Where mathematics and astrophysics meet

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Einstein rings produced by a galaxy behind the lensing galaxy. The sources are actually extended and that is why one sometimes sees arcs rather than complete rings. Credit: Photo credit: NASA ESA and the SLACS Survey team: A. Bolton (HarvardSmithsoni ...
Einstein rings produced by a galaxy behind the lensing galaxy. The sources are actually extended and that is why one sometimes sees arcs rather than complete rings. Credit: Photo credit: NASA, ESA, and the SLACS Survey team: A. Bolton (Harvard/Smithsonian), S. Burles (MIT), L. Koopmans (Kapteyn), T. Treu (UCSB), and L. Moustakas (JPL/Caltech)

The mathematicians were trying to extend an illustrious result in their field, the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. The astrophysicists were working on a fundamental problem in their field, the problem of gravitational lensing. That the two groups were in fact working on the same question is both expected and unexpected: The "unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics" is well known throughout the sciences, but every new instance produces welcome insights and sheer delight.


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Oldest gorilla in captivity dies in Dallas at 55

Sep 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- The oldest gorilla in captivity, a 55-year-old female named Jenny, has died at the Dallas Zoo - her home for more than half a century, a spokesman said Friday.

Study: Individual Personal Ties Strengthen Teams’ Overall Creativity

Sep 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- With more employees working in teams, it’s critical for companies to find ways to enable these teams be more creative in their work.

Study: Behavior of Online Reviewers Affects Their Credibility

Sep 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(PhysOrg.com) -- Consumers increasingly rely on recommendations in online forums, such as Amazon.com and Angieslist.com, when deciding which products and services to buy. But, in most cases, they've never met the posters ...

Dental fillings without gaps

Sep 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Tooth cavities are usually closed with plastic fillings. However, the initially soft plastic shrinks as it hardens. The tension can cause gaps to appear between the tooth and the filling, encouraging more ...

Tracking the reasons many girls avoid science and math

Sep 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Most parents and many teachers believe that if middle-school and high-school girls show no interest in science or math, there's little anyone can do about it. New research by a team that includes vocational ...
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