Articles 

The Physics Times, Sayi Preeyaali Bodi; Updated August 17, 2026; Initially, astronomers were trying to find galaxies that existed in the early universe through exploring deep space, which was part of a survey called MoM or Mirage of Miracle. During these observations, they noticed bright red spots that could be often mistaken for stars, but there were a few pieces of evidence suggesting that these bright red spots were actually black holes surrounded by hydrogen and helium gases that made the object seem star-like. First of all, they noted that, like other stars, the red dot they were looking at had a Balmer break, but the break for the red dot was way deeper than they noticed other stars had. They also noticed that the red dot’s light was made up of only hydrogen and helium with no identification of any other elements. Lastly, the astronomers claimed that the energy emitted by this red dot was 100 billion times more than the energy produced by nuclear fusion in regular stars. Nuclear fusion cannot explain the surplus of energy production suggesting there could possibly exist a black-hole within this red-dot. This brings in the idea of the hydrogen and helium gas is a star-like structure that surrounds a black-hole, which beckoned them to name this red dot “MoM-BH*-1”. They hypothesized that this was just a more extreme example of black hole star, as there existed many other red dots that were tinier, suggesting they could be less extreme black hole stars.

Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) News Publication Date: August 12, 2026;
Reference Link: https://news.mit.edu/2026/astronomers-discover-brand-new-type-astrophysical-object-black-hole-star-0812 

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The Physics Times, Ditika Singh; Updated August 16, 2026; Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered what appears to be a new cosmic object, which they have termed a ‘black hole star’. According to the research team, the object is a dense cloud of hydrogen gas, which obtains energy by the mass falling into the black hole at the center. This newly identified object, known as MoM-BH*-1, is 100,000 times the mass of our Solar System and produces 100 billion times the energy that any known star can produce. The finding may help explain the mysterious red objects captured in space images by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The team’s understanding of the object is developing quickly, and scientists claim that this discovery could help us understand how the first massive black holes formed shortly after the creation of the universe 

Source: Nature, MIT News (13 August, 2026);
Reference Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10846-4 

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 16, 2026; Scientists used the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, as an opportunity to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona. The corona is extremely hot and contains plasma that is strongly affected by the Sun’s magnetic field. However, studying it from Earth is difficult because the bright surface of the Sun normally hides it. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun’s bright disk, allowing the corona to become much easier to observe. For the 2026 eclipse, NASA used a WB-57 research aircraft flying at high altitude to collect observations of the corona. The aircraft carried instruments capable of observing different wavelengths of light, including infrared wavelengths. These measurements can help scientists investigate the structure and behavior of the corona and improve our understanding of solar activity and space weather. The eclipse therefore provided scientists with a rare natural opportunity to observe the Sun’s atmosphere under special conditions that are difficult to reproduce

Source: ACS Nano — NASA Science July 27, 2026;
https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasa-science-soars-during-august-total-solar-eclipse/

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 16, 2026; Scientists have found evidence that helium is escaping from the atmosphere of a rocky exoplanet called LHS 1140 b. The planet is located about 49 light-years from Earth and is in the habitable zone of its star. Researchers used near-infrared observations to study the planet's atmosphere when it passed in front of its star. They detected a helium signal in observations made in 2024, but the signal was not detected in 2025. This suggests that the escape of gases from the planet's atmosphere may change over time. The discovery is important because LHS 1140 b is a relatively small, rocky planet, making its atmosphere difficult to study. However, this does not mean that the planet contains life. Scientists still need more observations to understand the atmosphere and determine whether it contains other gases or conditions that could support liquid water.

Source: Science July 16, 2026; https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aea9708

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 16, 2026; Researchers have developed a new microporous ceramic material that can passively cool buildings without requiring electricity. The material uses a process called passive daytime radiative cooling, in which heat from a surface is released as infrared radiation through the atmosphere and eventually into space. The researchers designed the ceramic with a special porous structure that reflects sunlight while efficiently releasing heat. One important feature is that the material is self-adaptive: it provides strong cooling during the day while reducing excessive cooling at night. In experiments, the ceramic produced a maximum temperature reduction of about 19.5°C during the daytime and about 3.3°C at night. The researchers also found that the material remained effective under difficult conditions such as cloud cover and heavy smog. It was lightweight, water-resistant, mechanically strong, and thermally insulating, making it potentially useful for building applications. This technology could help reduce the amount of electricity needed for air conditioning, especially in hot regions, while contributing to more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.

