Scientists Observe Light Of "Cosmic Dawn" With Telescope On Earth For The First Time Ever
This era was a significant milestone in the universe's evolution as massive stars and galaxies were formed and the universe's structure and composition were shaped.
Scientists have used James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of distant galaxies to get insights into the cosmic dawn. Computational models also help understand galaxy formation and evolution.
"People thought this couldn't be done from the ground. Astronomy is a technology-limited field, and microwave signals from the Cosmic Dawn are famously difficult to measure," team leader and Johns Hopkins professor of physics and astronomy, Tobias Marriage, said in a statement.
"Ground-based observations face additional challenges compared to space. Overcoming those obstacles makes this measurement a significant achievement," Marriage added.
Cosmic dawn insights shed light on the universe's early stages, providing an understanding of the universe's origins.
The scientists were able to get a new glimpse of Cosmic Dawn using the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS), which is an array of telescopes located high in the Atacama Desert region of Northern Chile.
The main objective of CLASS is to observe the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), which is a cosmic fossil left over from an event just after the Big Bang.
The changes in the atmosphere, weather and temperature can distort the light, broadcast radio waves, radar, and satellites can access their signal on Earth.
The light from Cosmic Dawn is extremely faint as the wavelength is in millimetres, which is obvious as it has travelled to us for 13 billion years and more. The signal from polarised microwave light is about a million times fainter.
Polarisation means the orientation of oscillations or vibrations in a wave, such as light or electromagnetic waves. This can happen when light hits an object and scatters off it.
"When light hits the hood of your car and you see a glare, that's polarization. To see clearly, you can put on polarized glasses to take away glare," said team member Yunyang Li, who was a PhD student at Johns Hopkins.
"Using the new common signal, we can determine how much of what we're seeing is cosmic glare from light bouncing off the hood of the Cosmic Dawn, so to speak," added Yunyang, who was a fellow at the University of Chicago while this research was being conducte
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Can Hackers Take Over Your Brain? Neuroscience Reveals The Disturbing Truth
Neuroscience suggests that while the idea of "hacking" the human brain sounds like sci-fi, emerging brain-computer interface (BCI) technology introduces real vulnerabilities. According to a report by University of Maryland Global Campus, BCIs, whether invasive implants or noninvasive wearable sensors, translate neural signals into digital commands, enabling applications from prosthetic control to gaming. According to a study by Cornell University, security concerns are multifaceted. First, hackers could intercept neural data streams, essentially reading thoughts transmitted from brain to device. Researchers have demonstrated "backdoor" attacks on EEG-based BCIs: tiny perturbations injected into brainwave-analysis algorithms can alter outcomes, from benign coaching tools to critical medical diagnostics. Second, the integrity of neural signals can be compromised, manipulated, or spoofed, potentially influencing emotions, decisions, or behaviour. In extreme cases, implanted deep-brain stimulators (used for Parkinson's) can be hacked to alter brain function directly. Third, neuroprivacy is at stake. Neural data may reveal sensitive medical conditions or private thoughts; unauthorised access would violate what ethicists call "cognitive liberty". According to a report by TIME, while brain transparency isn't imminent, we're quickly moving toward a future where scientists, governments, and corporations could potentially access our thoughts and mental states. In response to this emerging reality, experts emphasize the urgent need to establish the right to 'cognitive liberty' a modern extension of personal freedom. This right would ensure individuals maintain control over their own minds, safeguarding mental privacy, freedom of thought, and autonomy in the digital age. However, widespread "mind control" remains speculative. No verified cases of neuroweapon attacks (such as Havana Syndrome) exist; current BCI systems lack the precision or capability to rewrite memories or override free will, according to UNESCO Courier. In response, the field of neurosecurity is emerging. It applies cybersecurity principles, encryption, secure protocols, and threat models to protect neural devices and safeguard user autonomy. As BCIs advance-from experimental medical tools to consumer wearables-ethical frameworks and robust regulations must evolve alongside them. Ultimately, the brain can be hacked-if connected to machines. But with vigilant security measures and ethical oversight, neuroscience offers hope that our minds remain our own.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Space burial goes wrong: Capsule with remains of 166 people and cannabis seeds crashes into Pacific ocean
