Latest news with #ExtremelyLargeTelescope
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers Intrigued by Galaxy Blasting Its Neighbor With Giant Energy Beam
As two distant galaxies trade blows in an ancient duel billions of years old, one belligerent has clearly proven itself more ruthless than the other. Each time the galaxies conclude their posturing and charge in for a clash, one of them impales its opponent with a powerful beam of radiation, crippling its ability to form new stars. In cosmic terms, it's the definition of a below the belt blow — and a massive one at that. This lopsided showdown was reported in a new study set to be published in the journal Nature, marking the first observation of a galaxy blasting its neighbor with radiation, and furthers our understanding of the huge galactic meat grinders known as quasars. "We hence call this system the 'cosmic joust'," said study co-lead author Pasquier Noterdaeme, a researcher at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, in a statement about the work. The light we're seeing from this joust is over 11 billion years old, dating it to when the universe was less than one-fifth of its current age. Bloodsport, it seems, is a time-honored tradition. Using observations made with the Very Large Telescope and the ALMA telescope in Chile, the astronomers determined that the galaxies are veering towards each other at astounding speeds exceeding 311 miles per second. After crossing paths, they circle back, then wind up to hurtle towards each other yet again. One galaxy, it appears, is fairly typical. But the other is dominated by a quasar, a luminous region at the center of the galaxy where a supermassive black hole churns through billions of stars' worth of dust and gases. As the doomed material swirls into the black hole, they become so hot that they produce light capable of outshining entire galaxies, including the Milky Way. "We discovered a quasar — likely triggered by the merging of two galaxies — that is actively transforming the gas structure in its companion galaxy," Noterdaeme told Gizmodo. "The idea that galaxy mergers give rise to quasars has long been proposed, mainly supported by statistical studies of host galaxy morphologies." "In our case,' Noterdaeme added, "we caught the two galaxies in the act." When they looked closer, the researchers found that when the quasar-powered galaxy skewered its opponent, the invading beam of radiation disrupted the clouds of gas and dust it penetrated, taking out stellar nurseries that are prime regions for forming stars. For the one wielding the weapon, this had an added effect. Like blood running down a blade, some of the gases from the impaled galaxy trickled back to the attacker, feeding even more material into the quasar's voracious black hole. It's not a spectacle for the faint of heart. But if you count yourself among the coliseum mob cheering on the gladiatorial carnage, there's good news. Noterdaeme said that the next generation of observatories, namely the under-construction Extremely Large Telescope, will allow astronomers to "better understand the evolution of quasars and their effect on host and nearby galaxies" — delivering you all the gory details in bouts like these. More on astronomy: Scientists Intrigued by Bridge of Dark Matter Inside Huge Galaxy Cluster
India Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Clash of the Titans: Two galaxies engage in thrilling war as Earth looks on
This image, taken with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), shows the molecular gas content of two galaxies involved in a cosmic collision. (Photo: ESO) Two galaxies repeatedly charge at each other at speeds of 500 kmps They are colliding and recoiling in a spectacular dance The light from this epic galactic battle has taken over 11 billion years Astronomers have, for the first time, witnessed a violent cosmic collision where one galaxy pierces another with intense radiation powered by black hole, dramatically altering the fate of its celestial victim. The findings, published today in the journal Nature, reveal how this radiation suppresses the wounded galaxy's ability to form new stars, offering unprecedented insight into the destructive power of galactic encounters. The research team dubbed the phenomenon the 'cosmic joust.' In this distant system, two galaxies repeatedly charge at each other at speeds of 500 kilometers per second, colliding and recoiling in a spectacular dance. But unlike a fair medieval contest, one galaxy wields a devastating advantageâ€'a quasar, the blazing core powered by a supermassive black hole, unleashing a spear of radiation that penetrates its rival. Quasars, among the brightest objects in the universe, were more common in its early years. The light from this epic galactic battle has taken over 11 billion years to reach Earth, allowing astronomers a glimpse into an era when the universe was just 18% of its current age. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the X-shooter instrument on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), both in Chile, researchers distinguished the two galaxies and analyzed the quasar's impact. The radiation disrupts the gas and dust clouds in the regular galaxy, leaving behind only tiny, dense pocketsâ€'too small to birth new stars. This marks the first direct observation of a quasar's radiation transforming the internal structure of another galaxy. The encounter is not just one-sided. As the galaxies merge, vast amounts of gas are funneled toward the supermassive black hole, fueling the quasar and perpetuating the cycle of cosmic violence. Future observations with even more powerful telescopes, such as ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope, promise to deepen our understanding of how such galactic clashes shape the evolution of galaxies and their brilliant, destructive quasars. Astronomers have, for the first time, witnessed a violent cosmic collision where one galaxy pierces another with intense radiation powered by black hole, dramatically altering the fate of its celestial victim. The findings, published today in the journal Nature, reveal how this radiation suppresses the wounded galaxy's ability to form new stars, offering unprecedented insight into the destructive power of galactic encounters. The research team dubbed the phenomenon the 'cosmic joust.' In this distant system, two galaxies repeatedly charge at each other at speeds of 500 kilometers per second, colliding and recoiling in a spectacular dance. But unlike a fair medieval contest, one galaxy wields a devastating advantageâ€'a quasar, the blazing core powered by a supermassive black hole, unleashing a spear of radiation that penetrates its rival. Quasars, among the brightest objects in the universe, were more common in its early years. The light from this epic galactic battle has taken over 11 billion years to reach Earth, allowing astronomers a glimpse into an era when the universe was just 18% of its current age. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the X-shooter instrument on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), both in Chile, researchers distinguished the two galaxies and analyzed the quasar's impact. The radiation disrupts the gas and dust clouds in the regular galaxy, leaving behind only tiny, dense pocketsâ€'too small to birth new stars. This marks the first direct observation of a quasar's radiation transforming the internal structure of another galaxy. The encounter is not just one-sided. As the galaxies merge, vast amounts of gas are funneled toward the supermassive black hole, fueling the quasar and perpetuating the cycle of cosmic violence. Future observations with even more powerful telescopes, such as ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope, promise to deepen our understanding of how such galactic clashes shape the evolution of galaxies and their brilliant, destructive quasars. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
