Science & Tech

JPL Prototype Lithium MPD Thruster Reaches 120 kW in Ground Test

A JPL prototype lithium-fed MPD electric thruster reached 120 kW in a Feb. 24 vacuum test — an early lab milestone toward higher‑power deep‑space propulsion.

#space, #jpl, #electricpropulsion, #mpd

Preprint: DESI spectra identify 10,000+ candidate cold gas inflows into galaxies

An arXiv preprint using DESI DR2 spectra reports more than 10,000 candidate cold-gas inflows in z<0.6 galaxies, offering a large but preliminary sample.

#astronomy, #desi, #galaxies, #arxiv

ArXiv preprint proposes nuclear-spin laser method for >90% single-pass isotope enrichment

An unreviewed arXiv paper proposes using nuclear-spin–sensitive ultrafast lasers to achieve >90% single-pass isotope enrichment in simulations; no experiments yet.

#laser, #isotope, #separation, #nuclearphysics, #arxiv

Study: Possible Thin Atmosphere Detected Around Small Trans‑Neptunian Object 2002 XV93

A May 4 Nature Astronomy paper reports a tenuous atmosphere around plutino (612533) 2002 XV93 based on a single 2024 occultation; independent verification needed.

#transneptunian, #astronomy, #occultation, #pluto

Reanalysis finds no evidence of planetary‑mass primordial black holes in Andromeda data

Independent reanalysis finds 12 short events in Subaru observations of M31 are ordinary stellar variability, not planetary‑mass primordial black holes.

#darkmatter, #primordialblackholes, #astronomy, #andromeda

JWST Mid‑Infrared Spectrum Indicates Basaltic Surface, Little Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet LHS 3844 b

JWST mid-infrared observations of LHS 3844 b point to a dark, low-silica (basaltic) surface and rule out a thick CO2 or SO2 atmosphere.

#astronomy, #exoplanets, #jwst, #surfacecomposition

Open-source system QED claims machine-generated proofs for three open math problems; formal checks pending

An arXiv preprint and GitHub repo say QED, an open-source multi-agent AI, produced expert-verified proofs for three open math problems; independent formal checks are pending.

#ai, #math, #arxiv, #proofs

Preprint Suggests Campi Flegrei Could Reach Critical Transition Around 2030–34, Authorities Caution

A new arXiv preprint projects a potential critical transition at Campi Flegrei around 2030–34; Italian authorities stress no evidence of imminent eruption.

#campi_flegrei, #volcano, #italy, #geology

JWST and Lensing Reveal Abundant Ultra-Faint Galaxies, Bolstering the Case They Powered Reionization

JWST + lensing study finds abundant ultra-faint galaxies at z≈6–9 with no turnover down to MUV≈−12, bolstering the case that faint galaxies powered reionization.

#astronomy, #jwst, #reionization, #galaxies

India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam Reaches First Criticality

India's 500 MWe PFBR at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on April 6, 2026, marking a key step toward commercial fast-breeder operation.

#india, #nuclear, #pfbr, #kalpakkam

Preprint suggests two supernova remnants may accelerate cosmic rays to PeV energies

A LHAASO preprint reports gamma rays up to hundreds of TeV from two supernova remnants, which authors interpret as evidence they accelerated hadronic cosmic rays to PeV energies.

#cosmicrays, #lhaaso, #supernova, #gammarays, #astrophysics

Preprint: CHIME Fast Radio Bursts Trace Diffuse Baryons Across the Cosmic Web

A new preprint uses dispersion from 3,455 CHIME fast radio bursts to statistically link FRB sightlines with maps of hot gas and galaxies, probing diffuse baryons.

#frb, #astrophysics, #cosmology, #chime, #baryons

Chinese Universities Scramble After CAS Journal 'Partition Table' Is Discontinued

Chinese universities must find new benchmarks after the Chinese Academy of Sciences stops updating its influential journal partition table from 2026.

#china, #academia, #research, #journals

Preprint: Kaonic-fluorine test finds QED holds in atomic fields above Schwinger limit

SIDDHARTA-2 preprint reports x-ray measurements from kaonic fluorine match Dirac-Fock QED predictions in atomic fields exceeding the Schwinger limit.

#physics, #qed, #kaons, #atomic-physics

Curiosity Finds Most Chemically Diverse Organic Molecules on Mars, Including Seven New Compounds

Curiosity's Glen Torridon sample from 2020 yielded 20+ organic molecules — seven never before seen on Mars — indicating ancient rocks can preserve complex carbon chemistry.

#mars, #curiosity, #organics, #space, #science