Daily Archives: July 11, 2024

Finnish online casinos are significantly ahead of African ones – Business Insider Africa

Posted: July 11, 2024 at 6:53 pm

In addition to traditional casino games, Finns are enthusiastic about playing at online casinos. This makes Finland an important market for many of the worlds largest gambling companies, leading to major investments in Finnish online casinos.

By many measures, Finnish online casinos are light-years ahead of, for example, African casinos in terms of development. Even on a European scale, Finnish casinos are at the forefront when talking about technology and usability.

One of the most significant development steps in Finnish online casinos in recent years is the Pay N Play gaming. These casinos are known in Finland as pikakasinot , meaning basically fast casinos, and within just five years, they have captured over half of the Finnish online casino market.

Unlike traditional online casinos, fast casinos do not require players to register an account. Instead of filling out personal information on a registration form, players can start playing by logging in with their online banking credentials.

Naturally, using online banking credentials for identification is much faster than registering an account, making these casinos perfect for nowadays busy lifestyle. These casinos also process withdrawals faster than traditional online casinos. Typically it can be expected for winnings to arrive in less than five minutes.

Currently, more than half of the new Finnish online casinos operate without registration and the trend only seems to get bigger.

The popularity of fast casinos in Finland would not be possible without the fact that practically every citizen has access to online banking credentials. The operation of Pay N Play casinos is based on playing with online banking credentials and would not be possible without them.

In Finland, online banking credentials are the primary method of identification for all official services. In addition to playing casino games, Finns use their BankID for various purposes, such as dealing with the tax authorities and checking their health records.

In neighboring Sweden, mobile verification is widely used for casino gaming, and in Estonia, ID card authentication is common. However, these methods have not gained significant popularity in Finland, and Finnish online casinos generally do not offer login options via mobile verification or ID cards.

Finnish online casinos are well-known for offering a variety of casino bonuses. A few years ago, almost every online casino offered bonuses. Nowadays, with the rise of fast casinos, the variety has slightly decreased, but players can still find free spins and deposit bonuses for every day of the week.

A distinctive feature of bonuses on Finnish online casinos - compared to many other markets - is that they are genuinely user-friendly. The simple reason for this is that Finnish players can be so valuable to online casinos that they go to great lengths to attract them to play.

On Finnish online casinos, the rules and terms of the bonuses are easily accessible and usually clearly stated in Finnish. Finnish players are careful with bonus terms, which is why many casinos strive to present this information in an exceptionally clear manner.

In Finland, wagering requirements for casino bonuses are set at a reasonable level, making it possible to convert bonuses into real cash. It is not uncommon for players to be able to make withdrawals using a welcome bonus on Finnish online casinos.

Some Finnish online casinos even offer no-deposit bonuses. In these cases, players can receive bonus money or free spins as a thank you for registering an account.

Finnish online casinos also stand out because their usability is among the best in the world. Their interfaces are designed specifically for mobile gaming, and the vast majority of Finnish players enjoy casino games through their smartphones.

The menu structure of Finnish online casinos is usually as simple as possible, even on highly versatile platforms. The fewer menus and buttons there are, the more comfortable it is to navigate via a smartphone.

Previously, many Finnish online casinos released separate mobile apps to facilitate gaming. Nowadays, this practice has largely been abandoned, and Finnish online casinos are primarily designed to be mobile-friendly every way.

Finnish players also have high expectations when it comes to visual appeal. Therefore, Finnish online casinos invest heavily in graphics, and many casinos feature a fun theme. Finnish players appreciate a thoroughly designed casino experience in all aspects.

Finland is one of the few countries in the world where the state holds a monopoly on gambling. Yes the Finnish state operates all forms of gambling and reaps enormous profits annually from the losses of its citizens. These funds are used for various public benefits, such as supporting sports and culture.

However, Finns are allowed to play on online casinos operated from other countries. In recent years, this has led to a situation where a significant portion of the money Finns spend on gambling flows to online casinos operated from Malta or Estonia.

As a solution, Finland is dismantling the old monopoly system and introducing a new open licensing system. In a few years, gambling companies will be able to apply for an official license to offer casino games in Finland and to Finnish players.

The reform of gambling legislation is likely to be a positive change for the development of online casinos as well. When operations become genuinely legal, gambling companies will likely make even larger investments in the Finnish market.

In summary, Finland is currently one of the leading countries in online casino gaming. In the future, it is expected that Finlands position as a top country for casino gaming will only strengthen further.