Source: Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 525, Article 169790. December 1, 2025; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.169790

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 16, 2026; Scientists have developed a new material that could help keep buildings cool without using electricity. The researchers created a special type of silica aerogel designed for passive daytime radiative cooling. This technology works by allowing heat from a surface to be released as infrared radiation toward the cold outer space. Unlike conventional air-conditioning systems, passive radiative cooling does not require electricity to remove heat. The new material combines thermal insulation with radiative cooling properties. Its porous structure helps reduce heat transfer while allowing thermal radiation to escape. This could make the material useful for reducing cooling energy consumption in buildings, especially in regions with hot climates. The development is interesting for chemical engineering and materials science because it shows how the structure and properties of a material can be designed to solve an energy problem. In the future, materials like this could contribute to more energyefficient buildings and help reduce the environmental impact associated with air conditioning. 

Source: ACS Applied Energy Materials , july 2,2026 Reference Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsaem.6c01136 

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 16, 2026; Researchers are studying new thermoelectric materials that can convert waste heat into useful electrical energy. A recent study by Karolin Amstein and Aayush Dobhal investigated nickel-based thermoelectric materials and the use of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to produce these materials.Thermoelectric materials work by creating an electrical voltage when there is a temperature difference between two sides of the material. This means that heat that would normally be lost from industrial machines, engines, or other systems could potentially be recovered and converted into electricity. The researchers focused on nickel-based materials because they can be useful for high- temperature applications. They also examined how additive manufacturing could help produce thermoelectric components with different shapes and structures.This research could contribute to more efficient energy use because recovering waste heat can reduce energy losses. In the future, improved thermoelectric materials could be used in industrial processes and other systems where large amounts of heat are normally released into the environment.

Source: Advanced Materials Technologies 19 March 2026; DOI 10.1002/admt.202502613

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 8, 2026; Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a new gel-based material that can remove PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," from contaminated water more effectively than many existing filtration methods. PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not easily break down in the environment and can accumulate in water and living organisms. The new material works like "molecular Velcro," using electrical charges to capture PFAS molecules throughout the gel instead of only on its surface. Unlike many current filters, it does not rely on fluorinated materials, reducing the risk of introducing additional harmful chemicals. Another advantage is that the gel can be cleaned and reused several times, making it more sustainable and cost-effective. This technology could improve drinking water treatment and wastewater purification while helping protect public health and the environment.

Source: University of Florida (UF News) June 29, 2026 ;https://news.ufl.edu/2026/06/new-technique-filters-pfas-forever-chemicals-using/?utm

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 6, 2026; Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new carbon-negative building material by combining seawater, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and electricity. Instead of releasing large amounts of CO₂ like traditional cement production, this method captures and permanently stores carbon in solid mineral particles. These particles can replace sand or gravel in concrete and may also be used to manufacture cement, plaster, and paint. An additional benefit of the process is that it produces hydrogen gas, which can be used as a clean energy source. This innovation could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the construction industry while creating more sustainable building materials. Although further research is needed before large-scale commercial use, the technology represents a promising step toward cleaner construction and carbon capture.

Source: National Library of Medicine 2024 Dec 13; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11730074/ 

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated August 8, 2026; Researchers from Guilin University of Technology developed a new bio-based adhesive inspired by the natural attachment mechanisms of mussels and barnacles. The adhesive forms strong bonds underwater while being made from renewable materials instead of petroleumbased chemicals. It also has self-healing properties, can be remolded, and is recyclable through a closed-loop process, making it more environmentally friendly than many conventional adhesives. The material maintained its adhesive performance under challenging conditions, including seawater, saline, and acidic environments. Because of these properties, the adhesive has potential applications in marine engineering, underwater devices, biomedical materials, and sustainable manufacturing. The study demonstrates how biomimetic design can help create high-performance adhesives that are both durable and environmentally responsible.

Source: American Chemical Society June 10, 2026; https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6c02916 

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The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated July 31, 2026; Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important tool for improving energy efficiency in industries. According to ABB, AI can analyze large amounts of operational data to optimize equipment performance, predict maintenance needs, and improve industrial processes. These improvements help companies reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and decrease carbon emissions. The article also explains that AI supports energy management by forecasting electricity demand, integrating renewable energy sources, and helping facilities respond to changing energy prices. ABB highlights several AI-powered platforms, such as ABB Ability™ Expert Optimizer, Genix™ IIoT and AI Suite, and Ability™ Nsight™, which provide real-time monitoring and decision- making for industries. A case study from a wastewater treatment plant in Germany showed that AI-based energy management eliminated the need for grid electricity and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 300 tons per year. Overall, the article concludes that AI will play a major role in making industrial energy systems more efficient, sustainable, and resilient as global electricity demand continues to grow.

