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Is Dark Matter Made of Black Holes?

2024-06-24 17:06

Gravitational wave detectors, LIGO and Virgo, have detected a population of massive black holes whose origin is one of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy. According to one hypothesis, these objects may have formed in the very early Universe and may compose dark matter, a mysterious substance filling the Universe. A team of scientists from the OGLE (Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) survey from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw have announced the results of nearly 20-year-long observations indicating that such massive black holes may comprise at most a few percent of dark matter. Another explanation, therefore, is needed for gravitational wave sources. The results of the study were published in two articles, in Nature and the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.

University of Warsaw and Heidelberg University Professors Honored with the 2024 Copernicus Award

2024-05-22 11:15

Professors Andrzej Udalski from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw and Joachim Wambsganss from Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University have become the laureates of the prestigious 2024 Copernicus Award, granted by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), for their groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics through their collaborative research on gravitational microlensing and the discovery of exoplanets.

The highest energy gamma rays ever from a pulsar

2023-10-06 14:24

Astrophysicists at the H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia, in which researchers from the University of Warsaw are involved, have discovered the highest energy gamma rays ever from the Vela pulsar. The project at UW is coordinated by Prof. Tomasz Bulik from the Astronomical Observatory. The results of the research have been published in the journal “Nature Astronomy”.

Two-Faced Star Exposed

2023-07-19 17:00

An international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of an unusual white dwarf star that is made of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other. They reported their findings in the latest issue of Nature. Dr Przemysław Mróz from the Astronomical Observatory is a co-author of the study.

New era in the history of gravitational wave astronomy

2023-06-29 13:10

Today marks the beginning of a new era in the history of gravitational wave astronomy. Four groups studying pulsar timing have announced the results of their analysis of pulsar observations spanning the past few decades. Simultaneously, there have been announcements from the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array, European Pulsar Timing Array, NanoGrav in North America, and the Indian Pulsar Timing Array.

About the observatory

Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw was founded in 1825 and during its almost two century long history has continued scientific research and educational work. The Institute is located in the historical building in the beautiful old Lazienki Garden. Observatory is a relatively small Institute. Its research staff counts 20 astronomers including  nine astronomers […]

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