Anne Leckie Shines in New Sci-Fi Novel ‘Radiant Star’ – A Must-Read for Sci-Fi Fans

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Planet Aaa: A World Without a Star

Mehau Kulyk/Science Photo Library/Alamy

Radiant Star
by Anne Leckie, Orbit Books UK

Since the groundbreaking debut of Ancillary Justice in 2013, Anne Leckie has emerged as a formidable talent in the realm of science fiction. Following swiftly were her acclaimed sequels, Auxiliary Sword and Imperial Mercy, completing the Imperial Radch trilogy which garnered numerous prestigious science fiction awards.

Leckie’s exploration of the genre continued with her shift toward independent novels set in the Radch universe. Although I have yet to dive into Raven Tower, I thoroughly enjoyed her intriguing standalone, Translation Status, which dissects both death and life through Leckie’s clever, yet chilling, Pleasure Aliens. Now, her latest addition to the Imperial Radch saga, Radiant Star, has just hit the shelves this month.

Radiant Star unfolds on the extraordinary planet Aaa, where its inhabitants have been compelled to dig into the underground city of Oioia after losing their sun.

This subterranean city is highly introverted, centering around a unique religious site known as the Temporal Location of the Shining Star, filled with enigmatic “saints” who may just be lifeless remains. Beyond this sacred site, the city teems with political nuances—marked by a peculiar dependence on onions (which becomes crucial as the story progresses).

“
The drama that unfolds as the Latch Empire collapses and famine strikes across the planet feels entirely believable.
“

One fateful day, Radchai, the ruler of the Latch universe, decides to annex this sunless world. The sentient spaceship, the Justice of Alva, suddenly materializes from the “Gate Universe,” alerting Aaa’s residents to impending changes. Onboard is Governor Charak Suvo, who arrives to govern Aaa while utilizing enslaved human bodies as his enforcers. However, the story takes a turn when an incident isolates the planet from the galaxy, complicating Charak’s governance.

Is Radiant Star a worthwhile read? Absolutely. Leckie’s world-building, intricate details, and ability to quickly develop relatable characters shine throughout the narrative. Her writing exudes confidence, wit, and an authentic dialogue style that resonates. The unfolding events on Aaa are compelling as the Latch Empire crumbles, leading to famine gripping the planet.

However, this book may cater more to established fans rather than newcomers to the Radch universe. Oioia feels quite claustrophobic, with much of the plot unfolding through political meetings rather than adventurous exploits. The city’s layered political and religious factions, while impressively developed, might not be the most engaging companions when contrasted with characters like Ambassador Pleasure.

Personally, I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the ship’s Justice character or perhaps more focus on one of the quirky local inhabitants instead of the many less congenial natives. Still, as a devoted follower of Leckie, I eagerly absorb every word she presents. Her prowess positions her among the elite authors in science fiction, and Radiant Star stands as a quieter yet significant piece in her repertoire.

While this novel may not be the brightest star in the Imperial Radch galaxy, it certainly makes a notable addition to Leckie’s distinguished collection in this universe.

Additional Recommendations

Platform Decay
by Martha Wells

The latest installment in our beloved Murderbot series is launching this month. I find myself reading Murderbot’s inner thoughts in Alexander Skarsgård’s voice ( Adaptation on Apple TV), making it even more captivating.

Emily H. Wilson, author of the Sumerian series—Inanna, Gilgamesh, Ninshubar—currently published by Titan, is also working on her first science fiction novel. Formerly an editor at New Scientist, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyhwilson1.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Stunning Hubble Image: NGC 3137 Spiral Galaxy Brimming with Brilliant Star Clusters

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have obtained a stunning image of the spiral galaxy NGC 3137, situated in the constellation Antolia.

This Hubble image showcases NGC 3137, a spiral galaxy approximately 53 million light-years away in the constellation Antolia. Image credits: NASA / ESA / Hubble / D. Tilker / PHANGS-HST Team.

NGC 3137, also known as LEDA 29530, UGCA 203, and ESO 435-47, boasts a diameter of 140,000 light-years.

This magnificent galaxy was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on February 5, 1837.

Experts from Hubble state, “At the heart of NGC 3137, enveloped by a network of fine, dusty clouds, lies a black hole estimated to be 60 million times the mass of the Sun.”

“This spiral galaxy’s unique tilt offers an exceptional view of its elegant, feather-like spiral arms.”

“While the myriad of features is astonishing, it’s the galaxy’s brilliant star clusters that truly captivate observers.”

“Dotted with dense clusters of luminous blue stars and radiant red gas clouds, this galaxy indicates the presence of lively young stars still enveloped in their birth nebulae.”

“Unsurprisingly, these star clusters have drawn Hubble’s keen eye.”

This captivating image of NGC 3137 was captured as part of the PHANGS (Physics at High Angular Resolution in Nearby Galaxies)-HST program, which is dedicated to studying 55 star clusters in nearby galaxies.

The data gathered assists astronomers in identifying star clusters and the glowing nebulae surrounding them, providing insight into the ages of stars within galaxies like NGC 3137.

These observations reveal a detailed panorama of stellar life in spiral galaxies, from nascent stars undergoing formation to ancient stellar populations that developed in the early epochs of their galactic host.

“NGC 3137 is particularly intriguing for astronomers as it moves through space alongside a group of galaxies thought to resemble the Local Group, which includes our Milky Way,” they noted.

“Similar to the Local Group, the NGC 3175 group comprises two large spiral galaxies: NGC 3137 and NGC 3175, which Hubble also examines.”

“The major constituents of the Local Group include the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy.”

“In addition to these two prominent spiral galaxies, both groups contain numerous small dwarf galaxies; however, the precise number of small galaxies within the NGC 3175 group remains uncertain.”

“By investigating this nearby galaxy group, astronomers can glean valuable insights into the dynamics of our galactic home.”

Source: www.sci.news

Discovery of the Most Primitive Star by Astronomy Students: A Breakthrough in Stellar Evolution

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Exciting new findings reveal that the star SDSS J0715-7334, formed in the halo of the Large Magellanic Cloud, migrated to the Milky Way billions of years ago, as uncovered by a dedicated team of undergraduate students at the University of Chicago.

Milky Way Galaxy illustrating the position of SDSS J0715-7334. The red line represents the star’s path, while the blue line indicates the expected trajectory for stars formed in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Image credits: Vedant Chandra / SDSS Collaboration / ESA / Gaia / A. Moitinho, AF Silva, M. Barros, C. Barata, University of Lisbon / H. Savietto, Fork Research.

The Big Bang initiated the universe, creating a hot, dense soup of energetic particles.

As the universe expanded, this primordial material cooled, leading to the formation of neutral hydrogen gas.

Denser regions of this gas collapsed under gravity after hundreds of millions of years, resulting in the birth of the universe’s first stars made of hydrogen and helium.

These ancient stars burned brightly but lived fast, generating heavier elements through nuclear fusion, which were dispersed into the cosmos upon their explosive deaths.

This enriched material then contributed to the formation of subsequent stars that were diverse in their elemental composition.

“Heavy elements, referred to as metals by astronomers, were produced through stellar activities, including nuclear fusion and supernova blasts,” noted Alex Gee, a professor at the University of Chicago.

“The discovery of a star with extremely low metal content indicated to the students that they had found something extraordinary.”

SDSS J0715-7334 is remarkable, containing only 0.005% of the metal content found in our Sun, making it the least metallic star ever recorded, surpassing the previous record holder by over double.

This star, identified using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), is located approximately 80,000 light-years from Earth.

Its orbital analysis confirms its origin in the Large Magellanic Cloud, from where it journeyed into the Milky Way billions of years ago.

“This ancient celestial traveler provides invaluable insights into the conditions of the early universe,” said Professor Gee.

“Big data initiatives like SDSS empower students to take part in groundbreaking discoveries.”

“We studied a variety of elements within this star, and we found all of them to have very low abundances,” explained Ha Do, one of the University of Chicago students involved in the discovery.

The team’s research paper is published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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AP via others. A near-primitive star from the Large Magellanic Cloud. Nat Astron published online on April 3, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02816-7

Source: www.sci.news

We Might Have Witnessed the First-Ever Explosive Event of a ‘Dirty Fireball’ Star

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Dying stars can emit powerful jets of radiation, as represented by artistic impressions

Credit: Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy

Dying stars emitting powerful jets of radiation — Dying stars can emit powerful jets of radiation, as represented by artistic impressions

Credit: Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy

Astronomers believe they have observed a “dirty fireball” explosion for the first time, originating from a dying star. This discovery may enhance our understanding of how massive stars perish.

When a colossal star exhausts its fuel, it collapses and can explode in various forms. For instance, a collapsing black hole may emit a jet of intense radiation that penetrates the star, resulting in a brief but powerful burst of high-energy light known as a gamma-ray burst.

These gamma-ray bursts are among the most explosive events in the universe, with their energy output equivalent to that of multiple small stars like the Sun over their entire lifespan. However, astronomers remain uncertain about the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon and how variations among massive stars impact these jets.

Researchers theorize that if a jet is contaminated with denser materials from the star, such as protons or neutrons, it might produce different emissions. These heavy particles can absorb energy, causing the jet to emit X-rays instead of gamma rays. Up until now, this “dirty fireball” scenario has not been documented.

Wang Xiang Yu and his team at Nanjing University, China, utilized the innovative Einstein Probe space telescope to capture an X-ray flash named EP241113a that aligns with the dirty fireball hypothesis.

The team detected a bright flash emanating from a galaxy approximately 9 billion light-years away. This flash contained energy similar to that of a gamma-ray burst, but interestingly, it emitted X-ray frequencies instead. The initial explosion transitioned into a glow that persisted for several hours, eventually tapering off, akin to what is observed in standard gamma-ray bursts.

“This discovery holds tremendous potential,” states Laana Starling from the University of Leicester, UK. “[Dirty fireballs] have been theorized since the 1990s, yet conclusive evidence has been lacking.”

While thousands of gamma-ray bursts have been cataloged, the event leading to this particular observation could differ fundamentally from the others, posits Stirling. It may involve a black hole or neutron star interacting with the jet in profound ways. “If a black hole is involved, it could provide a more comprehensive understanding of black hole formation throughout the cosmos,” she adds.

This finding suggests that the gamma-ray bursts commonly detected may be a result of observational biases, indicating that numerous other similar or less intense outbursts could exist, according to Gavin Lamb from Liverpool John Moores University, UK. “There’s a significant possibility this activity will persist until the jets diminish.”

Nevertheless, he is cautious about confirming it as a dirty fireball, as noted by Om Sharan Salafia from Brera Observatory, Italy. “We first need to verify if the explosion indeed originated from as distant a galaxy as Wang’s team suggests. If all these factors hold true, then this transient event certainly presents intriguing puzzles,” he concludes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Two Protoplanets Forming in Dusty Disk Around Nearby Young Star: Key Discoveries in Planet Formation

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and VLT Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile have made groundbreaking discoveries by directly observing two giant gas planets forming within a planet-forming disk around the star Whispit 2. This research offers one of the most detailed insights into planetary system formation to date, highlighted by distinctive gaps and rings of surrounding material, which suggest the likelihood of additional alien worlds in the vicinity.

Images captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope illustrate a young planetary system orbiting the star WISPIT 2. Image credit: ESO / Lawlor and colleagues.

“WISPIT 2 represents our clearest glimpse into the early stages of planetary formation,” stated Dr. Chloe Lawler, a researcher from Galway University.

“This discovery enables us to study entire planetary systems, rather than just individual planets in isolation,” noted Dr. Christian Ginski, also associated with the University of Galway.

“Such observations are crucial for enhancing our understanding of how nascent planetary systems evolve into mature systems like our own,” he added.

The first protoplanet found in the WISPIT 2 system, designated WISPIT 2b, was identified last year and has a mass nearly five times that of Jupiter, orbiting at a distance approximately 60 times that between the Earth and the Sun.

“Discovering this new world in formation showcases the remarkable capabilities of our current astronomical instruments,” commented Dr. Richelle van Capelveen from the Leiden Observatory.

Subsequent observations detected additional objects near WISPIT 2, with measurements from the VLT and VLTI confirming their planetary nature.

The newly identified planet, WISPIT 2c, is located four times closer to its host star and is twice as massive as WISPIT 2b.

Both planets are gas giants, akin to the outer planets in our solar system.

To validate WISPIT 2c, astronomers employed the SPHERE instrument on the VLT, followed by VLTI’s GRAVITY+ instrument to confirm it as a planet.

“Our study leveraged recent enhancements to GRAVITY+, which were essential for detecting such a clear planet in proximity to its star,” stated Dr. Guillaume Bourdaro from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.

Both planets orbiting WISPIT 2 manifest in distinct gaps within the surrounding dust and gas disk, a phenomenon caused by each planet’s gravitational influence.

The material remaining around each gap forms unique dust rings within the disk composition.

In addition to the gaps hosting the two planets, at least one smaller gap exists further out in the WISPIT 2 disk.

“This narrower and shallower gap may indicate the presence of a third planet, possibly with a mass akin to Saturn,” Lawler speculated.

The findings are set to be detailed in an upcoming article in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Chloe Lawler and colleagues. 2026. Direct spectroscopy confirmation of the young embedded protoplanet WISPIT 2c. APJL 1000, L38; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae4b3b

Source: www.sci.news

Supergiant Star Transitions to Hotter Phase: A Rare Astronomical Discovery

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

In-depth observations of WOH G64, previously regarded as the most extreme red supergiant star in our galaxy, have uncovered significant changes, suggesting it may have shed parts of its outer layers while transitioning into a hotter, rarer stellar phase.

Artist’s reconstruction of the red supergiant star WOH G64. Image credit: ESO/L. Calçada.

Red supergiant stars, exceeding eight times the mass of the Sun, boast relatively short lifespans of merely 1 to 10 million years before culminating in a spectacular supernova explosion.

Despite their brightness, the evolutionary trajectories and ultimate fates of the universe’s most luminous red supergiants remain unclear.

