Cosmology is the scientific study of the large-scale properties of the universe as a whole. It aims to understand the origin, evolution, structure, and eventual fate of the universe. By examining cosmic phenomena such as the Big Bang, cosmic microwave background radiation, dark matter, and dark energy, cosmologists develop theories and models that explain how … Read more
The quest for a Theory of Everything (TOE) is one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors, aiming to unify all fundamental forces and particles in a single, all-encompassing theoretical framework. This grand vision seeks to bridge the gap between the two main pillars of modern physics: General Relativity, which describes the macroscopic world of gravity … Read more
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 from India and South Africa have made significant strides in understanding the massive galaxy cluster known as Abell 2566 through data analysis from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Their research, reported in a paper published on May 17 on the preprint server arXiv, reveals the presence of sloshing cold fronts within the intracluster medium (ICM) … Read more
On July 1, 2023, Euclid, a unique European space telescope was launched from Cape Canaveral. The launch was undoubtedly the highlight of my career as an astronomer, but witnessing the result of years of work being put on a rocket is not for the faint of heart. Following a perfect launch, Euclid swiftly arrived to … Read more
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
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
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 future of space exploration holds tremendous promise and excitement, with ambitious plans, innovative technologies, and international collaborations poised to expand humanity’s reach into the cosmos. From returning humans to the Moon and exploring Mars to venturing deeper into the solar system and beyond, the next era of space exploration is set to unlock new … Read more
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
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
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 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
Quasars, short for “quasi-stellar radio sources,” are among the most enigmatic and fascinating objects in the cosmos. They are incredibly bright and energetic, emitting radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays and gamma rays. Quasars are powered by the accretion of material onto supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, … Read more
The dance of galaxies in the cosmic web is a mesmerizing spectacle of cosmic structure and evolution, revealing the intricate interplay of gravity, dark matter, and cosmic forces shaping the large-scale distribution of galaxies in the universe. The cosmic web is a vast network of filaments, voids, and clusters that connect galaxies across cosmic distances, … Read more
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 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
Embarking on a journey to the edge of the universe is an awe-inspiring concept that captures the imagination and curiosity of humanity. While our current technology limits our physical exploration to the confines of our solar system, the realms beyond hold mysteries and wonders waiting to be discovered. Our journey begins on Earth, our home … Read more
Dark matter is one of the most mysterious and elusive substances in the universe. Despite making up approximately 27% of the total mass-energy content of the cosmos, its nature remains largely unknown. Scientists have been working tirelessly for decades to unravel the secrets of dark matter, aiming to understand its properties, distribution, and role in … Read more
Scientists at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) and their international collaborators have recently developed a new method for efficiently extracting information from galaxy surveys. Their research results are published in the journal Communications Physics. Massive galaxy redshift surveys are powerful tools for probing the universe in this era of precision cosmology. By … Read more