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Sloan Digital Sky Survey launches data release 20

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has released its 20th data set, featuring over three million spectra of stars and galaxies, as well as 18 new value-added catalogs. This release marks a significant expansion of the survey's efforts, integrating full all-sky panoptic spectroscopy across both hemispheres.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateJul 31, 2026

Milky Way’s ‘little cousins’ may hold clues about infant universe

Ultra-faint dwarf galaxies, tiny satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, can reflect conditions of the early universe, shedding light on galaxy formation and dark matter. Simulations suggest these small galaxies are sensitive to early radiation environment and can probe the universe's earliest climate.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 23, 2026

What if dark matter came in two states?

Researchers suggest that dark matter may consist of multiple particles, whose behavior varies depending on the cosmic environment. This could explain why a signal observed at the center of our galaxy is not seen in dwarf galaxies.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 9, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Extremely rare second-generation star discovered inside ancient relic dwarf galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a rare second-generation star, PicII-503, in the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Pictor II, which preserves the chemical imprint of the first stars in the Universe. The star has an extreme overabundance of carbon and the lowest iron abundance ever measured outside of the Milky Way.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 16, 2026

Dwarf galaxies linked by massive intergalactic gas bridge

Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a colossal bridge of neutral hydrogen gas linking two dwarf galaxies. The Virgo cluster plays a significant role in this phenomenon.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 24, 2025

Hungry star is eating its cosmic twin at rate never seen before

Astronomers discovered a greedy white dwarf star consuming its closest celestial companion at an unprecedented rate. The study found that the super-dense white dwarf is burning brightly due to the mass transfer between the two stars, potentially leading to a massive explosion visible from Earth.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Are they star clusters or extreme dwarf galaxies?

A team of astrophysicists from the University of Bonn and Iran has reclassified Ursa Major III as a compact star cluster containing a black hole core. Simulations suggest that the object's high mass-to-light ratio can be explained by the presence of dark stars rather than dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 15, 2025

New survey maps hundreds of satellite systems orbiting dwarf galaxies

A new study by Dartmouth astronomers has mapped 355 candidate satellite galaxies around dwarf galaxies, tripling the number previously surveyed. The researchers aim to understand how external conditions influence satellite formation and uncover insights into dark matter's nature.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2025
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Dwarf galaxy clustering challenges standard cold dark matter paradigm

A new study of diffuse dwarf galaxies has revealed an exceptionally strong clustering pattern, contradicting the established understanding of galaxy clustering. The researchers propose a new model of dark matter based on the Self-Interacting Dark Matter (SIDM) theory.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2025
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

DESI uncovers 300 new intermediate-mass black holes plus 2500 new active black holes in dwarf galaxies

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has discovered a treasure trove of actively feeding black holes in small galaxies, revealing surprisingly few are of intermediate mass. The team identified 300 new intermediate-mass black hole candidates and 2500 active black holes in dwarf galaxies.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateFeb 19, 2025

Straight shot: Hubble investigates galaxy with nine rings

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a cosmic bullseye, revealing eight visible rings and confirming a ninth using data from the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. The galaxy's unique ring structure was formed by a blue dwarf galaxy colliding with its center, creating a new generation of stars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

This tiny galaxy is answering some big questions

Researchers led by Kristen McQuinn used the Webb Telescope to find that Leo P formed stars early on but stopped for a few billion years during the Epoch of Reionization. The study provides insights into the growth of low-mass structures and the processes that led to star creation.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025

Large and small galaxies may grow in ways more similar than expected

A team of astronomers has obtained detailed images of a small galaxy and its surroundings, revealing features typically associated with larger galaxies. The study found that the mechanisms fueling galaxy growth may be more universal than previously thought, suggesting that even dwarf galaxies can build stellar halos through accretion.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

DECam and Gemini South discover three tiny ‘stellar-ghost-town’ galaxies

Researchers have discovered three tiny ultra-faint dwarf galaxies, dubbed 'stellar-ghost-town' galaxies, with minimal gas and old stars. This suggests that their star formation was cut off early in the universe's history due to insufficient gravity or events like reionization or supernovae explosions.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 15, 2025
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Galaxies in dense environments tend to be larger, settling one cosmic question and raising others

A new study published in the Astrophysical Journal has found that galaxies in denser environments are up to 25% larger than isolated galaxies. Researchers used a machine learning tool to analyze millions of galaxies and found a clear trend: galaxies with more neighbors are also on average larger.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateAug 14, 2024