Discovered in the 1980s, WOH G64 has been recognized as one of the brightest, largest, and coolest red supergiants within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy located approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth.

To explore the evolution of WOH G64, Dr. Gonzalo Muñoz Sánchez from the National Astronomical Observatory of Athens and his team analyzed over 30 years of brightness data, commencing in 1992, using both recent and archived electromagnetic spectra.

The research indicated that the star experienced rapid fluctuations: it dimmed in 2011, then rebounded, transforming into a yellower hue and increasing in temperature by over 1,000 degrees Celsius between 2013 and 2014.

In 2025, WOH G64 experienced a significant dimming, accompanied by alterations in its atmospheric chemistry.

This image, captured by ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer’s GRAVITY instrument, showcases the red supergiant star WOH G64. Image credit: ESO/Ohnaka et al., doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451820.

Astronomers have proposed two possible explanations for these developments.

“First, WOH G64 could be part of a binary system where a red supergiant star transformed into a yellow supergiant due to interactions that expelled part of its atmosphere,” the researchers noted.

“Alternatively, the yellow supergiant may have experienced an eruption of red material lasting several decades, culminating in 2014.”

“This discovery raises intriguing questions about the nature of extreme red supergiants like WOH G64 and whether they are predominantly interacting binaries, which might prevent single stars from reaching such extreme conditions,” the researchers concluded.

The future interactions of WOH G64 will ultimately determine whether it explodes as a supernova, collapses into a black hole, or merges with a companion star.

For further details, refer to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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G. Munoz-Sanchez et al. A dramatic transformation from the very red supergiant WOH G64 to a yellow supergiant. Nat Astron, published online on February 23, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-026-02789-7

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Discover Neutron Star Collision in Surprising Cosmic Environment

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have utilized NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory along with other advanced telescopes to investigate a transient gamma-ray burst event known as GRB 230906A. This burst originated from a faint dwarf galaxy hidden within a vast flow of intergalactic gas. The discovery indicates that neutron star mergers—violent collisions responsible for producing heavy elements like gold and platinum—can occur far away from the luminous centers of galaxies, which may elucidate why some bursts appear to lack a defined host galaxy.

GRB 230906A originated in a small galaxy in a gas stream approximately 4.7 billion light-years from Earth. Image credit: NASA / CXC / Pennsylvania State University / S. Dichiara / ESA / STScI / ERC BHianca 2026 / Fortuna and Dichiara, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 / SAO / P. Edmonds.

A neutron star is the remnants left after a massive star depletes its nuclear fuel, collapses, and violently explodes.

Despite their compact size, neutron stars possess a mass greater than our Sun and are incredibly dense.

These celestial bodies are considered among the most extreme entities in the universe.

In recent years, astronomers have gathered evidence of neutron star mergers occurring within larger galaxies.

However, this recent revelation highlights that neutron star collisions can also take place within smaller galaxies.

“Discovering a neutron star collision in such an unexpected location is a pivotal moment for our field,” stated Dr. Simone DiChiara, an astronomer from Pennsylvania State University.

“This finding may hold the key to resolving two significant mysteries in astrophysics.”

The first question this groundbreaking neutron star collision site may clarify is why gamma-ray bursts from neutron star mergers often do not appear at the central regions of galaxies.

The second mystery this discovery could illuminate concerns the presence of heavy elements like gold and platinum in stars located far from a galaxy’s core.

This neutron star collision is intriguingly situated in a gas stream spanning approximately 600,000 light-years, originating from a diminutive galaxy about 4.7 billion light-years away.

This gas flow likely emerged hundreds of millions of years ago during a galactic collision that stripped gas and dust from the involved galaxies, leaving remnants in intergalactic space.

“Our discovery reveals a collision within a collision,” remarked Dr. Eleonora Troja of the University of Rome.

“The merging of galaxies instigated a surge of star formation, ultimately leading to the birth and subsequent collision of neutron stars over millions of years.”

To identify the GRB 230906A phenomenon, which occurred on September 6, 2023, astronomers employed multiple NASA telescopes, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Fermi detected neutron star collisions by recognizing the characteristic gamma-ray burst (GRB) signals.

Following initial location analysis by the interplanetary network, the precise location of the object was further defined using the advanced observational capabilities of Chandra, Swift, and Hubble.

NASA’s initiative is part of a growing global network dedicated to monitoring cosmic phenomena to uncover the secrets of the universe.

“Chandra’s pinpoint accuracy in X-ray localization made this research possible,” said Dr. Brendan O’Connor, a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University.

“Without this data, connecting the burst to a specific cosmic source would have been unattainable.”

“Once Chandra provided us with a precise location, Hubble’s exceptional sensitivity unveiled a small, faint galaxy in that area.”

“We managed to achieve this groundbreaking discovery by synergizing various research elements.”

This insight might elucidate why certain GRBs seem to lack identifiable host galaxies.

It suggests that some host galaxies may be too diminutive to be discerned in standard optical surveys conducted by ground-based observatories.

GRB 230906A’s unusual positioning could also contribute to the understanding of how astronomers found heavy elements like gold and platinum in stars situated far from their galaxy centers.

These stars are generally believed to have formed from older gas that had less opportunity to accumulate heavy elements from supernova events.

Collisions between neutron stars can synthesize heavy elements, including gold and platinum, via various nuclear reactions, similar to those observed in a well-documented neutron star collision from 2017.

Events like GRB 230906A can produce such elements that eventually disperse throughout the galactic outskirts and can appear in future generations of stars.

Another potential explanation for this explosion is its positioning within a more distant galaxy located behind the cluster of galaxies.

“We consider this a less likely explanation compared to the presence of small galaxies,” the researchers concluded.

This groundbreaking finding is detailed in the research paper published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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S. Dichiara et al. 2026. A merger within a merger: Chandra identifies short GRB 230906A in exceptional circumstances. APJL 999, L42; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae2a2f

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring NGC 5134: Mr. Webb’s Star Factory Spirals Unveiled

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

An astronomer at NASA/ESA/CSA has utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to capture breathtaking infrared images of the spiral galaxy NGC 5134.

This infrared image showcases spiral galaxy NGC 5134, situated approximately 65 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Webb / A. LeRoy.

The NGC 5134 galaxy is located around 65 million light-years from Earth, making it a significant celestial object in the Virgo constellation.

Also referred to as ESO 576-52, LEDA 46938, and IRAS 13225-2052, NGC 5134 was first discovered by the renowned German-British astronomer William Herschel on March 10, 1785.

This galaxy is a member of the NGC 5084 group, which consists of five galaxies, including NGC 5084, NGC 5087, ESO 576-50, and ESO 576-40.

According to Webb astronomers, “The relative proximity of these galaxies enables Webb to uncover remarkable details about NGC 5134’s tightly coiled spiral arms.”

The latest infrared images of NGC 5134 are derived from observations taken by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam).

“MIRI collects mid-infrared radiation emitted by warm dust in NGC 5134’s interstellar cloud, allowing astronomers to track dusty gas clumps,” the researchers noted.

“Some of this dust comprises complex organic molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, characterized by interconnected carbon atoms, providing insight into the chemistry within interstellar clouds.”

“NIRCam specializes in capturing near-infrared light at short wavelengths from the stars and star clusters dotting the spiral arms of NGC 5134.”

“The combination of MIRI and NIRCam data illustrates a galaxy in a continuous state of change and evolution.”

According to the researchers, “The gas clouds flowing along NGC 5134’s spiral arms are prolific sites for star formation; each new star formed consumes some of the star-forming gas that sustains the galaxy.”

“When a star reaches the end of its life, part of its gas is recycled back into the galaxy, contributing to the cycle of star formation.”

Massive stars, those exceeding eight times the mass of the Sun, endure dramatic cataclysmic supernova explosions that disperse stellar material over vast distances.

Other stars, like our Sun, gently return some of their material; they expand into red giants before shedding their atmospheres and releasing gas into space.

WWhether expelled by a supernova or a gentle red giant, this gas may eventually be integrated into new star formation processes.

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Telescope Discovers Progenitor Star of NGC 1637 Supernova

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have made a groundbreaking discovery: they have identified a nearby supernova, specifically a red supergiant star, that was obscured by a thick layer of dust and remained invisible to prior observatories.

This striking image combines observations from both the James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble, focusing on spiral galaxy NGC 1637. It captures the evolutionary stages of the red supergiant star and reveals its transformation following the supernova event SN 2025pht. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/C. Kilpatrick, Northwestern/A. Suresh, Northwestern/J. DePasquale, STScI.

The supernova event, designated SN 2025pht, was first identified in NGC 1637 on June 29, 2025.

In response, astronomers dedicated substantial resources to investigating this supernova.

However, Northwestern University’s astronomer Charlie Kilpatrick and his team chose to explore archival data, analyzing pre-supernova images to determine which star exploded.

A 2024 image of NGC 1637 captured with Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) highlights a distinct red supergiant star positioned precisely where SN 2025pht is currently visible.

“We anticipated this moment, hoping for a supernova to occur in a galaxy that Webb was already monitoring,” stated Dr. Kilpatrick.

“By integrating the Hubble and Webb datasets, we unveiled the star’s complete characteristics for the first time.”

“This red supergiant represents the dustiest star we have ever observed transitioning into a supernova,” noted Aswin Suresh, a graduate student at Northwestern University.

This dust anomaly may help solve a persistent mystery in astronomy: the absence of certain red supergiant stars.

Astronomers expect that the most massive stars should explode as the brightest supernovae, making their identification in pre-explosion images straightforward. However, this has not been the case.

One possible explanation is that these massive, aging stars are often heavily surrounded by dust, rendering their light invisible.

Observations from Webb regarding SN 2025pht seem to support this hypothesis.

“I have advocated for this interpretation, but I didn’t expect the outcome to be as pronounced as in the case of SN 2025pht,” commented Dr. Kilpatrick.

“This might clarify the absence of these heavier supergiant stars, as they tend to be engulfed in more dust.”

The team also discovered that the dust enveloping the star is likely rich in carbon—an unexpected finding, as silicate-rich dust is typically anticipated in these environments.

They speculate that this carbon may have been released from the star’s core shortly before the explosion.

“Mid-infrared observations were crucial in identifying the specific type of dust present,” Suresh added.

For more in-depth details on this discovery, view the team’s research paper published in October 2025 in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Charles D. Kilpatrick et al. 2025. Type II SN 2025pht of NGC 1637: Detection of a red supergiant star with carbon-rich circumstellar dust, marking the first acknowledgment of a supernova progenitor star via JWST. APJL 992, L10; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae04de

Source: www.sci.news

Supergiant Star Collapses into Stellar-Mass Black Hole in Andromeda Galaxy: A Remarkable Cosmic Event

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Utilizing archival data from NASA’s NEOWISE mission alongside information from various space and ground-based observatories, astronomers have uncovered a remarkable observational record of a massive star’s transition into a black hole—a phenomenon previously theorized but seldom witnessed.

The location and disappearance of M31-2014-DS1. Image credit: De et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adt4853.

In their final stages, massive stars often undergo instability, expanding and exhibiting significant fluctuations in brightness that can be observed by humans.

Typically, these stars meet their end in spectacular supernova explosions, which are incredibly luminous and readily detectable.

However, it is theorized that not all massive stars culminate in such explosive deaths.

In some cases, a star’s core collapses, causing the outer materials to fall inward, leading to the creation of a black hole.

These failed supernovae are particularly challenging to identify due to their weak energy signatures, often appearing as stars that simply vanish from sight.

Columbia University astronomer Kisharai De and colleagues leveraged lengthy infrared observations from the NEOWISE mission to investigate variable stars within the Andromeda Galaxy, leading to the discovery of the rare supergiant star M31-2014-DS1.

During 2014, this star brightened in mid-infrared light; however, from 2017 to 2022, it dimmed by around 10,000 times in optical light (rendering it undetectable) and about tenfold in total light.

Subsequent observations using Hubble and large terrestrial telescopes revealed faint red remnants detectable in near-infrared light, indicating the star is now heavily obscured by dust, or a shadow of its former supergiant self from years past.

Researchers interpret these findings as evidence of a failed supernova explosion, resulting in the birth of a stellar-mass black hole.

“The star’s dramatic and sustained dimming is extremely unusual, indicating the core did not explode as a supernova but collapsed directly into a black hole,” stated Dr. De.

“It was long assumed that stars of this mass always explode as supernovae.”

Their observations challenge the belief that stars of equivalent mass either necessarily explode or fail to do so, likely influenced by chaotic interactions between gravity, gas pressure, and powerful shockwaves within a dying star.

Dr. De and his fellow scientists identified M31-2014-DS1, another giant star that may have met a similar fate as NGC 6946-BH1.

This study advances our understanding of the fate of the star’s outer layers post-supernova failure and collapse into a black hole.

Interaction among these elements, particularly convection influenced by temperature variances within a star, plays a crucial role.

The internal regions are extremely hot compared to the cooler outer areas, resulting in gas movement from hotter to cooler zones.

Even after a star’s core collapse, gases in the outer layers continue to move rapidly due to convection currents.

Theoretical models suggest that these currents prevent most outer layers from plunging directly into the core. Instead, the innermost layer orbits the black hole, allowing for the ejection of the outermost layers in the convective region.

As the ejected material cools while moving from the surrounding heat of the black hole, it forms dust as atoms and molecules condense.

This dust obscures the hot gas orbiting the black hole, warming it and creating brightness observable at infrared wavelengths.

This lingering red glow remains visible long after the star has vanished.

“The accretion rate is significantly slower than if the stars collided directly,” asserted Andrea Antoni from the Flatiron Institute.

“This convective material possesses angular momentum, causing it to rotate in a circular motion around the black hole.”

“Consequently, the process takes decades instead of months or years to unfold.”

“All these factors contribute to a brighter source than otherwise anticipated, leading to a prolonged delay in the dimming of the original star.”

For further insights, refer to this paper. The findings are published in this week’s edition of Science.

