Astronomers have uncovered one of the oldest star clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy using high-resolution adaptive optics imaging from the Gemini Observatory. The study reveals that the cluster is approximately 12.8 billion years old and provides new insights into galaxy formation.
The Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 project re-launches with a call to volunteer citizen scientists to discover planets and brown dwarfs in the outer reaches of the Solar System. Citizen scientists have already discovered over 1,000 cold nearby brown dwarfs using images from NASA's WISE mission.
The Magellanic Clouds, near neighbors of the Milky Way, have increased their star formation rate over the past 2 billion years. This study, led by David Nidever, mapped the chemical compositions of thousands of stars in the clouds, revealing a dramatic difference from the Milky Way's slow start.
Astronomers have observed a rare supernova that provides a unique glimpse into the physics of black hole or neutron star creation. The object, known as AT2018cow, is thought to be the formation of an accreting black hole or neutron star.
Astronomers have detected a distant quasar from the early universe using Gemini Observatory, which provides critical insights into the formation of galaxies. The quasar is fueled by a supermassive black hole at its center, with mass 700 million times that of our Sun.
The Dark Energy Survey's legacy continues as scientists prepare to analyze the final image taken on January 9, 2019. The survey mapped 5,000 square degrees of the southern sky, collecting 50 terabytes worth of data and mapping nearly a billion galaxies.
The National Solar Observatory (NSO) has received a supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enhance its scientific output and foster collaboration in the field of solar physics. The new funding will support the development of advanced data products, engage graduate students, and nurture international expertise.
The new Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach will provide a unique public experience with data visualization systems, interactive exhibits, and simulated telescope control rooms. The center highlights research carried out at NSF facilities worldwide.
The Gemini Observatory will receive a $4 million NSF award to enhance its capabilities in multi-messenger astronomy, including the development of an advanced multi-conjugate adaptive optics system. This will enable the detection of transient phenomena and improve our understanding of the universe.
Researchers from Chile and international institutions have discovered a critical event right before the death of a star, revealing a previously unknown flash in Type II Supernovae. This breakthrough was made possible by using unique data analysis techniques developed in Chile, including machine learning and high-performance computing.
Researchers observe light echoes from Eta Carinae and its surroundings to decode the extent of a historic stellar blast. The team determines that the star released almost as much energy as a typical supernova explosion, but a double-star system remained intact.
The Republic of Korea has become a full Participant in the International Gemini Observatory, allowing Korean astronomers to access the twin 8-meter telescopes. This partnership is expected to yield new scientific discoveries and collaborations with other international partners.
Astronomers have confirmed the presence of hydrogen sulfide in Uranus's cloud tops using sensitive spectroscopic observations. This discovery sheds light on questions about the planets' formation and history, particularly regarding the early Solar System's balance between nitrogen and sulfur.
Researchers have discovered a galaxy that is almost completely devoid of dark matter, forcing them to rethink the formation of galaxies. The team found that the stars in NGC1052-DF2 can account for all its mass, leaving little room for dark matter.
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 discovery of eleven new stellar streams in the Milky Way confirms its role as a cosmic melting pot, with stars originating from other galaxies. The Dark Energy Survey data, made publicly available, enabled the detection of these streams, which provide evidence for the galaxy's history of migration events.
Astronomers have discovered a quasar harboring an 800 million solar mass black hole, located in a primarily neutral Universe at a redshift of 7.54. The finding challenges our understanding of the early growth of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies.
Astronomers have detected an extremely distant supermassive black hole with a mass 800 million times that of our Sun, pushing the boundaries of understanding the early cosmos. The discovery, based on data from Gemini Observatory, reveals the universe was only 5% of its current age at this distance.
The first known interstellar visitor, 'Oumuamua, is a rapidly rotating and dimly bright object similar to Kuiper Belt objects and organic-rich comets. It was discovered in October and observed using the Gemini Observatory before fading from view due to its increasing distance.