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Rare quasar triplet forms most massive object in universe

A rare quasar triplet formed a massive black hole with a mass of 10 billion solar masses, according to recent simulations. The triple system, composed of three galaxies with supermassive black holes at their centers, is believed to be the progenitor of ultra-massive black holes.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 1, 2023

1st observational evidence linking black holes to dark energy

A team of researchers has discovered evidence of 'cosmological coupling' between black holes and the universe's expanding energy. By studying supermassive black holes in ancient galaxies, they found that these black holes gain mass over billions of years, matching predictions for black holes that cosmologically couple with vacuum energy.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2023

Footprints of galactic immigration uncovered in Andromeda galaxy

Researchers used the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument to study the motions of nearly 7500 stars in the inner halo of the Andromeda Galaxy. They found telltale patterns that revealed how these stars began their lives as part of another galaxy, shedding light on galactic immigration events.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 8, 2023

Record-breaking detection of radio signal from atomic hydrogen in extremely distant galaxy using GMRT

Researchers have detected a radio signal from atomic hydrogen in an extremely distant galaxy at redshift z=1.29, marking the largest distance so far. The signal was amplified by gravitational lensing, allowing the team to observe the galaxy's atomic hydrogen mass, which is almost twice its stellar mass.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 16, 2023

Astronomers capture radio signal from distant galaxy

Researchers detect radio signal from record-breaking distance galaxy, measuring gas composition and gaining insights into the early universe. The signal was amplified by a factor of 30 using gravitational lensing, allowing scientists to study a previously inaccessible region.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 16, 2023

Astronomers may have uncovered how galaxies change their shape

Researchers used AI to classify galaxies by their shape, leveraging the EAGLE simulation. The study suggests spiral galaxies lose gas as they merge with other galaxies, transforming into elliptical shapes. The findings bring together various pieces of research, providing a new understanding of galaxy evolution and morphology.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 16, 2022

Machine learning reveals how black holes grow

Using supercomputers and machine learning, researchers created simulations of millions of computer-generated universes to test astrophysical predictions. The study found that supermassive black holes grow in the same way as their host galaxies, revealing a long-elusive relationship.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2022

Discovering rare red spiral galaxy population from early universe with the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured infrared images of a population of red spiral galaxies at unprecedented resolution, revealing their morphology in detail. These galaxies are among the farthest known spiral galaxies and suggest that such spiral galaxies existed in large numbers in the early universe.

SourceWaseda University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 12, 2022

Black hole discovered firing jets at neighboring galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a rare system featuring a black hole spewing a jet at a neighboring galaxy, providing insights into radio jet feedback and its impact on star formation. The unique nature of RAD12 has allowed researchers to study the interaction between the black hole's jet and the companion galaxy.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 12, 2022

James Webb Space Telescope reveals new surprises on galaxy organic molecules near black holes

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can survive in the vicinity of supermassive black holes at the centers of active galaxies. This challenges previous studies that predicted their destruction, and reveals new insights into galaxy evolution.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 11, 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

How do galaxies evolve? A UMass Amherst undergrad may have provided the missing link

A UMass Amherst undergraduate student's work has provided key insight into how galaxies evolve, linking supermassive black hole growth to star formation. The study uses mid-infrared spectra to quantify the connection between these phenomena, paving the way for the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate galaxy evolution.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJul 21, 2022

Hubble Space Telescope captures largest near-infrared image to find universe’s rarest galaxies

The Hubble Space Telescope has released the largest near-infrared image ever taken, allowing researchers to map star-forming regions and understand how the earliest galaxies originated. This high-resolution survey will enable the identification of rare objects such as massive galaxies, highly active black holes, and colliding galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 6, 2022

Too many disk galaxies than theory allows

Researchers found that the number of flat disk galaxies in our universe exceeds predictions from the Standard Model of Cosmology. The discrepancy suggests that dark matter may not be as prevalent as thought, forcing scientists to reevaluate their understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 4, 2022

Infant stars identified at the center of our galaxy

Three young stars have been discovered at the center of our galaxy, contradicting initial assumptions about a gas and dust cloud called G2. The unusual temperature of G2 has sparked debate among astronomers, but new observations reveal it is actually composed of three evolving young stars.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2021

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

Light pollution makes crickets chirp in the daytime and may disrupt reproductive processes

Exposure to artificial light at night impairs crickets' activity cycles, disrupting their nocturnal chirping and potentially affecting reproduction. The study, conducted by researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Open University, highlights the need to reduce artificial light pollution to protect environmental behaviors.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateNov 2, 2021

Volcanic memories: black holes give shape to bubbles, rings and "intergalactic smoke" filaments

A team of researchers observed the evolution of warm gas coming from an active black hole for unprecedented detail, revealing structures reminiscent of volcanic eruptions. These gas bubbles, rings, and 'intergalactic smoke' filaments are formed when black holes consume surrounding matter and release energy, influencing galaxy evolution.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalNature Astronomy·DateOct 18, 2021