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VLT makes most precise test of Einstein's general relativity outside Milky Way

Using the MUSE instrument on ESO's VLT , researchers first calculated the mass of ESO 325-G004 by measuring the movement of stars within this nearby elliptical galaxy.

Jun 21st, 2018

Nearly 80 exoplanet candidates identified in record time

Search considered successful 'dress rehearsal' for exoplanet hunter TESS.

Jun 21st, 2018

Old star clusters could have been the birthplace of supermassive stars

A team of international astrophysicists may have found a solution to a problem that has perplexed scientists for more than 50 years: why are the stars in globular clusters made of material different to other stars found in the Milky Way?

Jun 21st, 2018

Researchers find last of universe's missing ordinary matter

Researchers have found the last reservoir of ordinary matter hiding in the universe.

Jun 20th, 2018

Hunting molecules to find new planets

An international team of astronomers makes planets visible by detecting molecules on their surface.

Jun 19th, 2018

New tech uses isomeric beams to study how and where the galaxy makes one of its most common elements

A new measurement using a beam of aluminum-26 prepared in a metastable state allows researchers to better understand the creation of the elements in our galaxy.

Jun 18th, 2018

Astronomer captures best ever evidence of rare black hole

New research shows the strongest evidence to date that this middle-of-the-road black hole exists, by serendipitously capturing one in action devouring an encountering star.

Jun 18th, 2018

Distant moons may harbor life

Astronomers have identified 121 giant planets that may have habitable moons.

Jun 14th, 2018

Dust clouds can explain puzzling features of active galactic nuclei

Mysterious features seen in light emitted from active galactic nuclei may be due to partial obscuration by dust clouds, according to new study.

Jun 14th, 2018

A new experiment to understand dark matter

This experiment already provides some improvement in constraining dark matter properties, but even more progress is promised by explorations in the centre of our Milky Way that are underway.

Jun 14th, 2018

New GAIA data reveals mergers in Milky Way

Astronomers have discovered relics of merger events in the Milky Way halo. Five small groups of stars appear to represent mergers with smaller galaxies, while a big 'blob' comprising hundreds of stars appears to be the remnant of a large merger event.

Jun 12th, 2018

The true power of the solar wind

Electrically charged particles from the sun strike moons and planets with great force. The consequences of these impacts can now be explained.

Jun 12th, 2018

Experiments help trace interstellar dust back to solar system's formation

Chemical studies show that dust particles originated in a low-temperature environment.

Jun 11th, 2018

Evidence of elusive charge-exchange process in galaxy clusters detected by comprehensive x-ray analysis

X-ray data from galaxy clusters points to electron-stripping process at hot and cold galactic interface.

Jun 8th, 2018

The disc of the Milky Way is bigger than we thought

Researchers have published a paper which suggests that if we could travel at the speed of light it would take us 200,000 years to cross the disc of our Galaxy.

Jun 7th, 2018

Researchers discover a system with three Earth-sized planets

Astronomers report the discovery of two new planetary systems, one of them hosting three planets with the same size of the Earth.

Jun 7th, 2018

How do you weigh a galaxy? Especially the one you're in?

Pinning down the mass of a galaxy may seem like an esoteric undertaking, but scientists think it holds the key to unraveling the nature of the elusive, yet-to-be-seen dark matter, and the fabric of our cosmos.

Jun 7th, 2018

Data discrepancies may affect understanding of the universe

One of the unsolved mysteries in modern science is why the expansion of the universe appears to be accelerating. As astrophysicists look for answers in the mountains of data gathered from astronomical observations, they are finding that inconsistencies in that data might ultimately lead to the truth.

Jun 6th, 2018