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Hubble sees multiple star generations in a globular cluster

Researchers found evidence of three distinct star populations born within 200 million years in the massive globular cluster NGC 2808. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that all stars originated at the same time and place, shedding new light on stellar formation in distant galaxies.

Webb scope looks out of this world

The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.

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.

Rethinking last century's closest, brightest supernova

Astronomer Nathan Smith proposes a new theory for the origin of the 1987 supernova's triple-ring nebula, suggesting that unstable blue supergiant stars, called luminous blue variables, may be responsible. Three nearby stars with similar nebulae have been discovered, contradicting the prevailing merger and red-to-blue transition explana...

Superbubble of supernova remnants caught in act of forming

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have observed a superbubble forming in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galactic neighbor of the Milky Way. The study reveals that multiple massive stars are blowing bubbles and overlapping supernova remnants, which may eventually merge into one enormous cavity.

Gas giants jump into planet formation early

Researchers found that gas giants either form within the first 10 million years of a sun-like star's life or not at all. The study suggests that gas giant planets must form early in a star's history, offering insights into planet formation.

Astronomers discover an enormous halo of red giant stars around Andromeda

Astronomers have discovered an enormous halo of red giant stars surrounding the Andromeda galaxy, extending beyond its visible disk and indicating that it may be five times larger than previously believed. The discovery is based on observations of over 500,000 light-years of starry space using advanced telescopes.

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.

Stellar birth control in the early universe

A team of astronomers discovered that many large galaxies in the early universe had a low stellar birth rate, suggesting a cosmic 'birth control' mechanism that prevented excessive star formation. The study found that these galaxies formed stars when the universe was just 20% of its current age.

Astronomers report first direct evidence for dark matter

Researchers have found direct proof of dark matter's existence in a study using state-of-the-art telescopes. The team observed two merging galaxy clusters, revealing massive amounts of non-luminous matter that don't interact with normal matter.

Far away galaxy under the microscope

Scientists have discovered large, rotating disc galaxies that formed on a rapid time scale, just 3 billion years after the Big Bang. These findings reveal unprecedented details about the anatomy of these distant proto-disc galaxies, including their gas motions and star formation rates.

Space shield could help image Earth-like planets, says study

A University of Colorado study suggests using a gigantic, daisy-shaped space shield to block out light from parent stars and allow telescopes to image distant Earth-like planets. The concept enables astronomers to identify planetary features and detect biomarkers like methane and oxygen.

New map of the Milky Way charts where stars are born

A team of astronomers produced the clearest map to-date of star-forming clouds in the Milky Way, enabling deeper insights into the origin of stars. The new illustration reveals similar lumpy structures in molecular clouds, suggesting that all clouds form stars in roughly the same proportion.

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.

Stardust in the laboratory

Scientists study stardust in labs to understand element formation and stellar evolution. The analysis of isotopic compositions provides clues about nuclear and chemical processes in stars.

Detection of hot halo gets theory out of hot water

Astronomers detect a vast hot halo extending over 60,000 light years around the massive spiral galaxy NGC 5746. This discovery resolves a long-standing issue in galaxy formation theory, suggesting that large spiral galaxies should be immersed in halos of hot gas left over from the galaxy formation process.

Multi-wavelength images help astronomers study star birth, death

Researchers at the University of Illinois created composite images of optical, radio, infrared, ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths to understand massive stars' impact on their galactic surroundings. The study reveals that massive stars energize and enrich the interstellar medium with strong ultraviolet radiation and fast stellar winds.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

No stars in the clouds

Researchers searched for dwarf galaxies in nearby galaxy cloud using Two Micron All Sky Survey and Very Large Telescope. However, no stars were detected, suggesting alternative explanations for the missing galaxies.

Monster black holes grow after galactic mergers

Two new studies using Hubble Ultra Deep Field data show a link between galaxy assembly and supermassive black hole growth. Tadpole galaxies, with bright knots and tails caused by mergers, suggest that black holes are enshrouded in dust, making them invisible during the merging process.

Massive star cluster found in Milky Way

Astronomers have found a massive star cluster in the Milky Way, consisting of 14 supergiants with a total mass of at least 20,000 solar masses. This discovery may challenge existing massive star formation models and provides valuable insights into the evolution of these stars.

Large survey of galaxies yields new findings on star formation

A new study analyzing data from the Extended Groth Strip Survey found that galaxy weights play a crucial role in determining star formation rates. Researchers discovered that heavy galaxies form stars early and rapidly, while smaller galaxies form their stars over longer timescales.

