galaxies

Latest in galaxies

A composite image of the Andromeda spiral galaxy

NASA offers dazzling new sights (and sounds) of the Andromeda galaxy NASA offers dazzling new sights (and sounds) of the Andromeda galaxy

This image shows a detailed, thousand-colour image of the Sculptor Galaxy captured with the MUSE instrument at ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). Regions of pink light are spread throughout this whole galactic snapshot, which come from ionised hydrogen in star-forming regions. These areas have been overlaid on a map of already formed stars in Sculptor to create the mix of pinks and blues seen here.

Sculptor Galaxy shines in 1,000 spectacular colors Sculptor Galaxy shines in 1,000 spectacular colors

By Laura Baisas

Image of dozens of galaxies taken by Hubble Space Telescope

NASA’s new space observatory is mapping the entire sky in 3D NASA’s new space observatory is mapping the entire sky in 3D

Nut’s cosmological vignette on the outer coffin of Nesitaudjatakhet in the collection of Odessa Archaeological Museum OAM 52976 (C107). Nut’s body is covered in stars as well as a thick, undulating black curve that runs from the soles of her feet to the tips of her fingers. This curve, surrounded by stars on both sides, is reminiscent of the Milky Way’s Great Rift. Credit: Mykola Tarasenko; Odessa Archaeological Museum, NASU

Tomb art suggests Egyptian sky goddess wore the Milky Way galaxy Tomb art suggests Egyptian sky goddess wore the Milky Way galaxy

The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope imaged these giant radio jets stretching 6 million light-years across with an enormous supermassive black hole at the heart of spiral galaxy J23453268-0449256. Could this cosmic anomaly hint at the future of our own Milky Way galaxy? Image via Bagchi and Ray et al/ Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope/ Royal Astronomical Society/

A terrifying fate may lurk inside the Milky Way A terrifying fate may lurk inside the Milky Way

This collage highlights a small selection of regions of the Milky Way imaged as part of the most detailed infrared map ever of our galaxy. Here we see, from left to right and top to bottom: NGC 3576, NGC 6357, Messier 17, NGC 6188, Messier 22 and NGC 3603. All of them are clouds of gas and dust where stars are forming, except Messier 22, which is a very dense group of old stars.

1.5 billion cosmic objects dazzle in the largest infrared Milky Way map ever created 1.5 billion cosmic objects dazzle in the largest infrared Milky Way map ever created

The central region of a spiral galaxy. Its core is a small bright point radiating bright, bluish-white light over the scene. The white light is diffuse and many point-like stars in the galaxy (and even background galaxies) can be seen through it. The galaxy’s arms can be seen as broad, swirling streaks of glowing gas and dust, coloured red and orange. Two additional arms are revealed in green

You’ve never seen a prettier radiation-spewing supermassive black hole You’ve never seen a prettier radiation-spewing supermassive black hole

By Laura Baisas

An artist’s concept of the Milky Way, which is a spiral galaxy that has a defined center. The spiral arms are made up of stars that can be wound tightly or loosely.

Elliptical galaxies may just be spiral galaxies with their arms lobbed off Elliptical galaxies may just be spiral galaxies with their arms lobbed off

By Laura Baisas

A radio telescope in Australia beneath the Milky Way.

Oldest radio burst ever found could tell us what exists between galaxies Oldest radio burst ever found could tell us what exists between galaxies

A purplish spiral galaxy with red and yellow space objects.

JWST takes a jab at the mystery of the universe’s expansion rate JWST takes a jab at the mystery of the universe’s expansion rate

By Briley Lewis

Iridescent Running Chicken Nebula with glowing gases and stars

31 award-winning astronomy photos: From fiery horizons to whimsical auroras 31 award-winning astronomy photos: From fiery horizons to whimsical auroras

By Annie Colbert

SPT2215 relaxed galaxy cluster in composite image by Chandra, Hubble, and other space instruments

Secrets of the early universe are hidden in this chill galaxy cluster Secrets of the early universe are hidden in this chill galaxy cluster

WR 145 star in pre-supernova state with white bright core and red and purple dust and matter clouding around it. Taken by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

James Webb Space Telescope captures the beauty of a rare, violent phenomena James Webb Space Telescope captures the beauty of a rare, violent phenomena

By Purbita Saha

Cluster of new Milky Way stars in hot and cold gas captured in X-ray and infrared by space telescopes

Young star clusters know when it’s time to stop growing Young star clusters know when it’s time to stop growing

By Purbita Saha

Black hole shooting beam of energy out speed of light and being caught by a space telescope in an illustration. There's an inset showing blue and purple electromagnetic waves,

Astronomers now know how supermassive black holes blast us with energy Astronomers now know how supermassive black holes blast us with energy

a panoramic view of the milky way galaxy

What would happen if the Milky Way died? What would happen if the Milky Way died?

By Tatyana Woodall

Ring galaxy with two small spiral galaxies to the left in red, blue, and yellow in a James Webb Space Telescope composite image

JWST’s latest snap captures the glimmering antics of the Cartwheel Galaxy JWST’s latest snap captures the glimmering antics of the Cartwheel Galaxy

By Purbita Saha

GLASS-z13 galaxy glowing red in hazy yellow stars from the James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam

Astronomers are already using James Webb Space Telescope data to hunt down cryptic galaxies Astronomers are already using James Webb Space Telescope data to hunt down cryptic galaxies

By Eva Botkin-Kowacki

Starry valley of Carina Nebula against dust and light on a bluish universe in a James Webb Space Telescope image

The James Webb Space Telescope’s first glimpses into deep space reveal 4 mind-blowing finds The James Webb Space Telescope’s first glimpses into deep space reveal 4 mind-blowing finds

By Maria Parazo Rose

Rogue black hole in Milky Way galaxy in an artist's rendition

‘Rogue black holes’ might be neither ‘rogue’ nor ‘black holes’ ‘Rogue black holes’ might be neither ‘rogue’ nor ‘black holes’

By Eva Botkin-Kowacki