Link:

Finnish online casinos are significantly ahead of African ones - Business Insider Africa

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Finnish online casinos are significantly ahead of African ones – Business Insider Africa

Ballys Files Implosion Permit Application to Drop Trop – Casino.Org News

Posted: at 6:53 pm

Posted on: July 11, 2024, 02:32h.

Last updated on: July 11, 2024, 02:38h.

Ballys Corporation, which closed the Tropicana Las Vegas last April and has slowly been demolishing it since, filed an application to implode the casino resorts two 22-story towers on Thursday.

The permit application, filed with Clark County, requests the implosion of the vintage Las Vegas Strip resorts Tropicana Club and Paradise towers in a single explosive event.

Unnamed demolition companies would begin setting up by Sept. 30 at the earliest, and complete the blast before Oct. 8, according to the permit application, which values the cost of the implosion contract at $1.2 million.

Representative of the Ballys Corporation, the operator of the 1950s relic, are keeping mum on all specifics. No doubt, they will try to hide the implosion date from the public, and conduct it in the wee morning hours.

Their only logical goal would be to discourage as many in-person observers as possible, should anything not proceed as planned.

Clark County approved a demolition permit for the site on April 20. Since then, Ballys has been slowly deconstructing the Tropicana, which closed on April 2, just shy of its 67th birthday.

The Oakland As have expressed their intention to build a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat ballpark on 9 of the sites 36 acres. According to Ballys and Gaming & Leisure Properties, which owns the land, the other 27 acres will be developed as a casino resort.

Critics of the project include Casino.orgs own Vital Vegas blogger Scott Roeben, who has written that the As have shown no signs they have financing for a $1.5 billion anything, including a stadium.

See the rest here:

Ballys Files Implosion Permit Application to Drop Trop - Casino.Org News

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Ballys Files Implosion Permit Application to Drop Trop – Casino.Org News

Lunubet Casino: Your Guide to Online Gambling in New Zealand – Crypto Reporter

Posted: at 6:53 pm

Founded in 2018, Lunubet has become somewhat well-known in the gaming industry very fast. It has greatly changed its product line throughout time, drawing fresh business with an amazing array of games, clever incentives, open terms and conditions, and polite customer service.

Lunubet is clearly one of the best casinos available nowadays, hence if you know nothing about it, you will be happy to discover more about it. Lets investigate if the few flaws we observed have little effect on your experience right now or if they might.

The wide range of bonuses and promotions provided by LunuBet Casino will definitely improve the gaming experience. Among the many sports and casino incentives available to players are reload bonuses, free spins, free bets, sports accumulators, cashback, VIP benefits, and more. LunuBet Casino provides the following general range:

Fantastic casino and sports bonuses greet all new players so they may join the platform with excellent advantage.

On the initial deposit, LunuBet Casino provides a 100% welcome bonus ranging from 500 plus 200 free spins. The minimum deposit is 10; free spins are split into 20 daily for ten straight days. This bonuss wagering requirement is 35x.

New sports-betting participants get a 100% welcome bonus of 100. Betts on sporting events with at least 1.50 winning chances are required to claim this bonus. Bonuses like these are not accessible for Skrill or Neteller deposits.

Apart from introductory bonuses, LunuBet Casino offers many more incentives and promotions accessible on certain days of the week for both casino visitors and sports bettors.

From Friday to Sunday, players may deposit a minimum amount of 20 to get a 50% deposit bonus of up to 700 plus 50 free spins each week. Once a week, this bonus is accessible under a 40x wagering requirement.

Monday through Sunday sports-betting aficionados may enjoy a 50% reload bonus worth up to 500 each. Single bets must be on matches with odds above 2.00; multi bets must have odds over 1.50.

Players may earn 25% cashback up to 200 on losses in the live casino segment every week Monday through Sunday. After Monday at 6:00 UTC, this offer has to be sought via live chat assistance.

Depending on their VIP status, the top 3 VIP players may get a weekly cashback incentive ranging from 5% to 15% up to 3000.

Mondays let players earn a 10% sports-betting payback bonus of up to 500. Only the sportsbook part offers this incentive.

Among the many events LunuBet Casino organizes with large prize pools are Monthly Race, Slots of the Week, Drops & Wins, and The Masters. Cash, free spins, and loyalty coins redeemable at the Casino Shop comprise the prizes. Drops & Wins by Pragmatic Play has a 2 million prize pool overall.

