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Astronomers Discover Spinning Cosmic Filament Affecting Galaxy Formation

Astronomers Discover Spinning Cosmic Filament Affecting Galaxy Formation

Astronomers have identified a massive cosmic filament, part of the universe's large-scale structure, spinning and influencing the motion of 14 galaxies. This discovery was made using data from South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope, along with observations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The filament, located approximately 424 million light-years away, is the largest known spinning structure, measuring around 117,000 light-years across and 5.5 million light-years long. The galaxies within this filament are moving at 250,000 miles per hour, suggesting a synchronized rotation influenced by gravitational interactions with the filament. This phenomenon provides insights into galaxy formation and evolution, as the transfer of angular momentum from the filament to the galaxies is a key factor in their development.

Comet SWAN Captured in Stunning Image with Pillars of Creation

Comet SWAN Captured in Stunning Image with Pillars of Creation

Comet C/2025 R2 (SWAN) has been captured in a breathtaking image alongside the Eagle Nebula and the iconic Pillars of Creation. The photograph was taken by astronomer Daniele Gasparri from the Atacama Desert in Chile. The image showcases the comet's glowing green coma as it passed through the constellation Serpens, shortly after its closest approach to the sun on September 12, 2025. The Eagle Nebula, known for its resemblance to a cosmic bird of prey, is a vast structure of dust and hydrogen-rich gas, illuminated by young stars. The Pillars of Creation, part of the nebula, are famous for their stunning, radiation-sculpted columns of interstellar dust and gas. The comet was discovered by Ukrainian astronomer Vladimir Bezgly on September 10, 2025, using data from NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observer spacecraft. It is now heading towards the far reaches of the solar system and will not return for approximately 1,400 years.

Astronomers Urge Relocation of Chilean Hydrogen Plant to Protect Dark Skies

Astronomers Urge Relocation of Chilean Hydrogen Plant to Protect Dark Skies

A group of 28 leading astronomers, including Nobel laureate Reinhard Genzel, has signed an open letter urging the Chilean government to relocate a proposed green hydrogen plant. The plant, developed by AES, is planned near the Cerro Paranal Observatory, home to some of the world's most advanced astronomical facilities. The astronomers warn that the plant could increase light pollution by up to 35%, affecting the observatory's ability to conduct cutting-edge research. The plant's proximity could also cause micro-vibrations and atmospheric turbulence, further hindering astronomical observations.

Vera Rubin Observatory's Visionary Design Set to Transform Astronomy

Vera Rubin Observatory's Visionary Design Set to Transform Astronomy

The Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile, a project envisioned by physicist Tony Tyson over 30 years ago, is poised to revolutionize the field of astronomy. Recently, Tyson previewed the first images captured by the observatory, which revealed thousands of galaxies in stunning detail. The observatory, located on Cerro Pachón in the Andes, is equipped with the world's largest digital camera and is designed to create a continuous video of the southern sky. This innovative telescope will map the Universe's dark matter in three dimensions, detect millions of stars, and identify potentially hazardous asteroids. Despite its massive 350-tonne weight, the telescope's compact design allows it to capture new exposures every 40 seconds. The project, which cost $810 million, was a high-risk venture that Tyson championed despite initial skepticism.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Reveals Methanol and Hydrogen Cyanide in New Observations

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Reveals Methanol and Hydrogen Cyanide in New Observations

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is captivating astronomers with its unique chemical composition as it brightens in the December sky. Discovered in July 2025, the comet is the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System. Recent observations have detected significant amounts of methanol and hydrogen cyanide, molecules associated with the origins of life. These findings come from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, which measured the comet's emissions. The comet's trajectory suggests it originated from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.

Largest Rotating Cosmic Structure of Galaxies and Dark Matter Detected

Largest Rotating Cosmic Structure of Galaxies and Dark Matter Detected

Scientists have observed the largest-known rotating structure in the universe, a filament composed of hundreds of galaxies, gas, and dark matter. This structure, part of the cosmic web, measures about 50 million light-years long and 117,000 light-years wide. Detected using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, the filament is located approximately 140 million light-years from Earth. The discovery provides new insights into the large-scale structure of the universe and the role of dark matter in cosmic formations.

Huge rotating structure of galaxies and dark matter is detected

Huge rotating structure of galaxies and dark matter is detected

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Scientists have observed the largest-known rotating structure in the cosmos - a gargantuan thread-like assemblage of hundreds of galaxies, gas and dark matter that makes up a filament in the macrostructure of the universe called the cosmic web.

NASA's Fermi Telescope May Have Detected Dark Matter Through Gamma Rays

NASA's Fermi Telescope May Have Detected Dark Matter Through Gamma Rays

Researchers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope may have observed dark matter for the first time. The study, led by Tomonori Totani from the University of Tokyo, suggests that gamma-ray emissions detected could be the result of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) colliding and annihilating each other. This discovery, if confirmed, would be a significant breakthrough in understanding dark matter, which is believed to make up about 27% of the universe's mass-energy. The findings are based on the observation of gamma rays with a photon energy of 20 gigaelectronvolts, consistent with theoretical predictions for dark matter interactions.

NASA and ESA Capture Activity of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA and ESA Capture Activity of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have released new images of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, showcasing its dramatic activity as it approaches its closest point to Earth on December 19, 2025. The comet, which originated from outside our Solar System, has been observed by multiple space telescopes, including Hubble and ESA's Juice spacecraft. These observations reveal the comet's twin tails and a rich mix of organic molecules, such as methanol and hydrogen cyanide, which are associated with prebiotic chemistry. Despite its proximity, the comet poses no threat to Earth, remaining at a safe distance of approximately 170 million miles.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens December Skies with New Discoveries

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens December Skies with New Discoveries

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, formally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is making a significant appearance in December 2025. Discovered on July 1, 2025, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System telescope in Chile, this comet is only the third confirmed interstellar visitor to our Solar System. It is characterized by a hyperbolic orbit, indicating it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun and is merely passing through. Recent observations have revealed high levels of methanol and hydrogen cyanide, molecules associated with the origins and destruction of life. Despite speculative claims of alien origins, NASA and experts assert that 3I/ATLAS is a natural comet. The comet is currently moving away from the Sun and will make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, 2025, at a safe distance of 1.8 astronomical units.

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Approaches Earth with Unique Chemical Composition

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Approaches Earth with Unique Chemical Composition

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), is making headlines as it approaches Earth for a close flyby on December 19, 2025. This comet, the third confirmed interstellar object to enter our Solar System, has been observed to have cryovolcano-like eruptions and an atmosphere rich in prebiotic molecules. Recent studies using the ALMA radio array in Chile have detected high levels of methanol and hydrogen cyanide, suggesting a chemically rich composition. The comet's trajectory indicates it originated from interstellar space, likely from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius.

Subaru Telescope Identifies Brown Dwarf and Exoplanet, Offering New Targets for Study

Subaru Telescope Identifies Brown Dwarf and Exoplanet, Offering New Targets for Study

Astronomers using the Subaru Telescope have confirmed the discovery of two celestial objects: an exoplanet named HIP 54515 b and a brown dwarf named HIP 71618 B. These findings are the first confirmed results from the OASIS program, which combines data from ESA's Hipparcos and Gaia missions with Subaru's imaging system. HIP 54515 b, located 271 light-years away in the Leo constellation, has a mass close to 18 times that of Jupiter and orbits its star at a distance similar to Neptune's orbit around the Sun. HIP 71618 B, a brown dwarf, is situated 169 light-years away in the Bootes constellation. These discoveries provide astronomers with new targets for detailed study and are significant for future space missions, including NASA's upcoming Roman Telescope.