Cosmology
Latest about Cosmology
![Illustration of light patterns on black void background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrxVTk78QDnk2QYwAdPAAN-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Is Earth inside a giant void? It could solve one of cosmology's biggest puzzles
By Indranil Banik published
Our best observations can't come up with a single answer for how quickly the universe is expanding. Maybe that's because our galaxy is at the center of a giant void.
![An illustration of a cosmic ray hitting Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59XQF6EfDwydmmW5WPKToC-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Earth slammed by ultra-powerful 'goddess particle' cosmic ray, and we have no idea where it came from
By Harry Baker published
Researchers recently detected an "ultra-high-energy" cosmic ray, which is the most powerful since the famous "Oh My God" particle was detected in 1991. They have no idea where it came from.
![A composite image showing the distribution of dark matter, galaxies, and hot gas in the core of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 52. The blue areas show regions with the most mass; dark matter makes up most of this mass.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jbkjqReNFW447RJxq2vbYd-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Dark matter may have its own 'invisible' periodic table of elements
By Paul Sutter published
Dark matter may come in multiple particles and weights, similar to the ordinary elements on the periodic table, a new theory suggests.
![Illustration of a 'runaway' white dwarf.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqpUFxNZHwxhdrBziExw8i-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
'Rogue' star hurtling through the Milky Way won't smash into our solar system after all
By Robert Lea published
A white dwarf spotted by the Gaia telescope was predicted to smash into our solar system in 29,000 years. But we'll be safe after all.
![Star explosion in a galaxy of an unknown universe.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zc6EunTq3rbLUmB8vaPmb-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Largest-ever simulation of the universe reveals 'shortcomings' in standard model of cosmology
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists made a twin version of our universe, showing the evolution of all forms of matter and energy, in the biggest cosmological computer simulation to date.
![The expansion of the universe represented by the two leading methods: the expanding shell of supernova and the cosmic microwave background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KtDqX67aUn7H3xwDQXwBR9-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
'Remarkable' explosions from colliding, dead stars could reveal the true expansion rate of the universe
By Robert Lea published
Two conflicting methods to measure the expansion rate of the universe give different results, but researchers could resolve the disparity by watching merging neutron stars explode.
![Galaxy Undergoing a Starburst Artist's Impression space wallpaper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gb5qSSpGD522wLtYRCjwZ7-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
James Webb telescope's observations of 'impossible' galaxies at the dawn of time may finally have an explanation
By Ben Turner published
A new set of simulations suggests that the unusual brightness of early galaxies discovered by the James Webb telescope could be because of a strange, rapid-burst mode of star formation.
![A JWST image of two large bright galaxies ringed in orange light from a distant supernova](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oVCxQjmLzXBDAtmUJCyUg6-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Ancient supernova in James Webb telescope image could help solve one of the universe's biggest mysteries
By Harry Baker published
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has spotted a distant supernova that appears three times in the same photo. The new observations could help solve one of the universe's biggest inconsistencies.
![Crab Nebula taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3AoSaAJ2pEyepBAYDFSHUD-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Nuclear 'pasta' cooked up by dead stars could unravel the secrets of stellar afterlife
By Paul Sutter published
In the extreme hearts of neutron stars, fundamental particles are twisted into strange 'pasta' shapes that could reveal untold secrets about how dead stars evolve.
![An artist’s impression of the cosmic web. Shown as a vast cobweb-like structure of mostly purple and some orange filaments on a black background, the web is the soap-sud structure of the universe along whose filaments galaxies including our own form..](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sgM43vg9NsE3vDbuoeUr2S-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
$100,000 Breakthrough physics prize awarded to 3 scientists who study the large scale structure of the universe
By Ben Turner published
Mikhail Ivanov, Oliver Philcox, and Marko Simonović won the New Horizons Award for their work on large scale structures — the strands and filaments of our universe which contain buried clues to its most fundamental properties.
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