A black hole discovery could force us to rethink how galaxies came to be

The discovery raises big questions about widely accepted models of galaxy formation.

Robin Smith, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Sheffield Hallam University • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 ~7 min

Looking back toward cosmic dawn − astronomers confirm the faintest galaxy ever seen

The universe used to be filled with a hydrogen fog, before early stars and galaxies burned through the haze. Astronomers are studying galaxies that tell them about this period in the early universe.

Guido Roberts-Borsani, Postdoctoral Researcher in Astrophysics, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
Aug. 8, 2023 ~9 min


Gravitational wave detector LIGO is back online after 3 years of upgrades – how the world's most sensitive yardstick reveals secrets of the universe

Upgrades to the hardware and software of the advanced observatory should allow astrophysicists to detect much fainter gravitational waves than before.

Chad Hanna, Professor of Physics, Penn State • conversation
May 22, 2023 ~10 min

AI is helping astronomers make new discoveries and learn about the universe faster than ever before

Artificial intelligence tools are making waves in almost every aspect of life, and astronomy is no different. An astronomer explains the history and future of AI in understanding the universe.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
May 3, 2023 ~8 min

Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy that makes up most of the universe

Astronomers have found that mysterious dark energy may originate in black holes.

Dave Clements, Reader in Astrophysics, Imperial College London • conversation
Feb. 15, 2023 ~8 min

How the James Webb Space Telescope has revealed a surprisingly bright, complex and element-filled early universe – Podcast

It has been one year since the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and six months since the first pictures were released. Astronomers are already learning unexpected things about the early universe.

Nehal El-Hadi, Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation • conversation
Dec. 15, 2022 ~6 min

James Webb Space Telescope: An astronomer explains the stunning, newly released first images

NASA released five new images from the James Webb Space Telescope, revealing incredible details of ancient galaxies, stars and the presence of water in the atmosphere of a distant planet.

Silas Laycock, Professor of Astronomy, UMass Lowell • conversation
July 13, 2022 ~9 min

James Webb Telescope: a scientist explains what its first, amazing images show – and how it will change astronomy

Even experts were not prepared for the crispness of the new images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Martin Barstow, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science, University of Leicester • conversation
July 12, 2022 ~7 min


Dark matter: our review suggests it's time to ditch it in favour of a new theory of gravity

Recent results cast doubt on dark matter.

Indranil Banik, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Astrophysics, University of St Andrews • conversation
July 7, 2022 ~8 min

The James Webb Space Telescope is finally ready to do science – and it’s seeing the universe more clearly than even its own engineers hoped for

It has taken eight months to test and calibrate all of the instruments and modes of the James Webb Space Telescope. A scientist on the team explains what it took to get Webb up and running.

Marcia Rieke, Regents Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
June 15, 2022 ~8 min

/

3