A team of planetary scientists used Hubble images to track the growth of a new Great Dark Spot on Neptune, finding that dark spots originate deeper in the planet's atmosphere than previously thought. The study also revealed that these storms occur with a frequency of every four to six years and last up to six years.
NGC 6052 is a pair of colliding galaxies visible in the Hercules constellation, consisting of two galaxies merging due to gravity. The Milky Way will undergo a similar collision with Andromeda in approximately 4 billion years.
The Milky Way weighs approximately 1.5 trillion solar masses, with dark matter making up the majority of its mass. Globular star clusters were used to measure the galaxy's movement, providing a more accurate estimate of its mass.
Astronomers combined data from Hubble and Gaia to estimate Milky Way's mass, reducing uncertainty from decades of research. The galaxy is found to weigh approximately 1.5 trillion solar masses within a radius of 129,000 light-years.
The study predicts that WFIRST will find about 100 of those not-yet-discovered planets could have the same or lower mass as Earth. The telescope will map the Milky Way and other galaxies 100 times faster than Hubble Space Telescope, scanning a small piece of the universe with high resolution.
Astronomers found a tiny moon, Hippocamp, around Neptune that shouldn't exist due to gravitational clearance by Proteus. The moon is thought to be a chipped-off piece from Proteus resulting from a comet collision, measuring 20 miles across.
Researchers from UCL and Flatiron Institute develop technique to calculate gravitational wave data, enabling accurate measurement of Hubble constant. By observing 50 binary neutron stars over the next decade, scientists can resolve the long-standing debate on the universe's expansion rate.
Measurements of gravitational waves from binary neutron stars will definitively resolve the debate on the universe's expansion rate. By observing 50 binary neutron stars over the next decade, scientists can calculate the Hubble constant accurately, resolving the conflict between conflicting measurements.
The Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered new insights into the weather patterns of Uranus and Neptune, revealing dynamic atmospheres with mysterious dark storms. The observations suggest that these storms form in a similar way to Jupiter's Great Red Spot and are driven by seasonal changes.
A team of UCLA astronomers has developed a new method to measure the universe's expansion rate, using double-image quasars to produce an estimate of the Hubble constant. The study's findings suggest that the universe is expanding at a speed of about 72.5 kilometers per second per megaparsec.
The Canadian-led team discovered the second repeating FRB ever recorded, providing a new clue to the astrophysical puzzle. The detection was made using the CHIME telescope, which detected 13 bursts over three weeks at lower frequencies than previously thought possible.
Researchers propose using tiny satellites with lasers to provide a steady reference light for massive space telescopes, relaxing the need for precision in segmented telescope designs. This approach aims to reduce costs and enable more flexible telescope designs.
Astronomers have developed a revolutionary method to detect dark matter using faint starlight in Hubble images. The technique accurately studies the distribution of dark matter and has been confirmed in galaxy clusters. Future studies will survey more clusters and analyze additional data with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Comet 46P/Wirtanen's unique orbit allowed astronomers to study its nucleus, coma, and chemical makeup. The telescope observations shed light on the origins and history of Earth's oceans.
Researchers discovered two warm Neptunes at the edge of the 'hot Neptune desert' losing their atmospheres at a rapid pace. This supports the idea that hot Neptunes transform into super-Earths, which are more numerous than previously thought. The study used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to observe the evaporation of these planets.
Researchers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a medium-sized exoplanet, GJ 3470b, losing mass at a rate 100 times faster than similar planets. The study advances knowledge of planetary evolution and suggests that half of the planet may be gone in a few billion years.
Astronomers use Hubble to detect a second 'very warm' Neptune losing its atmosphere at an unprecedented rate, shedding light on the mysterious hot-Neptune deficit. The planet's evaporation may be linked to its star's intense radiation and age.
Researchers from UNIGE have detected helium in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, HAT-P-11b, which is swollen like a balloon due to stellar radiation. The discovery was made using the Carmenes spectrograph on a 4-metre telescope, and supported by numerical simulations that track the trajectory of helium atoms.
Research team observes pairs of supermassive black holes drawn together by merging galaxies, providing insights into the late stages of cosmic collisions. The study confirms that over 17% of nearby galaxies host a pair of black holes at their center.
A new study predicts that gravitational wave readings from neutron star collisions can accurately measure the Hubble constant, improving current disputed results. With 25 readings, accuracy will reach 3%, narrowing to 1% with 200 readings.
