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Gravitational ‘kick’ may explain the strange shape at the center of Andromeda

A new study suggests that a gravitational 'kick' from colliding supermassive black holes could be responsible for the strange shape of stars at the center of the Andromeda Galaxy. The team used computer simulations to track the consequences of such a merger, finding that it could knock millions of stars into wonky orbits.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling
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Unveiling galaxies at cosmic dawn that were hiding behind the dust

Researchers used ALMA to observe distant galaxies and discovered two new, dusty galaxies near original targets, challenging our understanding of early galaxy formation. The discovery suggests that a significant portion of early galaxies may be hidden from view due to cosmic dust.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis

Hubble finds distant galaxies that ran out of fuel

A team of astronomers has observed six massive galaxies in the early universe that have mysteriously stopped forming stars due to depleted gas reserves. The discovery was made possible by the Hubble Space Telescope's high resolution and gravitational lensing, allowing researchers to study these galaxies in unprecedented detail.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature·TypeObservational study

Cold planets exist throughout our Galaxy, even in the Galactic bulge

Researchers from Osaka University and NASA discovered that cold planets exist throughout the Milky Way, even in the Galactic bulge, a region previously thought to be inhospitable to planet formation. The study used gravitational microlensing to determine the distribution of planets across the galaxy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeExperimental study

Astronomers uncover briefest supernova-powered gamma-ray burst

Astronomers have discovered a 0.6-second gamma-ray burst caused by the implosion of a massive star, revealing that some short GRBs might be imposters in disguise. The discovery suggests that most collapsing stars fail to produce a GRB jet, making this event an effective fizzle.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study