Technology

Astronomers have unveiled the most detailed radio map of the northern sky to date, a monumental achievement built on over a decade of observations from the LOFAR radio telescope. This comprehensive survey, known as the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), is already providing new perspectives on active galaxies, star formation, and elusive cosmic objects, offering a different view of the universe than traditional optical telescopes.

The LoTSS map catalogs a staggering 13.7 million radio sources, making it the largest collection of its kind. This wealth of data, compiled from nearly 13,000 hours of observation time, allows researchers to study the universe in unprecedented detail, revealing phenomena previously hidden from view. The findings were recently published in the scientific journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Unlike optical telescopes that detect visible light, radio telescopes like LOFAR capture radio waves emitted by celestial objects. This allows astronomers to observe phenomena obscured by dust and gas, such as the powerful jets emanating from supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. These jets, driven by the immense energy of the black holes, significantly influence the evolution of their host galaxies, according to Professor Matthias Kadler from the University of Würzburg, who was involved in the project.

“Observations with radio telescopes reveal a completely different picture of the cosmos than observations with optical telescopes,” Kadler explained. “For example, we can detect supermassive black holes that emit high-energy jets and thus significantly influence the evolution of their home galaxies.”

Beyond galaxies, the LoTSS survey has identified a diverse range of objects, including those undergoing intense star formation, merging galaxy clusters, faint supernova remnants, and active or interacting stars. The sheer volume of data is already fueling hundreds of additional astronomical studies, promising further discoveries in the years to come. The LOFAR telescope, a European-wide network of radio antennas, is particularly adept at detecting faint and diffuse radio emissions.

Unveiling the Hidden Universe

The ability to detect these previously unseen objects is a key strength of radio astronomy. Radio waves can penetrate obstacles that block visible light, allowing astronomers to peer deeper into the cosmos and study objects that would otherwise remain hidden. This is particularly vital for understanding the processes occurring within galaxies and the environments surrounding black holes. The National Tribune reported on the publication of this map on February 19, 2026.

LOFAR’s Capabilities and Future Research

The LOFAR radio telescope operates at low frequencies, making it sensitive to different types of radio emissions than other telescopes. This allows it to detect unique phenomena and study the universe in a complementary way. The telescope’s design, consisting of thousands of antennas spread across multiple European countries, provides high sensitivity and resolution. The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are also celebrating the 11th anniversary of the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), a related project focused on capturing the dynamic radio sky according to the AUI.

The LoTSS survey represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the universe. By providing a detailed map of the radio sky, it opens up new avenues for research and promises to reveal even more secrets about the cosmos. Future research will focus on analyzing the vast amount of data collected by LOFAR to identify new objects, study the evolution of galaxies, and investigate the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

As astronomers continue to analyze the LoTSS data, we can expect a steady stream of new discoveries that will reshape our understanding of the universe. The comprehensive map serves as a valuable resource for researchers around the world, paving the way for future advancements in radio astronomy and cosmology.

What new insights will this detailed radio map unlock about the universe’s most mysterious phenomena? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The battle for PC gaming visual fidelity is heating up, and a recent blind test suggests Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) 4.5 is currently leading the charge. A comprehensive evaluation conducted by German outlet ComputerBase pitted DLSS 4.5 against AMD’s Fidelity Super Resolution (FSR) 4 and traditional native rendering, and the results overwhelmingly favored Nvidia’s AI-powered upscaling technology. This comes as upscaling technologies continue to evolve, aiming to deliver high frame rates and resolutions without sacrificing image quality.

The test, designed to determine which rendering technique offered the “best picture quality,” involved over 6,747 votes from readers who compared identical gameplay footage across six demanding titles: Anno 117, ARC Raiders, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Forbidden West, Satisfactory, and The Last of Us Part II. All games were run at 4K resolution, with FSR and DLSS set to their “Quality” presets. The outcome demonstrates a significant shift in the perception of upscaling, with DLSS 4.5 achieving an overall score of 48.2% of all votes.

Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 consistently outperformed its competitors across the board. Satisfactory saw the largest margin of victory for Nvidia, with DLSS 4.5 garnering 60.9% of the votes, followed closely by Horizon Forbidden West at 56.3%. Anno 117 also showed a strong preference for DLSS, securing 50.1% of the votes. Notably, FSR 4 failed to win in any of the tested games, even when compared to native rendering with Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA). TechPowerUp reports that the test emphasized image quality above all else.

While native rendering secured 24% of the votes, and FSR 4 trailed behind with 15%, the closest FSR came to a win was in The Last of Us Part II, where it received 25.3% of the votes compared to native rendering’s 25.9%. Even in Cyberpunk 2077, where native rendering posed the strongest challenge to DLSS 4.5 (32.4% vs. 34.4%), Nvidia’s technology ultimately prevailed. Approximately 12.8% of participants were unable to distinguish between the three rendering methods, highlighting the advancements made in upscaling technology.

DLSS 4.5: A Technical Leap Forward

The success of DLSS 4.5 can be attributed to its sophisticated approach to image reconstruction. Unlike traditional upscaling methods that simply stretch pixels, DLSS 4.5 utilizes temporal information and neural reconstruction models trained on vast datasets. Igor’s Lab explains that this data-driven approach results in sharper images than classic native TAA, effectively combating the blurring often associated with native resolution rendering. The technology leverages the FP8 data format and a second-generation Transformer model, allowing for more efficient and detailed image processing.

How the Technologies Stack Up

Here’s a breakdown of the results across the six tested games:

The results clearly indicate a preference for DLSS 4.5, with an average share of 48.2% across all titles. AMD’s FSR 4 averaged 15% of the votes, while native rendering secured 24%.

What’s Next for Upscaling Technologies?

While DLSS 4.5 currently holds a significant advantage in image quality, the competition is far from over. AMD continues to refine its FSR technology, and Intel’s XeSS remains a contender, though currently limited by hardware capabilities. The ongoing development in this space promises further improvements in upscaling technologies, potentially blurring the lines between upscaled and native resolutions even further. The focus will likely shift towards optimizing performance and expanding compatibility across a wider range of hardware, and games.

The clear victory for Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 in this blind test underscores the growing importance of AI-powered upscaling in modern gaming. As resolutions and graphical demands continue to increase, technologies like DLSS and FSR will play a crucial role in delivering smooth and visually stunning gaming experiences. What are your thoughts on these upscaling technologies? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.