A space capsule carrying the ashes of 166 people , along with a collection of cannabis seeds , was lost after crashing into the Pacific Ocean during reentry. The capsule, part of a mission called " Mission Possible " by German aerospace start-up The Exploration Company (TEC), launched on June 23, 2025. Its cargo, arranged through Texas-based space burial firm Celestis , successfully completed two orbits around Earth before communication was lost. While the mission aimed to be Celestis's first to return from orbit, a reentry anomaly led to the capsule's destruction and the scattering of its contents at sea. Space burial mission ends in loss after promising start The Nyx capsule, designed and launched by The Exploration Company, initially performed well. It powered its payloads in orbit, stabilized after launch separation, and briefly re-established communication during reentry. However, the company lost contact just minutes before splashdown. TEC confirmed the capsule crashed into the Pacific Ocean, with no materials recovered. This was Celestis's first attempt at a return-from-orbit space burial, carrying remains of 166 individuals entrusted by families around the world. The mission also carried cannabis seeds as part of the Martian Grow project, a citizen science initiative aimed at exploring the potential of farming cannabis on Mars. TEC has only launched one other capsule prior to Nyx, and while they hailed several technical milestones, they acknowledged the risks involved and expressed a commitment to relaunching in the future. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Families mourn while celestis promises support Celestis co-founder Charles M. Chafer expressed disappointment and offered condolences to the families involved. He acknowledged the bravery of those who chose to participate in a first-of-its-kind return mission and emphasized the symbolic value of having their loved ones orbit Earth before their final resting place in the Pacific Ocean. Despite the tragic outcome, he noted that many milestones — launch, orbit, and controlled reentry — had been achieved. The company has reached out to affected families to offer support and discuss possible next steps. In his words, while no technical feat can replace the personal meaning behind such missions, 'we remain committed to serving with transparency, compassion, and care.'
NDTV
10 hours ago
- NDTV
Astronomers Discover "Water-Rich Super-Earth" Twice As Big As Our Planet
Scientists have discovered a new "super-Earth" that is located about 154 light-years away and is nearly twice as big and four times as massive as our planet. According to a paper published on the arXiv preprint server, the team of astronomers, led by Abderahmane Soubkiou of the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco, discovered the exoplanet using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). They stated the newly discovered alien world, designated TOI-1846 b, is likely a water-rich super-Earth and is estimated to be 7.2 billion years old. "We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolour ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations," the researchers wrote in the paper, as per According to the study, the exoplanet has a radius of about 1.792 Earth radii and is about 4.4 times more massive than our planet. It orbits its host every 3.93 days, and the equilibrium temperature of the planet is estimated to be 568.1 K. Based on their research, scientists concluded that the new "super-Earth" is likely water-rich. But they noted that radial velocity (RV) observations of TOI-1846 b should be conducted in order to unveil its composition. "These findings make TOI-1846 b well-suited for mass determination via RV observations. This could be possible with the MAROON-X instrument. (...) We find a TSM [transmission spectroscopy metric] of 47 for TOI-1846 b, which is below the 90 benchmark for small sub-Neptunes," the authors of the paper wrote, according to the outlet. When it comes to the parent star TOI-1846, the researchers said that the exoplanet is about 0.4 times the size of the Sun, and its mass is approximately 0.42 solar masses. The star has an effective temperature of 3,568 K and is estimated to be 7.2 billion years old, study authors said. Meanwhile, earlier this year, researchers discovered another "super-Earth" located outside our solar system. The exoplanet, designated HD 20794 d, is six times the mass of Earth and could harbour liquid water on its surface. Located 20 light-years away, it orbits within the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun, according to findings from the University of Oxford. However, unlike Earth's circular orbit, HD 20794 d follows an elliptical path, making it uncertain whether the planet could support life, researchers said.
