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Protons,
neutrons melt to produce 'quark-gluon plasma' at RHIC
Feb. 15,
2010
Recent
analyses from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a
2.4-mile-circumference “atom smasher” at the U.S.
Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National
Laboratory, establish that collisions of gold ions traveling at
nearly the speed of light have created matter at a temperature of
about 4 trillion degrees Celsius — the hottest temperature
ever reached in a laboratory, about 250,000* times hotter than
the center of the Sun. This temperature, based upon measurements
by the PHENIX collaboration at RHIC, is higher than the
temperature needed to melt protons and neutrons into a plasma of
quarks and gluons.
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The
Smell of Salt Air, a Mile High and 900 Miles Inland
NEW
Mar. 10,
2010
The smell of
sea salt in the air is a romanticized feature of life along a
seacoast. Wind and waves kick up spray, and bits of sodium
chloride – common table salt – can permeate the air.
It is believed that as much as 10 billion metric tons of chloride
enters the air mass through this process each year, but just a
tiny fraction – perhaps one-third of 1 percent – does
anything but fall back to the surface.
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Saturn's
Aurora Offer Stunning Double Show
Feb.
11, 2010
Researchers
using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope recently took advantage
of a rare opportunity to record Saturn when its rings are
edge-on, resulting in a unique movie featuring both of the giant
planet's poles. Saturn is only in this position every 15 years
and this favorable orientation has allowed a sustained study of
Saturn’s almost symmetric northern and southern lights.
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Absorbing
Hydrogen Fluoride Gas to Enhance Crystal Growth
Dec. 10,
2009
Two
scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE)
Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method to control
the buildup of hydrogen fluoride gas during the growth of
precision crystals needed for applications such as
superconductors, optical devices, and microelectronics. The
invention — by Vyacheslav Solovyov and Harold Wiesmann and
recently awarded U.S. Patent number 7,622,426 — could lead
to more efficient production and improved performance of these
materials.
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Lockheed
Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Is 'Effective, Suitable And Mission
Capable' For USAF Operations
NEW
Mar. 10,
2010
The Air
Force Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Center has rated
the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-5M as "effective, suitable
and mission capable" based on results from OT&E testing
completed in January 2010. The OT&E phase spanned four
months, evaluating various performance aspects to validate the
capability and reliability of the C-5M. These positive test
results enable the Super Galaxy to continue to support critical
missions flown in support of world-wide operational
contingencies.
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Scientific
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