Image: Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured glowing cosmic dust heated by very young massive stars in unprecedented detail in this image of the Sagittarius B2 (Sgr B2) molecular cloud released on Sept. 24, 2025. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Euclid dataset of a million galaxies proves connection between galaxy mergers and AGN Astronomers have long debated the role of galaxy mergers in powering active supermassive black holes. Now an unprecedented dataset of a million galaxies from the Euclid telescope provides evidence that mergers play a dominant role and are even the primary trigger for the most luminous black holes. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Sun-watcher SOHO celebrates 30 years On 2 December 1995, the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) blasted into space—on what was supposed to be a two-year mission. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Newly discovered star opens ‘laboratory’ for solving cosmic dust mystery Seventy light-years from Earth, a star called Kappa Tucanae A harbors one of astronomy’s most perplexing mysteries: dust so hot it glows at more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, existing impossibly close to its host star, where it should have been vaporized or swiftly blown away. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Alaknanda: JWST discovers massive grand-design spiral galaxy from the universe’s infancy A spiral galaxy, shaped much like our Milky Way, has been found in an era when astronomers believed such well-formed galaxies could not yet exist. Two astronomers from India have identified a remarkably mature galaxy just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang—a discovery that challenges our understanding of how galaxies form and evolve. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Astronomers confirm low-luminosity active galactic nucleus in nearby galaxy NGC 3221 Using ESA’s XMM-Newton satellite, astronomers from Stanford University and elsewhere have conducted deep X-ray observations of a nearby galaxy known as NGC 3221. The new observational campaign detected a faint active galactic nucleus (AGN) in this galaxy and provided more insights into the properties of this system. The findings were presented November 23 on the pre-print server arXiv. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
New Radar Data Dries Up Hope For Subsurface Liquid Water On Mars Remember back in 2018 when there was a discovery of a briny “lake” underground near the Martian south pole? Pepperidge Farm probably does, and anyone that works there that’s interested in space exploration will be disappointed to hear that, whatever might be causing the radar signal that finding was based on, it’s most likely not a lake. At least according to new data collected by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and published recently in Geophysical Research Letters by lead author Gareth Morgan of the Planetary Science Institute and his colleagues. Universe Today GoRead More →
Do super-Jupiters look like Jupiter? Not necessarily, study shows Using images from the James Webb Space Telescope (Webb), an international research team including Western’s Stanimir Metchev has discovered new answers to explain how some brown dwarfs form giant dust storms, contradicting previous assumptions. These storms may look similar to Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot, but the new study, led by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, shows they actually form quite differently. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
UK space weather probe captures biggest solar radiation spike in almost 20 years New balloon-mounted space radiation probes developed by the Surrey Space Center at the University of Surrey have captured their first measurements of a major solar storm, confirming the research team’s model, which indicates the flare caused the highest levels of radiation at aviation altitude in almost two decades. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
The life-giving secret of protoplanetary disks? Dust. The complex molecules required for life on Earth might never have formed if it wasn’t for cosmic dust. Universe Today Go to SourceRead More →
The Universe Was Warm Before It Was Bright There is a period in the Universe known as the cosmic dark ages. It lies between the recombination of the first atoms and the ignition of the first stars, when the Universe was thought to be cold and dark. Now astronomers have looked at the faint glow of atomic hydrogen to find that while the Universe was dark, it wasn’t quite as cold as we thought. Universe Today Go to SourceRead More →
What time is it on Mars? Physicists have the answer. Ask someone on Earth for the time and they can give you an exact answer, thanks to our planet’s intricate timekeeping system, built with atomic clocks, GPS satellites and high-speed telecommunications networks. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Close brush with two hot stars millions of years ago left a mark just beyond our solar system Nearly 4.5 million years ago, two large, hot stars brushed tantalizingly close to Earth’s sun. They left behind a trace in the clouds of gas and dust that swirl just beyond our solar system—almost like the scent of perfume after someone has left the room. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
New code helps scientists map dark matter halos Dark matter and its impact on cosmology have puzzled physicists for nearly a century. At Perimeter Institute, two researchers are trying to better understand how one potential dark matter candidate, self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), could impact how cosmic structures evolve. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Helium leak discovered on the exoplanet WASP-107b An international team including astronomers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the National Center of Competence in Research PlanetS has observed giant clouds of helium escaping from the exoplanet WASP-107b. Obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope, these observations were modeled using tools developed at UNIGE. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Bipolar planetary nebula reveals rare open cluster association By analyzing the data from the SuperCOSMOS Hα Survey (SHS) and from the Gaia satellite, astronomers have inspected a bipolar planetary nebula designated PHR J1724-3859. Results of the study, published Nov. 19 on the arXiv pre-print server, deliver crucial insights into the properties of this nebula. phys.org Go to SourceRead More →
Did JWST Find an Exomoon or a Starspot? Searching for exomoons – moons the orbit around another planet – was one of the most exciting capabilities expected of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) when it launched in late 2021. So, after four years of operation, why hasn’t it found one yet? Turns out it’s really, really hard to find a moon around a planet light-years away. A new paper available in pre-print on arXiv from David Kipping of Columbia University (and Cool Worlds YouTube Channel fame) shows why. They used 60 hours of time on JWST’s NIRSpec instrument and weren’t able to definitively confirmRead More →
Icy Telescopes and Martian Lightning This episode it is a new bananza with discussion of the Thirty Metre Telescope, shenanigans on Mars, asymmetrical supernovae and more trouble in the world of cosmology. There is a Xmas Telescope buying guide as well as our monthly skyguide! Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & Dustin Awesome Astronomy Go to SourceRead More →
Jupiter’s Fast Rotation Creates Uneven Water Zones What can water in Jupiter’s atmosphere teach scientists about the planet’s composition? This is what a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences hopes to address as a team of scientists investigated the distribution of water with Jupiter’s atmosphere. This study has the potential to help scientists better understand Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics, composition, and evolutionary history. Universe Today Go to SourceRead More →
New Radiation-Proof Method Could Boost Space Solar Panels What steps can be taken to improve and enhance the lifetime of space solar cells? This is what a recent study published in Joule hopes to address as an international team of researchers investigated new methods for improving both the lifetime and performance of space solar cells from the harshness of space weather and radiation. This study has the potential to help scientists and engineers develop new space technologies, especially as several private companies and government organizations are extending their reach into space. Universe Today Go to SourceRead More →
