraco negro nesta ilustração. Parte desse gás veio de uma estrela que foi despedaçada pelo buraco negro, formando o longo fluxo de gás quente à direita, que alimenta o disco. Créditos: NASA/JPL-Caltech

O que são os transientes nucleares extremos e como eles mudam tudo que sabemos sobre buracos negros

Os buracos negros são conhecidos por sua invisibilidade, não emitem luz e só podem ser detectados por seus efeitos gravitacionais. Porém, quando uma estrela se aproxima demais, a gravidade intensa do buraco negro a despedaça. É o que os cientistas chamam de “erupção de disrupção de maré”.

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Esses três casos analisados mostraram buracos negros de grande massa que estavam inativos, mas subitamente se tornaram visíveis ao destruir estrelas de até 10 vezes a massa do Sol. Um dos eventos, apelidado de “Barbie” (ZTF20abrbeie), foi detectado pelo Zwicky Transient Facility em 2020. Os outros dois foram observados anteriormente, em 2016 e 2018, pelo satélite Gaia da ESA.

Durante meses, os telescópios acompanharam o aumento e queda do brilho das explosões, comportamento que serviu como “impressão digital” para confirmar a presença dos buracos negros. A radiação liberada chegou a durar mais de 250 dias, sendo captada em raios-X, luz ultravioleta e óptica.

Além do brilho intenso, os eventos modificaram o ambiente galáctico ao seu redor. A ejeção de energia e partículas aqueceu nuvens de poeira, cujas assinaturas químicas puderam ser analisadas por telescópios em solo, como o Keck e o Pan-STARRS.

A importância desse tipo de evento está no fato de que apenas cerca de 10% dos buracos negros no universo são ativos. Os demais permanecem ocultos. Os transientes nucleares extremos funcionam como lanternas cósmicas, revelando a localização de buracos negros silenciosos em galáxias remotas.

Telescópios do futuro vão caçar explosões cósmicas de 12 bilhões de anos com base neste estudo pioneiro

O trabalho liderado por Hinkle também envolveu cientistas como Anna Payne, do Space Telescope Science Institute, que destacou o potencial desses eventos como guias para entender os buracos negros do universo primordial. A equipe acredita que esses fenômenos podem ser visíveis mesmo a 12 bilhões de anos-luz, quando o universo ainda era jovem.

O telescópio Roman da NASA, com lançamento previsto para 2026 ou 2027, será essencial nessa busca. Com seu campo de visão amplo e capacidade de captar luz infravermelha, justamente onde a radiação ultravioleta desses eventos é “esticada” pela expansão do universo, o Roman pode detectar dezenas ou centenas desses eventos no passado profundo.

Os dados antigos do satélite WISE também foram fundamentais, pois permitiram entender como a poeira em volta dos buracos negros se aqueceu e respondeu às explosões. WISE operou entre 2009 e 2011, sendo depois reativado como NEOWISE e aposentado em 2024.

Combinando observações antigas e futuras, os astrônomos esperam traçar um mapa mais completo do crescimento dos buracos negros ao longo do tempo. A pergunta central, como os buracos negros crescem, pode estar mais próxima de uma resposta.

Além de fornecer dados para ciência de ponta, o projeto foi viabilizado graças a um programa de bolsas da NASA, o FINESST, que financiou a pesquisa de Hinkle. Agora, ele continuará o trabalho como pesquisador na Universidade de Illinois, dentro do prestigiado programa Hubble Fellowship.

Como destacou a NASA, essas explosões cósmicas são tão poderosas que modificam não apenas sua galáxia de origem, mas também nossa compreensão do universo.

Achou esse artigo impressionante? Comente o que mais te surpreendeu e compartilhe com os amigos fãs de astronomia e ciência!

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Rare and mysterious cosmic explosion: Gamma-ray burst or jetted tidal disruption event?

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/rare-and-mysterious-cosmic-explosion-gamma-ray-burst-or-jetted-tidal-disruption-event/

Rare and mysterious cosmic explosion: Gamma-ray burst or jetted tidal disruption event?

Highly energetic explosions in the sky are commonly attributed to gamma-ray bursts. We now understand that these bursts originate from either the merger of two neutron stars or the collapse of a massive star. In these scenarios, a newborn black hole is formed, emitting a jet that travels at nearly the speed of light. When these jets are directed toward Earth, we can observe them from vast distances — sometimes billions of light-years away — due to a relativistic effect known as Doppler boosting. Over the past decade, thousands of such gamma-ray bursts have been detected.