Source: ABB April 14, 2026; https://www.abb.com/global/en/company/stories/ai-energy-optimization 

The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated July 29, 2026; This study focused on developing self-healing solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries to improve their safety and performance. The researchers used polyethylene glycol (PEG), methyl cellulose (MC), aromatic disulfide bonds, lithium salt, and three different ionic liquids (TFSI⁻, Br⁻, and Ac⁻) to prepare the electrolytes. Their main goal was to replace the flammable liquid electrolytes used in conventional batteries with a safer solid material while maintaining good ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. Several characterization techniques, including FTIR, XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM, and electrochemical tests, were used to evaluate the properties of the materials. The results showed that the electrolytes were thermally stable up to about 300°C and were able to repair about 75% of a scratch after 12 hours at 60°C, showing good self- healing ability. Among the three samples, the bromide-based electrolyte showed the highest ionic conductivity, while the TFSI-based electrolyte provided the best overall performance because it had a wider electrochemical stability window and better mechanical properties. Overall, the study suggests that TFSI-based self-healing polymer electrolytes could be a promising option for developing safer and more durable solid-state lithium-ion batteries in the future.

Source: ScienceDirect;
https://doi.org/10.1039/d6ma00073h 

The Physics Times, Aya Elhajjami; Updated July 27, 2026; A research team at the University of Connecticut has developed a new type of plastic using cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from hemp, instead of petroleum. Led by chemistry professor Greg Sotzing, the project aims to create a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics while maintaining the strength and durability needed for industrial use. What makes this research interesting is that the new material is not intended for disposable plastic products. Instead, it is designed for applications that require high performance, such as medical devices, electronics, and aerospace components. According to the researchers, the plastic has excellent heat resistance, is mechanically strong, and can withstand repeated sterilization without losing its properties. Another important aspect of the study is the innovative use of CBD. Although CBD is commonly associated with the cannabis industry, the researchers use it only as a renewable chemical building block to produce a highquality polymer. This approach demonstrates that plantbased compounds can be transformed into advanced materials with practical industrial applications. While the material is still in the early stages of development, the research shows promising potential for reducing dependence on petroleum-based plastics and encouraging the use of renewable resources. Further studies will be needed to evaluate large-scale production and commercial viability. Overall, this study highlights how chemistry can contribute to solving environmental challenges by developing sustainable materials without compromising performance. It also demonstrates the important role that scientific innovation can play in creating greener technologies for the future. 

Source: CT Insider;
https://www.ctinsider.com/cannabis/article/uconn-cbdplastic-hemp-petroleum-research-22351973.php 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 26, 2026; Researchers promise that they will figure out how to make quantum devices (via network) to be reliable tools, by way of, real processes and not just promising models on paper. They plan to do this by executing a quantum neural network using two quantum computing platforms. They have since taken steps in progress to determining whether any systems they have are viable or not. Hypothetically, artificial neural networks are powerful for finding patterns in complex data. So far their successes have depended almost solely on classical hardware. Recent developments suggest that now is the time to see if trainable models can also utilize quantum forces. For example, superposition and quantum measurements. Researchers, Djamil LakhdarHamina and his colleagues have taken steps promoting the process of figuring out if the use of tunable quantum neural networks with two leading quantum-computing platforms is do-able. Experiments and implementations found previous these actions on a quantum device can demonstrate to be impractical for the noisy quantum hardware. They must decipher not only if the quantum network can work, but if the devices behavior comes from the model or the processor. Lakhdar-Hamina and colleagues have used John Hopfields’ idea from the 1980’s, to construct a quantum neural network that can be tuned continuously between a deterministic classical binary network and a quantum regime. With the classical limit, the network shows the same answer again and again. When not using the classical limit, quantum effects give the classification process a probabilistic nature. At what point does noise become harmful? How much of this uncertainty in results really help? Researchers tested further with and without noise obstruction. These test lead to a bigger picture, where moderate noise can sometimes show to be useful. Their final results mostly though, show that device noise can either further assist or turn for the worst by destroying the useful part of the structure. The part of the device that controls computation. Conclusion, it all just depends on the hardware itself that’s being used.

