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Giant galaxies die from the inside out

Astronomers observed 22 massive elliptical galaxies using the VLT and Hubble Space Telescope, revealing that star formation in their centers stopped around three billion years ago. The newly discovered inside-out nature of this shutdown may be due to a galaxy's central supermassive black hole or lack of fresh gas.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2015

An explosive quartet

Astronomers spot four images of a distant supernova in a massive galaxy cluster, bending light due to gravitational lensing. The discovery provides insights into dark matter's distribution and helps refine estimates of its amount.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalScience·DateMar 5, 2015

Big black holes can block new stars

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that massive black holes can block the formation of new stars in mature galaxies. The study suggests that these jets of radio-frequency feedback streaming from central black holes prevent hot gas from cooling and collapsing into baby stars.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 21, 2014

Hubble explores the origins of modern galaxies

Astronomers use Hubble to study distant galaxies 11 billion years ago, confirming the Hubble Sequence holds true as far back as 8 billion years. The study finds that all galaxies fit into different classifications of the sequence, with blue star-forming galaxies and massive red galaxies dominating at these early times.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 15, 2013

Rare galaxy found furiously burning fuel for stars

Astronomers discovered a rare galaxy that turns gas into stars with near 100% efficiency, outperforming even the most efficient engines. This highly tuned galaxy forms stars at a rate hundreds of times faster than our Milky Way, with the majority of its starlight emitted by a small region.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 23, 2013

When galaxies eat galaxies

Astronomers discover that massive galaxies with 100 billion stars are growing denser due to repeated collisions and mergers. The study used gravitational lenses to analyze the mass distribution in these galaxies, finding that major collisions between large galaxies lead to increased mass density at their centers.

A cannibalistic galaxy with a powerful heart

The closest large elliptical galaxy to the Milky Way, Centaurus A has a twisted disc of dust near its centre, formed from a cosmic collision with another galaxy. The galaxy's powerful heart features two massive jets streaming from a massive black hole, emitting strong radio emission and visible in far-infrared images.

SourceUK Space Agency·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 4, 2012

Exotic galaxy reveals tantalizing tale

Astronomers have discovered a unique spiral galaxy with massive jets, providing insights into the formation of galaxies and clusters in the early universe. The galaxy, dubbed Speca, has been found to exhibit three distinct episodes of jet activity, shedding new light on the processes that shaped these ancient structures.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 25, 2011

Raging storms sweep away galactic gas

Detecting raging storms of molecular gas streaming away from galaxies for the first time, Herschel reveals powerful outflows that could halve a galaxy's star-forming capacity within one million years. This discovery offers insights into galactic evolution and negative feedback mechanisms.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 9, 2011

Discovery triples number of stars in universe

Astronomers at Yale University have discovered that small red dwarfs are much more prolific than previously believed, increasing the total number of stars in the universe. The discovery found 20 times more red dwarfs in elliptical galaxies than in the Milky Way, with potential implications for galaxy formation and evolution.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 2010

Largest atlas of nuclear galactic rings unveiled

An international team of astrophysicists has created the most complete atlas of nuclear rings, which are enormous star-forming ring-shaped regions that circle certain galactic nuclei. The catalogue includes 113 such rings in 107 galaxies and provides insights into their properties and relationships with galaxy structure.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 29, 2010

Stars stop forming when big galaxies collide

Astronomers have discovered evidence that high-speed collisions between large elliptical galaxies can prevent new stars from forming. The study found that gravitational interactions can heat up gas, making it difficult for stars to cool and form.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 7, 2008

Yale astronomer discovers upper mass limit for black holes

A Yale University astrophysicist has discovered an upper mass limit for black holes, which appear to curb their growth at around 10 billion times the mass of our Sun. This finding has implications for the study of galaxy formation and suggests that black holes may play a key role in regulating star formation.

SourceYale University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 11, 2008

Anatomy of a cosmic bird

Astronomers discover triple merger of galaxies, dubbed 'The Bird', with ESO's VLT. The system reveals two massive spiral galaxies and a third irregular galaxy forming stars at high rates.

SourceESO·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 20, 2007

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.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 6, 2007