Study finds flat rotation curves of galaxies over vast distances

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Case Western Reserve University have uncovered new evidence that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of the universe. Tobias Mistele, a post-doctoral scholar in the Department of Astronomy at Case Western Reserve’s College of Arts and Sciences, has utilized a novel approach involving “gravitational lensing” to explore the elusive realm … Read more

Scientists generate relativistic plasmas on Earth

An international team of scientists has developed a novel way to experimentally produce plasma ‘fireballs’ on Earth. Black holes and neutron stars are among the densest known objects in the universe. Within and around these extreme astrophysical environments exist plasmas, the fourth fundamental state of matter alongside solids, liquids, and gases. Specifically, the plasmas at … Read more

Study explains bright radar reflections on Mars without liquid water

Cornell University researchers have provided a simple and comprehensive—if less dramatic—explanation for bright radar reflections initially interpreted as liquid water beneath the ice cap on Mars’ south pole. Their simulations show that small variations in layers of water ice—too subtle for ground-penetrating radar instruments to resolve—can cause constructive interference between radar waves. Such interference can … Read more

Galaxy cluster merger observations suggest collisional nature of dark matter

Contrary to the prevailing assumptions of the standard model, recent research suggests that dark matter may indeed be self-interacting. This groundbreaking study, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics and led by Riccardo Valdarnini of SISSA’s Astrophysics and Cosmology group, used numerical simulations to explore the dynamics within “El Gordo” (Spanish for “The Fat One”), a colossal … Read more

Astronomers discover the earliest and most distant galaxies with James Webb Space Telescope

An international team of astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery with the identification of the two earliest and most distant galaxies ever observed, dating back to just 300 million years after the Big Bang. This significant milestone in the study of the early universe was achieved using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The discoveries … Read more

New study identifies potentially temperate exoplanet gliese 12 b, 40 light-years from earth

Astronomers have made the rare and tantalizing discovery of an Earth-like exoplanet 40 light-years away that may be just a little warmer than our own world. The new paper “Gliese 12 b, A Temperate Earth-sized Planet at 12 Parsecs Discovered with TESS and CHEOPS,” has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. … Read more

Study suggests early supermassive black holes grew faster than their host galaxies

MIT astronomers have observed the elusive starlight surrounding some of the earliest quasars in the universe. The distant signals, which trace back more than 13 billion years to the universe’s infancy, are revealing clues to how the very first black holes and galaxies evolved. Quasars are the blazing centers of active galaxies, which host an … Read more

Researchers uncover potential discrepancy in gravity at cosmic scales

A group of researchers at the University of Waterloo and the University of British Columbia have uncovered a potential “cosmic glitch” in the fabric of the universe’s gravitational framework, shedding light on the peculiar behavior of gravity on a cosmic scale. Their findings, published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, challenge the long-standing … Read more

New technique determines age of “Lucy’s baby” asteroid at 2-3 million years old

An asteroid dubbed “Lucy’s baby” after a NASA spacecraft discovered it is orbiting another asteroid last November is,, in fact,, a solar system toddler—just 2–3 million years old, a Cornell-led research team estimates using novel statistical calculations. The team derived the age of Selam, a “moonlet” circling the small asteroid Dinkinesh in the main asteroid … Read more

Citizen scientists assist astronomers in discovery of exoplanet in habitable zone of binary star system

A team of astronomers and citizen scientists has discovered a planet in the habitable zone of an unusual star system, including two stars and potentially another exoplanet. The planet hunters spotted the Neptune-like planet as it crossed in front of its host star, temporarily dimming the star’s light in a way akin to a solar … Read more

The Search for Gravitational Lenses

The search for gravitational lenses is a fascinating endeavor in astronomy and cosmology that has revolutionized our understanding of the universe’s structure, composition, and evolution. Gravitational lenses are cosmic phenomena predicted by Einstein’s general theory of relativity, where the gravitational field of massive objects, such as galaxies or galaxy clusters, bends and distorts the paths … Read more

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Astronomy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of astronomy by enabling new approaches to data analysis, pattern recognition, and knowledge discovery. From processing vast amounts of observational data to enhancing simulations, AI techniques are enhancing our understanding of the universe and accelerating scientific discoveries. The role of AI in astronomy encompasses a wide range of … Read more

The Interstellar Medium: Cosmic Gas and Dust

The interstellar medium (ISM) is the vast expanse of gas and dust that fills the space between stars in galaxies. Comprising a complex mixture of elements, molecules, and particles, the ISM plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of stars, planets, and galaxies. Understanding the properties and dynamics of the interstellar medium is … Read more

James Webb Space Telescope reveals faster galaxy evolution and earlier bar formation in the universe

The universe’s early galaxies were less chaotic and developed much faster than previously thought, according to new research looking back more than ten billion years in time. An international team of astronomers led by Durham University, UK, has used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to find evidence of bar formation when the universe was … Read more

The Importance of Telescopes in Astronomy

Telescopes have been indispensable tools in the field of astronomy, revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos and shaping the course of scientific inquiry for centuries. From Galileo’s first observations of the Moon and planets to the modern-day marvels of space telescopes, these optical instruments have allowed astronomers to explore distant galaxies, study celestial phenomena, and … Read more

The Origin and Evolution of the Universe

The origin and evolution of the universe have fascinated humanity for millennia. Modern scientific theories, such as the Big Bang theory, provide a framework for understanding these cosmic processes. The universe began as an unimaginably dense and hot singularity around 13.8 billion years ago, expanding rapidly and cooling over time. Through cosmic inflation, galaxies, stars, … Read more

Cosmic Rays: High-Energy Particles from Space

Cosmic rays are high-energy particles originating from outer space that continuously bombard the Earth and other celestial bodies. These particles, which include protons, electrons, and atomic nuclei, carry immense amounts of energy and play a significant role in shaping the universe and influencing various processes on Earth. The study of cosmic rays encompasses a wide … Read more

Probing the Depths of Galactic Clusters

Galactic clusters, vast collections of galaxies bound together by gravity, are among the most intriguing and dynamic structures in the universe. These clusters contain thousands of galaxies, as well as vast amounts of dark matter, hot gas, and other cosmic phenomena. Probing the depths of galactic clusters offers valuable insights into the formation and evolution … Read more

Gravitational Waves: Ripples in Spacetime

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. Predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in 1915, these waves were detected for the first time in 2015, marking a revolutionary breakthrough in astrophysics and opening a new window … Read more

Hundreds of young stars discovered in dusty stellar nurseries

Astronomers from Armenia have delved into the mysteries of star formation by examining three distinct star-forming regions using data from space telescopes and astronomical surveys. Their study, recently published in the Astrophysics and Space Science journal on April 5, sheds light on the young stellar objects (YSOs) and the intricate dynamics within these cosmic nurseries. … Read more