NASA’s Hubble traces dark matter in dwarf galaxy using stellar motions

A team of astronomers used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to create the most accurate three-dimensional understanding of stars' movements within the Draco dwarf galaxy. This allowed them to build a more precise model of dark matter distribution, which aligns with cosmological models and suggests a cusp-like structure.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

VIDEO: Surrey astrophysicists explore new galaxies and streams of stars using new data from Euclid space telescope

Researchers confirm model predicting galaxy clusters' separation via gravity, while identifying potential new galaxies with Euclid's powerful equipment. The telescope's early release observations reveal millions of objects in a single day, opening up new possibilities for dark matter research.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2024
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Team of astronomers make a serendipitous discovery of a galaxy that shouldn’t exist

Researchers have found a serendipitous discovery of a dwarf galaxy, PEARLSDG, that contradicts current theories on galaxy formation. The isolated quiescent galaxy has an old stellar population and doesn't form new stars, with individual stars visible in JWST images, providing clues to its distance.

SourceArizona State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 31, 2024

Bright galaxies put dark matter to the test

A team of astrophysicists used simulations to track galaxy formation near the Big Bang, including interactions between gas and dark matter. The results show that tiny, bright galaxies were formed more quickly than expected, challenging current theories about dark matter.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 31, 2024

Nube, the almost invisible galaxy which challenges the dark matter model

The newly discovered galaxy Nube has a set of specific properties that distinguish it from previously known objects, including being ten times fainter and ten times more extended than other dwarf galaxies. Its unusual characteristics challenge the current understanding of the universe, particularly the dark matter model.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeNews article·DateJan 9, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Dwarf galaxies use 10-million-year quiet period to churn out stars

University of Michigan researchers discovered that less evolved dwarf galaxies have bigger regions of star factories with higher rates of star formation. A 10-million-year delay in blowing out gas allows these galaxies to hang on to their gas and dust, enabling more stars to coalesce and evolve.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 21, 2023

Starry tail tells the tale of dwarf galaxy evolution

Researchers found a 200,000-light-year-long stellar tail emanating from F8D1, suggesting recent interaction with another galaxy. The discovery provides crucial evidence for understanding the origins of ultra-diffuse galaxies.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2023

Were galaxies much different in the early universe?

The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) team has doubled the sensitivity of its radio telescope array, providing clues to the composition of stars and galaxies in the early universe. The data suggest that early galaxies contained few elements besides hydrogen and helium.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2023

Old and new stars paint very different pictures of the Triangulum Galaxy

Researchers used the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury Triangulum Extended Region — or PHATTER — survey to study the Triangulum galaxy. The team discovered two drastically different structures depending on the age of the stars, with younger and older stars having distinct distributions.

SourceUniversity of Washington·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Astrophysicists hunt for second-closest supermassive black hole

Researchers suggest using ancient red giant stars' winds as a potential source of material for observing the supermassive black hole. This could provide the accretion rate needed to detect the black hole, which is currently undetectable due to its low activity.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 28, 2022

Death of a star reveals midsize black hole lurking in a dwarf galaxy

Astronomers used the Young Supernova Experiment to detect an intermediate-mass black hole in a dwarf galaxy, revealing its mass and providing insight into supermassive black hole growth. The study aims to improve understanding of black hole-galaxy relationships and inform theories on supermassive black hole formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateNov 10, 2022

Mysterious ripples in the Milky Way were caused by a passing dwarf galaxy

A team of researchers at Lund University used Gaia space telescope data to study the outer disk of the Milky Way, finding large parts vibrate due to a passing dwarf galaxy. This 'galactic seismology' provides clues about Sagittarius' history and orbit around our home galaxy.

SourceLund University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 23, 2022
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Gamma rays from neighboring galaxy related to millisecond pulsars

A team of researchers has discovered that gamma-ray radiation from the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy can be explained by millisecond pulsars, ruling out dark matter annihilation as a possible explanation. The study reveals that these stellar objects are efficient accelerators of high-energy electrons and positrons.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 6, 2022

Researchers use gamma rays to detect small neighboring galaxy filled with dark matter

A team of researchers has detected a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way filled with dark matter using gamma-ray emissions. The discovery was initially thought to be indicative of dark matter annihilation, but further analysis reveals that millisecond pulsars are more likely to be the source of the emission.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 6, 2022

No trace of dark matter halos

Researchers from the University of Bonn found that dwarf galaxies in one of Earth's nearest galaxy clusters show signs of disturbance without dark matter halos. The study's results contradict previous models, suggesting an alternative gravity theory might be more accurate.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 5, 2022
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Gemini North spies ultra-faint fossil galaxy discovered on outskirts of Andromeda

