Latest news with #SwinburneUniversity
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Science
- ABC News
The Vera C Rubin Observatory is about to show us the universe like never before
The Vera C Rubin Observatory is about to open its eyes. Perched on a Chilean mountaintop, the US-funded observatory promises to "revolutionise our view of the cosmos". Using the world's largest digital camera, the observatory will take images of the Southern Hemisphere over the next 10 years. After a decade under construction, which cost $US810 million ($1.2 billion) alone, it is about to release its first snapshots to the public early in the week. Australia is one of many countries contributing to the telescope's development, and astronomers such as Tania Barone from Swinburne University of Technology are gearing up for the wealth of information the observatory is expected to generate. The Rubin Observatory, or officially the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is built on the Chilean mountain of Cerro Pachón, 2,647 metres above sea level. The high altitude and dry air gives it a view of the night sky with minimal interference. Inside, a telescope with an 8.4 metre-wide mirror will feed light into a camera the size of a car. The 3,000-kilogram camera is the largest digital camera ever made, and each exposure will capture an area of the night sky about 45 times the area of the full moon. The camera will use six different coloured filters to take images in different light spectra from ultraviolet beyond our vision, right through to infrared. When combined, these filters will provide a spectacularly detailed view of the cosmos over time. The camera will snap a picture every few seconds, and will be able to photograph the whole Southern Hemisphere sky every couple of days. It is scheduled to do this for 10 years, building up a decade-long survey of space and how it changes. But Dr Barone said that the observatory will also be able to provide astronomers with super-fast results. "Every time it looks at the same patch of sky, it will immediately compare it to what it looked like before," Dr Barone said. "If there's a change, it sends out alerts, and suddenly everyone can follow it up and see what's happening." The observatory is named after the US astronomer Vera Rubin, who uncovered some of the first evidence for dark matter. The observatory was born out of a quest by astronomers to solve the mystery of dark matter. Researchers started floating the idea for the observatory in the 1990s, discussing what type of telescope they would need to learn more about dark matter and how powerful it would need to be. The observatory will be useful for understanding dark matter, but it will also be able to spot a number of other things. Rachel Webster, an astrophysicist at the University of Melbourne, said that the telescope's ability to capture the whole night sky, several times a week, will allow researchers to view rare objects that were previously only captured by chance. These include stars that explode as supernovas, or quasars that send out regular pulses of energy across the universe like clockwork. "I've got experiments that I designed and thought about 30 years ago which I had never been able to do," Professor Webster said. A particular area of interest is gravitational lensing: where the gravity of objects can warp and magnify light coming from more distant objects. "We're going to be able to find a whole lot more of these incredible targets, which tell us a whole lot about, dark matter, the nature of the universe, and also the nature of these really distant galaxies because they are very brightly magnified," Dr Barone said. The telescope's huge lens will also capture very faint light, allowing researchers to see distant large-scale objects. "We haven't been able to really do that before, because telescopes tend to have fairly small scales," Professor Webster said. Jonti Horner, an astrophysicist at the University of Southern Queensland, said the telescope would also be able to spot much closer objects. The observatory will be able to spot many more asteroids, comets, and other close Solar System objects than any previous telescope. Professor Horner said that the observatory will also give people a much better chance of seeing asteroids that could crash into the Earth. "If we find something that's on a collision course, it gives us hugely more time to see that it's coming, giving us the option to do something about it — whether that's deflecting the object or evacuating the area," he said. Earlier this year, NASA spotted an asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, that had a higher-than-usual chance of hitting the Earth within seven years. Experts now think it poses no significant risk. "If Vera Rubin was operating 10 years ago, we would have found that object 10 years ago," Professor Horner said. The observatory will also be useful for finding out if the the elusive Planet Nine, a theoretical gigantic planet beyond Neptune, actually exists. The Rubin Observatory's first pictures will be released early this week. The official unveiling happens at 1am (AEST) this Tuesday, June 24. If you are keen, you can watch the unveiling