Since its launch in 2024, the Einstein Probe — an X-ray space telescope developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in partnership with European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics — has been scanning the skies looking for energetic explosions, and in April the telescope observed an unusual event designated as EP240408A. Now an international team of astronomers, including Dheeraj Pasham from MIT, Igor Andreoni from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Brendan O’Connor from Carnegie Mellon University, and others have investigated this explosion using a slew of ground-based and space-based telescopes, including NuSTAR, Swift, Gemini, Keck, DECam, VLA, ATCA, and NICER, which was developed in collaboration with MIT. 

An open-access report of their findings, published Jan. 27 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, indicates that the characteristics of this explosion do not match those of typical gamma-ray bursts. Instead, it may represent a rare new class of powerful cosmic explosion — a jetted tidal disruption event, which occurs when a supermassive black hole tears apart a star. 

“NICER’s ability to steer to pretty much any part of the sky and monitor for weeks has been instrumental in our understanding of these unusual cosmic explosions,” says Pasham, a research scientist at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.

While a jetted tidal disruption event is plausible, the researchers say the lack of radio emissions from this jet is puzzling. O’Connor surmises, “EP240408a ticks some of the boxes for several different kinds of phenomena, but it doesn’t tick all the boxes for anything. In particular, the short duration and high luminosity are hard to explain in other scenarios. The alternative is that we are seeing something entirely new!”

According to Pasham, the Einstein Probe is just beginning to scratch the surface of what seems possible. “I’m excited to chase the next weird explosion from the Einstein Probe”, he says, echoing astronomers worldwide who look forward to the prospect of discovering more unusual explosions from the farthest reaches of the cosmos.

[jcmarchi]

Rare and mysterious cosmic explosion: Gamma-ray burst or jetted tidal disruption event?

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/rare-and-mysterious-cosmic-explosion-gamma-ray-burst-or-jetted-tidal-disruption-event/

Rare and mysterious cosmic explosion: Gamma-ray burst or jetted tidal disruption event?

Highly energetic explosions in the sky are commonly attributed to gamma-ray bursts. We now understand that these bursts originate from either the merger of two neutron stars or the collapse of a massive star. In these scenarios, a newborn black hole is formed, emitting a jet that travels at nearly the speed of light. When these jets are directed toward Earth, we can observe them from vast distances — sometimes billions of light-years away — due to a relativistic effect known as Doppler boosting. Over the past decade, thousands of such gamma-ray bursts have been detected.

Since its launch in 2024, the Einstein Probe — an X-ray space telescope developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in partnership with European Space Agency (ESA) and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics — has been scanning the skies looking for energetic explosions, and in April the telescope observed an unusual event designated as EP240408A. Now an international team of astronomers, including Dheeraj Pasham from MIT, Igor Andreoni from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Brendan O’Connor from Carnegie Mellon University, and others have investigated this explosion using a slew of ground-based and space-based telescopes, including NuSTAR, Swift, Gemini, Keck, DECam, VLA, ATCA, and NICER, which was developed in collaboration with MIT. 

An open-access report of their findings, published Jan. 27 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, indicates that the characteristics of this explosion do not match those of typical gamma-ray bursts. Instead, it may represent a rare new class of powerful cosmic explosion — a jetted tidal disruption event, which occurs when a supermassive black hole tears apart a star. 

“NICER’s ability to steer to pretty much any part of the sky and monitor for weeks has been instrumental in our understanding of these unusual cosmic explosions,” says Pasham, a research scientist at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.

While a jetted tidal disruption event is plausible, the researchers say the lack of radio emissions from this jet is puzzling. O’Connor surmises, “EP240408a ticks some of the boxes for several different kinds of phenomena, but it doesn’t tick all the boxes for anything. In particular, the short duration and high luminosity are hard to explain in other scenarios. The alternative is that we are seeing something entirely new!”

According to Pasham, the Einstein Probe is just beginning to scratch the surface of what seems possible. “I’m excited to chase the next weird explosion from the Einstein Probe”, he says, echoing astronomers worldwide who look forward to the prospect of discovering more unusual explosions from the farthest reaches of the cosmos.