Source: Physics.aps.org July 22nd 2026; Reference Link: https://physics.aps.org/articles/v19/100 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 26, 2026; Two independent research teams, one at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and one at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), have demonstrated ways to remotely entangle qubits without precisely timed control pulses. They constructed a new way to maintain a continuous, uninterrupted entangled link between widely separated qubits. Entanglement described a link and/or correlation between the states of two or more particles. For this research they studied remotely entangled qubits. Measuring the state of one can tell us about the state of the other. This is critical information used for quantum computing. The teams’ experiments may help physicists to engineer new quantum interconnects. If so, this eventually led to the ultimate goal of being able to create a large modular quantum system, most entanglement-generation strategies rely on precisely timed sequences of microwave or optical pulses. The UIUC and ISTA teams demonstrated a kind of entanglement that avoids the need for precise timing. Also, the UIUC team realized something called a unidirectional quantum system. They did this by using a microwave circulator between qubits causing an unidirectional state. Both teams’ systems were arranged such that a stable dark state arose. This dark state was populated gradually by motivating the qubits continuously, resulting in a state of remote entanglement. Finding new ways to generate remote entanglement carries great weight to scientists for the advancement of quantum computing. Also, whether or not steady-state entanglement can remain always-on” during real computational operating is still undetermined. 

Source: Physics.aps.com July, 13th 2026 ; https://physics.aps.org/articles/v19/91 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 26, 2026; Research states that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. This is understood to be caused by something called the cosmological constant. This was first suggested by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity. Einstein’s theory is governed by the Einstein’s Equations. They tell and describe how mass and energy warp spacetime to create the force of gravity. In recent decades, it has become better know as dark energy. It is believed to make up about 70% of the universe. Crucial to this were studies of Type Ia supernovae. They are exploding white dwarf stars. Theyn are thought to emit a specific amount of light. It allows astronomers to determine their distances. It’s very accurate and thereby tracks the expansion of the universe. This work was given the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. The unusual property of dark energy that allows the universe to overcome the attractive force of gravity is negative pressure. The universe is thought is thought to be expanding/accelerating because of it. The ACDM model is being speculated with scrutiny as new data emerges. There’s been debates of emerging flaws in the standard cosmological model. Most cosmologists are more focused on the lines of evidence that show that the universe’s expansion is accelerating. The description is of space-time it’s a cosmological principle that the universe is homogeneous and isotropic. This means it looks the same in all directions. A recent study discovered evidence that falsifies the FLRW framework. It presented results giving information that the universe is asymmetric, or lopsided. The observation that the universe could be lopsided is called the cosmic dipole anomaly. Research shows that the acceleration of the expansion of the universe inferred from type Ia supernovae is different in all directions. The signal from supernovae is mainly assumed to be because of a temperature difference in the remaining glow of the Big Bang. This temperature difference is called CMB dipole anisotropy. It’s assumed to be due to the local motion of the system. The acceleration cannot therefore be due to dark energy. It therefore, is probably an illusion. Whether or not it is dark energy depends on whether the distribution of matter in the universe is actually isotropic. Meaning, exactly the same in all directions. Researchers don’t think so, if they are right this could signal a paradigm shift in cosmology

Source: Phys.org July 21, 2026  ; s://phys.org/news/2026-07-dark-energy-foundationstoday-cosmological.html 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 26, 2026; Einstein was one of the main founders of the quantum theory. After the founding of quantum mechanics though Einstsins view changed. This is mostly because he didn’t like the idea of “measuring”, which led to a part of quantum mechanics called entanglement. He called it “spooky action at a distance”. He thought quantum theory must be missing something. He later found out later via experiments that quantum entanglement is real. There is another strange part of quantum mechanics called superposition. It is a state that mixes several states. For example, particles can be here, there or somewhere in between. These quantum states can be very fragile. There are many things from the"outside world” that can destroy the fragile superposition. Such as vibrations, heat, and stray magnetic fields. This is because these types of things force the system being experimented on into a single state. Physicists call this process decoherence. The only thing that can make the system “choose” a definite outcome is when measurement is made via interference. These experiments can all help explain and create quantum computers. A normal computer uses bits to function.Quantum compters uses qubits. The difference is, each bit in a standard computer is either zero or one. In quantum comuters because of superpositin, a quibit can be zero, one or a mix of both at once. Therefore, quantum computers aren’t meant to be used for regular use, their potential lies in solving problems that are too complex for standard computers. The thought of scientists is that quantum computers then could perform certain calculations such as quantum key distribution over satellites. Right now, the systems still face major limitations in speed, stability, and computational capacity. The first countries and companies to develop a quantum computer that can perform, will have significant power over others. This could become as important as the invention of writing or nuclear technology. What will matter most, is how people use it. is this correct