live on the telescope's website or rug up and go to a watch party in Melbourne, Sydney or Perth. The telescope's official mission will begin a little later this year, and researchers anticipate it will not be long before they see exciting information coming out of the observatory. Australian researchers have arranged to get access to Rubin's information, by helping to process Rubin's information. The observatory will be generating some 20 terabytes of data every night. "The volume of data that will come off is beyond even the resources of the US," Professor Webster said. Australian researchers have developed software that the observatory will run on, helping to process these vast torrents of data. "We found that the most efficient or effective way that we contribute was to offer our brains," Professor Webster said. "So we've had a number of IT people who've been working on the data processing." In return, the Australian astronomy community has negotiated to get access to Rubin's information as soon as it is generated, allowing them to progress their research further. "It was really impressive to see astronomers who come from totally different research fields with totally different research interests, all saying 'this is really important to us, we need to have access,'" Professor Horner said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
It can be a scary time to be trans, but there's joy in living with authenticity
"Trans euphoria is a reality, a very, very strong reality. And as much negative news is out there, I think there needs to be as much transgender euphoria and joy celebrated, honored, respected, spread out into the world.'— Aspen Paskal The latest news about trans people in America is rarely positive. Executive orders coming out of the White House curtail the public lives of trans people more and more each day. Discrimination and harassment are rampant as are the stories of violence and suicide. We can predict that more trans people, especially trans women of color ― already more at risk than other groups ― will be murdered. And that is often compounded by gender dysphoria, the distress some people feel when their bodies or presentations — or society's perceptions of them — don't align with their gender. While it's a scary time in history to be trans, there are countless transgender and gender nonconforming people leading everyday lives full of joyful resistance. And just plain joy — the kind all humans feel in large ways and small, the kind that comes from taking a risk, achieving a goal, helping others or enjoying nature. Joy can, and should, be accessible to everyone. More from Freep Opinion: As a gay couple, we worried about acceptance in conservative Michigan town Ximón Kittok (they/them) says it's 'vital' to focus on trans joy, now more than ever. 'It offers that important counter narrative to what a lot of the media out there is focusing on,' Kittok said, 'which is the misinformation around trans identity and trans experience, or tragedy narratives around how tough it is to be trans.' As executive director of the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation, Kittok knows this well. 'I think focusing on gender euphoria is a beautiful thing,' they continued. 'Transness is about coming into yourself in a really authentic and meaningful way.' For Kittok, who is genderqueer and nonbinary, that means asking themselves the kind of questions many of us ask, even if we're not trans or gender nonconforming: Who am I? How do I want to show up in the world? How do I want to show up to myself in a way that feels very liberating? 'Despite all of the negative legislation and media coverage, people are continuing to come out as trans because it is that life-saving and life-affirming,' Kittok added. More from Freep Opinion: I'm a gay man in Detroit. Celebrating Pride feels more important than ever. New research from Swinburne University and Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia backs this up. Reframing how trans people see themselves can improve mental health outcomes. And it's not just the fault of the government and the media. Even the medical establishment sometimes focuses too much on transness as marked by gender dysphoria and feeling out of place in one's body, Kittok says. 'Shifting the narrative to something that is more focused on gender euphoria can sort of depathologize the experience,' Kittok said, 'where it's less about what's wrong and more about finding what feels right.' Given that gender dysphoria is a feeling of distress, gender euphoria, conversely, is the feeling of comfort or happiness some trans people feel when their gender is affirmed. People sometimes experience gender euphoria when their body aligns with their gender or when others use the correct name and pronouns for them. One trans advocate in the Swinburne University study compared gender euphoria to 'being able to breathe without having to think about it, when — maybe for years — you had to think about every single breath.' For some, it's about being addressed properly for the first time. For others, it's hormones or surgery that help people feel more comfortable and in alignment with their identity. It might be the first time a trans person wears clothing and presents oneself to the world in a way that feels authentic. At the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation and out in the community, Kittok often witnesses trans and gender diverse individuals experiencing validation in their authentic selves for the first time. Sometimes, that happens in a courtroom. 