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
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 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
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
Nearly every massive galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole at its center. When two galaxies merge, their black holes can form a binary pair, meaning they are in a bound orbit with one another. It’s hypothesized that these binaries are fated to eventually merge, but this has never been observed. The question of whether such … Read more
Astronomers have discovered one of the most powerful eruptions from a black hole ever recorded. This mega-explosion billions of years ago may help explain the formation of a striking pattern of star clusters around two massive galaxies, resembling beads on a string. This discovery was made in the system known as SDSS J1531+3414 (SDSS J1531 … Read more
Using the powerful Magellan Telescopes in Chile, a team of Italian astronomers has turned their gaze toward the enigmatic giant galaxy cluster known as Abell 2744, affectionately dubbed the Pandora’s Cluster. Their findings, detailed in a paper published on February 13 via the preprint server arXiv, offer fresh insights into the intricate properties of this … Read more
New revelations from the depths of space have shaken the foundations of our understanding of galaxy formation and dark matter, thanks to groundbreaking observations of a colossal stellar population dating back more than 11 billion years—a phenomenon that defies existing models. Today’s publication in Nature unveils startling findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), … Read more
Theoretical predictions have been confirmed with the discovery of an outflow of molecular gas from a quasar when the universe was less than a billion years old. A quasar is a compact region powered by a supermassive black hole located in the center of a massive galaxy. They are extremely luminous, with a point-like appearance … Read more
Astrophysicists say they have found an answer to why spiral galaxies like our own Milky Way are largely missing from a part of our local universe called the Supergalactic Plane. The Supergalactic Plane is an enormous, flattened structure extending nearly a billion light years across in which our own Milky Way galaxy is embedded. While … Read more
The Hubble Space Telescope captured a mesmerizing image of the spiral galaxy NGC 1566, affectionately known as the “Spanish Dancer Galaxy.” NGC 1566, much like another recent subject, is categorized as a weakly-barred or intermediate spiral galaxy, meaning it doesn’t definitively exhibit a bar-shaped structure at its core. This galaxy earned its nickname due to … Read more
Astronomers have stumbled upon an intriguing cosmic enigma in the nearby supermassive galaxy known as M87. In the vast expanse of this galaxy, novae, which are stellar explosions resulting from one star siphoning material from its neighbor, are not an uncommon sight. What’s particularly captivating is M87’s colossal plasma jet that emanates from its galactic … Read more
In 1915, Albert Einstein reshaped our understanding of the universe through his groundbreaking theory of General Relativity. Instead of perceiving space as a passive backdrop for celestial bodies, Einstein revealed that space and time themselves were dynamic, engaging in an intricate interplay with matter and light. Einstein’s equations elucidated how celestial objects like stars and … Read more
Scientists have long pondered the evolution of galaxies, yet the early stages of their formation remained veiled in cosmic enigma. An international consortium, featuring researchers from Kyoto University and Saint Mary’s University, has recently unveiled a nascent galaxy, made visible through the remarkable lens of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This infant galaxy presents … Read more
Streams of gas, akin to rivers feeding vast oceans, nurture galaxies scattered across the cosmos. These streams, part of the enigmatic cosmic web, have remained elusive due to their faintness. While astronomers have been aware of the cosmic web for decades, its direct imaging, particularly in the darkest cosmic regions, has eluded them—until now. The … Read more
An international team of astronomers, led by Brenda L. Frye from the Steward Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, recently utilized the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0, affectionately referred to as G165. Their observations led to the exciting discovery of a new Type I supernova, named “SN H0pe,” and their … Read more
In a recent breakthrough reported in The Astrophysical Journal, scientists have unveiled an unprecedented level of detail regarding the distribution of enigmatic dark matter, scrutinizing it on a minuscule scale of 30,000 light-years. This discovery furnishes crucial constraints shedding light on the enigma of dark matter. Dark matter, a perplexing cosmic ingredient, comprises the majority … Read more
An international team of astronomers, led by Sirio Belli from the University of Bologna, employed the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to deeply study a distant galaxy known as COSMOS-1142. This galaxy, located at a redshift of 2.445, has caught their attention due to its intriguing characteristics. COSMOS-11142 is a massive galaxy with a half-light … Read more
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcases the immense Abell 3322 cluster, featuring the galaxy 2MASX J05101744-4519179 at its center. This remote galaxy cluster is a bright source of X-rays, offering insight into dark and luminous matter interplay within clusters. Studying such clusters enhances our comprehension of cosmic evolution. Furthermore, they unveil gravitational lenses, augmenting our … Read more