Galaxy

NASA has released a huge new report that astronomers are calling Hubble’s magnum opus. Analyzing 30 years of data from the famous space telescope, the new study makes the most precise measurement yet of how fast the universe is expanding.

The Milky Way is one of the night sky’s most majestic subjects for photography, so it's the star of travel blog Capture the Atlas's annual competition. The 25 winning shots of this year’s Milky Way Photographer of the Year have now been unveiled.

Astronomers have discovered what may be the brightest pulsar in the sky. Despite its intense light the pulsar has long evaded detection, and was only revealed thanks to a telescope equipped with some cosmic “sunglasses.”

Astronomers have discovered the most distant object ever seen – a strange galaxy some 13.5 billion light-years away. Named HD1, the galaxy may house a never-before-seen population of stars, or a supermassive black hole mysteriously ahead of its time.

Astronomers have discovered a strange intergalactic ring that may be the first of its kind found. The large radio circle lurks between the Milky Way and a neighboring galaxy, and its discoverers suggest it may be the remains of an unusual supernova.

Astronomers may be a step closer to solving a cosmic mystery known as odd radio circles. New images, captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope, are the clearest and most detailed yet taken, narrowing down the list of suspects as to what creates them.

Data from DESI's first survey run has produced the largest and most detailed 3D map of the universe so far. The stunning image reveals the gigantic cosmic web of galaxies across billions of light-years – and the project is only just beginning.

The endless expanse of space is a beautiful and fascinating subject for photography. From the dramatic births and deaths of stars, to galactic glamor shots and planetary close-ups, here are some of the most breathtaking space photos of 2021.

Astronomers have discovered the closest known pair of supermassive black holes – and that record has two meanings. Not only are they the closest pair to Earth, but they’re the closest to each other as well, heading for an eventual monster merger.

Astronomers have spotted two “invisible” galaxies hiding near the dawn of the universe. The team used radio waves to peer behind a curtain of dust, and the find suggests that there were far more galaxies in the early universe than previously thought.

Normal matter has an “evil twin” that annihilates on contact, and despite decades of study antimatter remains very mysterious. So what actually is it? Where is it? Why is it important to understand? And why hasn’t it already destroyed the universe?

Astronomers have detected a strange radio source from near the center of the Milky Way. The signal repeats seemingly at random and can’t be attributed to any known astronomical object, leading the team to consider that it may be something brand new.