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Kisharai De et al. (2026). Massive stars in the Andromeda Galaxy vanish due to black hole formation. Science 391(6786): 689-693; doi: 10.1126/science.adt4853

Source: www.sci.news

Chandra Telescope Unveils Newborn Star Cluster in the Cocoon Nebula

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The Chandra team has unveiled a stunning new composite image of the Cocoon Nebula, a fascinating reflection and emission nebula located in the constellation Cygnus. This image artfully combines high-energy X-rays with optical and infrared light, showcasing a vibrant population of newborn stars emerging from the surrounding clouds of dust and gas.

This composite image of the Cocoon Nebula highlights a heart-shaped formation. X-ray data from Chandra reveals a new cluster of stars, complemented by optical light from astrophotographers Michael Adler and Barry Wilson, as well as infrared data from the WISE mission. Image credits: NASA / CXC / SAO / JPL / Caltech / WISE / M. Adler / B. Wilson / L. Frattare.

The Cocoon Nebula is located approximately 2,650 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

This nebula, also known as IC 5146 or Colinder 470, spans 15 light-years across.

The object was first discovered by American astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard on October 11, 1893.

Chandra astronomers noted, “This image depicts the Cocoon Nebula as a vibrant, glowing heart-shaped cloud amidst a backdrop of millions of stars in the Milky Way.”

“The core of this nebula features warm reds, oranges, and golds, forming a luminous cocoon of gas and dust, with soft, uneven edges that gradually fade into the surrounding darkness.”

“Within this illuminated cloud lies a multitude of young stars, some visible as bright white or bluish dots, while others remain hidden or only detectable through X-ray light captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.”

“These X-rays trace a population of newly formed, highly active stars clustered near the center of the nebula,” the researchers explained.

“The heart-shaped nebula glows from a combination of light emitted by these young stars and starlight reflected by the surrounding dust.”

“Optical data from two astrophotographers, along with infrared observations from NASA’s Wide Field Infrared Surveyor (WISE), add depth and texture, unveiling a shimmering starry landscape and the dense, dusty regions where new stars are continuously forming.”

Source: www.sci.news

Why Elon Musk Misinterprets the Essence of Star Trek: Key Insights You Need to Know

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

“While space travel serves as a backdrop, it is not central to the Star Trek narrative.” A scene from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - A scene featuring Avery Brooks, Nana Visitor, and René Auberjonois, 1993-1999 — “While space travel serves as a backdrop, it is not central to the Star Trek narrative.” A scene from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Everett Collection Inc/Alamy

The current socio-political landscape in America is filled with contrasts. As I reflect on my day, thoughts arise concerning the potential call of construction workers to government projects. Meanwhile, dinner plans loom, prompting me to suggest to my partner that he pick up some fresh vegetables, all while he frets about being intercepted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way home. I am meant to engage in scientific inquiry and broadcast the marvels of the universe, yet my focus often shifts to grim realities like children in detention camps. Despite attempts to slash NASA’s funding, it has managed to withstand the cuts, though the workforce has significantly dwindled over the years.

The very week this article circulates, NASA is poised to launch astronauts on an unprecedented mission around the Moon, part of the Artemis program leading to potential human landings on the Moon and beyond. This program is widely viewed as a crucial milestone towards sending humans to Mars. At a SpaceX event, with U.S. Department of Defense officials present, Elon Musk expressed his vision of sending humans to new planets, closely aligning with the aspirational themes found in the Star Trek universe. Enthusiasm is high, as we anticipate that these missions will propel us towards a utopia in space exploration.

What a captivating idea! However, the reality may be starkly different. In the realm of Star Trek, one might argue that many fans attending conventions deeply misunderstand the series, revealing an apparent disconnect with its core messages. If they truly grasped the themes of the Star Trek universe, they would recognize that the 2020s parallel a disheartening chapter in human history. The fictional 2024 Bell Riot reflects a rebellion against oppressive governance amid staggering wealth inequality, while the Trekkian outlook foresees humanity surviving another world war, where soldiers are coerced into committing atrocities.

Strikingly, the parallels between past fiction and current events resonate. In this narrative, the figures promoting militarized space endeavors are not the heroes, but rather the villains. Misplacing their roles, these proponents fail to understand that the core essence of Star Trek is not about reaching distant planets but about humanity’s journey towards self-improvement through collaboration, grappling with substantial ethical dilemmas, and fostering a society nurtured by principles similar to socialism, where the needs of all are attended to.

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In Star Trek, the individuals advocating for militarized corporate strategies are depicted as the antagonists.
“

Could venturing to Mars pave the way for this enlightenment? Perhaps, in another dimension, such endeavors would embody a quest to embrace “the infinite variety in infinite combinations,” a concept that resonates with the Vulcan philosophy. We have successfully dispatched numerous unmanned missions to Mars, unveiling a wealth of astonishing discoveries about the planet’s past and the potential for other life forms.

Nonetheless, Mars presents challenges as a habitat for humans. It is inhospitable, cold, and dry, which poses formidable obstacles should we aim to establish a presence there. Even amidst the hopeful vision of a peaceful human expedition, it’s vital to acknowledge the harsh reality—Mars is fraught with dangers. The thin atmosphere makes breathing impossible, and any attempts to alter it could still prove hazardous. Dust and silica in Martian soil can inflict severe damage to human lungs, mirroring the afflictions experienced by miners.

Many might dismiss this, thinking, “I won’t be inhaling dirt!” However, Mars is notorious for its colossal dust storms that would infiltrate any human habitat. Such conditions would make it increasingly difficult to maintain a livable environment. The sheer volume of resources required to create a sustainable habitat on Mars is staggering, as launching these supplies into space is a monumental task.

In conclusion, the pursuit of colonizing Mars may not be a practical endeavor. Instead, let us cherish our own remarkable planet, Earth. While we may not have treated it with the respect it deserves, there is still time for change. This vision is at the heart of Star Trek: not about fleeing to a technologically advanced future, but about cultivating the capacity to honor the extraordinary vessel we call home.

What I’m Reading
I found Farah Daboiwala’s “What is Free Speech? A History of Dangerous Ideas” fascinating.

What I See
I admire Gina Yashea and Kelis Brooks’ work titled “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.”

What I’m Working On
Currently, we’re navigating the complexities of daily life amidst governmental turbulence.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein is an Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Hampshire, and the author of Turbulent Universe as well as the upcoming book The Ends of Space and Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Boogie of Cosmic Dreams.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Jeff Goldblum Should Star in a Movie About This Legendary Mathematician

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Striking Resemblance between Paul Erdős and Jeff Goldblum

Public domain; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Paul Erdős and Jeff Goldblum resemblance — Striking Resemblance between Paul Erdős and Jeff Goldblum

Public domain; Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

In my latest mathematics column, I present an exciting idea: Hollywood should create a comedic biopic about Paul Erdős, one of history’s greatest mathematicians.

Why does Erdős, pronounced “air-dish,” deserve such recognition? With approximately 1,500 published papers, he is arguably the most prolific mathematician of all time. Known for his innovative collaborations, Erdős made significant contributions to various mathematical fields, including probability, number theory, and graph theory.

Born in Hungary in 1913, Erdős had a nomadic lifestyle, often traveling without a permanent residence. Following the rise of Nazism in Europe, he relocated to the United States in 1938. However, due to his connections to communist sympathizers, he faced entry issues in the 1950s and 1960s. He famously carried a suitcase of his belongings and visited fellow mathematicians, offering to collaborate with the phrase “My brain is open.” His unique approach allowed him to work on groundbreaking mathematics.

Many fascinating stories about Erdős are chronicled in A Man Who Loved Only Numbers, a biography by Paul Hoffman. I first encountered this book as a teenager and believe its potential to captivate a broader audience is unfortunately overlooked. Therefore, I’m launching a campaign to cast Jeff Goldblum in the lead role.

Why Goldblum? Both he and Erdős have striking similarities, and Goldblum has successfully portrayed mathematician Ian Malcolm in the Jurassic Park franchise. More than that, Goldblum’s quirky eccentricity aligns perfectly with Erdős’ unique lifestyle.

Erdős had unconventional views on religion; he described himself as an atheist yet often spoke about God, referring to Him as “the best fascist” or “science fiction.” He sought to uncover the evidence of a magical book that he believed contained proofs for every mathematical theorem.

His linguistic quirks were equally captivating. He called children “Epsilon,” a nod to the Greek letter representing small quantities in mathematics. Friends who left mathematics were, in his eyes, “dead,” while those who actually passed away were simply “gone.” He humorously remarked, “A mathematician is a device that turns coffee into theorems,” a quote borrowed from colleague Alfred Rényi. I can easily envision Goldblum delivering those lines.

An intriguing aspect of Erdős’ legacy is the concept of the “Erdős number.” This measure indicates the collaborative distance between mathematicians, where those who co-authored with him have an Erdős number of 1, and others have higher numbers based on collaboration distance. My Erdős number is 3, having quoted Terrence Tao from UCLA in my writing.

This concept mirrors the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game. Goldblum also holds a Bacon number of 1 because they both appeared in the mockumentary Tour de Pharmacy. I only discovered this connection while advocating for my biopic project.

Some individuals hold both Erdős and Bacon numbers, bridging the worlds of mathematics and film. The minimum recorded Erdős-Bacon number is 3, held since 1997 by mathematician Daniel Kreitman, who appeared in Good Will Hunting.

While Erdős’ eccentricities paint a charming picture, it’s important to acknowledge his flaws. A Man Who Loved Only Numbers touches upon his problematic attitudes towards gender, as he often referred to women and men in derogatory ways. However, he was more than willing to collaborate with female mathematicians.

While dreaming of an Erdős biopic raises the concern of reinforcing the “absent-minded professor” stereotype, I argue that current mathematical biopics, like A Beautiful Mind, are serious dramas. A comedic portrayal has yet to be attempted.

Moreover, Erdős left behind numerous open mathematical problems, many offering monetary rewards for solutions. A film could inspire a new generation of puzzle enthusiasts and spark interest in mathematics—an endeavor Erdős would surely endorse. Jeff, if you (or your agent!) are reading this, let’s connect. I’m ready to collaborate on this exciting project!

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Exciting Discovery: Earth-Sized Exoplanet Found Orbiting Nearby Star

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have recently identified a new exoplanet, HD 137010b, orbiting the nearby K dwarf star HD 137010, following the detection of a single shallow transit in archived data from NASA’s Kepler Expansion K2 mission.

HD 137010b is estimated to be 6% larger than Earth, with surface temperatures akin to those of Mars, possibly dipping below -70 degrees Celsius. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Keith Miller, California Institute of Technology and IPAC.

HD 137010 is classified as a K3.5V dwarf star located approximately 146 light-years away in the constellation Libra.

This star’s age ranges between 4.8 billion and 10 billion years, and its low magnetic activity reflects its status as an old, relatively calm star.

Commonly referenced as BD-19 4097, HIC 75398, 2MASS J15242123-1944215, or TYC 6179-1111-1, HD 137010 has an apparent magnitude of 10.1 and is recognized as one of the brightest stars hosting an Earth-sized planet in temperate orbits.

The new exoplanet, designated HD 137010b, was observed during K2 Campaign 15 when NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope monitored its parent star for about three months in 2017.

“Most Earth-sized planets discovered in the habitable zone orbit red dwarfs, which are smaller and dimmer than the Sun,” explains lead author Astronomer Alexander Venner from the University of Southern Queensland.

“Concerns arise regarding these planets losing their atmospheres due to intense radiation from their host stars, rendering them uninhabitable for known life forms.”

“However, HD 137010b’s star shares characteristics more closely aligned with the Sun, increasing the likelihood that a stable atmosphere could be retained, according to current theoretical models.”

In their study, Venner and colleagues analyzed K2 data, light curves from nearby stars, archival images, and radial velocity measurements to clarify the nature of the transit signal, which lasted roughly 10 hours.

These evaluations strongly suggest that the observed transit is astrophysical and not a result of background interference, eclipsing binaries, or solar-system debris.

Astronomers have determined that the planet’s radius is approximately 1.06 times that of Earth based on the transit depth.

Considering the transit’s duration and the star’s properties, the orbital period of HD 137010b is estimated to be around 355 days.

At its distance from the host star, HD 137010b is estimated to receive about 29% of the stellar flux that Earth obtains from the Sun, placing it near the outskirts of the star’s habitable zone.

“If HD 137010b has an atmosphere similar to that of Earth or Mars, it could experience temperatures colder than Antarctica,” noted Dr. Venner.

“However, if the atmosphere thickens, conditions could warm up sufficiently for liquid water to exist, creating a potentially viable environment for life.”

“Current astronomical instruments are unable to fully characterize this newly discovered planet, but it stands out as a primary candidate for future radial velocity tools aimed at detecting Earth-like analogs.”

“Upcoming space missions, like NASA’s Habitable World Observatory, could also provide images of HD 137010b.”

This discovery is detailed in the following article: paper published in Astrophysics Journal Letters.

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Alexander Venner and others. 2026. A cool Earth-sized planet candidate orbiting a K2 magnitude K-dwarf star. APJL 997, L38; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf06f

Source: www.sci.news

The Mysterious Disappearance of a Star: Insights into a Failed Supernova Explosion

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of a Failed Supernova Explosion Forming a Black Hole

NASA, ESA, and P. Jeffries (STScI)

Illustration of a failed supernova creating a black hole — Illustration of a Failed Supernova Explosion Forming a Black Hole

NASA, ESA, and P. Jeffries (STScI)

A massive star in the Andromeda galaxy has seemingly vanished instead of exploding, resulting in the formation of a black hole in a peculiar manner.

Typically, black holes originate from stars that explode as supernovas. However, they can also emerge from stars that collapse due to their own gravity, directly creating black holes without the explosive phase.

In 2024, Kisharai De from Columbia University, along with his team, investigated the case of M31-2014-DS1, an exceptionally bright star located in the Andromeda galaxy, approximately 20 times the mass of our Sun. The star exhibited an initial brightening in 2014, followed by a significant dimming from 2017 to 2020. This behavior aligned with predictions for a supernova that would fail to result in a black hole, yet no direct evidence of the black hole was observed, such as X-ray emissions.

