South Pole Telescope achieves first light

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Backlit South Pole Telescope in profile with sun dog (arc and rainbow) caused by ice crystals. Credit: Photo by Jeff McMahon
Backlit South Pole Telescope in profile, with sun dog (arc and rainbow), caused by ice crystals. Credit: Photo by Jeff McMahon

Scientists aimed the South Pole Telescope at Jupiter on the evening of Feb. 16 and successfully collected the instrument's first test observations. Soon, far more distant quarry will fall under the SPT's sights as a team from nine institutions tackles one of the biggest mysteries of modern cosmological research. That mystery: What is dark energy, the force that dominates the universe?


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All News summaries for February 26, 2007

Climate deadlock seen at G8 despite 'constructive' Bush

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US President George W. Bush pledged Sunday to play a "constructive" role on climate change at a summit of rich nations, but hopes for a breakthrough were dim as he pressed developing countries.

Germany wants to build 30 windfarms

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The German government wants to build up to 30 offshore windfarms in a bid to meet its renewable energy targets, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said in an interview published Sunday.

Extinct plant found in Australia

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A plant thought to have been extinct for more than 100 years has been discovered in eastern Australia, an official said Sunday.

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Ferrari to slash sports cars' carbon emissions: president

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