Measuring the size of a small, frost world

A team of astronomers used a rare stellar occultation to determine Charon's radius with great accuracy, finding it to be 603.6 km. They also set an upper limit on the existence and pressure of Charon's atmosphere, suggesting it is likely icy with little or no nitrogen.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Galaxy collisions dominate the local universe

A study using hundreds of images from two deep sky surveys found that more than half of the largest galaxies in the nearby universe have collided and merged with another galaxy. The mergers occur quickly, leaving faint features difficult to detect, but confirm predictions for large-scale structure formation. Ongoing study will reveal i...

NASA's Chandra reveals new star generation

Astronomers find massive stars forming close to super-massive black holes, challenging previous theories about their role in galaxy evolution. Researchers used Chandra X-ray Observatory data to study the Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) star cluster near the Milky Way's central black hole.

Why a whale shark's spots could help save its skin

A new technique uses a machine vision algorithm to identify individual whale sharks based on their spot patterns, allowing for better conservation efforts. The ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library has been established to store and analyze whale shark photographs.

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

'Missing' dark matter really there, says Hebrew University cosmologist

A recent study published in Nature refutes previous claims of missing dark matter in elliptical galaxies, suggesting that massive dark-matter halos are present around these galaxies as well. The research uses simulations of galaxy mergers to explain the observations made by earlier studies.

Black hole in search of a home

Astronomers detect unusual quasar with no visible host galaxy, sparking debate about its origin. The object's properties suggest a rare collision between galaxies, potentially illuminating the formation of massive black holes and their role in shaping the universe.

Black hole in search of a home

Astronomers observed quasars with the VLT and HST to detect host galaxies, but found that one quasar, HE0450-2958, has no massive galaxy. Instead, they detected a bright cloud of gas ionized by the quasar's radiation, which may be feeding the black hole.

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.

Supercomputer installed at RIT among the world's fastest

RIT's new gravitySimulator supercomputer can simulate galaxy evolution with unprecedented precision, handling up to 4 million stars at once. The machine, one of only two in the world, achieves a top speed of 4 Teraflops, enabling researchers to study complex astrophysical phenomena.

Penn-led team to look to distant galaxies with balloon-borne telescope

A Penn-led team has launched a balloon-borne telescope, BLAST, to survey the universe for faint stellar objects and gain insights into the formation of stars and galaxies. The telescope will capture light at three wavelengths, allowing astronomers to determine an object's distance and luminosity.

Era of galaxy and black hole growth spurt discovered

Researchers have found that some galaxies and their central black holes underwent a phenomenal growth spurt, setting the stage for the birth of quasars. The study used Chandra X-ray observations to track the growth of supermassive black holes alongside the formation of stars in these galaxies.

Superglue of planet formation: Sticky ice

Scientists at PNNL discovered that micron-wide dust particles encrusted with molecularly gluey ice enabled planets to bulk up quickly enough to overcome solar winds. Fluffy ice provided a cushioning effect, allowing icy grains to stick together and grow into large lumps.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

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Temperature inside collapsing bubble four times that of sun

Scientists at the University of Illinois discovered a collapsing bubble that reached temperatures of 20,000 degrees Kelvin, four times hotter than the surface of the sun. This result was achieved through sonoluminescence, which generates intense local heating when bubbles in a liquid collapse.

Simulations show how growing black holes regulate galaxy formation

Researchers found that growing black holes release energy that regulates galaxy evolution and black hole growth, matching observed relationships between black hole size and galaxy mass. The simulations also show that smaller galaxies have less gas to form stars, while larger galaxies produce more.

Simulations show how growing black holes regulate galaxy formation

Simulations show that growing black holes release a blast of energy, powering strong winds that prevent material from falling in, inhibiting further growth. This process links black hole mass to the total mass of stars in galaxies, explaining observed phenomena and promising deeper insights into galaxy formation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Measurements at CERN help to re-evaluate the element of life

Researchers at CERN and European universities have re-evaluated the primary reaction creating carbon in stars, modifying the rate of this process. The findings suggest that the amount of carbon produced in the first stars was twice as fast as previously thought, with implications for element production in supernovae.

Dwarf galaxy has giant surprise

Astronomers have discovered a dwarf galaxy surrounded by a gigantic, pristine hydrogen gas disk. The large reservoir of unprocessed matter may hold clues to the early universe's formation.

New view of distant colliding galaxies captured by Keck laser system

A team of researchers uses the Keck laser system to observe distant galaxies in unprecedented detail, finding that some systems exhibit old stars despite recent mergers. This discovery challenges prevailing theories of galaxy formation and may help explain the existence of large galaxies with little young star population.