Currently, De and his colleagues are utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Chandra X-ray Observatory to study M31-2014-DS1. They have detected a faint red object at the star’s previous location, which is only about 8% brighter than the original star and enveloped in rapidly expanding dust. This finding aligns with the expected characteristics of a supernova that fails to produce a black hole. However, De and his team have refrained from commenting further, as their research has not yet undergone peer review.

Another group studying the same JWST data, including Emma Beasor from Liverpool John Moores University, UK, suggested that the case for M31-2014-DS1 failing to explode may also indicate a stellar merger, which could result in small explosions followed by dimming and dust formation.

“Predictions for the appearance of a failed supernova significantly overlap with what we might expect from a collision of two stars creating vast amounts of dust,” Beasor explained.

However, both scenarios are rare, she noted, as it is uncommon to observe such drastic color changes in a star.

“No matter the explanation, it’s fascinating that the visible star has essentially vanished,” stated Gerald Gilmore from Cambridge University. “For years, the search for extinct massive stars has produced ambiguous outcomes, but now, advancements in multi-wavelength time-domain astronomy are paving the way for clarity.”

The definitive method for confirming black hole formation is through the identification of X-ray emissions, Gilmore noted, which are currently absent at the M31-2014-DS1 location. Nevertheless, if advanced telescopes like JWST can analyze the remnants of dimmed stars, we could soon uncover what occurred. “We are on the verge of discovering at least one of the ultimate fates of a massive star, which is intriguingly akin to the Cheshire Cat’s disappearance,” he remarked.

References: arXiv, DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2601.05774 and DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2601.05317

World Capital of Astronomy: Chile

Explore Chile’s astronomical wonders. Visit the globe’s most advanced observatory and gaze at the night sky under the clearest conditions on Earth.

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This rewrite retains the original structure while enhancing SEO by optimizing keywords and improving readability.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Historic Discovery: Oldest Supernova in History Illuminates Earliest Star

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Image of SN Eos supernova taken by the James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope image of SN Eos supernova — Image of SN Eos supernova taken by the James Webb Space Telescope

Astronomers have identified a colossal star’s explosion shortly after the universe emerged from the Cosmic Dark Ages, offering insights into the birth and demise of the first stars.

When a star exhausts its fuel, it explodes in a spectacular event known as a supernova. While nearby supernovae are exceedingly bright, the light from ancient explosions takes billions of years to reach Earth, fading into invisibility by the time it arrives.

This is why astronomers typically detect distant supernovae only during exceptional circumstances, such as Type Ic supernovae, which are the remnants of stars stripped of their outer gas and producing intense gamma-ray bursts. However, the more common Type II supernova, the predominant explosion observed in our galaxy, occurs when a massive star depletes its fuel but remains too faint for casual observation.

Notably, David Coulter, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and his team utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to discover a Type II supernova named SN Eos, dating back to when the universe was only 1 billion years old.

Fortunately, the supernova’s explosion took place behind a vast galaxy cluster, whose potent gravity amplified the light, rendering SN Eos dozens of times brighter than it would typically appear, facilitating detailed studies.

Researchers meticulously analyzed the light spectrum from SN Eos, confirming it as the oldest supernova detected via spectroscopy. Their findings denote it as a Type II supernova, attesting to its origins from a massive star.

Additionally, evidence suggests that the progenitor star contained remarkably low quantities of elements beyond hydrogen and helium—less than 10% of the elemental abundance present in the Sun. This aligns with theories about the early universe, where multiple stellar generations hadn’t existed long enough to create heavier elements.

“This allows us to quickly identify the type of stellar population in that region. [This star] exploded,” stated Or Graul from the University of Portsmouth, UK. “Massive stars tend to explode shortly after their formation. In cosmological terms, a million years is a brief interval, making them indicators of ongoing star formation within their respective galaxies.”

Light from such vast distances is typically emitted by small galaxies, allowing astronomers to infer the average characteristics of the stars within these galaxies. However, studying individual stars at these distances tends to be unfeasible. As noted by Matt Nicholl of Queen’s University, Belfast, UK, “This discovery provides us with exquisite data on an individual star. [Distance] has kept us from observing an isolated supernova here, but the data confirms this star’s uniqueness compared to others in the local universe.”

This observation occurred just a few hundred million years following the Era of Reionization, a pivotal period in the universe’s history. During this time, light from the inaugural stars began ionizing neutral hydrogen gas, transitioning it into translucent ionized hydrogen. This relates to SN Eos, as it serves as a supernova from a time we would expect to see.

“This discovery closely coincides with the reionization era when the universe emerged from darkness, permitting photons to travel freely once more and allowing us to observe,” said Graul.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Discover Celestial ‘Wake’ Linked to Betelgeuse’s Companion Star

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent multi-year observations from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, along with data from the Fred Lawrence Whipple and Roque de los Muchachos Observatories, have unveiled how a faint companion star, identified as Siwalha, has carved a path through the vast atmosphere of Betelgeuse. These findings illuminate long-standing mysteries regarding stellar evolution and advance our understanding of large-scale stellar dynamics.

Artist’s concept depicting the red supergiant star Betelgeuse alongside its orbiting companion. Image credit: NASA/ESA/Elizabeth Wheatley, STScI/Andrea Dupree, CfA.

Betelgeuse, an impressive 8-million-year-old red supergiant star, is prominently situated on the shoulder of the Orion constellation, approximately 724 light-years away from Earth.

With a radius roughly 1,400 times that of the Sun, Betelgeuse stands as one of the largest known stars in the universe.

Commonly referred to as Alpha Orionis or Alpha Ori, Betelgeuse is not just renowned for its size but also for its brightness, radiating more light than 100,000 suns combined.

As Betelgeuse nears the end of its life cycle, its impending explosion is expected to be so luminous that it will be visible in daylight for several weeks.

Astronomers have been meticulously monitoring variations in Betelgeuse’s brightness and surface characteristics for decades to uncover the underlying causes of its behavior.

Interest peaked in 2020 when Betelgeuse seemed to exhibit unusual “sneezing” behavior, suddenly dimming unexpectedly.

Two key periods of fluctuations have intrigued scientists: a short 400-day cycle, likely linked to the star’s own pulsations, and a longer 2,100-day period that remains more elusive.

Researchers have theorized various explanations for these fluctuations, including large convective cells, dust clouds, magnetic activities, and the possible presence of hidden companion stars.

A recent comprehensive study suggests that the longer secondary period is best explained by a low-mass companion star that orbits deep within Betelgeuse’s atmosphere. While some scientists reported possible detections, solid evidence was previously lacking—until now.

For the first time, astronomers have gathered compelling evidence that a companion star is indeed influencing the supergiant star’s atmosphere.

Data changes in the spectra of stars—colors of light emitted by different elements—and shifts in the gas’s speed and direction in the outer atmosphere confirm the presence of denser material and wake effects.

This peculiar signature appears soon after the companion star transits in front of Betelgeuse approximately every six years, further endorsing the theoretical model.

Dr. Andrea Dupree, an astronomer at Harvard University & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, commented, “It’s akin to a boat sailing through water; the companion star induces a ripple in Betelgeuse’s atmosphere that is directly observable in the data.”

“For the first time, we are witnessing definitive signs of this wake or gas signature, validating that Betelgeuse does indeed harbor a hidden companion that influences its observable characteristics and behavior.”

The team’s research paper will soon be published in the Astrophysical Journal.

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Andrea K. Dupree et al. 2026. Betelgeuse: Expanding trail of the companion star detected. APJ in press. arXiv: 2601.00470

Source: www.sci.news

Unexpected Shock Wave Discovered Surrounding Nearby White Dwarf Star

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) have captured stunning shock waves surrounding the white dwarf star 1RXS J052832.5+283824 (commonly known as RXJ0528+2838). This extraordinary phenomenon challenges existing astrophysical models and has the potential to transform our understanding of stellar evolution.

Image credit: ESO / Iłkiewicz et al. showcasing the shockwave around the white dwarf RXJ0528+2838, captured by the MUSE instrument of ESO’s VLT.

Located approximately 730 light-years away in the constellation Auriga, RXJ0528+2838 orbits the center of the Milky Way, similar to our Sun and other stars.

According to Dr. Noel Castro-Segura from the University of Warwick, “As the white dwarf traverses space, it interacts with interstellar gas, causing a type of shock wave known as a bow shock, which resembles a wave building up in front of a moving ship.”

Interestingly, while bow shocks are typically produced by material expelled from the star, the mechanisms observed in RXJ0528+2838 remain unexplained.

RXJ0528+2838 is part of a binary system, with a sun-like companion star. In such systems, gas is often transferred to the white dwarf, creating an accretion disk. However, this disk appears absent, leading to questions about the source of the observed outflow and the surrounding nebula.

Dr. Simone Scaringi from Durham University expressed: “The fact that a seemingly quiet, diskless system could produce such an impressive nebula was a remarkable surprise.”

Astronomers initially identified an unusual nebula around RXJ0528+2838 through images captured by the Isaac Newton Telescope in Spain, prompting further investigation with the MUSE instrument at VLT.

The size and shape of the bow shock indicate that the white dwarf has been generating significant outflows for over 1,000 years.

Although the exact mechanism for such a prolonged outflow from a diskless white dwarf is still under investigation, scientists speculate that RXJ0528+2838 possesses a strong magnetic field, evidenced by MUSE data.

This magnetic field may funnel material directly from the companion star to the white dwarf, bypassing the formation of an accretion disk.

Dr. Christian Ikiewicz from the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center remarked, “Our findings indicate that diskless systems can still produce powerful outflows, revealing complex interactions that challenge traditional binary star models.”

While the detected magnetic field can sustain a bow shock for hundreds of years, it only partially accounts for the phenomena observed.

“We’ve uncovered something unprecedented and unexpectedly remarkable,” Dr. Scaringi noted.

For further reading on this groundbreaking discovery, refer to the published paper in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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K. Iwkiewicz et al. Persistent bow shock in a diskless magnetized accreting white dwarf. Nat Astron, published online on January 12, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02748-8

Source: www.sci.news

Caffeine Unveils New Insights into Star Formation in Dense Gas Environments

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers reveal new insights into the factors influencing star formation efficiency in the densest regions of galaxies through Caffeine research.

GAL316: A massive star-forming region. Image credit: ESO / M. Matten / André et al. / VVV.

In this groundbreaking study, astronomer Michael Mattern from the University of Paris-Saclay and his team meticulously mapped dense gas across 49 giant star-forming complexes located approximately 3,000 parsecs away within our galaxy’s disk.

“Creating stars is a challenging endeavor, and the process lacks efficiency,” the astronomers stated.

“Current understanding indicates that a certain minimum density of gas and dust is necessary for stars to form.”

“Only about 1 to 2 percent of the gas and dust in these regions is utilized in the ignition of a star.”

“Could denser regions exhibit higher efficiency in star formation?”

“We are examining GAL316, one of the remarkable stellar nurseries we observed, to explore this question,” they elaborated.

The ongoing CAFFEINE survey employs the ArTéMiS camera on the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), a state-of-the-art radio telescope situated on the Chajnantor Plateau.

“APEX, managed by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, has successfully captured the faint emissions of cold gas clouds, visible as blue glows in GAL316 images,” the researchers revealed.

“This glow overlays a starry backdrop, successfully recorded by ESO’s VISTA telescope.”

They discovered that as gas density increases past a specific threshold, the efficiency of star formation – the conversion rate of gas into stars – does not proportionately escalate.

This observation contradicts existing models that suggest a continual rise in star formation with density increases.

Conversely, the efficiency remains nearly constant in extremely dense gas, reinforcing the notion that stars primarily form within filamentous structures in clouds, a process dictated by the fragmentation of these filaments into protostar cores.

The findings suggest a potential gas density threshold for efficient star formation, bolstering the hypothesis that the physics of dense filaments governs star formation, rather than turbulence or feedback from nascent stars alone.

This research represents one of the most thorough efforts to date in connecting the physical structure of dense gas with star formation efficiency, paving the way for future observations and simulations that aim to elucidate the emergence of Sun-like stars from interstellar clouds.

“Our results indicate that the densest regions observed in this Caffeine study show similar efficiencies in star production compared to other stellar nurseries, provided they exceed the minimum density,” the scientists remarked.

Their findings are detailed in a published paper in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

_____

M. Mattern et al. 2024. Investigating star formation efficiency in dense gas: Initial results from the CAFFEINE survey utilizing ArTéMiS. A&A 688, A163; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449908

Source: www.sci.news

Rediscovery of a Long-Lost Star: Astronomers Find Celestial Object Missing for Over 130 Years

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Telescope Capture at Grasslands Observatory

Credit: Tim Hunter et al. (2025)

A long-lost star, discovered by the legendary astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard in 1892, has been astonishingly rediscovered in its original location.

Barnard was not just any astronomer; he made significant contributions to the field, including the discovery of Jupiter’s fifth moon, Amalthea, in 1892—nearly three centuries after Galileo’s initial discoveries. Recently, his observations have gained renewed interest due to a puzzling article he published in 1906, titled “Unexplained Observations.”

On a particular morning, Barnard noted a star near Venus while using his telescope to search for its satellite. He estimated its brightness to be around 7th magnitude on the astronomical scale, where fainter objects bear higher numbers. Typically, under dark skies, stars of magnitude 6 are the faintest visible to the human eye.

Beneath the stars at the Bonner Cathedral, which cataloged all stars brighter than magnitude 9.5, Barnard’s 7th magnitude star was conspicuously absent. Instead, the only celestial body he found nearby was a significantly dimmer 11th magnitude star—about 100 times less bright.

Could it have been a large asteroid? “Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta were elsewhere,” he surmised. Some theorized that the 11th magnitude star he eventually observed in that region might have temporarily brightened. Other scientists speculated that Barnard could have been deceived by a “ghost” image of Venus through the telescope. The mystery lingered until late December 2024 when a dedicated group of astronomers sought to unravel it.