There are five tiers in LunuBet Casinos VIP program, with different advantages. Players starting at VIP Level 1 get 24/7 VIP assistance and unique bonuses. Players at VIP Level 5 get special benefits like customized presents, improved withdrawal limits, exclusive parties, greater cashback percentages, special casino vacations, and a personal VIP manager.

Like goods in a shop, online casino games are better the more there are. Fortunately, LunuBet Casino offers over 110 game providers at launch, a great accomplishment, and knows this well.

Top brands such as NetEnt, Playn GO, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Nolimit City, Big Time Gaming, Relax Gaming, and Quickspin abound on the list of studios. Based on this all-star roster, users should find between 3000 and 4000 games accessible.

Though the part on live casinos wasnt well examined, companies like Evolution Gaming and Ezugi abound, thereby guaranteeing that LunuBets live-dealer experience is first-rate.

The part on sports betting also provides chances to gamble in many leagues and sports. Provided they have no current bonus barring such actions, players may put bets and then move smoothly to their preferred slots.

To accommodate the varied tastes of its worldwide customer base, the site provides a large range of payment options. By using many reliable financial channels, players may easily control their deposits and withdrawals, therefore offering flexibility and simplicity of transactions.

LunuBet offers Mastercard for those who like conventional ways, so users may make safe payments straight from their credit cards. The casino also welcomes well-known e-wallets such as Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap, Ecopayz, and Neteller, which provide a quicker approach to moving money.

LunuBets cryptocurrency-friendly approach to accepting transactions in Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, USDTether, BNB, DOGE, SOL, SHIB, BUSD, and TRX will be appreciated by aficionados of cryptocurrencies. The casino also offers Mifinity, a trustworthy digital payment method, for consumers looking for another one.

Terms of payment and conditions general overview:

Rabidi N.V. runs LunuBet Casino, a Curacao-licensed online gaming site. The industrys most reputable gaming firm backs this platform with a certified corporate registration number proving its validity and regulation. It only accepts 18-year-olds from licensed, regulated online gaming jurisdictions.

Rapid issue response is a hallmark of LunuBet Casinos assistance. 24/7 customer service is available via live chat and email at support@lunubet.com. Contact information is readily placed in the Help Center area of the footer or main menu.

After finishing our analysis of Lunubet, lets underline its main characteristics. Online gambling site Lunubet provides a wide range of casino games along with complete sports betting choices. Renowned for its simple interface and elegant design, Lunubet shines in market coverage, wide betting lines across all sports divisions, and competitive odds. Furthermore, its wide spectrum of bonuses and incentives fits even the most enthusiastic bettors.

Although Lunubet has some little negative aspects, they had little effect on our general evaluation. With over 35 sports markets, great odds, and huge incentives, the site answers any worries. For players looking for a stimulating gaming experience, Lunubet offers almost endless opportunities.

Continue reading here:

Lunubet Casino: Your Guide to Online Gambling in New Zealand - Crypto Reporter

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Lunubet Casino: Your Guide to Online Gambling in New Zealand – Crypto Reporter

Jamie Gold and Commerce Casino Poker Pro Team Crushing the WSOP Main Event – PokerNews.com

Posted: at 6:53 pm

The four Day 1 flights of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event have concluded, and now its time for the $10,000 buy-in tournament to move on to Day 2.

Among the thousands of players still standing is a group of qualifiers from Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, the largest poker room in the world. Jamie Gold, the 2006 world champion, headlined a team of 20 LA pros (plus himself) that all entered the Main Event Day 1a flight (except Gold, who was sick).

Of the 20 Day 1a players from the Commerce pro team, an incredible 16 players advanced to Day 2. And then after Golds illness cleared enough for the poker champion to compete, he made it 17 of 21 by bagging 110,000 chips, nearly doubling the 60,000-chip starting stack.

All 17 members of the group from the legendary SoCal card room will be back in action Sunday at noon PT for the Day 2abc session. You can follow along their progress throughout the Main Event right here at PokerNews.

When speaking with Gold, who was out of action for nearly a week as he wasnt feeling well, its clear hes ecstatic to see the Commerce team crushing it early in the Main Event, a tournament he won for $12 million 18 years ago.

"We have all bonded over the last 2 months and it's so heartwarming to see everyone rooting for each other and supporting each other. The camaraderie is really special, you can't fake that it's an energy and a wonderful feeling as poker is such a singular sometimes lonely endeavor we made it a team sport in a way. Of course we are all still playing for our own success but now there's a way to share that. It's not all about the money which for me it never was." - Jamie Gold.