'We have helped hundreds and hundreds of trans people through their legal name change process,' Kittok said. 'And as part of that, for our organization it's important that we provide emotional and moral support.' They explained the law recently changed, and that navigating any legal process can be daunting. Talking to a judge can also feel daunting, so folks using the Foundation's services are asked if they would like someone to accompany them and be a 'friendly face.' 'The moment when the judge says, OK, your name is now officially, you know, 'your name,' and they sign the document, the level of just joy and ecstasy that people experience in that moment where their name is officially changed is a really beautiful and powerful moment,' Kittok said. 'I think name changes tend to be sort of a rite of passage for the trans community in a lot of ways.' Baddie Brooks (she/her), a vocal artist, musician and first-year music teacher who lives in Ypsilanti, talked about her own experiences with gender euphoria. Brooks was recently named Miss Trans Michigan 2025 by Trans USA National Pageantry, a 501c3 organization whose pageants emphasize advocacy for the trans community. It's like a weight has been lifted, Brooks says. 'It almost feels like you had an elephant on your chest and then it just lifts suddenly.' That can happen naturally when people use Brooks' correct pronouns or she is treated with respect in the workplace. When people refuse to do 'the bare minimum,' Brooks says, it's sad. 'I definitely get nervous every time I start a new job, because I never know if the environment is going to be accepting or not. I'm thankful to be in the current position I'm in as a music educator as well as a performer, because, you know, whenever you have an employer who's not accepting, it's very disheartening.' As a performer and pageant winner, Brooks has chosen to lead a very public life. And a large part of her confidence stems from the joy she finds in being and expressing her authentic self. Brooks enjoys the glamor of pageantry, noting that she's a big fan of drag pageants. Miss Trans Michigan piqued that interest, she says, 'Because it was rooted in advocacy for the trans community. And everyone who's competing is trans.' Brooks first experienced gender euphoria as a student at Eastern Michigan University where she studied journalism, public relations and music. 'I think one of the first moments that I experienced joy is the first time that I got my makeup done,' Brooks said. 'Their name was Morgan, a friend that I went to school at Eastern with. It was my first time wearing makeup and I kind of did it in secret, because I just wasn't allowed to do that in the home that I grew up in.' That was the first time, Brooks said, she was able to express her femininity. Brooks performed at Ferndale Pride May 31, and continues touring festivals all over the state and beyond. Separately, Brooks' 16-track album, released in 2023, is the basis of her Reclamation Tour, which, not coincidentally, has a lot to do with trans joy. 'On my tour, people will expect the full creative storytelling of reclamation,' Brooks said. 'So the story will center around how queer and trans people are able to reclaim their identity and how there is power in reclaiming who you are despite society's expectations, despite bias, discrimination.' Like Brooks, Aspen Paskal (he/him) is an educator. Over the course of his career, he has worked with youth in communities across the country. Recently, Paskal was laid off because the grant that supported his work was cut 'due to the political situation.' Paskal is taking it in stride, perhaps because at 61 he has faced greater personal challenges, and remains remarkably positive. Gender euphoria is something he's very attuned to. 'For me, it's a meditation practice,' said Paskal, who was born in Detroit and returned two and half years ago after a long hiatus. 'So when I first get up in the morning, I'm going to actually support and honor me being trans in the world, and what a gift it was for me to take 40-plus years to realize that I was a trans masc person.' Sharing that inner joy and direct experience is part of Paskal's practice, too. He explained by positing a few questions: 'Sometimes being trans, there's ways that you have to figure out, how can I access that trans joy more often? How can I bring it into my daily life? How can I bring it into my relationships with people that I love? How do I bring that trans joy to people that I might be having some disagreements with because they're misgendering me or they're not using the pronouns or respecting the pronouns that I use?' Paskal has gone through many life changes over the last few years in the aftermath of the death of his father at the age of 102. At that time, Paskal decided to return to Detroit to live in the home he grew up in. A profound moment occurred one day, when Paskal, who is a master gardener, was tending a plot at a community garden in Berkeley, California, his home of more than 35 years. 