A team of astronomers discovered an unusual ultra-faint dwarf galaxy, Pegasus V, on the outer edge of the Andromeda Galaxy using NSF's NOIRLab facilities. The galaxy appears to be extremely deficient in heavier elements, indicating it is very old and likely a fossil of the first galaxies.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJun 30, 2022

Astronomers find evidence for most powerful pulsar in distant galaxy

Scientists have found evidence for a young and extremely powerful neutron star, dubbed VT 1137-0337, in a dwarf galaxy 395 million light-years from Earth. The pulsar is thought to be as young as 14 years old and has the strongest magnetic field of any known object.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Tracing the remnants of Andromeda’s violent history

Researchers studied over 500 stars in a region of Andromeda called the Northeast shelf, finding conclusive evidence of an ancient collision. The findings provide insights into how material from collisions shapes a galaxy's appearance and makeup.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·TypeObservational study·DateJun 13, 2022

CRAFTS discovers younger and weirder brother of first repeating fast radio burst

Researchers have discovered a new repeating fast radio burst, FRB 190520B, which exhibits extreme behavior similar to the initial discovery, FRB 121102A. The source has high ambient electron density and reliable bursting behaviors, suggesting it may be a 'newborn' with characteristics resembling a super luminous supernova.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateJun 8, 2022

Ancient dwarf galaxy reconstructed with MilkyWay@home volunteer computer

Astrophysicists have calculated the original mass and size of a dwarf galaxy torn apart in a collision with the Milky Way billions of years ago. The reconstructed galaxy's stars now stream through the Milky Way, carrying information about its gravitational field.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 17, 2022

Evidence emerges for dark-matter free galaxies

Researchers have found no dark matter in the ultra-diffuse dwarf galaxy AGC 114905, which can be explained by normal matter. The discovery confirms previous measurements and raises questions about the existence of dark matter in galaxies.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Texas astronomers discover strangely massive black hole in Milky Way satellite galaxy

Astronomers at UT Austin's McDonald Observatory have discovered a massively dense black hole at the center of dwarf satellite galaxy Leo I, revealing an unprecedented mass ratio between the galaxy and its central black hole. This finding shakes up our understanding of galaxy evolution and dark matter distribution.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2021

Astronomers explain origin of elusive ultradiffuse galaxies

Researchers used simulations to detect extended dwarf galaxies with low surface brightness, challenging previous theories. The study found that these 'quenched' UDGs originated in backsplash orbits and are isolated from their parent systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 6, 2021

Astronomers nail down the origins of rare loner dwarf galaxies

Researchers used detailed simulations to detect and study 'quenched' UDGs, which are rare dwarf galaxies that have stopped generating stars. They found these galaxies were not in clusters but rather isolated in voids, with unique orbits that stripped away their star-forming gas.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateSep 6, 2021

Three dwarf spheroidal galaxies are found to rotate

Researchers from IAC and STScI discovered transverse rotation in three dwarf spheroidal galaxies using Gaia satellite data, shedding light on their evolutionary history. This finding supports the idea that these galaxies may have formed through the agglomeration of smaller systems.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 27, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

36 dwarf galaxies had simultaneous 'baby boom' of new stars

A team of scientists discovered that three dozen dwarf galaxies simultaneously accelerated their star birth rates, defying expectations. The galaxies, separated by up to 13 million light-years, had a synchronized decrease in stellar birth rate 6 billion years ago and an increase 3 billion years ago.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateMay 24, 2021

Astronomers offer possible explanation for elusive dark-matter-free galaxies

Researchers found that some dwarf galaxies may appear dark-matter free due to extreme tidal mass loss, challenging the LCDM cosmological model. Simulations suggest a combined solution to both the structure and low dark matter content of these ultradiffuse galaxies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 9, 2021

Evidence of broadside collision with dwarf galaxy discovered in Milky Way

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered the first shell-like formations of stars in the Milky Way, created by a 2.7 billion-year-old broadside collision with a dwarf galaxy. The findings offer new insights into the ancient event and its potential implications for other stellar phenomena.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateOct 20, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Astronomers model, determine how disk galaxies evolve so smoothly

Researchers have advanced studies on galaxy formation, revealing the role of massive clumps in scattering stars and creating smooth galaxy disks. The models show that this process is robust and universal, applying to many types of galaxies.

SourceIowa State University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 25, 2020

How stars form in the smallest galaxies

Researchers have found that dormant small galaxies can slowly accumulate gas over billions of years, allowing for the formation of new stars. The study's findings shed light on the mysterious process of star formation in dwarf galaxies, providing insights into astrophysical processes.

SourceLund University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 12, 2020