“In a weekly Zoom meeting dubbed ‘Asteroid Lunch,’ I brought it up,” says Tim Hunter.

Hunter, an Arizona-based amateur astronomer and co-founder of the International Dark Sky Association, along with both amateur and professional astronomers, evaluated all previous hypotheses and found flaws in them.

As doubts began to consume the group, Roger Ceragioli, an optical engineer from the University of Arizona, revisited the ghost theory by observing Venus at dawn using a vintage telescope similar to Barnard’s. Much to his surprise, although Venus was not positioned where Barnard had seen it, “the star emerged clearly in my field of view,” he noted. This led him to theorize that the star must be bright enough to be visible at dawn, even though the star map revealed it to be only 8th magnitude and therefore relatively faint.

The group’s conclusive findings suggested that Barnard’s purported 7th magnitude star was indeed the 11th magnitude star noted later—appearing brighter due to the dawn light. Using a 36-inch telescope at the Lick Observatory in California, Barnard first spotted this star alongside Venus, but no equally bright stars were visible in the area.

Understanding Star brightness measurement was a specialized skill in Barnard’s era. It had only been refined by astronomers focusing on variable stars, which Barnard had not formally studied. Thus, his mistake was rather excusable, as Ceragioli suggests.

Hunter affirms Barnard’s legacy remains intact, saying, “We’re all big fans of Barnard. It’s a minor error in an impressive career.”

Chile: The World Capital of Astronomy

Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile, home to the world’s most advanced observatory and unrivaled stargazing opportunities under some of the clearest skies on Earth.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Uncover Largest Protoplanetary Disk Ever Detected Around Young Star

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

IRAS 23077+6707: A Turbulent Protoplanetary Disk – Located approximately 1,000 light-years away, this young star exhibits an unexpectedly chaotic and turbulent surrounding protoplanetary disk, with material fragments extending farther than what astronomers have previously observed in similar systems. For more details, check the study here.

This Hubble image showcases the protoplanetary disk surrounding IRAS 23077+6707. Image credit: NASA / ESA / STScI / K. Monsch, CfA / J. DePasquale, STScI.

Protoplanetary disks, rich in dust and gas, form around young stars and serve as primary locations for planet formation.

The disk surrounding IRAS 23077+6707 spans approximately 644 billion km (400 billion miles), making it about 40 times the diameter of our solar system, reaching to the outer Kuiper belt.

This vast disk obscures the star, which scientists suggest could be a massive star or potentially a binary star system.

Not only is this disk the largest known for planet formation, but its unique characteristics also make it exceptionally rare.

“It’s uncommon to capture such fine detail in protoplanetary disks. The new Hubble images suggest that planetary nurseries might be much more dynamic and chaotic than we previously thought,” explained Dr. Christina Monsch, an astronomer at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“Observing this disk nearly head-on reveals its delicate upper layers and asymmetrical features,” she added.

Both the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have glimpsed similar structures, but IRAS 23077+6707 allows for unmatched visibility of its substructure in visible light.

This unique perspective makes it an exceptional laboratory for studying planet formation and the environments in which it occurs.

Edge-on, these disks resemble hamburgers, with bright upper and lower layers of glowing dust and gas, separated by a dark central lane.

In addition to its significant height, the new images reveal that vertical filament-like structures only appear on one side of the disk, indicating an uneven distribution of material.

“We were astonished by how asymmetric this disk appeared,” noted Dr. Joshua Bennett Lovell from the Harvard University & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“Hubble provides us with an exceptional view of the chaotic processes involved in the formation of disks and new planets. This process remains poorly understood, but these insights allow for fresh study opportunities.”

All planetary systems originate from a disk of gas and dust surrounding young stars. Over time, gas is absorbed by the star while planets form from the remaining material.

IRAS 23077+6707 might act as an extended analog to the early Solar System, with an estimated disk mass between 10 to 30 times that of Jupiter, providing sufficient material for multiple gas giant planets.

This and other discoveries make IRAS 23077+6707 an extraordinary case for examining planetary system formation.

“Theoretically, IRAS 23077+6707 could support a vast planetary system,” Dr. Monch stated.

“While planet formation may differ in such expansive conditions, the fundamental processes are likely akin to those in smaller systems.”

“At this point, we have more questions than answers, but these new images serve as a valuable foundation for understanding how planets evolve in diverse environments.”

Findings are set to be published in the Astrophysical Journal and can be accessed here.

_____

Christina Monche et al. 2025. Hubble reveals the complex multiscale structure of the edge-on protoplanetary disk IRAS 23077+6707. APJ in press. arXiv: 2510.11819

Source: www.sci.news

Asteroid Collision Near a Nearby Star Unravels Cosmic Mystery

Posted on December 19, 2025 by

Composite image of Fomalhaut’s dust belt (center hidden). The inset displays dust cloud cs1 taken in 2012 together with dust cloud cs2 from 2023.

NASA, ESA, Paul Karas/University of California, Berkeley

Around the star Fomalhaut, asteroids are involved in collisions that generate massive dust clouds. This is the first time astronomers are witnessing these events, offering insights into the early days of our solar system.

Fomalhaut has had its share of unusual findings. In 2008, Paul Kalas, based on observations from the Hubble Space Telescope in 2004 and 2005, reported a potential giant planet orbiting the young star. Over the years, however, the nature of this peculiar object, dubbed Fomalhaut b, has sparked heated debates. It could either be a planet slightly larger than Jupiter or simply a cloud of debris.

Now, Kalas and his team have revisited Fomalhaut using Hubble. “In 2023, we utilized the same equipment as before, and Fomalhaut b was undetectable. It was effectively gone,” says Kalas, “What appeared was a new Fomalhaut b.”

This new bright feature, named Fomalhaut CS2 (short for “circumstellar light source”), cannot be a planet, as it would have been identified earlier. The leading theory is that it represents a dust cloud resulting from the collision of two large asteroids or planetesimals, each approximately 60 kilometers in diameter. The disappearance of Fomalhaut b implies that it may have been a similar dust cloud all along.

“These sources exhibit noise and instability, so we’re still far from drawing definitive conclusions,” notes David Kipping at Columbia University. “Yet, all existing evidence aligns well with a broader narrative of collisions between protoplanets in nascent systems.”

Interestingly, it’s unexpected to observe such a significant break twice. “The hypothesis suggests that we shouldn’t witness such impacts more than once every 100,000 years, if not even more infrequently. And yet, for some unexplained reason, we seem to observe it twice within 20 years,” Kalas explains. “Fomalhaut lights up like a holiday tree and it’s astounding.”

This might indicate that collisions among planetesimals are occurring more frequently than previously thought, particularly around relatively young stars like Fomalhaut. Kalas and his team plan to conduct further observations over the next three years utilizing both Hubble and the more powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to track the behavior of Fomalhaut CS2 and attempt to pick up faint signals from Fomalhaut b.

This presents a rare opportunity to witness these collisions first-hand. “To comprehend these violent phenomena, we no longer need to rely solely on theoretical models; we can observe them in real time,” Kalas states. Further observations may enlighten us not only about young planetary systems generally but also about our own early solar system’s position in the cosmic landscape.

“We have long pondered whether the collisions that formed our moon are typical of what occurs throughout the universe, and now we have strong evidence suggesting they are indeed common,” Kipping remarked. “Perhaps we are not as unique as some may assume.”

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Stellar-Mass Black Hole Triggers Record-Breaking Cosmic Burst by Collapsing Companion Star

Posted on December 17, 2025 by

Astronomers have utilized data gathered from a network of space and terrestrial telescopes to identify AT 2024wpp, the most radiant blue light transient (LFBOT) ever recorded. These uncommon, ephemeral, and exceedingly luminous outbursts have perplexed scientists for a decade, but the extraordinary brightness and comprehensive multiwavelength data from AT 2024wpp indicate that they cannot be attributed to typical stellar explosions such as supernovae. Instead, recent observations reveal that AT 2024wpp was generated by an extreme tidal disruption event, where a black hole, with a mass approximately 100 times that of the Sun, dismantles a massive companion star over the course of just a few days, converting a significant portion of the star’s mass into energy.

This composite image contains X-ray and optical data for the LFBOT event at 2024wpp. Image credits: NASA / CXC / University of California, Berkeley / Nayana others. / Legacy Survey / DECaLS / BASS / MzLS / SAO / P. Edmonds / N. Walk.

LFBOTs derive their name from their intense brightness, being visible from hundreds of millions to billions of light years away, and their ephemeral nature, lasting merely a few days.

They emit high-energy light across the blue spectrum into ultraviolet and X-rays.

The inaugural observation was made in 2014, but the first LFBOT with sufficient data for analysis was recorded in 2018, termed AT 2018cow, in accordance with standard naming conventions.

Researchers nicknamed it “cow”, alongside other LFBOTs dubbed “tongue-twisted koala” (ZTF18abvkwla), “Tasmanian devil” (AT 2022tsd), and “finch” (AT 2023fhn). AT 2024wpp is likely to be known as Wasp.

Researchers determined that AT 2024wpp was not a supernova after assessing the energy output of the phenomenon.

The energy was found to be 100 times greater than that produced by typical supernovae.

The emitted energy must convert roughly 10% of the Sun’s rest mass into energy over a brief period of weeks.

Specifically, observations from Gemini South disclosed excess near-infrared radiation emitted by a luminous source.

This marks the second instance astronomers have witnessed such an occurrence, with the first being AT 2018cow, which seemingly doesn’t occur in regular stellar explosions.

These observations establish near-infrared excess as a defining characteristic of FBOT, yet no model can adequately explain it.

“The energy released by these bursts is so immense that it cannot be accounted for by a nuclear collapse or any typical stellar explosion,” stated Nathalie LeBaron, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley.

“The main takeaway from AT 2024wpp is that the model we initially proposed is incorrect. This is definitely not an ordinary exploding star.”

Scientists suggest that the intense high-energy light emitted during this extreme tidal disruption stems from the black hole binary system’s prolonged parasitic behavior.

As they piece together this history, it appears the black hole has been gradually siphoning material from its companion star, enveloping itself in a ring of material too distant to be consumed.

Subsequently, when the companion star ventured too near and was shredded, the new material became ensnared in a rotating accretion disk, colliding with pre-existing material and releasing X-rays, ultraviolet light, and blue radiation.

Much of the gas from the companion star ended up spiraling toward the black hole’s poles, where it was expelled as material jets.

Authors calculated that the jet was traveling at about 40% the speed of light and emitted radio waves upon interacting with surrounding gas.

Similar to most LFBOTs, AT 2024wpp is situated in a galaxy characterized by active star formation, making the presence of large stars likely.

Located 1.1 billion light years away, AT 2024wpp is 5 to 10 times more brilliant than AT 2018cow.

The companion star that was torn apart was estimated to be over 10 times the mass of the Sun.

“It may have been what is referred to as a Wolf-Rayet star, a very hot evolved star that has depleted much of its hydrogen,” remarked the astronomers.

“This would account for the weak hydrogen emission observed from AT 2024wpp.”

The findings are published in two papers: Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Natalie LeBaron others. 2025. Brightest known fast blue light transient AT 2024wpp: unprecedented evolution and properties from ultraviolet to near-infrared. APJL in press. arXiv: 2509.00951

AJ Nayana others. 2025. Brightest known fast blue light transient AT 2024wpp: unprecedented evolution and properties in X-rays and radio. APJL in press. arXiv: 2509.00952

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers May Have Detected Signs of the Largest Star Ever Observed

Posted on November 21, 2025 by

Artist’s Impression of Population III Stars in the Early Universe

Noir Lab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Space Engine/M. Zamani

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) offers astronomers a unique opportunity to explore distant galaxies that exist far beyond the early Universe. Some of these galaxies exhibit chemical signatures that may suggest the presence of exotic supermassive stars, possibly weighing up to 10,000 times that of our Sun.

These enormous stars are puzzling, as our current understanding suggests that stars in the nearby universe generally have a maximum size limit. “Our models for galaxy evolution are predicated on the assumption that stars cannot exceed around 120 solar masses,” explains Devesh Nandal at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Massachusetts. “While we had theorized about stars potentially larger than this, there were no observational data to validate it.”

That all changed recently. Nandal and his team analyzed JWST observations of a distant galaxy dubbed GS 3073, discovering its chemical signature contained an unexpectedly high concentration of nitrogen. Though elevated nitrogen levels have also been noted in several other remote galaxies,

For most galaxies, nitrogen concentrations aren’t high enough to cause ambiguity and can be attributed to certain classes of relatively ordinary stars or other cosmic phenomena. However, this isn’t the case for GS 3073, as Nandal asserts that the nitrogen levels are simply too elevated.

There exists a hypothetical category of protostar referred to as a Population III star, which models indicate can grow to considerable sizes. Simulations suggest that if these stars form, they would produce significantly more nitrogen than typical stars. Nandal and his co-researchers concluded that only a handful of Population III stars—ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 solar masses—could account for the excess nitrogen observed in GS 3073. “Our research provides the most compelling evidence yet for the existence of Population III supermassive stars in the early universe,” he declares.

However, some scholars challenge whether only supermassive Population III stars can account for this data, or if they do so accurately. “Population III should be linked with an environment where elements heavier than helium are scarce,” notes Roberto Maiorino of Cambridge University. “Conversely, GS 3073 is a fairly chemically mature galaxy, which makes it seem ill-suited for the types of environments typically associated with Population III.”

On the other hand, John Regan from Maynooth University in Ireland suggests that this may simply be an unusual galaxy. “When we look back at the early universe, what we see are incredibly strange, exotic galaxies. It’s challenging to assert that we shouldn’t expect the formation of supermassive stars simply because it’s peculiar; you just claimed these galaxies are quite bizarre,” he states.

