Dwarf galaxy

Astronomy

The best space photos of 2021: Sparkling starfields to majestic nebula

The endless expanse of space is a beautiful and fascinating subject for photography. From the dramatic births and deaths of stars, to galactic glamor shots and planetary close-ups, here are some of the most breathtaking space photos of 2021.

Artist's impression of the now vanished luminous blue variable star

Astronomy

One of the most massive stars in local universe may have disappeared

A star that shined with 2.5 million times the light of our Sun has disappeared from the night sky. It is possible that the star collapsed into a black hole without first triggering a supernova – a rare event, even in the context of dying stars.

The Hubble view of starbirth region LHA 120-N150, where enormous stellar bodies are being formed

Astronomy

Hubble probes the birthplace of colossal stars in nearby galaxy

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a view of a stellar laboratory that is being used to understand how truly gargantuan stars come to form. The image features a colorful starfield and a substructure of the famous Tarantula Nebula.

Still frame from a University of Sydney animation, showing how Andromeda may have destroyed the dwarf galaxies

Astronomy

New research reveals Andromeda's feeding habits

A new study has revealed the violent past of the Andromeda galaxy, by identifying the remains of its galactic victims.

An artist's rendition of ripples in the outer disc of the Milky Way, which are believed to have been caused by a collision with the "ghost" galaxy Antlia 2

Astronomy

Milky Way still reeling from impact with "ghost galaxy"

Last year astronomers discovered a gigantic “ghost” galaxy, named Antlia 2, orbiting the Milky Way. Now, new research led by Rochester University has found that the bizarre galaxy may have been involved in a hit-and-run that left the Milky Way with a wobbly galactic disc.

A computer simulation of a spiral galaxy, like the Milky Way, forming. These simulations suggest that the outer halo is made up of stars from other galaxies

Astronomy

Star unlike any found in the Milky Way appears to be an intergalactic intruder

Astronomers have discovered a star in the Milky Way that doesn’t belong. Known as J1124+4535, the star has a chemical composition unlike any others ever observed in our home galaxy, suggesting it’s an intergalactic interloper that may have come from a dwarf galaxy swallowed up by the Milky Way.

An artist's imagining of the night sky from Earth as the Milky Way collides with neighboring galaxy Andromeda – a new study shows that the Large Magellanic Cloud will also smash into the Milky Way much sooner

Astronomy

Neighboring galaxy found to be on a collision course with the Milky Way

According to a new study, the Large Magellanic Cloud, a nearby dwarf galaxy, is on a collision course with the Milky Way. But there’s no need to worry just yet – the starry smashup won’t begin for another two billion years or so.

An artist's impression of a collision between the Milky Way and a smaller dwarf galaxy, such as that which occurred about eight to 10 billion years ago

Astronomy

Milky Way still bears the 10-billion-year-old scars of a galactic collision

An international team of astronomers has now found evidence of a celestial smash-up between the Milky Way and an unknown dwarf galaxy that took place around eight to 10 billion years ago, and forever changed the face of our home galaxy.

Mosaic view of the Tarantula Nebula and its surroundings

Astronomy

Astronomers capture exquisite view of Tarantula Nebula

Astronomers have captured the most detailed view to date of the region of space surrounding the famous Tarantula Nebula – a 1,000 light-year wide swirling cloud of cosmic gas, the core of which is illuminated by some of the brightest and most massive stars ever detected.