Menu Close

Articles on Galaxies

Displaying 21 - 40 of 103 articles

Some stars travel at high speeds through the universe and sometimes leave spectacular clouds of dust and gas in their wake. NASA, ESA and R. Sahai (NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

Real shooting stars exist, but they aren’t the streaks you see in a clear night sky

Hypervelocity stars were discovered only 15 years ago and are the closest things in existence to real shooting stars. They travel at millions of miles per hour, so fast that they can escape from galaxies.
A composite image of the data collected by the ALMA telescope in Chile, showing spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/S. Dagnello (NRAO)/T. Brown (VERTICO)

Why it’s location, location, location, even when it comes to galaxy evolution

Studying the extreme environment of the Virgo Cluster — which comprises thousands of galaxies — helps us learn what factors can affect and start or stop star formation.
Astronomers have found a way to estimate the number of stars in the universe. Comstock Images via Getty Images

How many stars are there in space?

Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe.
It can stretch your mind to ponder what’s really out there. Stijn Dijkstra/EyeEm via Getty Images

Does outer space end – or go on forever?

Astronomers know a lot about what’s in outer space – and think it’s possible it never ends.

Top contributors

More