Commerce is Golds home card room, and the place where he began his journey as a tournament player all the way back in the early 1990s. Now as an ambassador for the poker room, hes done work to promote Commerce, not only in Los Angeles, but also this week in Las Vegas and beyond.

The Commerce team had a successful Day 1, including Golds performance. But no one in the group beat out Loc Luke Nguyen, who bagged 200,900 chips, which puts him well above the average stack. Of course, as Gold learned in 2006, this tournament is a long grind that doesnt end until July 17, and nothing is won on Day 1. But no doubt the team is off to a strong start.

To qualify as one of the 20 finalists for the Commerce pro team, each player had to accumulate at least 100 points, just by playing at the poker room. There were 551 players who qualified in April. Those qualifying players then got an entry to an Invitational Tournament on May 5 where the group was narrowed down to the top 20 pro team members.

Commerce then gave away another Main Event seat online for anyone in the world, free to qualify.

Last month, Gold hosted a Commerce VIP package contest where one player won a seat in the Main Event along with poker coaching from the former champ. He has a group of players hes been coaching in preparation for pokers most prestigious annual tournament.

In May, Gold and fellow world champion Phil Hellmuth took on a table full of Commerce Casino players for a special livestream at the LA poker room.

Follow the Commerce Team in the WSOP Main Event

Excerpt from:

Jamie Gold and Commerce Casino Poker Pro Team Crushing the WSOP Main Event - PokerNews.com

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Jamie Gold and Commerce Casino Poker Pro Team Crushing the WSOP Main Event – PokerNews.com

Ex-Indiana Lawmaker Sean Eberhart Gets Year in Prison in Spectacle Entertainment Corruption Case – Casino.Org News

Posted: at 6:53 pm

Posted on: July 11, 2024, 10:11h.

Last updated on: July 11, 2024, 10:32h.

A former Indiana state lawmaker has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for his role in the Spectacle Entertainment corruption case.

Sean Eberhart, a Republican state representative for 16 years, pleaded guilty in November 2023, to a federal honest services fraud conspiracy charge. He admitted he accepted money and the promise of a future job from casino operator Spectacle that promised to pay $350K per annum.

In return, he promoted and voted for a 2019 bill that authorized the operator to relocate two gaming licenses. These were from casinos located on Lake Michigan that would be transferred to more lucrative locations in downtown Gary and Vigo County, Ind. The former property later became the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

Eberhart was a longtime representative of Central Indianas House District 57. He also sat on the House Committee on Public Policy, which oversees casinos and gambling in the state.

He used his position not only to grease the skids on the relocation of the two licenses, but also to reduce the transfer fee from $100 million to $20 million. In addition, he pushed forward favorable tax incentives for Spectacle.

Eberhart was facing up to five years in prison, but prosecutors recommended he serve one year as part of the guilty plea. The ex-lawmaker must also pay $60K in restitution, roughly equivalent to a years salary for a state representative.

In 2018, Spectacle Gaming acquired the Majestic Star Casino, which was formed by two adjacent Riverboat Casinos, with two gaming licenses for each vessel. The company quickly applied to have the licenses transferred so it could build two distinct venues while working with Hard Rock to bring a joint-owned branded casino to Indiana.

But less than a month after the Hard Rock project broke ground, state regulators announced that Spectacle and its executive vice president and general counsel John Keeler were under investigation for funneling corporate money to politicians.

Keeler was sentenced to two months in prison after he admitted directing $41K in funds to a political consultant working on State Senator Brent Waltzs (R) failed 2016 congressional campaign.

Waltz later pleaded guiltyto two felony counts of making and receiving conduit contributions and lying to the FBI. He served seven months in prison.

Keeler and Spectacle founder and CEO Rod Ratcliff were ultimately removed from the company. A subsequent restructuring made Spectacle a minority shareholder in what became the Hard Rock Casino.

View post:

Ex-Indiana Lawmaker Sean Eberhart Gets Year in Prison in Spectacle Entertainment Corruption Case - Casino.Org News

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Ex-Indiana Lawmaker Sean Eberhart Gets Year in Prison in Spectacle Entertainment Corruption Case – Casino.Org News

Real casinos online? Stake is your best bet for a great gambling time! – Business Insider Africa

Posted: at 6:53 pm

Casinos are limited, not just by the building size and how many slot machines they can fit on the gaming floor, but by the crowds of gamblers that have already set up camp at the best machines and won't make room for you. Stake's digital casino is fine. There's room for everyone, and there are thousands of different slot games to choose fromas many as four thousand at any given time!

