Astronomy & astrophysics is certainly an exciting field of research, but imagine there is a lot of research in other fields as well. How has research across different disciplines evolved in the past and how will astrophysics & astronomy do in terms of interdisciplinarity in the future?
A model that needs fewest parameters to explain a scenario is favourable. The fact that mm-size dust grains (chondrules) are present in the entire solar system brings rise to the question, whether all bigger solid objects are a collection of chondrules.
Earth’s atmosphere is about 100 times less massive than Venus’ atmosphere. This gave rise to the idea that Earth had a more massive atmosphere, which got then depleted by impacts. This Astrobite discusses what would have been the optimal impactor size.
The origin of ulta-long-lasting gamma-ray bursts has been puzzling. Astronomers now suggest that they occur as an outcome of a supernova interacting with its corresponding magnetar.
The process of star formation is exciting. During the early phases, a protostar undergoes two characteristic collapses. Today’s Astrobite explains the two collapse phases and briefly discusses their effects on the “final” product: the second core.