Now that it's fully up and running, FAST is 2.5 times more sensitive than the next-largest radio telescope.

China finally boots up massive alien-hunting radio telescope

Far-Sighted

China's world record, "alien-hunting" telescope, FAST, became fully operational on Saturday, quadrupling the amount of the universe astronomers can examine.

China Finally Boots Up Colossal Alien-Hunting Radio Telescope

You could fit an entire neighborhood inside this massive dish.

"It’s been right in front of our eyes all the time, but we couldn’t see it until now."

Wave of "stellar nurseries" may be our galaxy’s biggest structure

Wave Hello

The Radcliffe Wave is an unbroken stream stars and stellar nurseries 9,000 light-years long — and it may be the biggest structure in the Milky Way.

Wave of “Stellar Nurseries” May Be Our Galaxy’s Biggest Structure

The unbroken stream of gas, dust, and young stars is 9,000 light-years long.

Scientists spot one of the most distant galaxies ever: MAMBO-9

Skipped 6-8

Scientists just spotted MAMBO-9. The ancient galaxy's light just reached Earth after a 13 billion year-long journey through space.

Scientists Spot One of the Most Distant Galaxies Ever: MAMBO-9

MAMBO-9 is a mind-bending 13 billion lightyears away.

"This is the first major stepping stone towards characterizing rocky planets in the habitable zone."

Scientists' new trick can tell if an exoplanet has an atmosphere

Distant Blue Dot

Astronomers developed a new trick that will help them determine whether so-called Earth-like exoplanets actually have their own atmospheres.

Scientists’ New Trick Can Tell if an Exoplanet Has an Atmosphere

Enhance! Enhance!

And it could explain the existence of other massive galaxies.

Astronomers spot first galaxy with three supermassive black holes

Hat Trick

For the first time, astronomers have detected three supermassive black holes at the core of a galaxy — and the discovery could solve a universal mystery.

Astronomers Spot First Galaxy With Three Supermassive Black Holes

It turns out the galaxy's twin black holes are actually triplets. 

Astronomers: SpaceX's satellites are blocking view of stars

Starlinked

Astronomers are finding that the 122 satellites SpaceX has launched so far are already ruining the night sky, showing up as bright trails in observations.

Astronomers: SpaceX’s Satellites Are Blocking View of Stars

"Rather depressing… This is not cool!"

Scientists: SpaceX satellites threaten "astronomy itself”

Bright Streaks

Not only could SpaceX's satellites interfere with radio wavelengths, they're already proving to be brighter than expected.

Scientists: SpaceX Satellites Threaten “Astronomy Itself”

"If there are lots and lots of bright moving objects in the sky, it tremendously complicates our job."

The discoveries could force us to rethink our fundamental understanding of the universe.

Something very strange seems to be synchronizing distant galaxies

Galactic Musical Chairs

Galaxies millions of light years away seem to be connected by network of unseen forces, forcing them to move with each other in unexpected ways.

Something Very Strange Seems to Be Synchronizing Distant Galaxies

Galaxies are aligning, despite being billions of light years apart. Astrophysicists are stumped — and intrigued.

The AI could help astronomers understand how black holes form and how star clusters behave.

This neural network quickly solves a major astronomical problem

Three-Body Problem

Researchers from the University of Cambridge believe a neural network could solve the three-body problem much faster than existing computer software.

This Neural Network Quickly Solves a Major Astronomical Problem

The so-called "three-body problem" has been puzzling astronomers for centuries.

We're already starting to treat the cosmos the way we treat the Earth.

Astrobiologist: Humans are going to ruin outer space

History Repeating

Space exploration gives humans an opportunity to avoid the mistakes it's made on Earth, but it's clear that won't happen without robust space law.

/ / astronomy