'I was just filled to the brim with sadness,' Paskal says, 'grieving the loss of my father, grieving the loss of not being in Detroit, grieving the loss of a relationship that had recently ended. So there had been a number of things that I brought directly into the soil, the compost of the plot. And I just cried.' Then Paskal asked the universe for a sign, to show how he could go through the grief and sadness and still remain rooted to the planet. At that moment, out of that place of sorrow, Paskal envisioned a well-rooted tree with many interconnected roots. And he recognized the roots as belonging to a colony of trees: Aspen trees. 'I knew immediately that that was my name: Aspen,' Paskal said. 'And out of that interconnected place, it was like I just walked through a brand new door. There was sunlight just streaming down everywhere. And I realized that the life that I had been carrying around in my body for so long finally was starting to emerge. And from that, I realized that it was time for me to leave the Bay Area, believe it or not, and come back to my roots, Detroit. And it was the best decision I've made in my entire life.' Ellen Knoppow is a writer who believes in second acts. Her work has appeared in Pride Source/ Between The Lines, The Philadelphia Gay News, Our Lives Magazine and Oakland County Times. In 2022, Ellen received the award for Excellence in Transgender Coverage from NLGJA: The Association for LGBTQ+ Journalists and a 2024 Michigan Press Association award for her coverage of government and education. Submit a letter to the editor at and we may run it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: For Pride, trans Michiganders share joy in their identities | Opinion
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
People are just realizing what it means if you keep waking up at the same time in the middle of the night
Waking up at the same time each night can send you into a panic and leave you wondering why but the real reason is more surprising than just a racing mind. A good night's sleep is crucial for daily life, yet waking up suddenly during the night or early morning - typically 3 to 4am - is surprisingly common, with one US study finding that 35.5 percent of people reported jolting awake more than three times a week, as reported by Many restless sleepers believe their nightly wake-ups are caused by an overactive mind - reliving embarrassing memories from the past or simply overthinking - and often aren't sure whether they should seek help. 'As a cognitive therapist, I sometimes joke that the only good thing about 3am waking is that it gives us all a vivid example of catastrophizing,' Greg Murray, a sleep expert, wrote in an article published by The Conversation. 'Waking and worrying at 3am is very understandable and very human,' he added. However, the reason behind this phenomenon isn't rooted in anxiety or the stress that often creeps in during the quiet, dark hours of the night. Instead, the collective experience of a 3am wake-up call is intricately tied to how our bodies function on a day-to-day basis. Murray, the Director of the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, tied the strange phenomenon to our body's neurobiology and hormonal rhythms. During a normal night's sleep, our neurobiology - the study of our nervous system's structure, function, and development - typically hits a critical turning point between 3am to 4am. Around this time, our core body temperature begins to rise, sleep pressure eases since we've already rested, melatonin - the sleep hormone - has peaked, and cortisol - the stress hormone - starts increasing, gearing the body up to wake and face the day ahead. This experience surprisingly happens without outside signals - like bright light peering through our bedroom windows - as our bodies are built to predict both sunrise and sunset thanks to our natural circadian rhythm. However, rising cortisol levels can play a key part in whether or not you fully wake up during the wee-hours of the night, as it mainly helps regulate your body's response to stress, The Cleveland Clinic explained. This stress hormone plays a massive role in making you feel on high alert and 'triggers the release of glucose (sugar) from your liver', giving your body a quick burst of energy during stressful moments. Simply put, if you're more stressed than usual, your body likely releases more cortisol during the night - leading to those abrupt, middle-of-the-night wake-ups. Although about one in three people report jolting awake in the middle of the night, the truth is we all wake up several times - we're just not usually aware of it until stress comes to play. According to Murray, when sleep is going well, 'we are simply unaware of these awakenings'. But with added stress, there's a good chance those brief wake-up moments turn into fully self-aware moments. Stress can also cause hypervigilance - feeling anxious or on edge about being awake during the night - which often leads to insomnia. External supports are also missing in the depths of night - no social connections or cultural comforts. 