Hubble Space Telescope News - SciTechDaily

Celestial Beauty: Exploring a “Ring Galaxy” That Defies Expectations

ESA/Hubble — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 07:15:42 +0000

In the Perseus Cluster lies the galaxy MCG+07-07-072, a barred spiral with an unusual near-circular structure. Its classification as an SBc(r) galaxy reveals the complexity of galactic forms. The subject of this mesmerizing circular Hubble Space Telescope image is situated in the Perseus Cluster, also known as Abell 426, 320 million light-years from Earth. It’s [...]

The Mind-Bending Phenomenon of the Einstein Ring

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 07:04:53 +0000

Studying a Mysterious Image: A Multitude of Galaxies What are we looking at when we study this Hubble Space Telescope image? A very distant galaxy that lies 19.5 billion light-years from Earth? Or a much closer luminous red galaxy that is a (relatively) small 2.7 billion light-years away? Or a third galaxy that appears to [...]

Hubble’s Latest Marvel: A Supernova Lights Up an Unknown Galaxy

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 07:07:08 +0000

This ethereal Hubble Space Telescope image features the galaxy LEDA 857074, located in the constellation Eridanus. LEDA 857074 is a barred spiral galaxy, with partially broken spiral arms. It also has a particularly bright spot right in its bar: this is a supernova snapped by Hubble, named SN 2022ADQZ. From galaxies to nebulae and star [...]

Hubble Unmasks Universe’s “Invisible Glue” – Stellar Motions Reveal Dark Matter Secrets

Space Telescope Science Institute — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 02:56:41 +0000

The Hubble Space Telescope’s longevity is an asset in gaining clarity about the universe’s invisible glue. When theory and observations favor different results, how can astronomers determine which one is more feasible? Increasing confidence in one theory over another oftentimes requires building a richer dataset to improve current models and lower uncertainties. A team of [...]

Galaxies in Miniature: Hubble Uncovers a Puzzling Case of Star Birth

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 07:30:24 +0000

IC 3430, a dwarf elliptical galaxy in the Virgo cluster, stands out due to its core of hot blue stars, indicative of recent star formation—a rare feature for its kind, likely caused by its movement through the cluster. This majestic Hubble Space Telescope image reveals the subtle glow of the galaxy named IC 3430, located [...]

Hubble’s Legacy: Unraveling the Spiral Wonders of the Universe

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:31:54 +0000

NGC 3430, a spiral galaxy in Leo Minor, is spotlighted in this New Hubble Image In this stunning Hubble Space Telescope image, we are treated to a wonderfully detailed snapshot of NGC 3430. A spiral galaxy, it lies 100 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo Minor. Several other galaxies are located relatively near [...]

Beyond the Milky Way: Edwin Hubble’s Universe-Altering Discoveries

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:20:46 +0000

Edwin Hubble revolutionized astronomy by demonstrating that the universe is expanding and identifying galaxies beyond the Milky Way. His research laid the groundwork for Hubble’s Law, reshaping our cosmic perspective. His legacy persists through the Hubble Space Telescope. “I knew that even if I were second or third rate, it was astronomy that mattered.” This [...]

Assembling the Cosmos: Hubble Reveals How Dwarf Galaxies Shape the Largest Galaxies

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:20:51 +0000

NGC 5238, a dwarf irregular galaxy imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope, displays a complex structure despite its unassuming appearance. Located in the constellation Canes Venatici, it is theorized to have undergone a significant interaction with a satellite galaxy, providing insights into the process of galaxy formation and evolution. The galaxy featured in this Hubble [...]

How Hubble Sees Through Cosmic Dust to Map Galaxies

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:10:13 +0000

Measuring cosmic distances is essential in astrophysics, with the Hubble Space Telescope being key through its observations of Type Ia supernovae. These supernovae, known for their consistent brightness, help calibrate distances after accounting for intergalactic dust, as seen with galaxy NGC 3810. A crucial task in astrophysics is measuring the distance to truly remote objects [...]

Hubble Captures a Maelstrom of Matter and Energy 49 Million Light-Years Away

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:20:33 +0000

NGC 4951, imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope, illustrates the dynamic processes of star formation and energy dynamics in Seyfert galaxies. This remarkable image from the Hubble Space Telescope showcases NGC 4951, a spiral galaxy located about 49 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. Captured as part of a study on the movement of [...]

Webb and Hubble Unite: A Breathtaking 3D Journey Through the Pillars of Creation

Space Telescope Science Institute — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 02:31:33 +0000

NASA’s new 3D visualization of the “Pillars of Creation” combines data from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to provide an immersive experience into these iconic star-birthing clouds. The breathtaking new visualization enables viewers to explore fundamental questions in science, experience how science is done, and discover the universe for themselves. A team from [...]

Hubble’s Deep Dive Into a Starburst Galaxy: Exploring NGC 5253’s Stellar Furnace

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 10:26:10 +0000

NGC 5253, a blue compact dwarf galaxy, is highlighted in this week’s Hubble Picture of the Week. About 11 million light-years away, it shows significant star formation, being studied using data from Hubble’s cameras. Its intense starburst activities make it crucial for understanding stellar evolution. This exquisite image from the Hubble Space Telescope features the [...]

