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Land and See: Infrared and 3-D vision systems combine to help pilots avoid crash landings.

The planet Upsilon Andromedae b in close orbit to its parent star (NASA/JPL-Caltech) Understanding the structure, dynamics, and chemistry of planetary atmospheres is key to exoplanetary science. It’s sobering to realize that as of now it is still an enormous challenge to model even the atmospheres of planets in our own solar system

A heat-seeking missile bearing down on an aircraft zeros in on the infrared signature of its exhaust. In the past the aircraft might deploy flares or, if the plane was large enough, it might use a rudimentary laser to disrupt the incoming missile's guidance system. Neither of these approaches has proved reliable enough for the U.S

Scientists have discovered the coldest type of star-like bodies known, which at times can be cooler than the human body. Astronomers had unsuccessfully pursued these dark entities, called Y dwarfs, ever since their existence was theorized more than a decade ago. They are nearly impossible to see relying on visible light, but with the infrared vision of NASA's WISE space telescope , researchers finally detected the faint glow of six Y dwarfs relatively close to our sun, within a distance of about 40 light-years

Researchers at Columbia Engineering School have built optical nanostructures that enable them to engineer the index of refraction and fully control light dispersion. They have shown that it is possible for light (electromagnetic waves) to propagate from point A to point B without accumulating any phase, spreading through the artificial medium as if the medium is completely missing in space

Drop that iPhone! An Apple patent application is stirring controversy because it suggests future iPhones may automatically prevent filming or photography of films in the theater and of stage performances. Is a Phish concert still a Phish concert if no one's there to record it? A fresh Apple patent application is stirring controversy because it suggests future iPhones may automatically prevent filming or photography of films in the theatre and of stage performances