News: Cosmology, Theoretical Physics and Gravity
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Improved Method for Estimating the Hubble Constant with Gravitational Waves
There’s a big debate in cosmology about how fast the universe is currently expanding.
![A cosmic pairing is bifurcated by a dynamic force shown in light as gases swirl about.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/2017_obs_neutronmerger_3-2.jpg)
Is Cosmology in Crisis?
A panel of physicists and astronomers grapple with possible cracks in our modern creation myth, the standard model of cosmology.
![A dramatic spiral galaxy with orange and red arms and a light blue center](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/ngc_628_jwst_1200x800.png)
Excavation of Colossal Caverns for Neutrino Experiment Completed
The caverns in Lead, South Dakota, will house the gigantic particle detectors of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment.
![Cranes and other large equipment working in a large cavern](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/hero-north-cavern_tmicrew-pictures-0359_1200x800.jpg)
James Webb Telescope Catches Glimpse of Possible First-Ever ‘Dark Stars’
Stars powered with dark matter still need proving but could reveal clues about the nature of one of the universe’s great mysteries.
![Three blurry red dots stand out in the blackness of space](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3x2-freese-dark-stars.jpg)
Scientists use Exotic Stars to Tune into Hum from Cosmic Symphony
A team of astrophysicists has found evidence for gravitational waves that oscillate with periods of years to decades.
![An illustration depicts colliding black holes causing waves in spacetime](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/nanograv_pta_gwb_15yr_wide2400x1600.jpg)
James Webb Space Telescope Images Challenge Theories of How Universe Evolved
Hefty young galaxies defy the reigning model of cosmology, called "dark energy + cold dark matter" or ΛCDM.
![Six candidate galaxies](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/six-galaxies-closeup2400x1600.png)
Cosmic Dawn III Recreates the Early Universe Epoch of Reionization in Unprecedented Detail
Scientists create the most detailed and accurate simulation ever produced of the first billion years of the universe.
![Hot spots appear prominent on a mass of lines that interconnect as in a network](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/codaiii_2400x1600.jpg)
A Physicist’s Search for Beauty
Steven Weinberg aimed to distill the rules of physics down to their simplest, most beautiful essence.
![Portrait of a man in a suit with arms crossed in front of an illustration of the Standard Model of Physics](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/weinberg-part2-2400x1350.jpg)
Remembering Steven Weinberg
Steven Weinberg was best known for his Nobel-prize winning work that unified two fundamental forces of nature — electromagnetism and the weak force.
![Portrait of a man in a suit with arms crossed in front of a blackboard](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/weinberg_2400x1350.jpg)
Cosmic Rumbles: New Faculty Probe Universe for Gravitational Waves
A couple who joined the Department of Physics in 2020, Pablo Laguna and Deirdre Shoemaker, study violent events in the universe, like when cosmic heavyweights...
![Portrait of a man and woman](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/laguna_shoemaker_2400x1350.jpg)