galaxies

Latest in galaxies

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

The Gaia space observatory traveling the Milky Way in an artist's rendition

See the stars from the Milky Way mapped as a dazzling rainbow See the stars from the Milky Way mapped as a dazzling rainbow

By Purbita Saha

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will look for dark energy and matter.

In NASA’s new video game, you are a telescope hunting for dark matter In NASA’s new video game, you are a telescope hunting for dark matter

By Tatyana Woodall

a purple spiral cluster galaxy with a bright center. a white streak points straight up

NASA recorded a black hole’s song, and you can listen to it NASA recorded a black hole’s song, and you can listen to it

By Tatyana Woodall

a space telescope with a large gold mirror made of many hexagons

The James Webb Space Telescope is almost ready to start blowing our minds The James Webb Space Telescope is almost ready to start blowing our minds

By Tatyana Woodall

Starburst galaxy in pastel colors in Hubble composite image

The most distant galaxy we’ve ever discovered might have closely followed the Big Bang The most distant galaxy we’ve ever discovered might have closely followed the Big Bang