Galaxies

The surprisingly bright galaxy, called HD1, may contain some of the universe’s first stars, as well as a supermassive black hole

Revisiting a controversial claim, astronomers are laying bare deep uncertainties about our understanding of galactic centers

Researchers have sighted only a handful of these odd radio circles and are trying to pin down what causes them

The $25-million facility in Namibia will be the continent’s first millimeter-range astronomical observatory

The observatory has flawlessly unfurled its mirrors and sunshield—although more steps are needed before the science can begin

In a fraction of a second, the outburst released as much energy as our sun produces in 100,000 years

The successful unfurling of the five-layered, tennis court-sized assemblage is a major milestone for the new observatory

A growing number of galaxies seem to be bereft of the mysterious substance, posing fresh challenges for some of cosmology’s most cherished theories

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer will probe the physics behind black holes, neutron stars and other dynamic cosmic objects

Twenty years after their initial detection, enigmatic blasts from the sky are starting to deliver tentative answers, as well as plenty of science

A major report outlining the highest priorities and recommendations for U.S. astronomy has finally been released, revealing the shape of things to come

The observatory must complete about 50 major deployments after liftoff