Galaxies

This never-before-seen phenomenon could help explain what comprises dark matter

Galaxies in every corner of the universe have been sending out photons, or light particles, since nearly the beginning of time. Astronomers are now beginning to read this extragalactic background light

Explosive geysers of material that shoot away from black holes at nearly the speed of light seem to form more often in galaxies that are the product of two galaxies merging together

The Thirty Meter Telescope can revolutionize astronomy and become a part of the holy mountain’s rich cultural heritage

The embattled Thirty Meter Telescope project can proceed on Mauna Kea, but only by cutting back astronomy elsewhere on the mountain

Astronomers use Kepler telescope to study weather on Jupiter-size planets beyond our solar system

High-energy photons from the Milky Way’s core suggest dark matter may soon be found by the world's most powerful particle accelerator

A vast region of space colder than expected is also largely devoid of galaxies, and the two observations are no coincidence. Clara Moskowitz reports

Controversy swirls around a bold proposal for a bigger, better—and expensive—replacement for NASA’s premier space telescope

Two prominent scientists update our view of the history of life on Earth, featuring the prominent roles of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and question claims that it is fairly easy to initiate life—even on a planet such as ours

On April 30, if all goes well, after running out of fuel to fight off orbital decay NASA’s long-running MESSENGER spacecraft will end its mission to Mercury by crashing into the planet’s surface at nearly 4 kilometers per second.

Scientists and astronauts recall the telescope’s finest hours as well as threats to its 25-year existence