The Dark Energy Survey (DES) program uses the patterns of cosmic structure as seen in…
Browsing: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is one of the world’s leading astronomical research institutions, combining the resources of Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the CfA conducts cutting-edge research across a broad range of topics—from black holes, exoplanets, and dark matter to the origins of the universe. It operates powerful observatories, develops space missions, and plays a key role in global collaborations like the Event Horizon Telescope. Follow the latest discoveries, technological innovations, and cosmic insights emerging from this hub of astrophysical exploration.
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies that are…
Venus is covered in a thick layer of clouds, which is one reason why it…
Most galaxies lie in clusters containing from a few to thousands of objects. Our Milky…
Most galaxies host a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at their nucleus, one whose mass exceeds…
Over thirty years ago, the Infrared Astronomy Satellite discovered that the universe contained many extremely…
All atoms and molecules emit distinctive spectral lines across the spectrum, the details of which…
A team of astronomers led by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have updated and confirmed…
The Kepler mission and its extension, called K2, discovered thousands of exoplanets. It detected them…
Dust is a critical component in the Martian atmosphere. It influences the atmosphere’s circulation by…
The formation and growth of galaxies in the early universe is a key research topic…
Our Milky Way galaxy has probably collided or otherwise interacted with other galaxies during its…
Massive clusters of galaxies, some with more mass than a hundred Milky Way galaxies, have…
The Smithsonian today made available a new online interactive that allows users to explore a…
X-ray observations have found copious amounts of very hot gas in galaxy clusters, and in…
Scientists in the VERITAS (Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System) Collaboration have published a…
The closest exoplanet to us, if we include only single stars like the Sun, is…
Stars form from the gas and dust in molecular clouds via a series of complex…