Stake's 38 slot game providers bring as many as 20 new games to the site weekly. If you're looking for the best games, you need only look at the RTP, enhanced by a unique partnership with the Pragmatic Play provider. Some of the site's more popular slots have improved odds and bigger payouts. Some of the most popular slots on the site are exciting games like Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush 1000, and Wanted Dead or a Wild.

Bringing the excitement of live dealer tables to the online space can be challenging, but Stake solved that problem. This online gaming floor has live tables run by honest, skilled, charismatic dealers like those you'd find managing tables in Vegas or Atlantic City. These exclusive live dealer tables are streamed in high quality and real-time. Some of the most popular live games on the site include the Roulette tables, Baccarat, and Gravity Blackjack. Stake's live hosts also run innovative game-show-style tables you won't find anywhere else.

Stake's online casino is built to last, designed with an eye for the future of gambling and the future of the internet. This shows in how you can play the gamesfor example, they take cryptocurrencies for bets and paymentsand how their games are developed through partnerships with industry-leading game providers like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech.

Stake isn't just about gaming; it's about community. Our forward-thinking approach has made us one of the largest and most advanced online casinos, offering unique features like live-hosted tables, crypto-backed bets, exclusive slots, and gambling games with betting bonuses through partnerships with game providers. But what truly sets us apart is our focus on social interaction. We've designed our casino to foster connections with live chats, special events, and player-to-player interaction at live tables. At Stake, you're not just a player but part of a vibrant community.

If you've never ventured into the world of online casinos, prepare to be amazed by Stake. We've crafted a unique and exhilarating experience that transcends the boundaries of a typical gaming site. It's a casino that comes to life on your computer, offering a variety of games and features that are sure to keep you entertained. We're confident you'll have a fantastic time exploring the world of Stake.

Go here to see the original:

Real casinos online? Stake is your best bet for a great gambling time! - Business Insider Africa

Posted in Casino | Comments Off on Real casinos online? Stake is your best bet for a great gambling time! – Business Insider Africa

Plans for new Aldi and drive-thru Greggs on former RAF Sealand base submitted to council – Deeside.com

Posted: at 6:52 pm

Deeside.com > News

Posted: Thu 11th Jul 2024

Plans to create a new Aldi food store, a drive-thru Greggs and an electric vehicle charging hub in Deeside have formally been put forward.

The supermarket chain first announced details of proposals for the Airfields site in Garden City in May, when the local community was invited to provide feedback.

The scheme includes a store with a sales area of 1,356 square metres, a drive-thru restaurant and an electric vehicle charging station with 18 spaces.

Aldi said the plans would create more than 50 jobs, representing amulti-million-pound investment in the area.

The proposals form part of the wider redevelopment of the former RAF Sealand air base on Welsh Road, where hundreds of new homes are being built.

The company has now entered a full application with Flintshire Council seeking permission to go ahead with the scheme.

Outline permission was previously granted for a new district centre at the site, including 12 retail units, back in October 2022.

However, Aldi representatives said the proposals were no longer regarded as viable and would not beprogressed, with the latest plans submitted as an alternative.

In a planning statement, they said:A revised scheme comprising a discount food store (Aldi), a drive-thru bakery unit (Greggs), and an electric vehicle charging hub is proposed to reflect current market interest in the site and the changing economic context.

The significant investment proposed by Aldi, Greggs and the EV charging operator will provide the opportunity to bring a long vacant site back into beneficial economic use.

The discount food store and drive-thru form part of a new district centre which will help serve the day-to-day retail needs of the Airfields community.

The proposed electric vehicle charging station will support the transition to electric vehicles and contribute to the UK governments net-zero emissions target for 2050.

They added: The proposed development will give rise to tangible economic benefits, including the creation of more than 50 full and part-time local jobs as well as various other indirect jobs in construction, supply chain, support, etc.

Alongside these economic benefits, the scheme will enhance consumer choice and will provide further much-needed competition within the local food retail sector through the provision of a dedicated, proportionate foods tore for the Airfields community.

In contrast to the previous proposals, Aldi described the latest plans as being eminently deliverable.

The company said construction would begin early next year if the scheme is approved.

A total of 176 parking spaces are included as part of the development, with access provided from the main spine road nearby.

A decision will be made on the application by the local authority at a later date.

