The hibernating stellar magnet
Astronomers have discovered a mysterious celestial object emitting visible-light flashes before disappearing. It is likely to be a missing link in the family of neutron stars, exhibiting powerful magnetic activity.
Search results for “Milky Way”
1,000+ results for "Milky Way"
Immigrant Sun: Our star could be far from where it started in Milky Way
New simulations suggest that stars like our sun can migrate great distances in galaxies similar to the Milky Way, potentially altering our view of habitable zones. This finding could change scientists' understanding of where and how life could evolve in a galaxy.
New virtual telescope zooms in on Milky Way's super-massive black hole
A team of astronomers has obtained the closest views ever of a super-massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The new observations revealed the highest density yet for the concentration of matter at the galaxy's center, supporting the existence of black holes.
Closest look ever at the edge of a black hole
Researchers used VLBI technique to combine signals from multiple telescopes and detected structure 30 million miles away from the galactic center. The observations provide unprecedented view of the region near the black hole event horizon.
UCI scientists discover minimum mass for galaxies
Researchers analyzed light from small galaxies to determine their masses, finding all dwarf galaxies had the same mass - 10 million times the mass of the sun. This discovery reveals a fundamental property of dark matter, a key component of the universe.
GLAST Observatory renamed for Fermi, reveals entire gamma-ray sky
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed its first all-sky map in gamma rays, showcasing the glowing gas of the Milky Way and pulsars in unprecedented detail. The telescope's high-energy capabilities will enable discoveries of new pulsars and reveal powerful processes near super-massive black holes.
NASA renames observatory for Fermi, reveals entire gamma-ray sky
The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed the entire gamma-ray sky, discovering pulsars in our galaxy and powerful processes near supermassive black holes. The telescope's first all-sky image shows glowing gas, blinking pulsars, and a flaring galaxy billions of light-years away.
Study shows clumps and streams of dark matter in inner regions of the Milky Way
Researchers used a supercomputer to simulate the halo of dark matter surrounding the Milky Way, finding dense clumps and streams in the inner region. The study may help scientists understand what dark matter is and could detect evidence of its particles through gamma-ray signals.
Caltech astronomers describe the bar scene at the beginning of the universe
A team of Caltech astronomers reveals that spiral galaxies have more bars than previously thought, with most forming in smaller, low-mass galaxies. The study suggests that bars play a crucial role in galaxy evolution, fueling new star formation and feeding massive black holes.
Focus on planetary nebulae and spiral galaxies
Researchers are using planetary nebulae as probes to uncover patterns of chemical enrichment in spiral galaxies. By analyzing the chemical elements in these shells of gas, scientists can gain insights into how galaxies were formed and developed.
CSI: Milky Way team works scene of dead star
A team of researchers, led by Stephanie Wachter and Vikram Dwarkadas, investigated the mysterious ring surrounding magnetar SGR 1900+14. They concluded that a powerful flare from the magnetar formed the ring, which measures seven light-years across.
Discovery of most recent supernova in our galaxy
Astronomers have tracked a recent supernova explosion in the Milky Way galaxy using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and NRAO's VLA. The discovery confirms the supernova is about 140 years old, making it the youngest recorded in the galaxy.
NC State astrophysicist discovers youngest known supernova in Milky Way
Dr. Stephen Reynolds and his team discovered the youngest known supernova remnant G1.9+0.3, estimated to be around 100-140 years old, using Chandra X-Ray Observatory images from 2007 and 1985. The discovery suggests that a supernova explosion occurred relatively recently, providing insights into the life cycle of galaxies.
Did the solar system 'bounce' finish the dinosaurs?
A Cardiff University study suggests that the sun's movement through the Milky Way causes comets to collide with Earth every 35-40 million years, coinciding with mass extinctions like the dinosaurs' extinction. This cosmic 'bounce' effect may also have helped life spread by dispersing micro-organisms into space.
Ultra-dense galaxies found in early universe
Astronomers find nine young, compact galaxies with masses of 200 billion times the Sun's, each only 5,000 light-years across. These ultra-dense galaxies formed 11 billion years ago and are thought to be building blocks for today's largest galaxies.
