ScienceInsider: Trump’s proposed cut to giant physics experiment could snuff out new form of astronomy

The cuts in scientific spending in the United States under Trump are jeopardizing the gravitational wave astronomy project. It is planned to close one of the gravitational wave detectors, which are located in the States. There is still one left in Europe. The closure of one of the detectors means that the resolution of this complex of devices will be greatly reduced. The situation can be saved by the construction of a gravitational wave detector in Asia, by such large countries as China and India. But it seems that the new round of the arms race, provoked by Russia, puts an end to these wishes.

 

ScienceInsider/Physics

Trump’s proposed cut to giant physics experiment could snuff out new form of astronomy

Degrading LIGO’s observations of gravitational waves would amount to “killing a newborn baby,” one astrophysicist says

10 Jun 2025 5:35 PM ET By Adrian Cho 

 Read more:  Trump’s proposed cut to giant physics experiment could snuff out new form of astronomy | Science | AAAS

What was interesting at the beginning of this week, June 2-3

1. The Trump administration's policies are exacerbating the crisis in the US national academic community by causing job losses for scientists who receive government funding. I read how the economic crisis in the USSR began in the 70s, which began with an unpublicized reduction in scientific positions and departments at the institutes of the Academy of Sciences, in particular at Baykov's IMET [in the book "Baykov's IMET - 80 years", ed. by Academician Solntsev, "Interkontakt Nauka", 2018]. These events seemed similar to me. I hope the US can survive these difficulties.

National Academies, staggering from Trump cuts, on brink of dramatic downsizing
Plan for slashed units and mission to be presented at governor’s meeting next week

2 Jun 2025, 4:50 PM ET By Meredith Wadman

read here: https://www.science.org/content/article/national-academies-staggering-trump-cuts-brink-dramatic-downsizing

2. Experimental muon magnetism turns out to be exactly as predicted by theory.

Long-running physics experiment dashes hope of new particles and forces
Muon is just as magnetic as predicted, requiring no new theory to explain

3 Jun 2025, 12:00 PM ET By Adrian Cho

Read here: https://www.science.org/content/article/long-running-physics-experiment-dashes-hope-new-particles-and-forces

3. Octopus can grow two from one severed tentacle (video)

This octopus grew a ninth arm—which soon developed a mind of its own
Study highlights just how flexible cephalopod’s bodies are after injury and during recovery

2 Jun 2025, 3:30 PM ET By Sahas Mehra

Read here: https://www.science.org/content/article/octopus-grew-ninth-arm-which-soon-developed-mind-its-own