If these colossal stars truly exist, they may unlock mysteries related to the formation of supermassive black holes in the universe’s distant past. Should they originate from supermassive stars instead of conventional stars, we could gain critical insights into how these black holes achieved their immense sizes in what appears to be a relatively brief time frame.

Confirming the existence of supermassive stars in GS 3073 and other nitrogen-rich galaxies from the early Universe is complex, and additional discoveries of these chemical signatures may be necessary. “It’s quite challenging to bolster the argument for their existence; establishing definitive signatures is difficult,” Regan lamented. “Nonetheless, this indication is incredibly robust.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Simulate Formation of Early Star Clusters – Sciworthy

Posted on November 17, 2025 by

The universe has undergone significant changes. Examining the contrasts between the universe as we perceive it today and its origin nearly 14 billion years ago is a crucial area of study for astrophysicists and cosmologists. Their focus is primarily on the first billion years following the Big Bang, when the first stars and galaxies began to emerge, marking the dawn of the universe. This was the initial phase when celestial objects began to emit light on their own rather than merely reflecting the remnants of the Big Bang, and it was also the first occurrence when elements heavier than helium started forming via nuclear fusion in stars.

In a recent study, a group of scientists utilized computer simulations to explore what star clusters looked like during the dawn of the universe. Their objective was to create models of star and galaxy formation that could be confirmed by new observations made by the JWST. This approach will enhance astronomers’ understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe, particularly the influence of galaxies on dark matter, which remains enigmatic, during the birth of the first stars from cosmic dust.

The research employed a cosmological simulation code called Arepo to recreate the dawn of the universe within a three-dimensional box measuring 1.9 megaparsecs on each side. This size converts to 60 quintillion kilometers or 40 quintillion miles. Within this box, the simulation contained 450 million particles representing early elemental matter, including hydrogen, helium, various isotopes, ions, and molecules that formed together. Additionally, it incorporated particles simulating known dark matter, which is affected by gravity but does not interact with other forces. When these aggregates of particles coalesced and surpassed a specific mass threshold known as jeans mass, the code indicated the formation of a star.

The team aimed to identify where the simulated stars and particles formed structures like star clusters, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. They implemented a method to group particles that were sufficiently adjacent to be considered connected, utilizing a friend of friends algorithm. By executing multiple iterations of this algorithm in the simulated universe—some focused on dark matter and others on ordinary matter such as stars, dust, and gas—the researchers sought to ascertain the arrangement of matter in the early universe.

The resulting simulated clusters were found to have dimensions comparable to actual clusters observed by astronomers in the early universe. However, no real clusters with metal-rich stars matching those in the simulations have yet been identified. Furthermore, the number of stars present in the simulated cluster was consistent with previous observations of distant star clusters recorded by the JWST. Many simulated star clusters were unstable, indicating they were not fully bound by their internal gravity. The team also found that as stable star clusters began merging into larger structures, such as galaxies, they became unstable once more.

An unexpected finding emerged from the study. The friend-of-a-friend algorithm produced varying results when assessing dark matter versus ordinary matter. The discrepancy reached up to 50%, implying that an algorithm targeting dark matter might detect only half the objects identified by an algorithm focused on regular matter. This variance depended on the mass of the identified star clusters or galaxies, particularly evident for objects within a moderate size range of 10,000 to 100,000 solar masses and very low masses around 1,000 solar masses.

The researchers could not ascertain the reasons behind this phenomenon, suggesting their simulations might be overly simplistic for accurately representing all conditions present during the universe’s dawn. Notably, they mentioned the absence of newly formed stars ejecting materials into space in their simulations. Consequently, they proposed treating their discovery as an upper limit on the frequency of star-like and, by extension, star-containing objects forming in the early universe. Their results might illustrate instances in nature where star formation occurs extremely efficiently, yet sorting out the roles of all involved processes remains necessary.

The conclusion drawn was that cosmic dawn clusters could have coalesced to create the foundations of modern galaxies or possibly evolved into the luminous cores of later galaxies. Additionally, the simulated clusters appeared to be strong candidates for forming medium-sized black holes, the remnants of which may be detectable with deep-space telescopes.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Astronomers Reveal Pleiades Star Cluster is Integral to a Vast Stellar Structure

Posted on November 14, 2025 by

The Pleiades star cluster, also referred to as the Seven Sisters and Messier 45, is an open star cluster situated around 440 light-years away from Earth in the Taurus constellation. It forms the central core of a larger network that includes several known star clusters scattered over 600 parsecs (1,950 light-years). This network is known as the Greater Pleiades Complex and comprises at least 3,091 stars.

Pleiades star cluster. Image credit: NASA / ESA / AURA / California Institute of Technology / Palomar Observatory.

Stars originate from clouds of dust and gas. Clumps of this material come together and eventually collapse under their gravity, creating the hot core that becomes a star.

Star formation typically occurs in bursts, with numerous stars being born in rapid succession.

A collection of stars that form from the same molecular cloud is known as a star cluster.

These stars remain gravitationally bound to one another for thousands of years.

Over tens to hundreds of millions of years, the materials that birthed them are expelled by cosmic winds, radiation, and various astrophysical phenomena.

As this occurs, individual stars can merge into their host galaxies, making it complex to ascertain their relationships and trace their origins, especially after more than 100 million years have elapsed.

In a recent study, Dr. Luke Buuma from the Carnegie Institution for Science Observatory and his colleagues concentrated on the Pleiades star cluster.

Utilizing data from NASA’s TESS mission, ESA’s Gaia spacecraft, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), they discovered that this cluster is the core of a broader structure of related stars spanning over 1,950 light-years.

“We refer to this as the Greater Pleiades Complex,” Dr. Bouma stated.

“It includes at least three known groups of stars, and likely two additional ones.”

“We confirmed that most members of this structure have origins in the same gigantic stellar nursery.”

A key aspect of their methodology is that a star’s rotation rate decreases with age.

The study utilized a combination of TESS’s stellar rotation data (made to detect exoplanets) and Gaia’s stellar motion observations (designed for mapping the Milky Way).

With this information, they developed a new method based on rotation to identify stars that share common origins.

“For the first time, by amalgamating data from Gaia, TESS, and SDSS, we confidently identified a new member of the Pleiades cluster,” reported Dr. Buma.

“Data from each mission alone was not enough to reveal the full scope of the structure.”

“However, when we integrated stellar motions from Gaia, rotations from TESS, and chemical data from SDSS, a coherent picture took shape.”

“It’s akin to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, where every dataset provides a different piece of a larger whole.”

Besides their comparable ages, the authors highlighted that the stars in the Greater Pleiades cluster share similar chemical compositions and were once much closer to one another.

The fifth generation of SDSS data was employed for the chemical abundance analysis.

“The Pleiades star cluster has been pivotal in human observations of stars since ancient times,” Dr. Buma remarked.

“This research marks a significant advancement in understanding the changes in the Pleiades star cluster since its formation 100 million years ago.”

The researchers believe their findings carry broad implications.

The Pleiades is not merely an astrophysical benchmark for young stars and exoplanets but also a significant cultural symbol, referenced in the Old Testament and Talmud, celebrated as Matariki in New Zealand, and represented on the Subaru logo in Japan.

Professor Andrew Mann of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stated, “We are starting to understand that many stars near the Sun belong to extensive star clusters with intricate structures.”

“Our study provides a novel method to uncover these hidden connections.”

A paper detailing the survey results has been published this week in the Astrophysical Journal.

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Andrew W. Boyle et al. 2025. Missing Sister Found: TESS and Gaia Reveal Dissolving Pleiades Complex. APJ 994, 24; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ae0724

Source: www.sci.news

Massive Plasma Cloud Erupted from a Star 130 Light-Years Away

Posted on November 12, 2025 by

Artist’s impression of a coronal mass ejection in a star

Olena Shumahalo/Collingham et al.

SEI 273957047 — Artist’s impression of a coronal mass ejection in a star

Olena Shumahalo/Collingham et al.

Astronomers have successfully identified the first clear evidence of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from a star outside of our solar system. This CME, a plasma cloud from a star located 130 light-years away, was observed using radio telescopes here on Earth.

Coronal mass ejections happen when solar storms propel bubbles of magnetized plasma into space. While such eruptions from our Sun can create auroras on Earth, they can also be powerful enough to disrupt the atmosphere of Venus, which lacks a protective magnetic field.

For decades, scientists have detected signs of CMEs in far-off stars, but until now, they were unable to confirm that this material truly escapes the star’s gravitational and magnetic grip, rather than simply being temporarily displaced and then drawn back in.

Joseph Cullingham and his team at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy discovered these emissions utilizing the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope. The bursts, or radio waves, emitted by CMEs can only be captured when the ejection travels fully away from its origin, which is StKM 1-1262.

This research group also employed the XMM-Newton space-based X-ray telescope to assess the temperature, rotation, and luminosity of the host star.

Cullingham emphasized that this new evidence conclusively affirms prior speculations that CMEs indeed occur in distant stars. “Some will say we’ve seen indications for the last 30 years, and they’re right, but we’ve never been able to prove it definitively,” he remarked. “We are discussing mass being expelled and lost from the star, which has been a topic of ongoing debate.”

The radiation from these ejecta could pose a significant threat to potential life forms nearby. According to researcher Anthony Yates from Durham University in the UK, it is crucial to integrate insights on the frequency and intensity of CMEs from distant stars into models assessing the habitability of exoplanets. “If exoplanets were to exist, the repercussions for life there could be devastating,” he added.

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Article modified on November 12, 2025

Updated star distance from Earth.

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Most Intense Black Hole Flare Recorded as Massive Star Gets Torn Apart

Posted on November 4, 2025 by

A supermassive black hole in the process of engulfing a massive star

California Institute of Technology/R. Hurt (IPAC)

Astronomers have made an astounding discovery of the brightest flare ever observed from a supermassive black hole. This flare was so intense that it can only be attributed to a tidal disruption event (TDE), where a colossal star was torn apart by a distant galaxy’s black hole, unleashing an extraordinary burst of energy that is still resonating.

Originating from an active galactic nucleus (AGN) — a supermassive black hole at the core of a galaxy consuming matter — this event is approximately 20 billion light-years from Earth, marking it as one of the most distant TDEs recorded. Notably, many TDEs remain undetected in AGNs due to the fluctuating brightness near these active black holes, which obscures the distinction between a TDE and other phenomena.

“For the last 60 years, we have understood AGNs to be highly volatile, but we lacked clarity about their variability,” explains Matthew Graham from the California Institute of Technology. “Currently, we are aware of millions of AGNs, yet their variability remains largely a mystery.” The event, dubbed “Superman” due to its remarkable brightness, holds the potential to unravel some of these cosmic enigmas.

Initially identified in 2018, astronomers speculated that Superman might merely be a bright explosion from a relatively nearby galaxy. It wasn’t until 2023 that subsequent observations unveiled its true distance and revealed that its brightness was significantly more intense than initially estimated.

This first flare enhanced AGN visibility to over 40 times greater and was 30 times more powerful than any other flare recorded from AGN. Graham and his research team concluded that the most plausible explanation is the disintegration of a massive star, possibly over 30 times the mass of the Sun.

All active supermassive black holes are surrounded by a region of infalling material known as an accretion disk. The matter density in this area is expected to yield substantial stars, although they have never been directly observed. “If our interpretation of this as a TDE is correct, it substantiates our hypothesis regarding the existence of these massive stars in such environments,” noted Graham.

“We once believed that active supermassive black holes simply housed gas disks that meandered about. However, this scenario is much more dynamic and active,” he adds. By examining the fading Superman, we may uncover a deeper understanding of its environment.

Moreover, it may lead to the establishment of a model for TDEs in AGNs, enhancing future detection efforts. “When a potential TDE is identified in an AGN, it remains uncertain whether it is merely an active galactic nucleus or if a true TDE is occurring, so having such unambiguous evidence is invaluable,” states Vivian Baldassare from Washington State University. “This will greatly aid in revealing future TDEs and understanding various AGN variability sources.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Observe Coronal Mass Ejection from Young Sun-Like Star

Posted on October 28, 2025 by

On Earth, we may not often realize it, but the sun regularly ejects massive clumps of plasma into space known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Astronomers, utilizing the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope along with ground-based telescopes in Japan and South Korea, have begun to detect signs of multi-temperature CMEs. EK Draconis, a young G-type main sequence star, is located 112 light-years away in the northern constellation Draco.

Artist’s depiction of the coronal mass ejection from EK Draconis. Image provided by: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

“Researchers believe that CMEs may have significantly impacted the development of life on Earth, given that the Sun was quite active in its early days,” stated Kosuke Namegata, an astronomer at Kyoto University, along with his colleagues.

“Historically, studies have indicated that young stars similar to our Sun often produce intense flares that surpass the largest solar flares recorded in contemporary times.”

“The massive CMEs from the early Sun could have drastically influenced the primordial conditions on Earth, Mars, and Venus.”

“Nevertheless, the extent to which these youthful stellar explosions produce solar-like CMEs remains uncertain.”

“Recent years have seen the detection of cold plasma in CMEs via ground-based optical methods.”

“However, the high speeds and frequent occurrences of significant CMEs predicted in earlier studies have yet to be confirmed.”

In their investigation, the authors concentrated on EK Draconis, a youthful solar analog estimated to be between 50 million and 125 million years old.

Commonly referred to as EK Dra and HD 129333, the star shares effective temperature, radius, and mass characteristics that make it an excellent analog for the early Sun.

“Hubble captured far-ultraviolet emission lines sensitive to high-temperature plasma, while three ground-based telescopes simultaneously recorded hydrogen alpha lines tracking cooler gas,” the astronomers explained.

“These synergistic multi-wavelength spectroscopic observations enabled us to observe both the hot and cold components of the eruption instantaneously.”

This research presents the first evidence of a multitemperature CME originating from EK Draconis.

“Our findings indicate that high-temperature plasma at around 100,000 K was ejected at speeds ranging from 300 to 550 km/s, followed approximately 10 minutes later by a lower-temperature gas around 10,000 K ejected at a speed of 70 km/s,” the astronomers reported.