Source: Phys.org July 15 th 2026 ; https://phys.org/news/2026-07-quantum-physicist-basics-einstein-spooky.html 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 26, 2026; Are all scientists as impartial and honest as science itself? There are studies showing the male scientists’ perspective of his peers, as biased and discriminatory. The studies state that the perspective the male scientists share comes from the cultural standards that are prevalent where they work. These observations were made during studies in many different countries in different physics laboratories. Gonsalves and Barthelemy were doing research on how the culture affects the educational experience for women in the labs. In terms of bias and discrimination it came from peers and professionals and un-schooled persons alike ,assuming that if the scientist, mathematician or engineer for example were versed in their profession that they certainly must be men. They found that this is because men have certain known traits and behaviors, such as being masculine and strong, being somatic, and being judicious. This makes onlookers and peers naturally and sometimes subconsciously doubt a woman’s skills and capabilities in these professions. For the women that are stereotyped in this way it can mean having to work in a seemingly unequal situation no matter the woman’s ranking qualifications. Being judged by their peers in this way can compel them to make self-asserting choices like choosing to just work without personality or more like a man does, instead of choosing their natural femininity. They are also having to deal with being ignored by faculty when they have an idea, and then they watch a man with the exact same ideas get recognized for them. They study proved that their superiors treated women as if they were invisible when engaging in professional conversations. When these things happen it can severely hinder a woman’s career and their ability to learn like the other scientists do. For example, “stereotype threat” is a phenomenon in which women underperform in relationship to their actual potential. This can make them feel like they don’t belong in the physics community which takes away critical feelings for motivation and persistence that are needed for advancement in their careers. This needs to change and be addressed if the physics community plans on attracting and keeping more women in the field.

Source: APS Physics August 1, 2016; Physics.aps.com 

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 14, 2026; The underrepresentation of women in physics is a well- documented problem. This gender divide is despairingly experienced by women in most parts of the world. This Article was written by a group researching women and their physics identity, along with gathering facts about their personal identity. They did this by asking them what they believe is a physics person, along with a couple other similar questions. The studies’ participants were chosen at the Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics. Chosen were, 120 women from 88 different intuitions across 30 states in the U.S. When surveyed the majority of the students described themselves not just in reference to physics, but included personal feelings about community and social belonging. This is referenced as Multiple Identities. Multiple Identity responses were also in reference to other roles the women had such as, wife, daughter, and friend. There were 39% of the students though that described their identity with academics as the focus. There were a lot of responses to the questions asked that near the end of the statement, they said “there is more to me as a person”. Yet, self- doubt was repeatedly found no matter which way the participant responded. Students were purposive when expressing their interest in physics in relationship to their identity, yet were quick to add negative things like weakness and uncertainty about fitting in. The results support the notion that social support networks and belonging are equally important to the identity formation of undergraduate physics students as intellectual support is. The conclusion of the study is that it is essential to take steps toward normalizing the different identities within the physics realm. With this, students may be less inclined to doubt whether they are adequately interested in physics or even whether it contradicts with their other identities. They need to be taught to understand that while being a physics person it is possible to maintain life with other interests and identities.

Source: American Physical Society; July 9th 2026

The Physics Times, Brandi White; Updated July 14, 2026;A professor at the University of Toronto, Morgan O’Neill is currently researching and studying storms on Earth. The direction O’Neill is going with her career research shows the connections between climate science and conventional physics. Conversations between O’Neill and Brad Marston of Brown University and Valerio Lucarini of the University of Leicester in the UK, proved that climate research can benefit from a physics perspective. These conversations were discussed at the Global Physics Summit of the American Physical Society (APS), this year, 2026. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) put out a report detailing pathways the world might take to keep the global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius, instead of at preindustrial levels. If warming stays at 1.5 degrees Celsius, the chances of extreme weather event and other climate problems would still rise. However, at a 2 degree Celsius increase, the effects would be much less harsh and involve far fewer adaptations to climate change. The current US administration has cut funding for climate-science research and plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Upon a confident prediction that Trump would win re-election in 2023, O’Neill decided to move her lab from Stanford University to the University of Toronto. The politicization of climate science may cause the field to seem notably less clear than other scientific areas. Physics, only covers a part of the climate puzzle. Brad Marston states Climate physics could achieve something worthy of appreciation.

