The building blocks of life, the universe and everything
The University of Wisconsin–Madison hosted the 244th meeting of the American Astronomical Society June 9-13. Here are three discoveries by UW astronomers presented at the meeting.
The sulfur-laden atmosphere discovered on gaseous exoplanet GJ 3470 b, show here in an illustration orbiting its star in the constellation Cancer, could help researchers figure out how it (and similar planets) were formed. Image: Department of Astronomy, UW–Madison
Small, cool and sulfurous exoplanet may help write recipe for planetary formation
June 10, 2024
UW–Madison astronomers and their collaborators hope the discovery of one exoplanet’s sulfurous atmosphere will advance our understanding of how planets forms.
An artist’s impression of a quasar wind (in light blue) being launched off of the accretion disk (red-orange) around a supermassive black hole.
Wind from black holes may influence development of surrounding galaxies
June 11, 2024
The discovery helps illuminate the way active black holes can continuously shape their galaxies by spurring on or snuffing out the development of new stars.
Abstract watercolors evoke water and atmosphere on distant exoplanets. Image: iStock / Matveev_Aleksandr
Watery planets orbiting dead stars may be good candidates for studying life — if they can survive long enough
June 13, 2024
The small footprint and dim light of white dwarfs, remnants of stars that have burned through their fuel, may make excellent backdrops for studying planets with enough water to harbor life.
Tags: space and astronomy