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Sorting through thickets of stars in elliptical galaxies far, far away

Astronomers have detected a self-regulating cycle of star births within elliptical galaxies, with black holes controlling the rate of gas cooling and star formation. The unique capabilities of space telescopes like Hubble allowed researchers to directly observe 'showers' of star formation linked to galaxy jets.

SourceYale University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 6, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Astronomers find runaway galaxies

Researchers identified 200 previously unknown compact elliptical galaxies using public archives of data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the GALEX satellite. Of these, 11 isolated compact galaxies were found moving faster than their cluster counterparts

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2015

Small victims of galactic threesomes can run away

Researchers found nearly 200 compact elliptical galaxies, including 11 isolated ones, which were formed when a massive galaxy stripped away the core of a smaller one. These galaxies can escape their host clusters due to gravitational perturbations, helping them survive for about a billion years.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2015

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

Supermassive black hole clears star-making gas from galaxy’s core

A study by University of Maryland scientists has found a functional link between supermassive black holes and molecular outflows in galaxies. The research suggests that the black holes' winds are powerful enough to drive these massive outflows, which remove star-making gas and shape the galaxy's fate.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateMar 25, 2015
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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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

Strange galaxy perplexes astronomers

A team of astronomers has discovered a rare type of galaxy, named J1649+2635, that has prominent 'jets' of subatomic particles propelled outward from its core at nearly the speed of light. The unusual feature is unexpected in spiral galaxies.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 2, 2014

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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Witnessing the early growth of a giant

Astronomers have discovered a compact galactic core, nicknamed Sparky, which is seen as it appeared 11 billion years ago. The infant galaxy contains twice as much mass as the Milky Way and is producing 300 stars per year, a rate three times faster than our galaxy.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2014

NASA telescopes uncover early construction of giant galaxy

Astronomers have observed the earliest stages of massive galaxy construction, dubbed 'Sparky', which contains about twice as many stars as our Milky Way. The discovery was made possible through combined observations from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2014

Hubble shows farthest lensing galaxy yields clues to early universe

Astronomers have discovered the most distant galaxy that acts as a cosmic magnifying glass, with a massive elliptical galaxy weighing 180 billion times more than our sun. The lensing effect offers insight into how young galaxies build themselves up into today's massive dark-matter-dominated galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 31, 2014
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.

Hubble spots spiral bridge of young stars linking two ancient galaxies

Astronomers have spotted an unusual structure in the universe, resembling a corkscrew-shaped string of pearls, that winds around the cores of two colliding galaxies. The discovery has sparked excitement among researchers, who are still trying to understand the physical processes behind this phenomenon.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2014

Diving for pearls with the Hubble Space Telescope

A team of astronomers from RIT helped analyze data showing two elliptical galaxies coalescing in a dense galaxy cluster. The study reveals rare insights into elliptical galaxy mergers and finds a string-of-pearl star formation structure with 19 young blue clusters.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 10, 2014

Astronomers create first realistic virtual universe

The Illustris simulation recreates the evolution of the universe with unprecedented resolution, including spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies, and large-scale structures. It also accurately models chemistries of individual galaxies, offering a realistic view of cosmic evolution.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateMay 7, 2014

Entire star cluster thrown out of its galaxy

Researchers found a runaway star cluster named HVGC-1 in the M87 galaxy, moving at over two million miles per hour. The cluster was likely flung out of the galaxy by supermassive black holes at its core.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 30, 2014
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.

Four new galaxy clusters take researchers further back in time

A team of astronomers has discovered four new galaxy clusters, each containing thousands of individual galaxies, some 10 billion light years away. The clusters are seen as they existed 3 billion years ago, providing insights into the formation of giant elliptical galaxies.

SourceImperial College London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 12, 2014

Universe's early galaxies grew massive through collisions

Scientists discovered that massive galaxies in the early universe were formed by explosive star formation triggered by galaxy collisions. This theory contradicts the traditional view that galaxies grew larger over time through constant star formation and mergers.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·DateJan 29, 2014

Hubble unveils a deep sea of small and faint early galaxies

A team of scientists led by UC Riverside astronomers used Hubble to discover 58 young, diminutive galaxies in ultraviolet light, which are 100 times more numerous and 100 times fainter than detected galaxies. These 'unseen' galaxies formed most new stars during the universe's early years.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJan 7, 2014

NASA's Hubble and Chandra find evidence for densest nearby galaxy

Astronomers have found the most crowded galaxy in our part of the universe, M60-UCD1, packed with an extraordinary number of stars. The ultra-compact dwarf galaxy is estimated to be about 10 billion years old and has a density of stars about 15,000 times greater than Earth's neighborhood.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 24, 2013
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.

