New technique enables LIGO to peer farther into the distant universe

New technique enables LIGO to peer farther into the distant universe
Researchers in Jonathan Richardson's group testing a novel adaptive optics device designed to precisely reshape the surfaces of LIGO's main mirrors. Credit: Arnaud Pele, LIGO Laboratory

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have developed a new way to help gravitational-wave observatories see farther into the universe by solving one of their biggest challenges: tiny heat-induced distortions in the massive mirrors at the heart of the detectors.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Trailer Hits 503 Million Views in One Day, Second Biggest Launch in History After ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (EXCLUSIVE)

A whole lotta people were curious about the whereabouts of the Avengers.

The first trailer for “Avengers: Doomsday” has been viewed a staggering 503 million times over 24 hours. That ranks as the second-biggest movie trailer launch of all time, behind Sony’s upcoming Marvel adventure “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” with 719 million views. And it’s Disney’s most-viewed trailer in history, beating out the studio’s 2024 superhero epic “Deadpool & Wolverine” Super Bowl teaser with 365 million views, including the broadcast.

Zelenskyy replaces Ukraine military chief after protests

Replaced military chief Syrskii clashed with former Defence Minister Fedorov, whose removal last week led to protests.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired Oleksandr Syrskii as the country’s commander-in-chief, appointing Mykhailo Drapatyi to lead the military. The move comes after six days of protests in the capital, Kyiv, sparked by the removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had previously clashed with Syrskii.

Most Salt Lake County residents concerned about Great Salt Lake decline

Most Salt Lake County residents concerned about Great Salt Lake decline
Salt Lake County, Utah study area. Survey respondents are marked in green. Credit: Environment and Behavior (2026). DOI: 10.1177/00139165261455133

Residents of Salt Lake County, Utah, are highly concerned about the shrinking Great Salt Lake, according to new University of Utah–led research examining local perceptions of the lake's health and its economic and environmental impacts.