Milky Way's giant black hole awoke from slumber 300 years ago
A team of Japanese astronomers has discovered that the Milky Way's central black hole, Sagittarius A*, let loose a powerful flare three centuries ago. The finding resolves a long-standing mystery about the black hole's quiescent nature.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateApr 15, 2008
NASA scientists identify smallest known black hole
Astronomers have identified the smallest known black hole, with a mass of 3.8 times that of our Sun and a diameter of just 15 miles. The black hole resides in a binary system in the Milky Way Galaxy and was measured using archival data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite.
NASA's Swift satellite images a galaxy ablaze with starbirth
The Triangulum Galaxy, located 2.9 million light-years from Earth, is ablaze with starbirth, according to a new image taken by NASA's Swift satellite. The image showcases the galaxy's high spatial resolution, revealing young, hot stars and star-forming gas clouds in unprecedented detail.
Gas 'finger' points to galaxies' future
Researchers have discovered a giant hydrogen gas finger in the Milky Way Galaxy, which may indicate that nearby galaxies, such as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, will eventually merge with our Galaxy. The study provides valuable insight into the galaxies' fate using CSIRO radio telescopes.
Hyperfast star proven to be alien
Astronomers have determined that a hyperfast star, HE 0437-5439, originated from the Large Magellanic Cloud, contradicting its initial assumption of coming from the Milky Way. The star's elemental composition and velocity indicate it was ejected from the LMC by a massive black hole.
Galaxy may hold hundreds of rogue black holes
Astronomers predict hundreds of rogue black holes, each several thousand solar masses, could be roaming the Milky Way. The discovery challenges current understanding of black hole formation and detection.
Rutgers, Penn State astronomy teams discover ancestors of Milky Way-type galaxies
Astronomers at Rutgers and Penn State universities discovered galaxies in the distant universe that are ancestors of spiral galaxies like our Milky Way. The newly discovered galaxies are small and have fewer stars, but were fertile breeding grounds for new stars that ionized hydrogen atoms and emitted Lyman alpha light.
From molecules to the Milky Way: dealing with the data deluge
CSIRO launches 'Terabyte Science' program to tackle massive data sets in astronomy, gene sequencing, and climate modeling. The initiative aims to develop new mathematical approaches and processes for scientists to stay competitive globally.
Stellar forensics with striking new image from Chandra
Astronomers study G292.0+1.8 supernova remnant to understand complex star death and dispersal of elements like oxygen into next generation of stars and planets. The new Chandra image shows an intricately structured debris field with varying temperatures, indicating lopsided explosion.
Scientists 'weigh' tiny galaxy halfway across universe
An international team of scientists has identified a tiny galaxy, about half the size and one-tenth the weight of the smallest distant galaxies typically observed. The galaxy is 100 times lighter than our own Milky Way and is 100 times closer to us than the nearest known structure, the Virgo cluster.
Why is the Hercules Dwarf Galaxy so flat?
The Hercules Dwarf Galaxy, a tiny companion to the Milky Way, has been found to have an exceptional flat shape, unlike any other known galaxy. The galaxy's shape is likely due to its close proximity to the Milky Way and the gravitational forces that disrupt it.
Study sheds new light on early star formation in the universe
A groundbreaking study reveals that the first stars formed at the start of the Universe depend on dark matter's nature. The research suggests that some of these primordial stars can still be found in the Milky Way galaxy today.
Monster galaxy pileup sighted
Astronomers have witnessed the rare sight of four galaxies crashing into each other, kicking up billions of stars and forming a single, massive galaxy. The merger, observed using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and WIYN Telescope, provides unprecedented insight into how the most massive galaxies in the universe form.
Scientists reveal how supermassive black holes bind into pairs during galaxy mergers
Researchers used supercomputers to simulate galaxy mergers, revealing the formation of a new type of structure - a central disk of gas that can be thousands of light years wide. The simulations predict that the gas in this disk will extract energy from the orbiting black holes, causing them to merge and produce strong gravitational waves.
Old idea spawns new way to study dark matter
Researchers employed a new technique to estimate dark matter location and calculate its mass, shedding light on the galactic halo's composition. The method revealed two massive dark objects, one with 7 times the sun's mass, in the Milky Way's outer reaches.