Astronomers have found the first compelling evidence for a moon outside our own Solar System, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Space Telescope. The exomoon, Kepler-1625b-i, is comparable in diameter to Neptune and orbits a gas giant planet at a distance similar to Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Researchers observed transit timing variations in Kepler-1625b's HST-recorded transit, suggesting the presence of an exomoon. The moon would have caused a delay in the transit start time, which occurred nearly 80 minutes earlier than expected.
Astronomers at Columbia University have discovered a candidate exomoon orbiting a gas-giant planet 8,000 light-years away. The moon is estimated to be 1.5% the mass of its companion planet and lies within the star's habitable zone, where liquid water may exist on solid surfaces.
Astronomers using MUSE instrument on ESO's VLT detected an unexpected abundance of Lyman-alpha emission in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field region, covering nearly the entire field of view. This discovery suggests that almost all of the sky is invisibly glowing with Lyman-alpha emission from the early Universe.
The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully connected its two halves, enabling them to communicate like they will in flight. This test was a significant step forward for the program and provided an opportunity for engineers to fix any issues before launch.
Researchers detected extended infrared emissions around RX J0806.4-4123, suggesting a 'fallback disk' of material or a pulsar wind nebula. The findings challenge current understanding of neutron star evolution and offer new avenues for study with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
The flight operations team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center conducted two successful communications tests, simulating the complex exchange of command and telemetry data among multiple service providers during the first six hours of flight. The team successfully communicated with the telescope and demonstrated their ability to comm...
The James Webb Space Telescope relies on innovative components like the 'Spider', a thermally isolating device with Kevlar fibers, to accurately detect light from distant galaxies and celestial objects. This cutting-edge technology enables the telescope to observe objects in the Kuiper Belt and study the universe's origins.
The GRAINE collaboration launched a balloon-borne nuclear emulsion telescope to observe high-energy cosmic gamma rays. The experiment successfully completed a record-long flight of 17 hours and achieved high-resolution observations, marking a significant milestone in the field of cosmic gamma-ray research.
The James Webb Space Telescope boasts unparalleled capabilities, including a revolutionary lightweight carbon-composite material and exceptional load-bearing capability in extreme temperatures. Its advanced design enables it to unfold flawlessly by remote control and operate at extremely low temperatures.
Researchers propose using gravitational waves to estimate the Hubble constant and measure the rate of the expanding universe. By detecting gravitational waves from rare black hole-neutron star binary systems, scientists can obtain an independent and precise measurement of their distance and velocity.
A research team led by astronomers at the University of Warwick observed a jet of material streaming out from a merged star, confirming a key prediction about the aftermath of neutron star mergers. The observations were made using the Hubble Space Telescope and reveal that every neutron star merger likely creates a gamma-ray burst.
New Hubble data reveals `Oumuamua is most likely a comet, venting material from its surface due to solar heating. The boost in speed, detected by NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, suggests cometary outgassing.
The James Webb Space Telescope will create multispectral maps of the Great Red Spot, analyzing its thermal, chemical, and cloud structures. Scientists hope to observe unique chemical byproducts of the storm, which could reveal its composition.
An international team confirms Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity by making the most precise test of gravity outside our solar system. By combining data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, the researchers found that gravity behaves as predicted by GR on galactic s...
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered the most distant star ever observed, Icarus, located 9 billion lightyears away. The star's brightness was amplified by gravitational lensing, allowing its detection.
A team led by the University of Utah has observed lightning-triggered gamma-rays in more detail than ever before, detecting 10 bursts of downward terrestrial gamma ray flashes between 2014 and 2016. The study provides a major advance in understanding the production mechanism of these rare and high-energy radiation events.
A team of researchers detected two distinct sequences of blue straggler stars in a young globular cluster, NGC 2173, using the Hubble Space Telescope. This finding challenges the generality of explanations for similar blue straggler sequences and presents unexpected observational results.
Astronomers have successfully detected helium in the atmosphere of WASP-107b, a super-Neptune exoplanet. The detection was made using the Hubble Space Telescope and reveals an abundance of helium in the upper atmosphere, extending tens of thousands of kilometres into space.
An international team found a fundamental law regulating galaxy cluster growth using gravitational lensing data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Subaru Telescope. The law indicates that clusters are still growing by drawing surrounding substances with their strong gravity.
