galaxies
Latest about galaxies
Cosmic 'superbubbles' might be throwing entire galaxies into chaos, theoretical study hints
By Paul Sutter published
When there are multiple supernovas in the same galaxy, they can leave enormous voids that tamper with the balance between dark matter and regular matter. Over time, this can throw entire galaxies into chaos.
Black hole 'traffic jams' are forcing cosmic monsters to collide, new study finds
By Robert Lea published
Supermassive black holes may create conditions akin to "cosmic intersections with failed traffic lights" that make collisions between smaller stellar-mass black holes inevitable.
Enormous explosion in 'Cigar Galaxy' reveals rare type of star never seen beyond the Milky Way
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
An incredibly brief, ultrabright explosion has led astronomers to a newfound magnetic star outside the Milky Way, which could be the first of many extragalactic magnetars, according to new research.
Space photo of the week: James Webb telescope reveals surprising starburst in ancient galaxy
By Jamie Carter published
New infrared observations from the James Webb Space Telescope unveil a galaxy far, far away that's creating new stars.
13 billion-year-old 'streams of stars' discovered near Milky Way's center may be earliest building blocks of our galaxy
By Brandon Specktor published
Two gargantuan structures discovered near our galaxy's ancient heart may be some of the earliest building blocks of the Milky Way. Researchers have named them Shiva and Shakti.
Speck of light spotted by Hubble is one of the most enormous galaxies in the early universe, James Webb telescope reveals
By Robert Lea published
The ancient obect Gz9p3, which appeared as a single point of light through the Hubble Space Telescope, is actually one of the most enormous galaxies in the early universe, James Webb Space Telescope observations reveal.
James Webb telescope detects oldest 'dead' galaxy in the known universe — and its death could challenge cosmology
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected the oldest "dead" galaxy ever observed, at just 700 million years after the Big Bang. The stalled-out relic defies explanation by our current knowledge of the early cosmos.
James Webb telescope finds ancient galaxy larger than our Milky Way, and it's threatening to upend cosmology
By Ben Turner published
Astronomers believe the first galaxies formed around giant halos of dark matter. But a newly discovered galaxy dating to roughly 13 billion years ago mysteriously appeared long before that process should have occurred.
5 beguiling heart-shaped objects found in space
By Brandon Specktor published
From a 'potentially hazardous' asteroid to a pair of galaxies unable to quell their attraction, here are five of the most beautiful heart-shaped objects seen in space.
Stunning 'Einstein engagement ring' from the early universe is one of the oldest ever discovered
By Harry Baker published
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped a stunning photo of one of the most distant Einstein rings ever found. The luminous halo of light aligns perfectly with another galaxy, making it look like a cosmic engagement ring.
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