Hubble photographs grand spiral galaxy Messier 81
The Hubble Space Telescope provides a detailed view of Messier 81, revealing young blue stars and glowing regions of fluorescent gas. The galaxy's central black hole is 15 times the mass of the Milky Way's black hole.
Adaptive optics leads the way to supermassive black holes
Researchers discovered the location and makeup of a pair of supermassive black holes in a galaxy collision, using adaptive optics to clear atmospheric distortion. The discovery sheds light on the coevolution of black holes and galaxies, with implications for understanding galaxy evolution and properties.
Hubble sees multiple star generations in a globular cluster
Researchers found evidence of three distinct star populations born within 200 million years in the massive globular cluster NGC 2808. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that all stars originated at the same time and place, shedding new light on stellar formation in distant galaxies.
Star family seen through dusty fog
A team of German astronomers has identified a new globular cluster in the Milky Way, comprising approximately 100,000 stars. The discovery is significant as it provides unique laboratory conditions to investigate various aspects of astrophysics and sheds light on the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Milky Way black hole may be a colossal 'particle accelerator'
Astrophysicists discovered a mechanism that produces high-energy gamma rays from the Milky Way's black hole, accelerating protons to unprecedented speeds. The process creates high-energy gamma rays through collisions between accelerated protons and hydrogen gas.
First X-ray detection of a colliding-wind binary beyond Milky Way
Astronomers have identified an X-ray-emitting binary star system in the Small Magellanic Cloud, 170,000 light-years from Earth. The system, HD 5980, features two stars with intense winds that collide and produce multimillion-degree gas radiating brilliantly in X-rays.
Chandra discovers light echo from the Milky Way's black hole
Astronomers have discovered a powerful outburst from the giant black hole at the Milky Way's center using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The light echo revealed by the X-ray echo was about 1,000 times brighter and lasted well over 1,000 times longer than recent outbursts.
Superbubble of supernova remnants caught in act of forming
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have observed a superbubble forming in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galactic neighbor of the Milky Way. The study reveals that multiple massive stars are blowing bubbles and overlapping supernova remnants, which may eventually merge into one enormous cavity.
Astronomers detect black hole in tiny 'dwarf' galaxy
Scientists have discovered a supermassive black hole at the heart of a dwarf elliptical galaxy, VCC128, located 54 million light years away. The finding is significant as it shows that even small galaxies can host massive black holes, challenging previous assumptions.
The Milky Way shaped life on Earth
Research reveals a link between cosmic rays and fluctuations in Earth's biosphere productivity, with star formation rates influencing cloud cover and climate. Cosmic radiation affected biological productivity through its influence on cloud formation, leading to higher productivity during cold periods.
Astronomers weigh 200-million-year-old baby galaxies
Researchers have taken deep pictures of two ancient galaxies, weighing them for the first time. The galaxies are estimated to be around 50-300 million years old, with masses similar to our Milky Way's, but were much lighter when they formed.
Friendly bacteria in alcoholic milkshake could fight food allergies
A study found that feeding babies alcoholic milk may protect against some food allergies. Kefir's friendly bacteria block the pathway involved in allergic responses, reducing IgE levels and activating cells responsible for histamine release. The research suggests kefir could be a promising tool in preventing allergies.
SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateOct 15, 2006
Increasing the odds of the sweep
Astronomers confirm two exoplanets using ESO's Very Large Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope data. The discoveries provide strong evidence for at least 6 billion Jupiter-sized planets in the Milky Way, including five new ultra-short-period planet types.
Stellar birth control in the early universe
A team of astronomers discovered that many large galaxies in the early universe had a low stellar birth rate, suggesting a cosmic 'birth control' mechanism that prevented excessive star formation. The study found that these galaxies formed stars when the universe was just 20% of its current age.
Aging stars reveal secrets of the universe
Researchers studied globular star cluster NGC 6397, capturing high-resolution images of faint stars. They identified two fundamental transitions in star physics related to age, which may refine the Milky Way's age. The findings provide insights into the physics of low mass stars and white dwarfs.
