Astronomy

  1. Astronomy

    Gorgeous Gas

    Beyond their undeniable beauty, images of nearby, starlit clouds of gas and dust, known as HeII nebulae, may reveal properties of the very first stars in the universe.

    By Ron Cowen
  2. Astronomy

    A black hole that goes the distance

    Astronomers have measured the mass of the most distant black hole known.

    By Ron Cowen
  3. Astronomy

    Supernovas, gamma-ray bursts: Two of a kind?

    Astronomers have uncovered direct evidence that gamma-ray bursts are linked to supernovas.

    By Ron Cowen
  4. Astronomy

    Starry View: Image reveals galaxy’s violent past

    The most detailed visible-light picture ever taken of the heavens reveals that the nearby Andromeda galaxy has had a much more violent history than our own Milky Way has.

    By Ron Cowen
  5. Astronomy

    Fast-track planet

    Astronomers have found a planet that's the closest yet known to its parent star, whipping around the star every 28.5 hours.

    By Ron Cowen
  6. Astronomy

    Chemistry of the Cosmos: Quasars illuminate the young universe

    Measuring the composition of some of the earliest structures in the universe, two teams of astronomers have unveiled new findings about star formation in the young cosmos.

    By Ron Cowen
  7. Astronomy

    Echoes of a stellar outburst

    Light from the outburst of a star has revealed its dusty surroundings.

    By Ron Cowen
  8. Astronomy

    Once Upon a Time in the Cosmos: Using distant galaxies to study the early universe

    Peering far back in time, two teams of astronomers report that they have found some of the universe's earliest galaxies.

    By Ron Cowen
  9. Astronomy

    All-sky survey makes Internet debut

    An atlas of some 5 million images from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey is now available online.

    By Ron Cowen
  10. Astronomy

    Cosmic Blowout: Black holes spew as much as they consume

    Supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies can blow out as much material as they swallow, creating high-speed winds that may seed the universe with oxygen, carbon, iron, and other elements essential for life.

    By Ron Cowen
  11. Astronomy

    By the light of a starry eruption

    Astronomers calculating the brightness of a supernova explosion witnessed in the 11th century estimate that it was likely the most brilliant stellar event in recorded history.

    By Ron Cowen
  12. Astronomy

    Honors for Science News astronomy writer

    Science News astronomy writer Ron Cowen is a recipient of the third David N. Schramm award for distinguished writing on high-energy astrophysics.

    By Science News