European Southern Observatory

Researchers using the ALMA observatory have detected water vapor in the disc around a young star, in a region where planets are likely forming. This discovery is pivotal because water is vital for life and plays a crucial role in planet formation. The findings reveal a substantial amount of water, suggesting its potential impact on the chemical composition of emerging planets. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comWater vapor has been discovered in a planet-forming disc around a young star, revealing conditions…

This artist’s impression shows the magnetic white dwarf WD 0816-310, where astronomers have found a scar imprinted on its surface as a result of having ingested planetary debris. When objects like planets or asteroids approach the white dwarf they get disrupted, forming a debris disc around the dead star. Some of this material can be devoured by the dwarf, leaving traces of certain chemical elements on its surface. Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers found that the signature of these chemical elements changed…

This artist’s impression shows the record-breaking quasar J059-4351, the bright core of a distant galaxy that is powered by a supermassive black hole. Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, this quasar has been found to be the most luminous object known in the Universe to date. The supermassive black hole, seen here pulling in surrounding matter, has a mass 17 billion times that of the Sun and is growing in mass by the equivalent of another Sun per day, making it the fastest-growing black hole ever known.…

The winter nights may be long, but they don’t have to be dull, even for folks with small apartments who don’t have room for an extra big telescope. Unistellar’s latest telescope, the Odyssey, is half the size and less than half the weight of the company’s last big release from 2023. However, with a few taps on your phone, it still makes it easier than ever to zoom in on your favorite planet, star, nebula, or distant galaxy.Will You Click Windows’ New Copilot Button?Last year’s Unistellar model, the eQuinox 2, also…

The Running Chicken Nebula comprises several clouds, all of which we can see in this vast image from the VLT Survey Telescope (VST), hosted at ESO’s Paranal site. This 1.5-billion-pixel image spans an area in the sky of about 25 full Moons. The clouds shown in wispy pink plumes are full of gas and dust, illuminated by the young and hot stars within them. Credit: ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgment: CASUThe ESO unveils a detailed image of the Running Chicken Nebula, located 6500 light-years away in the Centaurus constellation.…

Amateur astronomy is so hot right now, and it’s never been easier for backyard enthusiasts to gaze into the cosmos and contemplate their puny, meaningless existences. We’ve assembled a collection of exceptional gift ideas to help your favorite space enthusiast take their skywatching skills to the next level.Google’s AI Isn’t a Gimmick, It’s the Future | AI UnlockedFor those looking to enhance their night sky experience, finding the right equipment is key. From advanced robotic telescopes to essential accessories like…

Astronomers using the MUSE instrument on the ESO’s Very Large Telescope, have discovered that galactic winds, which limit galaxy growth and star formation, are a universal phenomenon in galaxies over 7 billion years old. These winds, formed from massive star explosions, are difficult to detect due to their low density but were mapped using magnesium atom emission signals. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Researchers using the MUSE instrument have identified galactic winds in ancient galaxies, confirming their role in limiting…

Astronomers have deciphered the peculiar behavior of a pulsar, PSR J1023+0038, using 12 telescopes, including those from the European Southern Observatory (ESO). This pulsar, which rapidly alternates between two brightness modes, ejects matter in sudden bursts, causing these switches. This breakthrough, involving comprehensive observations and analysis, enhances our understanding of pulsar dynamics and sets the stage for future discoveries with advanced telescopes like ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope. An extensive…

This artist’s impression shows the HH 1177 system, which is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring galaxy of our own. The young and massive stellar object glowing in the center is collecting matter from a dusty disc while also expelling matter in powerful jets. This is the first time a disc around a young star — the type of disc identical to those forming planets in our own galaxy — has been discovered in another galaxy. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser Using the ALMA telescope, astronomers have detected a disc…

The center of our galaxy is a menagerie of exotic objects; a supermassive black hole, clouds of hot gas, and giant stars that can help inform the origin story of much of the universe. Using the Webb telescope, scientists got to see this chaotic region of the Milky Way in a different light, revealing new features and incredible detail in a glimmering portrait of the galactic center. Webb Telescope Images the Pillars of CreationThe latest image from the Webb Space Telescope captured a portion of the Milky Way’s dense core,…