By Liam Randall Local Democracy Reporter

Get notified about news from across North Wales

See the rest here:

Plans for new Aldi and drive-thru Greggs on former RAF Sealand base submitted to council - Deeside.com

Posted in Sealand | Comments Off on Plans for new Aldi and drive-thru Greggs on former RAF Sealand base submitted to council – Deeside.com

Astronomers measure ‘warp speed’ of Milky Way galaxy – Space.com

Posted: at 6:52 pm

The warp in the Milky Way's spiral disk is precessing backward under the influence of the enormous mass of dark matter that forms an invisible halo around our galaxy, Chinese astronomers have discovered.

About one-third of all spiral galaxies have a distinct warp to their disk-shaped structure, like a vinyl record that has been bent. It's usually the result of a variety of factors; a collision with another galaxy in the past is believed to be the primary culprit in causing the Milky Way's warp in the first place, but further interactions with satellite galaxies and the intergalactic magnetic field, as well as the infall of vast clouds of gas, can also play their part. However, in the case of the Milky Way at least, the major player in maintaining the warp is the dark matter halo that surrounds the disk and exerts a torque on it.

This warp isn't fixed. Its alignment with the rest of the galaxy moves specifically, it "precesses." Precession describes how the alignment of the warp changes with respect to the rotational axis of the galaxy, meaning that the peak, or node, of the warp precesses around the galaxy. It's a variation of the same phenomenon that causes spinning tops to wobble.

Measuring the warp's rate of precession, however, has proven challenging in the past. Previous estimates have attempted to use the vertical motion of bright, but old, giant stars as tracers to calculate the rate of precession. However, such tracers are notoriously imprecise, and results based on them had suggested counter to theory that the disk is precessing prograde (in the same direction as the rotation of the rest of the galaxy) and not retrograde (backward with respect to the galaxy), as had been expected.

Related: What is dark matter?

Now, astronomers led by Yang Huang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have used another, more accurate tracer in the form of Cepheid variable stars to make the most accurate measure of the warp's precession yet, finding it to be moving retrograde after all.

Cepheid variables are pulsating massive stars. Their period of pulsation is linked to how intrinsically bright they are, and based on their luminosity, we can calculate exactly how far away they must be. This makes them great tracers for mapping the warp.

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

Huang's team achieved their results by way of what they call the "motion picture" method. Using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia astrometric spacecraft, which is measuring the positions, motions and properties, including the age, of more than a billion stars, Huang's team identified a sample of 2,613 Cepheids with a variety of ages.

"Age is key to measuring the precession rate of the disk warp," say the authors in their research paper. "We obtained a motion picture of the disk warp by mapping the three-dimensional distributions for Cepheid samples of different ages."

Each Cepheid retains information on its position in the warp when it was born, so by grouping the Cepheids into different age ranges and mapping them, Huang's team were able to show the shape and position of the warp at different points in time over the past 200 million years. By then running the individual maps together, like a motion picture, they were able to see the warp precessing. They found that it is precessing in retrograde fashion after all, at a rate of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) per second for every kiloparsec (3,261 light-years) of space. Or, in more intuitive units, it is precessing backward around the galaxy by a rate of 0.12 degrees every million years.

What's more, the motion picture also shows that the precession rate decreases with distance from the galactic center, which in the long term will lead to greater warping of the disk. Models indicate that this decrease is the result of the dark matter halo that is exerting the torque being oblate, or flattened, in shape.

The shape of the dark matter halo is important because it acts as a data point that theorists can plug into models that attempt to predict what dark matter is made of (such as WIMPs or axions). It also gives clues about the formation history of the Milky Way galaxy and how it has been assembled through mergers with other, smaller galaxies and gas clouds, collisions and interactions that have helped shape the invisible dark matter halo.

The discovery of the precession rate of the warp is described in a paper published on June 27 in Nature Astronomy.

See the original post here:

Astronomers measure 'warp speed' of Milky Way galaxy - Space.com

Posted in Astronomy | Comments Off on Astronomers measure ‘warp speed’ of Milky Way galaxy – Space.com

New faculty endowment in astronomy and astrophysics created by Keiko Miwa Ross – Penn State University

Posted: at 6:52 pm

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Penn States 2020 Philanthropist of the Year, Keiko Miwa Ross, has directed over $17 million in support to landmarks across University Park, from the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm to the spaces that welcome visitors to the new Palmer Museum of Art. Now her philanthropy is reaching beyond the Penn State campus to shape our understanding of the universe with a $2 million commitment to endow the Lee M. Hammarstrom-Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Endowed Faculty Position in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The gift honors Ross' friendship with Lee Hammarstrom, a Penn State engineering alumnus and a pioneer in intelligence space systems, and it will support the work of Joel Leja, an assistant professor of astronomy and astrophysics whose work explores the formation of distant galaxies.

