Galaxies, the sprawling cities of the cosmos, are not static entities. They evolve, merge, and interact over billions of years. Learn about the latest research into the processes that shape these grand structures, from the accretion of dark matter to the explosive bursts of star formation. Explore the role of supermassive black holes in galactic evolution and the ongoing quest to understand the diverse morphologies of galaxies we observe today.
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The search for habitable exoplanets is one of the most exciting frontiers in astronomy. But finding a planet of the right size and distance from its star is only the first step. Understanding the composition of exoplanet atmospheres is crucial for determining whether a planet can support life. Discover the techniques scientists use to analyze exoplanet atmospheres and the tantalizing clues they are uncovering about the potential for extraterrestrial life. We delve into transmission spectroscopy and the future of atmospheric research.
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Stars, the fundamental building blocks of galaxies, undergo a dramatic lifecycle, from their birth in dense molecular clouds to their eventual demise as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes. Explore the various stages of stellar evolution, including the main sequence, red giant phase, and the explosive events that mark the end of massive stars. Learn about the processes of nucleosynthesis that forge the elements within stars and the role of supernovae in seeding the universe with heavy elements.
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The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation provides a snapshot of the universe just 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Discover how scientists are using the CMB to probe the conditions of the early universe, test cosmological models, and constrain the fundamental parameters of the cosmos. We explore inflation, the period of rapid expansion in the early universe, and the formation of the first structures in the cosmos.
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