Astrophysics

Astrophysics
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Galaxies, Stars, & Black Holes
Galaxies, Stars, & Black Holes Research
Marshall Astrophysics
Marshall Space Flight Center
Star Clusters
Stars
Since antiquity, wreaths have symbolized the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is fitting then that one of the best places for astronomers to learn more about the stellar lifecycle resembles a giant holiday wreath itself. The star cluster NGC 602 lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, which is one of the closest […]
Posted December 17, 2024
Astrophysics
Astrophysics Division
Goddard Space Flight Center
Science-enabling Technology
Technology Highlights
The Universe
XRISM (X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission)
X-rays are radiated by matter hotter than one million Kelvin, and high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy can tell us about the composition of the matter and how fast and in what direction it is moving. Quantum calorimeters are opening this new window on the Universe.
Posted December 17, 2024
Astrophysics
Galaxies
Galaxies, Stars, & Black Holes
Goddard Space Flight Center
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Science & Research
Stars
The Universe
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope just solved a conundrum by proving a controversial finding made with the agency’s Hubble Space Telescope more than 20 years ago. In 2003, Hubble provided evidence of a massive planet around a very old star, almost as old as the universe. Such stars possess only small amounts of heavier elements […]
Posted December 16, 2024
Astrophysics
Astrophysics Division
Galaxies
Goddard Space Flight Center
Hubble Space Telescope
Spiral Galaxies
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the glorious spiral galaxy NGC 5643, which is located roughly 40 million light-years away in the constellation Lupus, the Wolf. NGC 5643 is a grand design spiral, which refers to the galaxy’s symmetrical form with two large, winding spiral arms that are clearly visible.
Posted December 13, 2024
Astrophysics
Galaxies
Galaxy clusters
Goddard Space Flight Center
Gravitational Lensing
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Science & Research
The Universe
For the first time, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has detected and “weighed” a galaxy that not only existed around 600 million years after the big bang, but is also similar to what our Milky Way galaxy’s mass might have been at the same stage of development. Other galaxies Webb has detected at this time […]
Posted December 11, 2024
Astrophysics
Black Holes
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Galaxies
Galaxies, Stars, & Black Holes
Galaxies, Stars, & Black Holes Research
Marshall Astrophysics
Marshall Science Research & Projects
Marshall Space Flight Center
Science & Research
The Universe
Even matter ejected by black holes can run into objects in the dark. Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have found an unusual mark from a giant black hole’s powerful jet striking an unidentified object in its path. The discovery was made in a galaxy called Centaurus A (Cen A), located about 12 million light-years […]
Posted December 10, 2024
Scientific Balloons
Astrophysics
Astrophysics Division
Goddard Space Flight Center
Wallops Flight Facility
NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program has returned to Antarctica’s icy expanse to kick off the annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon Campaign, where two balloon flights will carry a total of nine missions to near space. Launch operations will begin mid-December from the agency’s Long Duration Balloon camp located near the U.S.
Posted December 10, 2024
Astrophysics
Astrophysics Division
Goddard Space Flight Center
Hubble Space Telescope
Quasars
Astronomers have used the unique capabilities of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to peer closer than ever into the throat of an energetic monster black hole powering a quasar. A quasar is a galactic center that glows brightly as the black hole consumes material in its immediate surroundings. The new Hubble views of the environment around […]
Posted December 5, 2024
Astrophysics
Biological & Physical Sciences
Citizen Science
Earth Science
Heliophysics
Planetary Science
This year, we’re giving thanks to you for Doing NASA Science! You and the millions of other volunteers have enabled an incredible banquet of discoveries—by taking data, analyzing data, writing code, writing papers, and even inventing your own science projects. Your work helps us maintain our leadership in space science!
Posted November 26, 2024
Astrophysics
Galaxies
Goddard Space Flight Center
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Science & Research
Spiral Galaxies
The Universe
In a new image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, a galaxy named for its resemblance to a broad-brimmed Mexican hat appears more like an archery target. In Webb’s mid-infrared view of the Sombrero galaxy, also known as Messier 104 (M104), the signature, glowing core seen in visible-light images does not shine, and instead a […]
Posted November 25, 2024
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