Front-Row Seats to Star’s Death by Spaghettification
Astronomers have captured the last moments of a star just before it was ripped apart by a black hole. The violent occurrence—called a tidal disruption…
European Southern Observatory
Death by Spaghettification: Telescopes Record Last Moments of Star Devoured by a Black Hole
Using telescopes from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and other organizations around the world, astronomers have spotted a rare blast of light from a star…
Galaxies Trapped in the Web of a Supermassive Black Hole – Cosmic “Spider’s Web” of Gas Extends Over 300 Times the Size of the Milky Way
With the help of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have found six galaxies lying around a supermassive black hole when the Universe was less…
What Is Phosphine and Why Does It Point to Extra-Terrestrial Life Floating in the Clouds of Venus?
An international team of astronomers recently announced the discovery of a rare molecule — phosphine — in the clouds of Venus. On Earth, this gas…
A Warped Disc “Torn Apart by Stars” Discovered in a Triple Tatooine-Like System
Pioneering new research has revealed the first direct evidence that groups of stars can tear apart their planet-forming disc, leaving it warped and with tilted…
Extra-Terrestrial “Aerial” Life on Venus? Possible Marker of Life Spotted in Venusian Atmosphere [Video]
An international team of astronomers today announced the discovery of a rare molecule — phosphine — in the clouds of Venus. This detection could point…
Planet-Forming Disc Ripped Apart by Its Three Central Stars – Leaving It Warped and With Tilted Rings
A team of astronomers have identified the first direct evidence that groups of stars can tear apart their planet-forming disc, leaving it warped and with…
Astronomers Peer 12 Billion Years Back in Time – Surprised to Find a Milky Way Look-Alike
Galaxy is distorted, appearing as a ring of light in the sky. Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in which the European Southern…
Stunning Shimmering Space Butterfly Captured by Very Large Telescope
Resembling a butterfly with its symmetrical structure, beautiful colors, and intricate patterns, this striking bubble of gas — known as NGC 2899 — appears to…
VLT Telescope Captures First-Ever Image of a Multi-Planet System around a Sun-like Star
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) has taken the first-ever image of a young, Sun-like star accompanied by two giant exoplanets. Images…
A Cosmic Mystery: Disappearance of a Massive Star Surprises Astronomers
Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have discovered the absence of an unstable massive star in a dwarf galaxy. Scientists think…
Giant Magnetic Spots Discovered on the Surface of Extremely Hot Stars Hidden in Stellar Clusters
Astronomers using European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescopes have discovered giant spots on the surface of extremely hot stars hidden in stellar clusters. Not only are…
ESO Telescope Sees Telltale Signs of a Baby Planet Coming Into Existence
The Twist Marks the Spot – ESO Telescope Sees Signs of Planet Birth Observations made with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT)…
Astronomers Discover Hidden Black Hole “Near” Earth – Closest Ever Found to Our Solar System
Invisible object has two companion stars visible to the naked eye. A team of astronomers from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and other institutes has…
Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity Proven Right Again by Star Orbiting Supermassive Black Hole
Observations made with ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) have revealed for the first time that a star orbiting the supermassive black hole at the center…
Is Betelgeuse About to Explode? Dimming Red Supergiant Isn’t That Cool
Star’s dimming not a sign of imminent explosion: study shows Betelgeuse likely isn’t cold, just dusty. Late last year, news broke that the star Betelgeuse…
Very Large Telescope Observes Extreme Exoplanet Where It Rains Molten Iron
Researchers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) have observed an extreme planet where they suspect it rains iron. The ultra-hot giant exoplanet has a dayside…
Rare Corona of the Planet Jupiter Caught in Stunning Image
Stars are surrounded by something known as a corona — a diffuse aura of plasma that appears to surround them in the sky. For the…