Dr. Rosss extraordinary generosity in support of our students and our mission has already enriched our campus and community in so many ways, for which I am profoundly grateful. This latest commitment will build on her incredible impact by enhancing Penn States leadership in astronomy and astrophysics while supporting the work of researchers and educators like Dr. Leja, said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. Penn States exceptional faculty drive innovation and impact while bringing a world-class education to our students, and the new Lee M. Hammarstrom-Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Endowed Faculty Position will enhance our ability to recruit and retain leading experts and scholars ensuring that the Penn State name, as well as those of Dr. Ross and Mr. Hammarstrom, remains synonymous with excellence and discovery.

The endowment will empower the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics to award support to a faculty member at any stage of their career, helping to recruit and retain both established leaders and emerging stars.

Private support is crucial to enhancing the positive impact of our facultys work as well as fulfilling the Universitys critically important mission as Pennsylvanias land-grant institution, said Tracy Langkilde, Penn State interim executive vice president and provost, and the Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science. Dr. Rosss philanthropy has touched almost every part of this University, including support for the arts, innovation and entrepreneurship and student success. We are especially humbled that she has chosen the Eberly College of Science for her first faculty endowment.

Langkildes gratitude is shared by Mary Beth Williams, acting dean of the Eberly College of Science. Williams said, This extraordinary commitment will support faculty in our college who are advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge. Through Mr. Hammarstroms inspiration and advocacy, Dr. Ross recognized the exceptional research being conducted in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and structured her unique financial support to be both immediate and flexible to meet the research needs of our faculty as they expandhuman understanding of the universe. This is truly a special and impactful gift, and we are grateful to both Dr. Ross and Mr. Hammarstrom.

Ross and Hammarstrom are both residents of the Village at Penn State in State College. Born and raised in Japan, Ross was an educational pioneer in her native country, one of the nations first female undergraduates. She completed her education in the United States, first receiving her bachelor of arts degree and, later, her masters and doctoral degrees in education from universities in Washington State. Through her work, she met S. Thomas Ross, director of an American-Japanese joint venture company. They met in 1970, were married the following year and lived in Japan until 1977, when Thomas was assigned to New York. Keiko subsequently became an American citizen and worked for the U.S. Department of State. The Rosses ultimately settled in State College, and Thomas passed away in 2013.

Supporting Penn State has given me a path to continuing my lifelong commitment to education and excellence, said Ross. The University Park campus is both an extraordinary place for learning, discovery and service to the community and a home for extraordinary faculty and students. I am pleased to extend my philanthropy in support of Dr. Joel Leja and the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics because I believe that they have the potential to change human understanding and carry Penn States impact forward far into the future.

Lee M. Hammarstrom earned a degree in electrical engineering from Penn State in 1962 and went on a long career in space and information technology, eventually serving as a special assistant to the director of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at his alma mater. Working at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), he conceived and led a satellite reconnaissance program, named PARCAE, that President Ronald Reagan recognized twice for its contributions to national security. He was the system engineer and integrator for the initial GPS program that demonstrated the navigation capacities the world enjoys today. He created the National Reconnaissance Offices (NRO) Technology Office and became the first chief scientist at the NRO. He conceived and led a Department of Defense wide communications network upgrade that improved world-wide secure communications by 42 times from Desert Storm 1 in 1991, to Desert Storm 2 in 2003. Hammarstrom was named an NRO Pioneer in 2002 for his 40 years of contributions to national reconnaissance. He said he credits Penn States cross-disciplinary environment for his successes.

Over my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most visionary scientists in my field, and I am excited that Penn State has become a home to the next generation of extraordinary leaders in astronomy and astrophysics, said Hammarstrom. Dr. Joel Leja in particular is a researcher whose work has the potential to fundamentally change our understanding of the universe. To keep individuals of his caliber at Penn State, we must invest in their future careers. I am delighted that Dr. Ross has stepped forward with this commitment, and I am honored to have my name linked with hers and with that of Dr. Leja.