Mystery of Quintuplet stars in Milky Way solved
Researchers have solved the mystery of Quintuplet stars by identifying them as young massive binary stars producing large amounts of dust. The study captures the stars just before disintegrating in supernovae explosions, revealing a unique pinwheel nebulae around each star.
Surprising telescope observations shake up galactic formation theories
A new study has found that deuterium, a heavy form of hydrogen, exists in greater amounts than anticipated in the Milky Way galaxy. This discovery could fundamentally alter our understanding of star and galaxy formation.
Large and small stars in harmonious coexistence
A new, detailed view of a star-forming association in the Large Magellanic Cloud provides a rich sample of newly formed low-mass stars, allowing for accurate age and mass calculations. The image reveals small compact clusters hosting hundreds of infant low-mass stars, as well as distant galaxies decorating the background.
'Hidden' Milky Way deuterium found
Scientists using NASA's FUSE satellite discovered more 'heavy' hydrogen in the Milky Way than expected, altering theories about star and galaxy formation. The finding indicates that destruction of deuterium has been occurring at a slower rate than previously thought.
Astronomers find hundreds of young, distant galaxy clusters
A team of astronomers has found nearly 300 new galaxy clusters and groups, including 100 at extreme distances of eight to 10 billion light years. This discovery will allow scientists to study very young galaxies two-thirds of the way back to the Big Bang.
UGA astronomers discover surprising shortage of hot gas in famed spiral galaxy NGC 1068
Researchers from UGA discovered a surprising absence of hot gas in the disk of spiral galaxy NGC 1068, which could offer clues to the origins of the Milky Way. The discovery suggests that the process of heating gas in this galaxy is more complex than expected.
Deadly astronomical event not likely to happen in our galaxy, study finds
Researchers at Ohio State University found that gamma ray bursts are rare and unlikely to occur near our solar system due to the Milky Way's metal content. The study suggests that GRBs pose no danger to life in our galaxy, dismissing theories of mass extinctions caused by these events.
New map of the Milky Way charts where stars are born
A team of astronomers produced the clearest map to-date of star-forming clouds in the Milky Way, enabling deeper insights into the origin of stars. The new illustration reveals similar lumpy structures in molecular clouds, suggesting that all clouds form stars in roughly the same proportion.
Astronomers report unprecedented double helix nebula near center of the Milky Way
The discovery of a double helix nebula near the Milky Way's black hole center suggests an extremely strong and highly ordered magnetic field. This twisting wave is thought to be caused by the interaction between the galaxy's magnetic field lines and a disk of gas orbiting the black hole.
Stars evolve rapidly, violently in ultra-luminous infrared galaxies
Researchers have discovered young, massive stars in ultra-luminous infrared galaxies, surrounded by delicate crystalline silicates called Forsterite. This finding provides new insights into the formation and evolution of these violent cosmic environments.
The cosmos glows unevenly
The H.E.S.S. collaboration has discovered gamma-ray emission from a complex of gas clouds near the Milky Way Galaxy's centre, revealing a prehistoric particle accelerator. The density of cosmic rays exceeds that in the solar neighbourhood, suggesting recent acceleration.
First RAVE data release offers clues to Milky Way evolution
The RAVE survey has released its first dataset, containing information from 25,000 stars born when the Milky Way was in its infancy. The data will allow astronomers to test ideas of the galaxy's origins laid out by various cosmological theories.
Closer to home
The discovery of OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb provides strong evidence that low-mass planets, potentially supporting life, are more common than Jupiter-like gas giants. Researchers hope the gravitational microlensing technique will reveal more habitable worlds in the Milky Way galaxy.
Cosmic battle creates Milky-Way sized tunnel
Scientists discover an unusual X-ray tunnel large enough to fit the entire Milky Way galaxy inside a galaxy cluster. The tunnel is filled with old particles likely originating from past black hole outbursts, shedding light on the complex battle between the inward flow of hot gas and outward radio jets.
Scientists 'RAVE-ing' about most ambitious star survey ever
Scientists confirm that dark matter dominates the total mass of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, through the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) survey. The team aims to measure the speed, temperature, surface gravity and composition of up to a million stars passing near the sun.