Joint research led by Michiko Fujii of the University of Tokyo has unveiled a possible formation mechanism for intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in globular clusters. These clusters, which can contain tens of thousands to millions of tightly packed stars, have long been suspected to host IMBHs, but direct theoretical evidence has been lacking until now. … 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 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 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
Pulsars are cosmic lighthouses, beacons of intense radiation and magnetic fields that emit beams of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation as they rotate rapidly. These exotic objects, often referred to as neutron stars, are the remnants of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. Pulsars were first discovered in 1967 by astrophysicist Jocelyn … 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
Supernovae are some of the most powerful and cataclysmic events in the universe, representing the explosive deaths of massive stars and the birth of new cosmic phenomena. These cosmic explosions release vast amounts of energy and material into space, shaping the evolution of galaxies, enriching the interstellar medium with heavy elements, and producing some of … Read more
Nebulae are some of the most captivating and visually stunning objects in the cosmos, offering a window into the dynamic and complex processes of stellar birth, evolution, and death. These luminous clouds of gas and dust come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, each with its own unique characteristics and origins. Nebulae are … Read more
Stars are born and die in a continuous cycle, playing a fundamental role in the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the universe. The processes of star formation and stellar death are intricate and fascinating, involving a complex interplay of physical phenomena that span millions to billions of years. Understanding the birth and death of stars … Read more
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
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. It’s a cornerstone of modern physics, with profound implications for everything from cosmology to the behavior of particles. Einstein’s journey towards the theory of relativity began with his groundbreaking work on the special theory of relativity, published in 1905. Building on the foundational … Read more
Black holes are among the most intriguing and enigmatic objects in the universe, representing the mysterious endpoints of gravity’s relentless pull. These cosmic entities, born from the collapse of massive stars or through other astrophysical processes, possess such intense gravitational fields that not even light can escape their grasp. The concept of a black hole … Read more
In a groundbreaking collaboration spearheaded by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), astronomers have unraveled the enigmatic origins of blue supergiants, some of the most dazzling and scorching stars in the cosmos. These celestial behemoths have long puzzled scientists, but a recent study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, offers compelling insights into their … Read more
For the first time, scientists have been able to explain the mystery behind the unusual chemical composition in one of the universe’s most distant galaxies. The state-of-the-art theoretical model that the breakthrough research has established could be a key to our better understanding of the far universe. Professor Chiaki Kobayashi of the Centre for Astrophysics … Read more
The James Webb Space Telescope has made one of the most unexpected findings within its first year of service: A high number of faint little red dots in the distant universe could change the way we understand the genesis of supermassive black holes. The research, led by Jorryt Matthee, Assistant Professor in astrophysics at the … Read more
Utilizing the powerful capabilities of NASA’s Chandra X-ray spacecraft, astronomers have conducted a thorough investigation of a potential super-star cluster, designated HSO BMHERICC J72.971176-69.391112, affectionately known as H72.97−69.39. Their recent observations have unveiled a remarkable discovery: the presence of diffuse hot gas enveloping this intriguing cluster, as detailed in a paper published on the pre-print … Read more
A multinational collaboration of astronomers and astrophysicists recently unveiled groundbreaking evidence surrounding the luminous gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, which graced the cosmos with its brilliance last year. Contrary to earlier assumptions attributing such bursts to the demise of massive stars, the team’s findings, published in the esteemed journal Nature, indicate that this particular spectacle emanated … Read more
An international team, including Western astrophysicists Els Peeters and Jan Cami, has found the destruction and re-formation of a large quantity of water in a planet-forming disk located at the heart of the Orion Nebula. This discovery was made possible by an original multidisciplinary approach combining observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and … Read more
The recent findings from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have unveiled a new chapter in the cosmic saga surrounding Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), shedding light on the elusive presence of a neutron star at the heart of this stellar explosion. Situated 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, SN 1987A holds a special … Read more
For a long time, our understanding of the universe’s first galaxies leaned heavily on theory. The light from that age only reached us after traveling for billions of years, and on the way, it was obscured and stretched into the infrared. Clues about the first galaxies are hidden in that messy light. Now that we … Read more