As the first holder of the Lee M. Hammarstrom-Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Endowed Faculty Position, Leja will use the endowments support to further his analysis of the first very deep surveys with the James Webb Space Telescope, discovering and characterizing galaxies formed in the first few billion years of the Universe.Access to the data gathered by the telescope has helped Leja to investigate the brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded and its potential as a birthplace for heavy elements, some of the earliest starlight in the universe and evidence of massive galaxies dating back more than 13 billion years.

As the author or co-author of over a hundred scientific papers in journals such as the Astrophysical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and Nature, Leja was named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2023, honoring those in the top 1% of cited researchers in astrophysics. He was awarded Yale University's Brouwer Prize in 2019 for a doctoral thesis of unusual merit. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, Leja was a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Astrophysics of Harvard University and the Smithsonian.

I am truly grateful for this generous gift and the impact it will have on our mission of research, education and outreach in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Eberly College of Science, and at Penn State, said Leja. Lee and I first connected at the colleges Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures, and I am glad that this public outreach effort helped to draw attention to the work that is happening at Penn State. The universe is the worlds biggest laboratory, both awesome and inspiring, and this support will help us continue pushing the bounds of knowledge.

Gifts like the Lee M. Hammarstrom-Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Endowed Faculty Position advance the Universitys historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the Universitys impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.

Original post:

New faculty endowment in astronomy and astrophysics created by Keiko Miwa Ross - Penn State University

Posted in Astronomy | Comments Off on New faculty endowment in astronomy and astrophysics created by Keiko Miwa Ross – Penn State University

Astronomers Find Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in Milky Ways Most Massive Globular Cluster – Sci.News

Posted: at 6:52 pm

Using more than 500 images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, astronomer have found evidence for a 20,000-solar-mass black hole at the center of Omega Centauri, a globular cluster located in the constellation of Centaurus at a distance of 5,430 parsecs (17,710 light-years) from the Sun.

Omega Centauri is about 10 times as massive as other big globular clusters. Image credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / Maximilian Hberle, MPIA.

Astronomers know that stellar-mass black holes black holes ranging from 10 times to 100 times the Suns mass are the remnants of dying stars, and that supermassive black holes, more than 1,000,000 times the mass of the Sun, inhabit the centers of most galaxies.

But scattered across the Universe are a few apparent black holes of a more mysterious type.

Ranging from 100 to 10,000 solar masses, these intermediate-mass black holes are so hard to measure that even their existence is sometimes disputed.

Only a few intermediate-mass black hole candidates have been found to date.

Determining their population is an important step towards understanding supermassive black hole formation in the early Universe.

Omega Centauri is a special case among the globular clusters of the Milky Way, said Max Planck Institute for Astronomy astronomer Maximilian Hberle and his colleagues.

Owing to its high mass, complex stellar populations and kinematics, Omega Centauri is widely accepted as the stripped nucleus of an accreted dwarf galaxy.

These factors combined with its proximity have made it a prime target for searching for an intermediate-mass black hole.

Omega Centauri consists of roughly 10 million stars and is about 10 times as massive as other big globular clusters.

In their study, the authors measured the velocities for 1.4 million stars gleaned from the Hubble images of the cluster.

Most of these observations were intended to calibrate Hubbles instruments rather than for scientific use, but they turned out to be an ideal database for the teams research efforts.

We searched for fast-moving stars expected to exist near concentrated masses, like black holes, said University of Queensland astronomer Holger Baumgardt.

Identifying these stars was the smoking gun evidence we needed to prove the black holes existence, and we did.

We discovered seven stars that should not be there, Dr. Hberle said.

They are moving so fast that they would escape the cluster and never come back.

The most likely explanation is that a very massive object is gravitationally pulling on these stars and keeping them close to the center.

The only object that can be so massive is a black hole, with a mass at least 8,200 times that of our Sun.

This discovery is the most direct evidence so far of an intermediate-mass black hole in Omega Centauri, said Dr. Nadine Neumayer, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy.

This is exciting because there are only very few other black holes known with a similar mass.

The black hole in Omega Centauri may be the best example of an intermediate-mass black hole in our cosmic neighborhood.

The teams paper was published in the journal Nature.

_____

M. Hberle et al. 2024. Fast-moving stars around an intermediate-mass black hole in Centauri. Nature 631, 285-288; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07511-z

See the original post:

Astronomers Find Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in Milky Ways Most Massive Globular Cluster - Sci.News

Posted in Astronomy | Comments Off on Astronomers Find Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in Milky Ways Most Massive Globular Cluster – Sci.News