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A new proposal suggests a massive "interferometer" spanning kilometers could finally detect the first moon orbiting another world.
We know they must exist, but we can't see them. A new proposal suggests a massive "interferometer" spanning kilometers could finally detect the first moon orbiting another world.
We know they must exist, but we can't see them. A new proposal suggests a massive "interferometer" spanning kilometers could finally detect the first moon orbiting another world.
Jan 71 min read


New research shows these 10-billion-sun monsters break the standard laws of galactic measurement.
There are Supermassive Black Holes, and then there are Ultra-Massive ones. New research shows these 10-billion-sun monsters break the standard laws of galactic measurement.
The Standard Rule: Astronomers use the "M-sigma relation" to weigh black holes. It says that the faster stars orbit in the galaxy's core (Sigma), the heavier the black hole (M).
Jan 71 min read


70% of stars are Red Dwarfs. They host most Earth-sized planets
70% of stars are Red Dwarfs. They host most Earth-sized planets. But their violent temper tantrums might make life impossible—or create it.
M-dwarfs (Red Dwarfs) are small, so their habitable zones are very close. This puts planets directly in the line of fire for Superflares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs).
Jan 71 min read


Hubble has confirmed the existence of "Cloud-9," a primordial cloud of dark matter and gas that failed to ignite into a galaxy
Hubble has confirmed the existence of "Cloud-9," a primordial cloud of dark matter and gas that failed to ignite into a galaxy. It is a ghost from the early universe.
"This is a tale of a failed galaxy," says investigator Alejandro Benitez-Llambay.
The Object: Cloud-9 is a "RELHIC" (Reionization-Limited H I Cloud). It contains 1 million solar masses of hydrogen gas and 5 billion solar masses of Dark Matter.
Jan 71 min read


ALMA has dissected the "GoHam" system, revealing the ingredients for a new solar system.
It looks like a burger, but it's actually a giant planet factory. ALMA has dissected the "GoHam" system, revealing the ingredients for a new solar system.
We see GoHam "edge-on," which gives us a perfect cross-section view.
The Patty (Dust): Heavy millimeter-sized dust grains settle in the middle (the midplane).
Jan 71 min read


A black hole has shredded a massive star, releasing 400 billion times the energy of the Sun
A black hole has shredded a massive star, releasing 400 billion times the energy of the Sun in a rare "Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient" (LFBOT).
Astronomers call it AT2024wpp. We call it "The Whippet."
It wasn't a standard orbit. A massive companion star wandered too close to a black hole. The gravity didn't just swallow the star; it shredded it.
Jan 71 min read


We look for life around Sun-like stars, but "K Dwarfs" might be the true havens of the galaxy
We look for life around Sun-like stars, but "K Dwarfs" might be the true havens of the galaxy. A new comprehensive survey maps our best cosmic neighbors.
When hunting for life, astronomers classify stars by size and temperature.
G-Dwarfs (Like our Sun): Great, but they burn out relatively quickly (10 billion years) and are somewhat rare.
Jan 71 min read


New data reveals early galaxies grew up shockingly fast
"It's like seeing 2-year-old children act like teenagers." New data reveals early galaxies grew up shockingly fast.
When the universe was just 1 billion years old (a toddler in cosmic terms), galaxies were expected to be messy blobs of hydrogen and helium.
Jan 71 min read


Scientists using JWST have found a cosmic mishmash that breaks the rules of the early universe
It looks like a star. It acts like a galaxy. Scientists using JWST have found a cosmic mishmash that breaks the rules of the early universe.
When researchers at Mizzou analyzed deep-space images from JWST, they found something baffling.
The Look: Visually, these objects are "point-like." They look exactly like stars or quasars (bright active black holes).
Jan 71 min read


Europa: A new study suggests it might be a cold, dead world of silence.
Scientists have long hoped Europa's ocean floor is bustling with volcanic vents sustaining alien life. A new study suggests it might be a cold, dead world of silence.
To understand Europa, we must look at its neighbor, Io. Io is tortured by Jupiter's gravity, which kneads the moon like dough, melting its rock and creating massive volcanoes.
Jan 71 min read


Is it an alien probe or just a rock? The Green Bank Telescope listened closer than ever before
Is it an alien probe or just a rock? The Green Bank Telescope listened closer than ever before. Here is what they found.
First discovered in July 2025, 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object (ISO) ever seen entering our solar system, following 'Oumuamua and Borisov.
While it looks like a comet (it has a tail/coma), its interstellar origin sparked wild rumors: Could it be an alien probe?
Dec 31, 20251 min read


Astronomers are ringing in the new era of astrophysics with a galaxy cluster that looks like a celebration.
Astronomers are ringing in the new era of astrophysics with a galaxy cluster that looks like a celebration. But beneath the bubbles lies a violent history of collision.
Officially named RM J130558.9+263048.4, this cluster earned its festive nickname for two reasons: it was discovered on New Year's Eve, and it bears a striking resemblance to a glass of sparkling wine.
Dec 31, 20251 min read
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