Good news from big bad black holes

Astronomers have discovered that radio jets from black holes can trigger the collapse of interstellar clouds and induce star formation. The jets' collision with dense gas leads to the creation of new stars, bringing 'new life' to these systems.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Colorado U. proposal for imaging distant planets funded for further study

The University of Colorado at Boulder has proposed a system to map planetary systems around other stars and detect exo-solar planets as small as Earth's moon. The New Worlds Imager concept uses a giant 'pinhole camera' in space to capture images of distant planets, including their oceans, continents, and atmospheres.

Galactic ballet captured by Gemini

The Gemini Observatory has released a breathtaking image of Stephan's Quintet, capturing the intricate interactions between five galaxies. The image showcases sweeping arches of gas and dust, tracing the ongoing dance of gravitational forces that have warped their structures over millions of years.

Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are

Materials researchers created a metamaterial with a negative refractive index for microwaves, allowing it to transmit light differently than natural materials. This discovery has implications for space navigation and the location of stars, making it challenging to determine their origins.

Old galaxies in the young universe

Researchers used ESO's Very Large Telescope to identify four massive elliptical galaxies at a redshift of 1.6-1.9, dating back to around 3,500 million years ago. These galaxies have ages between 1,000 and 2,000 million years and masses in excess of one hundred thousand million solar masses.

Glimpse at early universe reveals surprisingly mature galaxies

A recent study has revealed surprisingly mature galaxies in the early universe, contradicting the long-held hierarchical model of galaxy formation. The Gemini Deep Deep Survey found that a large fraction of stars in massive galaxies were already present at 8 billion years old.

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.

Star making peaked five billion years ago; expect darkness

Researchers analyzed data from 96,545 galaxies to track star formation history. They found that massive galaxies formed stars earlier than smaller ones, and star formation has decreased since then, contributing to the gradual dimming of the universe.

Faintest spectra ever raise glaring question

The Gemini Deep Deep Survey reveals that a large fraction of stars in the Universe are already in place when the Universe was young, contradicting existing models. The survey provides a comprehensive sample of galaxies in the Redshift Desert, revealing more metal-rich galaxies than expected.

U of T team maps halos around galaxies

The study provides strong support for the popular cold dark matter model of the universe, suggesting that galaxies are surrounded by massive, three-dimensional halos. The team measured the shapes of over 1.5 million distant galaxies using weak gravitational lensing, revealing that dark matter halos extend far beyond visible stars.

Orphaned star clusters roam the universe

Researchers have identified a population of globular star clusters drifting freely through the vast expanse of intergalactic space, revealing insights into the origins of these ancient structures. The discovery is thought to be the result of galaxy collisions or gravitational pulls that tore these star clusters from their parent galaxies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Hot gas around cold dust cloud surprises astronomers

Scientists have found evidence of hot gases on the perimeter of the Coalsack, a cold dust cloud nearby the Milky Way. This discovery may help resolve debates about oxygen VI generation and provide new insights into star formation and galaxy energy production.

Department of Energy honors PPPL's DeLooper for outreach efforts

The Department of Energy recognizes PPPL's DeLooper for his crucial role in coordinating the Snowmass Fusion Summer Study Workshops, which brought together leading scientists from the US and international community. This success led to a consensus in the fusion community that enabled the Administration to join ITER negotiations.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Black holes form first, galaxies follow

A new study suggests that black holes can form before galaxies, with massive black holes found in even the smallest active galaxies. The research, led by Marianne Vestergaard at Ohio State University, uses a method to estimate the mass of distant black holes and finds that they are often more massive than previously thought.

'Dark energy' dominates the universe

Researchers conclude dark energy is the dominant form of energy in the universe, contradicting observations of distant supernovae. The accelerating expansion of the universe can be explained by the presence of negative pressure in a vacuum, supporting the existence of dark energy.

Discovery of giant X-ray disk sheds light on elliptical galaxies

Researchers at Ohio University have discovered a massive X-ray disk in an elliptical galaxy, revealing complex dynamics and challenging previous assumptions about galaxy formation. The giant disk is 90,000 light years wide and spinning through the galaxy, suggesting that elliptical galaxies may not be as simple as previously thought.

US and Scottish astronomers explain hot star disks

New theory explains why circumstellar Keplerian disks are stable around Be stars, contradicting previous model's predictions. The Magnetically Torqued Disk model suggests a narrow range of star types can form detectable disks.