We consider galaxies to be old. Our own galaxy, the Milky WayFormed 13.6 billion years ago, and the James Webb Space Telescope has allowed us to look back at some of the first galaxies in the early universe. But are galaxies still being born today? It’s a fun question to tackle because it gives us … Read more
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have observed the dramatic “dance” between a supermassive black hole and two satellite galaxies. The observations could help scientists better understand how galaxies and supermassive black holes grew in the early universe. This particular supermassive black hole is feeding on surrounding matter, powering a bright quasar that … Read more
Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have observed the dramatic “dance” between a supermassive black hole and two satellite galaxies. The observations could help scientists better understand how galaxies and supermassive black holes grew in the early universe. This particular supermassive black hole is feeding on surrounding matter, powering a bright quasar that … Read more
Each year, Greenwich’s Royal Observatory considers photographs of the cosmos for its Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. The 16th edition of the competition does not disappoint. From distant spinning galaxies to dazzling auroras on our own planet, this year’s entrants show off everything the heavens have to offer. If you’re in the London area, … Read more
Extraterrestrial life capable of communicating through space interstellar space might not be able to develop if the home planet doesn’t have plate tectonics, and not even just the right amount of water and dry land. Plate tectonics is absolutely essential if complex life is to evolve, argue Robert Stern of the University of Texas at … Read more
Researchers investigated three mysterious objects in the early universe. Shown here are their color images, compiled from three NIRCam filter bands aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. They are remarkably compact at red wavelengths (earning them the name “little red dots”), with some evidence of spatial structure at blue wavelengths. Credit: Bingjie Wang/Penn State NASA‘S … Read more
Astronomers have discovered that our galaxy may be bigger than we first thought. A new model of the Milky Way has revealed that our galaxy is wider than we thought, according to a new paper in the journal Natural astronomy. The researchers found that the bulge at the center of our galaxy is less densely … Read more
Astronomers have discovered two new satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The findings could help us better understand dark matter: the mysterious stuff that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe, but remains essentially invisible to us. The discoveries also bring scientists one step closer to solving a persistent problem with the … Read more
Astronomers have discovered two new satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. The findings could help us better understand dark matter: the mysterious stuff that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe, but remains essentially invisible to us. The discoveries also bring scientists one step closer to solving a persistent problem with the … Read more
The Milky Way isn’t the only galaxy in its little corner of the universe. Small, faint dwarf galaxies, many of which contain only a thousand stars, are speeding around our cosmic neighborhood on long, graceful circuits. It’s unclear exactly how many there are, but there should be many more than the 60 or so we’ve … Read more