Source: Physics.aps.org; June 17, 2026

The Physics Times, Updated July 6, 2026; Astronomers have identified a distant galaxy that appears to be in the middle of a rare evolutionary transition—gradually losing its ability to form new stars. Observed approximately 12 billion light-years away, the galaxy is seen as it existed only 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang, making it one of the earliest known examples of a galaxy caught during the process of shutting down star formation. The discovery was made using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) together with earlier data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The galaxy, designated C26, resides within a young galaxy cluster known as SPT2349–56, where numerous galaxies are forming and interacting in a dense environment. A Galaxy Running Out of Stellar Fuel Stars are born from cold molecular gas. As long as a galaxy retains a sufficient supply of this gas, new generations of stars continue to form. However, the researchers found that more than half of C26's cold gas no longer remains inside the galaxy. Instead, the gas has been stretched into a long trailing structure extending behind the galaxy, giving it a comet-like appearance. Although a considerable amount of gas still exists overall, much of it has become too diffuse to efficiently collapse into new stars. Consequently, the galaxy's current rate of star formation is already lower than expected for a galaxy of similar size. Evidence for Ram-Pressure Stripping The observations suggest that C26 is experiencing ram-pressure stripping, a process that occurs when a galaxy moves rapidly through the hot, diffuse gas filling a galaxy cluster. Similar to the way air resistance pushes against a moving vehicle, this surrounding gas exerts pressure on the galaxy, gradually stripping away the colder gas needed for star formation. Several lines of evidence support this explanation: The gas forms a smooth, elongated tail behind the galaxy rather than fragmented structures expected from a collision. The tail is aligned in the direction expected if the galaxy is moving through the cluster environment. The galaxy shows no evidence of the intense burst of star formation typically triggered by a major galactic merger. Independent observations indicate that the surrounding protocluster already contains hot intracluster gas capable of producing this stripping effect. An Intermediate Stage in Galaxy Evolution Astronomers frequently observe massive "red and dead" galaxies in both the nearby and distant universe—galaxies that have exhausted or lost the gas required to create new stars. However, finding a galaxy during the transition between active star formation and complete inactivity is much more unusual. Researchers believe C26 may represent precisely this intermediate stage. While some star formation continues in the galaxy's central region, much of its fuel has already been removed. Over time, the remaining gas will likely be consumed or dispersed, eventually transforming the galaxy into a quiescent system where little or no new star formation occurs. Why the Discovery Matters The findings suggest that environmental processes capable of shutting down star formation were already operating remarkably early in cosmic history, much earlier than many astronomers previously expected. If similar mechanisms affected other young galaxies, they may explain why astronomers observe surprisingly mature, inactive galaxies only a few billion years after the Big Bang. The discovery also provides new evidence that protoclusters—the precursors of today's massive galaxy clusters—were already influencing the evolution of their member galaxies when the universe was still in its infancy. Future high-resolution observations with JWST and ALMA are expected to determine how common such early quenching events were and improve our understanding of how galaxies evolved into the diverse systems observed in the present-day universe. 

Source: Based on a research preprint by Dazhi Zhou et al. posted on arXiv and independent reporting by Phys.org. The study has not yet undergone peer review, and its conclusions may be refined following scientific review 

The Physics Times, Updated July 6, 2026; India is set to receive one of its first IBM quantum computers, with installation planned in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, by September 2026. The announcement was confirmed by IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna, marking a significant step in India's growing investment in quantum technology. The quantum computer is expected to support researchers, universities, startups, and industries working on advanced scientific and computational challenges. By providing direct access to quantum hardware, the facility aims to strengthen India's capabilities in emerging fields such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, materials science, and cybersecurity. Speaking about the future of the technology, Krishna stated that quantum computers could begin delivering commercial advantages within the next two to three years. He highlighted potential applications in drug discovery, new material design, financial modelling, logistics optimisation, and advanced AI, where quantum systems may solve certain problems much faster than conventional computers. The project is part of a broader collaboration between government, academia, and industry to build a strong quantum ecosystem in India. Scientists expect the new facility to attract researchers and technology companies while helping train a new generation of quantum engineers and developers. If completed as planned, the installation will place Amaravati among the few cities worldwide with direct access to advanced IBM quantum computing systems, strengthening India's position in the global quantum technology landscape.