Starburst Spectacle: Hubble’s Rare Glimpse at Star Formation in a Distant Galaxy’s Core

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 07:27:36 +0000

This newly released Hubble Space Telescope image depicts the blue compact dwarf galaxy NGC 5253, as seen by the High Resolution Channel (HRC) of Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). ACS is a third-generation scientific instrument on Hubble, and was installed in 2002 as part of Servicing Mission 3B. It originally had three sub-instruments or [...]

Stellar Sleuths: Citizen Scientists and AI Uncover Hidden Asteroids With Hubble

Space Telescope Science Institute — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 20:25:18 +0000

Deep-Sky Exposure Yields Telltale Evidence for Asteroid Moving Across the Celestial Background Over 4 billion years ago, the eight major planets around our Sun formed by sweeping up debris from a vast disk of dust and gas surrounding the Sun. This is common to the planet birthing process, and the Hubble Space Telescope was the [...]

A Peek Inside a Transforming Star Factory: Hubble’s Breathtaking View

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 07:11:35 +0000

Hubble’s image of RCW 7 reveals massive protostars in the Puppis constellation transforming a molecular cloud into a glowing H II region, showcasing the birth and evolution of stars. A visually striking collection of interstellar gas and dust is the focus of this stunning Hubble Space Telescope image. Named RCW 7, the nebula is located [...]

Astronomy & Astrophysics 101: White Dwarf

ESA/Hubble — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 09:05:53 +0000

What Is a White Dwarf? A white dwarf is the stellar core left behind after a dying star has exhausted its nuclear fuel and cast off its outer layers to form a planetary nebula. Evolution and Characteristics of White Dwarfs The ultimate fate of a star depends on its initial mass. There are several possible [...]

Stellar Fireworks: Hubble Revisits a Strange Star’s 40-Year Nova Mystery

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 03:04:30 +0000

Hubble Telescope Revisits a Star System That is Still Extraordinarily Hot If we could gaze down upon the magnificent spiral structure of our Milky Way galaxy from far above, and compress millions of years into seconds, we would see brief bursts of light, like the flashes from cameras popping off at a stadium event. These [...]

Gyroscope Failures Force NASA to Change How It Points Hubble Space Telescope

NASA — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:03:42 +0000

NASA plans to transition Hubble to a single-gyro mode to address ongoing issues with one of its gyroscopes. This adjustment is aimed at prolonging Hubble’s operational life and maintaining its scientific output, despite expected minor limitations in tracking and slewing capabilities. After completing a series of tests and carefully considering the options, NASA announced that [...]

A Portal to the Past: Hubble Reveals an Ancient Witness to a Galactic Merger

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:36:44 +0000

NGC 2005, a globular cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud, serves as a crucial piece of evidence supporting the theory of galaxies evolving through mergers. This mesmerizing image from the Hubble Space Telescope features the globular cluster NGC 2005. While it is not unusual in and of itself, it is a peculiarity in relation to [...]

The Physics of Failure: Analyzing Hubble’s Gyroscope Malfunction

NASA — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:41:22 +0000

The Hubble Space Telescope is currently in safe mode due to gyroscope problems, suspending its science activities. However, NASA remains optimistic about its future contributions to space exploration, working in tandem with other telescopes. On May 24, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope entered safe mode due to an ongoing gyroscope (gyro) issue, suspending science operations. Hubble’s [...]

Hubble Reveals Stunning Galaxy Concealing the Mysteries of Star Formation

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 07:23:59 +0000

Spiral Galaxy NGC 3059, 57 million light-years away, is imaged using Hubble with a focus on H-alpha emission, revealing star formation. This mesmerizing Hubble Space Telescope image features the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3059, which is located approximately 57 million light-years from Earth. The data used to compose this image were collected by Hubble in [...]

Spiral Spectacle: Hubble Explores a Cosmic Marvel in the Virgo Cluster

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 27 May 2024 07:15:41 +0000

NGC 4731, a barred spiral galaxy in the Virgo cluster, is this week’s Hubble Picture of the Week. Featuring detailed colors and structures, the galaxy’s study may help explain how its bar and spiral arms influence star formation and matter dynamics. This Hubble Space Telescope image features the broad and sweeping spiral galaxy NGC 4731. [...]

From Ancient Egyptian Myths to Astrophysics: A Jewel in the Queen’s Hair

ESA/Hubble — Mon, 20 May 2024 07:11:56 +0000

This stunning Hubble Space Telescope image shows the jewel-bright spiral galaxy NGC 4689, which is located approximately 54 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Coma Berenices. This constellation has the unique distinction of being the only one of the 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to be named after a [...]

Cosmic Geode: Hubble Captures the Birth of a Sun-like Star

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center — Sun, 19 May 2024 10:54:55 +0000

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured a striking image of a trio of stars, including the variable star HP Tau, in a reflection nebula. These young T Tauri stars, not yet undergoing nuclear fusion, are still shrouded in the remnants of the dust and gas clouds from which they formed, highlighting the early stages of star [...]