“The hotter plasma contained significantly more energy than the cooler plasma. This implies that frequent intense CMEs in the past may have sparked strong shocks and high-energy particles capable of eroding or chemically altering the early atmospheres of planets.”

“Theoretical and experimental research suggests that robust CMEs and high-energy particles could play a key role in generating biomolecules and greenhouse gases vital for the emergence and sustainability of life on early planets.”

“Consequently, this discovery carries substantial implications for understanding the habitability of planets and the conditions under which life may have arisen on Earth—and potentially elsewhere.”

The team’s study was published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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Namekata K. et al. Signs of multi-temperature coronal mass ejections identified in a young solar analog. Nat Astron published online on October 27, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02691-8

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers Identify Three Earth-Sized Exoplanets in a Close Binary Star System

Posted on October 27, 2025 by

A researcher suggests that the binary star system TOI-2267 is likely home to two warm Earth-sized exoplanets and an additional candidate. A new paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics discusses these findings.

Artist’s impression of the binary star system TOI-2267. Image credit: Mario Sucerquia, Grenoble-Alpes University.

The system, known as G 222-3 or TIC 459837008, consists of the M5 type star TOI-2267A and the M6 type star TOI-2267B, which are separated by approximately 8 astronomical units.

Located about 22 parsecs (73.5 light-years) from the Sun in the constellation Cepheus, TOI-2267 presents a fascinating planetary arrangement.

Dr. Sebastian Zuniga Fernández, an astronomer at the University of Liege, stated, “Our analysis shows a distinct planetary configuration: two planets orbiting one star and a third planet orbiting its companion star.”

This discovery makes TOI-2267 the first known binary star system to host planets that transit around both stars.

Dr. Francisco Pozuelos from the Andalucía Astronomical Institute remarked, “Our findings set several records, making this star system the most compact and coolest known planet-planet pair, and it is the first observed instance of a planet transiting both components.”

Astronomers utilized the SPECULOOS and TRAPPIST telescopes along with their proprietary detection software, SHERLOCK, to identify the three planetary signals.

“Uncovering three Earth-sized planets within such a compact binary star system is an exceptional opportunity,” Dr. Zuniga-Fernández noted.

“This will enable us to scrutinize the limits of planet formation models in complex environments and deepen our understanding of the variety of planetary structures in our galaxy.”

The two confirmed planets, TOI-2267b and TOI-2267c, have orbital periods of 2.28 days and 3.49 days, respectively.

The authors currently cannot determine which star in the binary system the planets orbit.

When orbiting TOI-2267A, TOI-2267b and TOI-2267c exhibit radii of 1 and 1.14 Earth sizes, while their radii become 1.22 and 1.36 Earth radii when orbiting TOI-2267B.

Furthermore, researchers detected a third strong signal with a period of 2.03 days, which is still classified as a planetary candidate, having sizes of 0.95 or 1.13 Earth radii depending on whether it orbits TOI-2267A or TOI-2267B.

Dr. Pozuelos added, “This system serves as a genuine natural laboratory for exploring how rocky planets can form and persist under extreme mechanical conditions that were previously thought to endanger their stability.”

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S. Zuniga-Fernandez et al. 2025. Two warm Earth-sized exoplanets and an Earth-sized candidate planet in the M5V-M6V binary star system TOI-2267. A&A 702, A85; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202554419

Source: www.sci.news

A Black Hole Devoured a Star and Then Disappeared.

Posted on October 13, 2025 by

This orange dot represents a gamma-ray burst, thought to indicate an extraordinary event.

ESO/A. Levan, A. Martin-Carrillo et al.

A black hole that has consumed a star appears to have avenged itself by devouring the star from within, generating a gamma-ray burst located approximately 9 billion light-years from Earth.

This burst, known as GRB 250702B, was initially identified by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in July. Such bursts are brilliant flashes of light due to jets produced by high-energy occurrences, like massive stars collapsing into black holes or the merging of neutron stars, and generally last only a few minutes.

However, GRB 250702B lasted an astonishing 25,000 seconds, equating to about 7 hours, which makes it the longest gamma-ray burst on record. Researchers have struggled to account for this phenomenon, but Eliza Knights and her team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center propose an unusual and rare scenario.

“The only [model] providing a natural explanation for the characteristics observed in GRB 250702B involves a stellar-mass black hole falling into the star,” the researchers mentioned in their published study.

In a typical long gamma-ray burst, a massive star collapses to create a black hole and emits a jet during its demise. In this situation, however, the research team posits the inverse. An existing black hole spiraled into a companion star, whose outer layers had expanded during its later stages, resulting in the black hole losing angular momentum and descending toward the star’s center.

The black hole then incinerated the star from the inside, producing a powerful jet perceived as GRB 250702B, potentially causing a faint supernova, although it remained too dim for detection at this distance by the James Webb Space Telescope.

This theory is beneficial for understanding the mechanisms behind ultra-long bursts. Hendrik van Eerten from the University of Bath, UK, remarks, “The arguments presented in this paper are very persuasive.”

Knights and her team hope that, with the help of telescopes like the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, we may observe more such events in the future. Meanwhile, van Eerten describes the gamma-ray burst as “absurd.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Did a Star Explode and Strike Earth 10 Million Years Ago?

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A supernova may have directed cosmic rays towards Earth

Muratart/Shutterstock

Approximately 10 million years ago, a volatile star might have unleashed cosmic rays toward Earth, and astronomers are currently narrowing down the potential culprits behind this cosmic event.

Earlier this year, Dominique Koll of Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and his colleagues in Germany discovered a spike in radioactive beryllium trapped in five kilometers of sediment in the Pacific Ocean, dating back over 10 million years. This form of beryllium is generated exclusively when cosmic rays collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, leading Koll and his team to hypothesize that a supernova explosion might be the origin of this event.

Nonetheless, alternative explanations cannot be dismissed. These include the Sun’s magnetic influence on Earth at that time and the possibility of ocean currents from Earth’s poles contributing to beryllium deposition, areas where cosmic rays and beryllium production are typically more intense.

Now, Efrem Maconi from the University of Vienna and his team have pinpointed two likely supernova candidates using data obtained from the Gaia space telescope.

By examining the trajectories of roughly 2,700 stars near our Sun over the past 20 million years and assessing their potential to produce supernovae, Macconi and his colleagues determined that there is a 70% probability of such events occurring among these star clusters.

Researchers have identified two possible progenitors for the explosion. The most probable one, located about 200 light years away, is a relatively young cluster named ASCC 20, while the cluster OCSN 61, situated further away, is also a potential source.

Additional support for the supernova theory is that 10 million years ago, our solar system was engulfed in a bustling region of the galaxy, surrounded by extensive clouds of gas, dust, and stars known as the Radcliffe waves.

“This is a promising indication that warrants further investigation,” says Koll. “If [Maconi] were to claim we could fully eliminate this possibility, I would happily accept that as a solid conclusion. However, in this instance, it certainly remains intriguing.”

Further modeling of stellar movements will be necessary to ascertain whether these stars indeed played a role, yet this hypothesis aligns well with other findings in Earth’s geological history. Unlike cosmic rays that travel close to the speed of light, dust moves much slower, making it plausible that beryllium spikes resulted from cosmic rays from a supernova initially impacting Earth.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Hubble Discovers Cloudy Star Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A stunning new image captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals a star cluster known as N11, located within the expansive Magellanic Cloud.

This Hubble image depicts star cluster N11. Image credits: NASA/ESA/Hubble/C. Murray/J. Maíz Apellániz.

“This scene is part of the large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy situated approximately 160,000 light years from the constellations Dorado and Mensa,” the Hubble astronomer stated.

“With a mass equivalent to 10-20% of that of the Milky Way, the large Magellanic Cloud is the most substantial of the numerous small galaxies orbiting our galaxy.”

“These large Magellanic Clouds host various significant stellar nursery regions where gas clouds, like those portrayed in this image, converge to form new stars.”

This latest Hubble image illustrates a segment of N11, the second-largest star-forming region within the large Magellanic Cloud.

“The Tarantula Nebula, which ranks as the largest and most active star-forming region in the large Magellanic Clouds, is a frequent target for Hubble,” the astronomer noted.

“We observe bright young stars illuminating gas clouds and sculpting masses of dust using their powerful ultraviolet rays.”

“This image represents observations spaced about 20 years apart, highlighting Hubble’s enduring legacy,” they added.

“The initial observations took place between 2002 and 2003 and provided exceptional sensitivity and resolution with the new technology at the time, the Advanced Camera for Surveys.

“We directed Hubble towards the N11 Star Cluster and accomplished something unprecedented: cataloging all the stars in our young cluster, from those with 10% to 100 times the mass of the Sun.”

“The subsequent observations utilized Hubble’s latest instruments, specifically the Wide Field Camera 3.

“These new images emphasized the cluster-filled dusty clouds, offering a fresh perspective on cosmic dust.”

Source: www.sci.news

How Galactic Clusters Influence Star Formation – Sciworthy

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A multitude of objects inhabit space, from tiny dust grains to enormous black holes. However, the focus of astronomers is primarily on these objects’ formations, held together by gravity. At the smaller scale are planets and their moons; planetary system. Then there are stars and their respective planets, forming a planetary system. Beyond that, we encounter stars, black holes, along with gas and dust in between, referred to as a galaxy. On a grander scale, the assembly of very large objects that creates larger patterns throughout the universe is termed structure. An example of such a structure is a galaxy cluster, composed of hundreds to thousands of galaxies.

Astronomers are keen to understand the influence that being part of a larger structure, such as a galaxy cluster, has on its individual objects, especially as these structures evolve over time. One research team investigated what transpires when a galaxy encounters the Abel 496 cluster, which harbors a mass approximately 400 trillion times that of the Sun and is relatively nearby, at about 140 megaparsecs or approximately 455 million light-years away from Earth.

Their goal was to study how the galaxy evolved after joining the cluster. They observed 22 galaxies within Abel 496 to identify any differences in star formation rates post-infall. Specifically, they aimed to pinpoint the last billion years, focusing on when the cluster’s regular star-forming galaxies ceased creating new stars.

The research team merged two distinct types of data regarding light emissions from the observed galaxies. The first is the long-wavelength emissions from neutral hydrogen atoms present in the interstellar dust; H I, pronounced “H One”. Analyzing these emissions helps determine how much the galaxy is being influenced by its neighboring galaxies and how much gas remains for star formation. These H I emissions were observed using the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array.

The second dataset comprised short-wavelength emissions from recently formed stars, which have a mass between two to five times that of the Sun. These stars are short-lived, averaging a lifespan of less than 1 billion years. Researchers utilized luminosity patterns from these ultraviolet measurements to calculate the star formation frequency within the galaxies. These observations were conducted using the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope aboard the AstroSat Satellite.

By combining this data, the team could delineate the history of each galaxy, assessing how long star-forming gas reserves persist and when star formation starts being influenced by the presence of other galaxies. The spatial positioning of each galaxy within the cluster was also examined to understand how the process of falling into the cluster altered their evolutionary trajectories.

The researchers found that galaxies located at the cluster’s edge experience star formation rates perceived as undisturbed, consistent with the Main Sequence. Additionally, it was noted that over half of the 22 galaxies under study reside at the center of the cluster, closely bound by gravitational forces and subject to secondary effects. Nevertheless, none of these central galaxies have fallen into the cluster for the past hundreds of millions of years, implying that they have not yet reached the region closest to the actual center of the cluster.

The team developed a five-stage evolutionary model for galaxies falling into clusters. Initially, galaxies begin their descent into clusters and continue their standard main sequence star formation, termed pre-trigger. In the second stage, other galaxies within the cluster disrupt the neutral hydrogen of the falling galaxies, triggering increased star formation.

The third stage sees a significant disturbance of the galaxy’s neutral hydrogen, escalating star formation to peak levels, designated as star formation peak. Next, during the fourth stage, the emissions of newly formed stars decline, though the galaxies are still quite disturbed, referred to as star-forming fading. The researchers estimate that these first four stages could span hundreds of millions of years. In the fifth stage, the depletion of neutral hydrogen leads star formation rates to fall below the pre-trigger main sequence, termed extinction.

In conclusion, the researchers asserted that their methodology successfully reconstructed the evolutionary history of galaxy clusters. However, they encouraged future teams to develop accurate measurement methods for both star formation and neutral gas within distant galaxies. They recommended utilizing larger samples of galaxies within clusters for more robust statistical analyses and investigating multiple clusters across various local environments to gain deeper insights into how galaxies evolve within vast structures.

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Source: sciworthy.com

New Theory Suggests Supermassive Black Holes Are Remnants of the Universe’s First Star

Posted on August 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In a recent study, Professor Jonathan Tan, an astrophysicist from the University of Virginia and Chalmers Institute of Technology, suggests that the population III.1 supermassive star is the precursor to the ultra-high-massive black holes observed in the early universe. The intense high-energy photons emitted by the star ionized the surrounding hydrogen gas, creating a natural intergalactic medium that extended over millions of light-years. This process led to the formation of ultra-high massive black holes that caused a flash ionization, effectively ending the “dark age” of the universe.

An artist’s impression of the star field from population III that would have been visible hundreds of millions of years post-Big Bang. Image credits: noirlab/nsf/aura/J. da silva/SpaceEngine.

These black holes, residing at the centers of most large galaxies, including our Milky Way, typically possess masses millions or even billions of times greater than that of the Sun.

Their formation has sparked considerable debate, particularly with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope uncovering numerous such black holes located far away that date back to the universe’s early days.

Professor Tan’s theory, referred to as “Pop III.1,” posits that all supermassive black holes originate from the first stars, termed debris Population III.1 stars, which grow to enormous sizes due to energy from a dark matter annihilation process. This theory aligns with many of Webb’s latest discoveries.

In his publication, Tan presents another prediction that may illuminate our understanding of the universe’s origins.

“Our model indicates that the ultra-large star progenitors of black holes ionize the surrounding hydrogen gas extremely quickly, signaling their emergence with a bright flash that permeates all space,” stated Professor Tan.