'With none of our human skills and capital, we are left alone in the dark with our thoughts,' Murray explained. 'So the mind is partly right when it concludes the problems it's generated are unsolvable - at 3am, most problems literally would be.' Once the sun rises, familiar sounds, smells, and sensations help put things in perspective. Problems that felt overwhelming just hours earlier suddenly seem much smaller, and people often wonder why they couldn't calm themselves down the night before. 'The truth is, our mind isn't really looking for a solution at 3am,' Murray wrote. 'We might think we are problem solving by mentally working over issues at this hour, but this isn't really problem solving; it's problem solving's evil twin - worry,' he added. The revelation stunned people across the internet, many of whom had long believed they were alone in their mysterious, late-night awakenings. 'So true. Reading this at 4am,' one user wrote to Facebook. Another added: 'My 4am issue is finally explained.' 'The Bain of my life,' a third chimed in. 'Interesting read.' 'I don't know about fears and shortcomings, but my brain goes off in all directions when I awake in the middle of the night,' wrote another. Joining into the conversation, another user wrote: 'These might be the answers to my waking most nights.' So, for those who wake up at the same time every night, the big question remains: What do you do about it? 'Buddhism has a strong position on this type of mental activity: the self is a fiction, and that fiction is the source of all distress,' Murray explained. As a helpful tip, Murray recommended practicing Buddhist-informed mindfulness during the day to manage stress - making it easier to use the same technique during those quiet, restless hours at night. If all else fails, traditional cognitive behavioral therapy advice can help - getting out of bed, turning on a dim light and cracking open a book to distract your mind and ease back into sleep. 'One last tip,' Murray wrote. 'It's important to convince yourself (during daylight hours) that you want to avoid catastrophic thinking.'
Sustainability Times
12-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'James Webb Spots Cosmic Shock': This Newly Found Ancient Structure Challenges Everything We Knew About the Early Universe
IN A NUTSHELL 🌌 The James Webb Space Telescope discovered a massive spiral galaxy , named the Great Wheel, formed just two billion years after the Big Bang. , named the Great Wheel, formed just two billion years after the Big Bang. 🔍 This galaxy stretches nearly 320,000 feet across, almost matching the Milky Way 's diameter, though it is less massive. 's diameter, though it is less massive. 📈 The discovery suggests rapid galaxy formation in the early universe, challenging existing astrophysical models. in the early universe, challenging existing astrophysical models. 🚀 The findings underscore the importance of continued investment in space exploration and technology to uncover the universe's secrets. The exploration of the universe has taken a giant leap forward with the revelations from the James Webb Space Telescope. Recently, a significant discovery was made, highlighting the presence of a large spiral galaxy, similar to the Milky Way, formed surprisingly early in the universe's history. This finding has not only intrigued astronomers but also challenged existing theories about galaxy formation. As we delve into these new insights, we realize the profound impact such discoveries have on our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it. The Discovery of the Great Wheel The discovery, described as fortuitous, occurred in November 2022 when Themiya Nanayakkara from Swinburne University of Technology and her team were searching for quasars, which are active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes. In the process, they identified a spiral galaxy, now referred to as the 'Great Wheel,' existing merely two billion years after the Big Bang. This galaxy stretches nearly 320,000 feet across, almost matching the Milky Way's diameter of approximately 328,000 feet. Although it holds significantly less mass than our galaxy, the discovery of such a large spiral structure at this point in cosmic history is remarkable. Nanayakkara emphasizes that the Milky Way had an additional 10 billion years to grow compared to the Great Wheel. This makes it not the oldest known spiral galaxy, but certainly the largest at such an early age. As we perceive it now, this galaxy might have expanded significantly, potentially surpassing the size of the Milky Way due to the passage of 10 to 12 billion years since we last observed it. This discovery has prompted astronomers to reconsider the growth patterns and timelines of galaxies in the early universe. 