Clues to the growth of the colossus in Coma

Researchers have discovered large arms of hot gas in the Coma galaxy cluster, which are estimated to be around 300 million years old. The smooth shape of these arms suggests a calm setting for the hot gas in Coma, contrary to theoretical models that expect strong turbulence.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalScience·DateSep 19, 2013

'Red nugget' galaxies were hiding in plain sight

New research reveals that 'red nugget' galaxies, previously thought to be extinct, were actually hidden within previous survey data. These compact galaxies may represent a missing link between distant 'red nuggets' and nearby elliptical galaxies.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 13, 2013

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

Colliding galaxy pair takes flight

The colliding galaxy duo Arp 142 features a star-forming spiral galaxy NGC 2936 with a compressed gas core triggering new star formation. The elliptical companion NGC 2937 is warped by the encounter, but shows little effect from gravitational pull.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 20, 2013
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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

Gravitational lens creates cartoon of space invader

Astronomers have captured a striking image of a spiral galaxy distorted by gravitational lensing, resembling an alien from the classic computer game 'Space Invaders'. The foreground cluster of galaxies acts as a natural lens to magnify and brighten light from background galaxies, creating this surreal landscape.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 5, 2013

A multi-wavelength view of radio galaxy Hercules A

The study uses combined imaging power to unveil spectacular jets of the galaxy, powered by a 2.5-billion-solar-mass central black hole. The jets exhibit unusual ring-like structures and are composed of high-energy plasma beams, subatomic particles, and magnetic fields.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 29, 2012

Split-personality elliptical galaxy holds a hidden spiral

Centaurus A, a well-known elliptical galaxy, has been found to harbor a gassy spiral in its center, defying traditional classifications. The discovery was made possible by the use of the Submillimeter Array radio telescope, which revealed two distinct spiral arms within the galaxy's core.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 22, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateOct 11, 2012
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

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

Scientists see 'sloshing' galaxy cluster

The 'sloshing' motion in the hot gas cloud of Abell 2052 helps redistribute heavy elements and limits star formation, while also affecting the growth of the galaxy's supermassive black hole. The Chandra observations provide insights into the complex interactions within the galaxy cluster.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJan 30, 2012

ALMA early science result reveals starving galaxies

Astronomers using ALMA have found compelling evidence for how star-forming galaxies evolve into 'red and dead' elliptical galaxies, catching a large group of galaxies right in the middle of this change. The study reveals that galaxies are being starved of star-forming gas by their central black holes' jets.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·DateJan 11, 2012
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Hubble pinpoints furthest protocluster of galaxies ever seen

Astronomers have discovered the most distant galaxy cluster ever observed, comprising five bright galaxies that are 600 million years after the Big Bang. The cluster is believed to be a protocluster, with galaxies expected to merge and form a massive central galaxy.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·DateJan 10, 2012

Hubble pinpoints farthest protocluster of galaxies ever seen

Astronomers have pinpointed the most distant galaxy cluster in the early universe, comprising five tiny galaxies 600 million years after the Big Bang. The discovery confirms theoretical understanding of galaxy cluster formation and provides evidence for the hierarchical model of galaxy assembly.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 10, 2012

Sleeping giants discovered

Researchers have discovered two massive black holes, each with a mass equivalent to 10 billion suns, in nearby galaxies. These 'sleeping giants' are thought to be remnants of quasars that powered the early universe.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateDec 12, 2011

Sleeping giants discovered

Astronomers have found two massive black holes, each with a mass of 10 billion suns, in nearby galaxies. These 'sleeping giants' are thought to be remnants of quasars that powered matter into black holes in the early universe.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateDec 6, 2011

Record massive black holes discovered lurking in monster galaxies

Astronomers have discovered the largest black holes to date, two monsters with masses equivalent to 10 billion suns threatening to consume anything within a region five times the size of our solar system. These black holes are located in giant elliptical galaxies more than 300 million light years from Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2011
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.

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

'Dead' galaxies aren't so dead after all, U-M researchers find

Researchers have found that galaxies previously thought to be dead and devoid of star formation are actually still producing new stars. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists observed individual young stars and clusters in four galaxies, revealing an average star-formation rate of one sun every 10,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateMay 31, 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
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.

The universe does think small

Elliptical galaxies are found to contain five to ten times as many red dwarfs as thought, with implications for galaxy formation and evolution. The discovery could lead to a reevaluation of dark matter in these galaxies.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 2010

Texas A&M team determines ancient galaxy cluster still producing stars

Astronomers at Texas A&M University have discovered that a significant fraction of ancient galaxies in the CLG J02182-05102 cluster are still actively forming stars. The team found that star-forming galaxies are more common in this cluster than in nearby galaxy clusters.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 18, 2010

Supermassive black holes may frequently roam galaxy centers

Researchers found that the supermassive black hole at the center of M87 is displaced from its expected position, likely due to a previous merger or the iconic jet's push. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding galaxy formation and evolution.

SourceFlorida Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 25, 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
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

How galaxies came to be: Astronomers explain Hubble sequence

Dr Andrew Benson and Dr Nick Devereux's research reveals the evolutionary history of the universe, explaining galaxy shapes and numbers. Their 'Lambda Cold Dark Matter' model suggests that dark matter haloes drive galaxy evolution, with elliptical galaxies resulting from multiple mergers.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 12, 2010

New understanding of the origin of galaxies advanced

Researchers propose a new theory that galaxies formed primarily through cold gas streams, challenging the prevailing view of galactic mergers. Computer simulations suggest these streams led to efficient star formation in massive disks, driving the creation of spiral galaxies.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature·DateJan 21, 2009

Colossal black holes common in early universe

Researchers have discovered two distant galaxies with massive black holes at their centers, challenging previous assumptions about the formation of these cosmic objects. The study reveals that these colossal black holes were present even 12 billion years ago, when the universe was just 1.7 billion years old.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 16, 2008
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

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
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.

NASA'S Swift sees double supernova in galaxy

Astronomers have observed two Type II and Type Ia supernovae exploding in the same galaxy just 16 days apart. The rare event is unlikely to be related to anything unusual about the galaxy.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 26, 2007