All Stories by Ron Cowen
- Space
Early galaxy bulges in the middle
By tracing star birth in a galaxy that existed when the universe was less than 1 billion years old, researchers have captured what appears to be the formation of a key galactic component — a central concentration of stars known as the bulge.
- Space
Smallest known transiting planet discovered
Astronomers have found the smallest known extrasolar planets that is blocking light from its parent star. The discovery could help reveal information about the structure of planets that may resemble Earth.
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- Space
Big black holes may not stop star birth
New study suggests models may have given these supermassive beasts too much credit.
- Space
Whiff of Martian methane offers lively possibilities
The definitive discovery in Mars’ atmosphere of methane — often, but not always, a compound hinting at life — introduces the possibility of underground organisms.
- Space
Tuned in to new noise from the cosmos
Unexplained radio noise may be signals from the early universe.
- Space
In the young universe, black holes may have formed first
Findings pose a possible answer to long-standing question of when the black holes at galactic centers formed.
- Space
Astronomers get burst of details from early universe
Unusually bright afterglow records what a galaxy was like soon after Big Bang.
- Space
Evolution, 3-D animation of Cassiopeia A
Videos chart old supernova remnant, give 3-D perspective
- Space
This just in: Milky Way as massive as 3 trillion suns
Heftier size puts our galaxy on par with its neighbor Andromeda, implying a closer collision date. Findings also suggest Milky Way has four spiral arms.
- Space
Core of the galaxy in high-res
New high-resolution mosaic sharpens understanding of Milky Way’s turbulent center.
- Space
Lopsided universe demands different explanation
Cosmologists analyzing an apparent asymmetry in the pattern of radiation reveal evidence for a new type of field in the early universe.
