The warped galactic disc of the Milky Way wobbles like a spinning top

It's a mystery that's been puzzling astronomers for years.

Something is wrong with our galaxy. We might now know why.

Wanna Feel Small in the Universe?

According to a new study using data collected by the ESA, the Milky Way is being warped as it's slowly colliding with a smaller neighboring galaxy.

Astronomers: Something Is Warping Our Entire Galaxy

Let's just say it involves an imminent galactic collision.

The LMC is holding itself together, but it won't be able to forever.

Intense stellar activity is ripping apart a nearby galaxy

Cosmic Indigestion

Intense cosmic rays given off by short-lived stars are bombarding a nearby galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, from within.

Intense Stellar Activity Is Ripping Apart a Nearby Galaxy

A huge burst of cosmic rays threatens the Large Magellanic Cloud.

They have a mind-boggling radius of 30,000 light-years.

Strange "cocoons" surround these young galaxies

Wrapped Up

Newly discovered "cocoons" of gaseous carbon around young galaxies could help solve the mystery of how the element spread throughout the universe.

Strange “Cocoons” Surround These Young Galaxies

"We are witnessing... the earliest environmental pollution in the Universe."

Formation of a single massive galaxy through time in the TNG50 cosmic simulation

Creating this simulation took a supercomputer over a year.

Watch a galaxy form over more than 13 billion years

Come Together

Scientists used a powerful supercomputer to create a new simulation that lets you see a galaxy form over the course of 13.8 billion years.

Watch a Galaxy Form Over More Than 13 Billion Years

Scientists had to speed the simulation up just a little bit.

It fills a "missing link" in our understanding of the universe.

Astronomers find evidence of a "monster galaxy" like no other

Missing Link

A newly discovered monster galaxy fills a gap in astronomers' understanding of galactic formation soon after the birth of the universe.

Astronomers Find Evidence of A “Monster Galaxy” Like No Other

They're comparing the discovery to spotting a Yeti's footprints.

Our ravenous galaxy keeps stealing smaller galaxies

Snatched Up

At least six of the smaller galaxies orbiting the Milky Way were stolen from one of its other satellites, according to new research.

Our Ravenous Galaxy Keeps Stealing Smaller Galaxies

At least six of the Milky Way's satellites used to belong to another galaxy.

Astronomers discover an entire population of ancient galaxies

We See You

Astronomers have discovered 39 massive ancient galaxies — and they could inform our understanding of everything from black holes to dark matter.

Astronomers Discover an Entire Population of Ancient Galaxies

And they could shed new light on everything from black holes to dark matter.

"These are very compact, blue, luminous sources."

"Cold quasar" discovery sheds light on galactic death

Final Days

A researcher has discovered a new phase known as the "cold quasar" that could upend our understanding of galaxies' lifecycle.

“Cold Quasar” Discovery Sheds Light on Galactic Death

We never knew this phase in the galactic lifecycle existed.

"The new mass estimate puts our galaxy on the beefier side, compared to other galaxies in the universe."

New NASA measurements: Milky Way galaxy is "on the beefier side"

Galaxy Quest

New data collected by NASA, using two space telescopes, shows that the vast majority of our galaxy's mass is dark matter.

New NASA Measurements: Milky Way Galaxy Is “On the Beefier Side”

New data shows that the vast majority of our galaxy's mass is dark matter.

It turns out our galaxy isn't the flat disk we once thought.

The Milky Way is a lot more warped than scientists thought

Distinct Kink

A new 3D map of the Milky Way galaxy shows a different structure than scientists expected. It turns out the outer disk is all warped out of shape.

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