Jets Are a Real Drag

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This composite photograph of Herbig-Haro 211 shows submm data from the Submillimeter Array (blue and red) and near-infrared data from the European Very Large Telescope (gray). The SMA data were color-coded blue for approaching (blue-shifted) material ...
This composite photograph of Herbig-Haro 211 shows submm data from the Submillimeter Array (blue and red) and near-infrared data from the European Very Large Telescope (gray). The SMA data were color-coded blue for approaching (blue-shifted) material and red for receding (red-shifted) material. The VLT shows shocked molecular hydrogen emission produced by the jet. Credit: SMA/Chin-Fei Lee & VLT/Naomi Hirano

Astronomers have found the best evidence yet of matter spiraling outward from a young, still-forming star in fountain-like jets. Due to the spiral motion, the jets help the star to grow by drawing angular momentum from the surrounding accretion disk.


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All News summaries for December 27, 2007

Deadlines set for designating polar bear habitat

6 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- The federal government will designate "critical habitat" for polar bears off Alaska's coast, a decision that could add restrictions to future offshore petroleum exploration or drilling.

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6 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- A small asteroid was headed for a fiery but harmless dive into Earth's atmosphere early Tuesday morning over Africa, astronomers said in a first of its kind advance warning.

Cassini flyby of Saturn moon offers insight into solar system history

7 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
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NASA study finds rising Arctic storm activity sways sea ice, climate

Oct 06, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long ...

Lichens function as indicators of nitrogen pollution in forests

Oct 06, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Scientists have found lichens can give insight into nitrogen air pollution effects on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems, and protecting them provides safeguards for less sensitive species.