“Notably, this additional stage of ionization occurs at a significantly faster rate than seen in typical galaxies, potentially addressing recent challenges and discrepancies in cosmology.”

“This was an unexpected connection we identified during the development of the POP III.1 model, but it could have substantial significance.”

“Professor Tan has crafted a sophisticated model that elucidates the two-stage process of star formation and ionization in the early universe,” commented Professor Richard Ellis, a distinguished observational cosmologist from the University of London.

“The initial star, created from a brief, brilliant flash of light, may have since vanished. Thus, what we observed with Webb could represent a subsequent phase. The universe continues to amaze us with its surprises.”

Professor Tan’s paper is set to be published in the Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Jonathan C. Tan. 2025. POPIII.1 Flash ionization of the early universe by supermassive stars. apjl in press; Arxiv: 2506.18490

Source: www.sci.news

The Earliest High-Speed Radio Burst Illuminates Early Star Formation

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A magnetar, a type of neutron star, can be the source of fast radio bursts

Science Photo Library/Alamy

A peculiar burst of light from the early universe aids astronomers in mapping elusive gases found between galaxies, much like flashlights in dark spaces.

The Fast Radio Burst (FRB) is an extremely brief yet potent burst of radio frequency emissions that has puzzled astronomers since its discovery in 2007. Currently, we know of only a few thousand instances in the universe, leaving much still to be understood about them, especially as most originate from galaxies neighboring the Milky Way.

Now, Manisha Kaleb from the University of Sydney, Australia, along with her research team, has identified a remarkably distant FRB, tracing back to a galaxy that existed merely 3 billion years post-Big Bang.

Kaleb and her collaborators first detected a burst designated 20240304B using the South African Meerkat Radio Telescope in March 2024, corroborating their findings with observations from the James Webb Space Telescope. They determined that the burst originated from a small, faint galaxy that appeared relatively youthful, characterized by rapid star formation.

“This discovery is extraordinarily distant,” stated Jason Hessel from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The FRB 20240304B is from an epoch in the universe’s timeline known as the ‘midday’ of the universe, a period when the rate of new star formation peaks. This hints that during the galaxy’s formative years, this FRB—and possibly others—may have stemmed from a young star that underwent a supernova and collapsed into a magnetar, according to Hessel.

A key reason astronomers focus on FRBs lies in their ability to shine a light on ionized gases and lost electrons from radiation emitted by stars, which constitute most of the universe’s matter. Understanding its distribution is crucial for unraveling how larger structures—such as stars and galaxies—form. However, like the FRB, this gas remains largely invisible unless illuminated by a light source.

“This luminous flash reveals all the ionized material between us and the origin of the flash, allowing us to map both the gas and the magnetic fields amidst the stars and galaxies,” Hessel added.

The discovery of FRB 20240304B implies that the universe’s first stars were actively ionizing their surroundings, which can help establish a timeline of when these stars first ignited, according to Anastasia Fialkov from Cambridge University. The insights gleaned will only enhance with the detection of even more distant FRBs.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Philippa James: Captivating Moments of a Teenage TikTok Star | Best Photos

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

This began as a project involving my daughter and her friend. Being part of the smartphone generation, they were both 14 at the time and eager to explore their relationship with mobile devices. According to Ofcom’s 2022 research, nine out of ten children owned a smartphone by age 11, and by age 12, 91% were using video platforms, messaging apps, and social media. I discussed the negative perceptions surrounding mobile phones, teenagers, and screens with them. They shared that social media can both enhance confidence and diminish it.

I asked if I could take a photo. I didn’t provide much direction; instead of capturing them in a typical portrait style, I simply observed their interactions. The energy was vibrant: they moved swiftly, danced to short music clips, filmed one another, laughed, scrolled, chatted, took selfies, and rehearsed TikTok dances. I struggled to keep pace with their excitement. This image, titled TikTok, emerged from our session. I quickly directed Lucy to glance at me, capturing the moment just before they transitioned to the next activity. As a portrait photographer, you develop an instinct for certain shots, and I felt this one was special.

While editing, I reflected on how girls utilize their phones for visual communication, as theorized by Nathan Jurgenson, who refers to it as “Social Photography.” This concept emphasizes that photos are more about social interaction than mere objects, moving away from traditional photography’s intent of documentation or archiving, focusing instead on sharing moments visually.

Spending time with the girls revealed the darker aspects of mobile usage. I showcased this project as a continuing exhibition in Oxford, working with focus groups of teenage girls who shared their experiences regarding online sexism and sexual harassment. Some of the stories I learned were quite shocking. The final work incorporates photographs alongside handwritten testimonials.

To deepen my research, I explored the writings of activists Laura Bates and Soma Sarah. Initially, the project title was inconsequential, but as it evolved, I changed it to a catchy phrase from a TikTok soundbite my daughter had shared with me. This shift evoked feelings of protectiveness and annoyance as a mother and a feminist. Although the title may be discomforting, it serves to capture attention and foster awareness.

This photo embodies multiple layers of meaning. It is beautiful and captivating, capturing a remarkable moment that celebrates the joy of girls in their generation, and reflects the essence of their world. These teenage years are fleeting, and the joy they share is essential to witness in a safe environment.

Additionally, the image invites viewers to notice the dynamic gaze between the three girls. Lucy not only looks directly at the camera but also interacts with the viewer through her expression and stance. As a mother and a photographer, my perspective evolves with ongoing research. The viewers’ perceptions may mirror their experiences as teenagers, which introduces a fascinating tension into the conversation surrounding this subject.

The girl in my mind is now 17 years old. Much has happened in the world since that photo was taken, including the rise of figures like Andrew Tate, who gained notoriety even as our children were already aware of him. Recently, themes addressed in Netflix series have sparked broader societal discussions.

Just this week, my mom reached out to discuss “short skirts.” The conflict between my role as a mother and a woman often feels intricate. As a protective instinct kicks in, I question why women shouldn’t wear what they choose. Sadly, young women today face risks merely by possessing a smartphone, in a world that remains unfamiliar to us parents.

Phillippa James’ Resume

Photo: Philippa James

Born: Bus, 1978
Trained: Kent (2000) in Art and Moving Image; Falmouth Photography MA (2023)
Influences: “The inspiration from Rineke Dijkstra, Miranda July, Lynne Ramsay, Tracey Emin, Abigail Heyman, Cindy Sherman, Samantha Morton, Catherine McCormack, Robert Altman’s film Short Cuts, and Lisa Taddeo’s book.”
Career Highlight: “Last year, I was honored to be selected for the Taylor Wessing Portrait Award and exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, with funding from the Arts Council England to further develop my practice. I also received LensCulture’s Emerging Talent Award.
Career Low Point: “In 2020, I faced public backlash for including trans women in my first personal project, 100 Women in Oxford, which led to protests against the exhibition. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, expression, and the emotional impact of capturing real people.”
Top Tip: “Stay committed to your work, reflect on your creations, and keep producing. Photography may seem easy, but it’s challenging; consistency is key.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Saturn-Sized Planets Can Orbit the Closest Sun-Like Star

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

What might the artistic concept of a gas giant in orbit around Alpha Centauri A resemble?

ESA/Webb Copyright: NASA, ESA, CSA, STSCI, R.

A massive planet comparable to Saturn is potentially identified orbiting a sun-like star in our nearest stellar system, Alpha Centauri.

Located just four light-years from Earth, Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to us, comprising three stars: Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and the Red Dwarf Star Proxima Centauri. Scientists have long speculated that planets akin to those in our solar system could exist in such systems, and whether planets can reside at distances similar to our Sun’s “habitable zone” around binary stars has been a matter of intrigue. “These stars are very bright, relatively close, and move quickly across the sky,” mentions Charles Baichman from Caltech in a statement.

Recent observations gathered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) mid-infrared instrument suggest that a gas giant possibly as substantial as Saturn is orbiting the sun-like star, Alpha Centauri A. This discovery has come as a surprise. “Webb was specifically designed to identify the most distant galaxies, not exoplanets,” remarked Beichman, underscoring that such an identification must be meticulously coordinated through numerous observations, evaluations, and computer simulations, which “can yield remarkable insights.”

While previous methodologies for detecting planets relied on indirect measurements, the JWST executed a “more ambitious” approach by actually gathering light from potential planets, according to Alan Boss of Carnegie Science in Washington, DC, who was not involved in this particular study. Nevertheless, visibility of the potential planets was lost in subsequent observations.

“We’re encountering a case of a disappearing planet!” exclaimed Aniket Sanghi, also at Caltech, in a statement. The research team ran simulations of millions of possible trajectories to solve this conundrum, determining that “in half of the possible simulated orbits, the planet would have been too close to the star, making it undetectable by Webb in both February and April 2025,” he said.

As a gas giant, this planet wouldn’t support life as we know it. However, if this finding is validated, it could significantly enhance our understanding of planet formation around stars. “The mere existence of two closely situated stars within a stellar system will challenge our comprehension of how planets form, survive, and evolve under such chaotic circumstances,” Sangi pointed out. “This is also crucial for Earth, as it is our closest neighbor, beside the giant planets in our solar system, with a temperature and age somewhat akin to Earth.”

This revelation has been documented in two accepted papers for publication in Astrophysics Letters.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Astronomers Uncover a Rare Red Supergiant Star

Posted on August 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The newly identified Stephenson 2 DFK 52, an extraordinary red supergiant, is situated within the expansive stellar cluster RSGC2.

This image showcases the red supergiant star Stephenson 2 DFK 52 and its surroundings. Image credits: Alma / ESO / NAOJ / NRAO / Siebert et al.

RSGC2 is a cluster containing at least 26 red supergiants located at the base of the Milky Way’s diagonal crux spiral arm, approximately 5,800 parsecs (18,917 light-years) away.

Also referred to as Stephenson 2, this cluster is an active site for recent star formation where the arms intersect with galaxy bulges.

A team of astronomers led by Mark Siebert from Chalmers University of Technology observed the RSGC2 star using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

“What we catch in this image of Stephenson 2 DFK 52 is indeed a supermassive red star that is shedding clouds of gas and dust as it approaches the end of its lifecycle,” they explained.

“Such nebulae are typically found around supermassive stars; however, this particular cloud presents an intriguing mystery for astronomers.”

“This cloud of ejected material is the most expansive discovered around a giant star, spanning an impressive 1.4 light-years.”

“Stephenson 2 DFK 52 is quite similar to Betelgeuse, another renowned red supergiant, so we anticipated observing a comparable cloud surrounding it.”

“If Stephenson 2 DFK 52 is as close to us as Betelgeuse, the surrounding cloud would appear about one-third the size of the full moon.”

Recent observations from ALMA have enabled astronomers to quantify the mass of material enveloping the star and analyze its velocity.

“Regions moving towards us appear in blue, while those receding are represented in red,” they stated.

“The data suggests that the star experienced a significant mass loss event about 4,000 years ago, followed by a slow-down in its current mass loss rate.”

The team estimates that Stephenson 2 DFK 52 has a mass between 10-15 solar masses and has already lost 5-10% of its mass.

“The rapid expulsion of such materials within a brief time frame poses a mystery,” the researchers commented.

“Could an unusual interaction with a companion star be responsible? Why does the cloud exhibit such a complex shape?”

“Understanding why Stephenson 2 DFK 52 has expelled so much material can illuminate insights into its eventual fate.

The team’s paper is set to be published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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Mark A. Sheebert et al. 2025. Discovery of the extraordinary red supergiant Stephenson 2 DFK 52 within the expansive stellar cluster RSGC2. A&A in press; Arxiv: 2507.11609

Source: www.sci.news

The Expansive Bubbles Surrounding the Dying Star Defy Comprehension

Posted on July 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Gas bubbles surrounding red supergiant DFK 52

Alma/Mark Siebert et al. 2025

A dying star is shedding a massive sphere of dust and gas approximately half the size of our solar system. Astronomers are puzzled by this phenomenon as there’s no known process capable of producing such an extensive amount of material from a single star.

Red supergiants are the universe’s largest stars, representing the final stages of a massive star that has exhausted most of its fuel before it eventually goes supernova. During this brief phase, the star expands rapidly, releasing copious amounts of gas and dust and forming bubbles around it.

Mark Siebert from the Chalmers Institute of Technology in Sweden and his colleagues found that the red supergiant star DFK 52 possesses the largest known environment for such celestial bodies, creating a bubble 50,000 times wider than the distance between Earth and the Sun. Curiously, these stars are relatively dim, suggesting they have less energy than what would typically be needed to generate such a vast debris field. “I can’t ascertain how I can disperse so much material in that timeframe,” Siebert remarks.

Previously, DFK 52 had been observed by various telescopes, allowing astronomers to conclude that it expelled a normal quantity of gas. However, when Siebert and his team used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, they detected light at longer wavelengths from older, much cooler materials.

“It reveals an extensive environment around DFK 52 with a very complex geometry that’s not entirely understood yet,” Siebert explains. “We don’t grasp the precise structure, but we acknowledge its immense scale.”

Similar to the intricate flow of bubbles throughout the structure, Siebert and his team observed ring-like formations at the core of the overall sphere, expanding at approximately 30 kilometers per second. They estimate that this activity likely stemmed from a significant event that occurred around 4,000 years ago, potentially key to understanding how the star generated so much material.

Location of DFK 52 observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope

NASA/JPL-CALTECH/IPAC

A potential explanation for the extensive environment is that these stars may have briefly increased in brightness and then dramatically faded, although red supergiants are not typically known for such fluctuations, according to Siebert. Alternatively, another star may be orbiting a larger star, stripping material from DFK 52, but this would likely result in a more symmetrical bubble, Siebert asserts. “It is evident that some additional energy sources must contribute to this phenomenon, but we remain uncertain about what they are,” he comments.

“The explosion won’t alter the star’s overall evolution, but it may significantly influence the future appearances of supernovas,” says Emma Beads from John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. “This is an intriguing development that enhances our understanding of unusual supernovae.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com