'They're Coming From Space!': Mysterious Radio Signals Repeating Every 2 Hours Identified in That Distant Star System Implications of Rapid Growth Current understanding of the early universe suggests that the development of such a sizable spiral galaxy is not impossible, yet highly improbable. The authors of the study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, propose that this galaxy could have formed through the collision and merging of multiple smaller galaxies or by accumulating massive amounts of cold gas. The existence of such a structure has significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of early disk galaxies. Geraint Lewis from the University of Sydney notes that these galaxies must have developed remarkably rapidly. Observing more of these structures early in the cosmos's history could necessitate adjustments to our current models. The recent identification of the smallest galaxy ever observed further underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of galaxy formation. Such findings push the boundaries of our knowledge and encourage continual refinement of our understanding of the universe's early years. 'Earth Is Not Unique Anymore': Harvard Scientists Reveal Countless Earth-Like Planets Lurking in Distant Galaxies Reevaluating Cosmic Models The finding of the Great Wheel and other similar structures compels astronomers to reevaluate existing cosmic models. Traditionally, galaxies were thought to form and grow slowly over billions of years. However, the presence of a massive spiral galaxy so early in the universe's timeline suggests that galaxy formation can occur much more rapidly under certain conditions. This revelation prompts questions about what other factors might contribute to such rapid growth. Are there environmental or cosmic conditions that accelerate galaxy development? Understanding these variables could offer new insights into the forces that shaped the universe as we know it today. As astronomers continue their observations, the data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope will be pivotal in refining our models and potentially overturning established theories. 'Doomsday Coming Sooner Than You Think': This Groundbreaking Study Reveals the Imminent Threat Facing Humanity and Why We Need to Act Now The Future of Astronomical Exploration The implications of these discoveries extend beyond academic curiosity. They underscore the importance of continued investment in space exploration and technology. As the James Webb Space Telescope continues to unveil the universe's secrets, it opens new avenues for research and discovery. The data gathered not only enriches our understanding of the cosmos but also poses new questions about our universe's past, present, and future. How many other galaxies like the Great Wheel exist, waiting to be discovered? What other secrets does the universe hold that could redefine our understanding of reality? These questions drive the scientific community to push the boundaries of exploration, ensuring that humanity continues to reach for the stars. The universe remains a vast and largely uncharted expanse, filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered. With each new discovery, we gain a better understanding of our place in the cosmos. As we continue to explore, what other unexpected revelations might we encounter that challenge our current perceptions and ignite our curiosity about the universe? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
Sydney Morning Herald
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It will result in death': But Run It Straight contestants say they're ‘blessed' to compete
Andrew Alauni has played rugby league in western Sydney for as long as he can remember. But he has never experienced anything quite like a Run it Straight tournament. 'What hypes me up is the crowd,' Alauni, 24, says. 'When I've got the crowd behind me, when they scream out my name ... honestly, I'm blessed being part of the event.' Run it Straight is a rapidly growing social media trend that has racked up millions of views across Instagram and TikTok. The object is simple: two players run at each other from opposite ends of a 10-metre strip and collide as hard as they can in a rugby league-style hit-up, aiming to knock the other over and win the collision. The risks are obvious, and the craze has already ended in tragedy. A week ago, 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite had his life support turned off after sustaining an ultimately fatal head injury playing the game in an Auckland backyard. His family said he had been influenced by social media. On Saturday, the Manly Sea Eagles vowed to step up game-day security after footage of fans skolling beer and running at each other behind the main hill at 4 Pines Park was watched more than 200,000 times online. Concussion expert Alan Pearce, a professor at Melbourne's Swinburne University, says the game is supercharging the most dangerous aspects of rugby league tackles and is gaining popularity among those who perceive safety rules in sport as 'woke'. 'What do you have is two large men running at each other at almost 25 to 30 kilometres an hour, but not stopping,' Pearce said. 'This is just pure collision with the idea of knocking out the opponent, which is the main concern that we have here from a brain injury perspective. 'You do not need a direct impact to the head in order for a brain injury to occur and only requires what we call an impulse force travelling to the brain.'