Researchers used a deep learning algorithm to classify real galaxies in Hubble images, achieving remarkable consistency in its classifications. The study found that the algorithm identified a specific mass range for the 'blue nugget' phase of galaxy evolution, which is followed by quenching of star formation in the central region.
The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a massive galaxy cluster, revealing its intricate structure and the presence of dark matter. The cluster is comprised of thousands of galaxies held together by gravity, with most of its mass existing in non-luminous dark matter.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a blue supergiant star called Icarus, which is the farthest individual star observed. The team used gravitational lensing to magnify the star's light, revealing its true nature and providing insights into dark matter theory.
Astronomers have discovered the most distant star ever observed, existing only 4.4 billion years after the Big Bang, using gravitational lensing with the Hubble Space Telescope. The light from the star was magnified 2000 times, allowing for its detection.
Researchers using Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a galaxy with minimal to no dark matter, contradicting long-held assumptions about its presence in galaxies. The ultra-diffuse galaxy NGC 1052-DF2 contains at least 400 times less dark matter than predicted for a galaxy of its mass.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison used Hubble Space Telescope to analyze Leading Arm of Magellanic Stream, identifying it as coming from Small Magellanic Cloud. The study helps refine models of galaxy orbit and formation, shedding light on mysterious gas clouds surrounding Milky Way.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered a rare relic galaxy, NGC 1277, that remains unchanged for the past 10 billion years. This unique find provides valuable insights into the origin and evolution of galaxies billions of years ago.
The Mayall telescope is undergoing a major overhaul to install the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which will measure the spectra of 5000 astronomical objects simultaneously. The instrument will allow DESI to map out about one-third of the sky and survey 30 million galaxies and quasars over a five-year period.
The study rules out a cloud-free hydrogen-rich atmosphere for three planets, but leaves open the possibility for planet TRAPPIST-1g. The observations provide key insights into the potential habitability of these planets, paving the way for future studies with the James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers demonstrated reliable transmission of stable frequency references over 300km fiber optic networks, enabling synchronization of radio telescopes. This technology could benefit astronomy, particularly for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), allowing scientists to access the frequency standard anywhere.
The largest X-ray galaxy cluster ever discovered contains the mass of three million billion suns and is composed of two colliding clusters, with most mass hidden in dark matter. Hubble's observations also show that the hot gas is being torn from the dark matter during the collision.
The James Webb Space Telescope underwent critical cryogenic testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ensuring it will safely reach its orbit and perform its science mission. The telescope was subjected to a range of tests, including alignment checks and simulations of starlight detection.
The Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) will generate never-before-seen big pictures of the universe, enabling astronomers to explore mysteries like dark energy and galaxy evolution. The mission will also discover thousands of exoplanets, including rocky planets in the habitable zone.
Astronomer Jeyhan Kartaltepe is leading a team that will use the James Webb Space Telescope to study the formation of the universe's first galaxies. The Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey will provide detailed information about galaxy structures and physical conditions.
After completing 100 days of cryogenic testing, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has emerged from Chamber A at the Johnson Space Center. The telescope is now set to be integrated with its spacecraft element in California, marking a crucial step towards its launch as the world's premier infrared space observatory.
Researchers combined Hubble and Gaia data to measure the proper motion of 15 stars in the Sculptor Galaxy, revealing an unexpected preference in direction. The findings question current models of dark matter halos, suggesting that assumptions on star populations may be invalid.
Astronomers used Hubble and Gaia data to directly measure the 3D motions of stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy, achieving accuracy better than previous measurements. The results provide insights into dark matter distribution and test the cosmological model.
The telescope underwent a series of tests designed to ensure it functions as expected in an extremely cold environment, including alignment checks and cryogenic vacuum testing. After 15 years of planning and over 90 days of testing, the telescope's cryogenic test has been deemed an outstanding success.
The James Webb Space Telescope has released early data from its first five months of operations, targeting Jupiter and its moons, organic molecule-forming infant stars, supermassive black holes, and baby galaxies. The observations will explore exoplanet atmospheres using infrared spectrographs and peer into the distant universe to exam...
Astronomers study distant galaxy's gravitational lensing, revealing smaller-than-thought giant clumps. Groundbreaking observations and simulations confirm turbulent nature of distant galaxies.