World's largest telescope rises in Chile, set to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos
Source: ESO There is magic in gazing at the stars—an ancient human pursuit that inspires us to wonder and ask questions. Now place yourself in the sparsely populated Chilean desert, under one of the planet's best viewing night skies, as a gigantic telescope begins to rise. This is the drama that's unfolding in the Atacama Desert , where the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is building a scientific wonder: the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor When finished, it will be the world's largest optical telescope , an engineering marvel that will transform our perspective of the universe. An extremely large telescope emerges beneath a starry sky An ethereal photograph recently taken by one of ESO's public live webcams is a dreamlike blend of nature and science. The image shows the ELT worksite illuminated by the Milky Way's bright stripe. A crane cable slices across the frame like a tight fishing line, hanging still as if grasping for the stars themselves. Inside the bony white skeleton of the half-constructed dome, support beams etch what will be an unprecedented scientific instrument. The bulging outlines of the telescope's enormous dome doors, around the center, are taking form. When they are working, those doors will be playing an important role: safeguarding delicate optics from searing dust particles and blasting desert winds without inhibiting the telescope from casting its gaze out into the universe in unparalleled precision. Recorded by ESO's live build webcam, the picture doesn't even suggest the size of this behemoth undertaking. When finished, the ELT dome will rise 80 meters high—about as high as Big Ben without its spire. For reference, construction equipment parked at ground level seems minute compared to the gargantuan structure. But the scale is not just physical—it's astronomical. When it comes online, the ELT will collect more light than any optical telescope currently on the planet, allowing scientists to glimpse the universe in ways previously unimaginable. Its potential will shed light on everything from how the first galaxies gave birth to our cosmos to the atmospheres of exoplanets that could harbor life. How the ELT invites the world to witness its creation What is so easy about this project is the way it is open to the public. With ESO's live webcam facility, anyone, anywhere in the world, can watch the ELT being built as it happens. You can stay at home and watch every bolt screwed, every beam levelled—every milestone reached. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a giant of science taking shape before your eyes, under the watchful eyes of stars which have stood guard over humankind for thousands of years. The ELT represents more than just a technological leap—it's a symbol of humankind's enduring quest to understand the universe. Set against the backdrop of one of Earth's most pristine night skies, this telescope is a bridge between past and future, Earth and cosmos. As the construction continues, and the dome slowly closes in on completion, we're reminded that even the grandest achievements begin with the quiet placement of steel beams—watched over by the stars. Also Read | Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 crashes to Earth after 53 years, raising concerns over space debris
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Incredible photo catches the sun rising behind the world's largest telescope
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Construction of the world's largest telescope has reached its highest point with assembly of the roof's dome and large sliding doors that will shield the observatory. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) recently shared new progress photos of the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the world's largest visible- and infrared-light telescope. The ELT is currently under development on the Cerro Armazones mountain in Chile's Atacama Desert and expected to see its "first light" by 2028. ESO shared a stunning view of the ELT's construction, including one with a gorgeous, glowing sun rising up behind the telescope on April 12. The photo was taken by Eduardo Garcés from the Cerro Paranal mountain, home to ESO's Very Large Telescope, which is about 14 miles (23 kilometers) from the ELT, capturing a silhouette of the dome's structure surrounded by construction equipment. The ELT reached a significant milestone recently with the completion of one of the dome's sliding doors — and assembly started on the second — marking the highest point of the dome's construction, according to a statement from the ESO. ESO and Chilean flags were placed at the top of the telescope's dome as part of a Topping Out or Roofing Ceremony (called Tijerales in Chile) held on April 16, which included a traditional barbecue for workers on site and was live-streamed for industrial and institutional partners celebrating the milestone in Garching, Germany, according to the statement. ESO shared an up-close view of the dome's roof structure and two flags streaming in the wind, which can produce powerful gusts in the Atacama desert. The two sliding doors located on the dome's roof open laterally and are designed to protect the telescope from the harsh desert environment. They will be closed during the day to shield the telescope from unwanted light and open at night for astronomical observations. The dome also includes a mechanism to seal the interior, preventing wind, rain, dust, and light from entering. Garcés took a similar photo in August 2023, which shows a more skeletal frame of the dome without its protective cladding and underscores how construction has progressed in less than two years. Another recent progress photo taken on April 14 using one of the live webcams on site captured the bright Milky Way flowing above the telescope's dome, illuminated by stars shining in the night sky. Peeking out through the open roof is the white frame of the telescope's main structure that will support its optical equipment, including its primary mirror that measures 128 feet (39 meters) across — the largest ever made for an optical telescope. The massive dome measures 305 feet (93 meters) in diameter, or about the size of a football field and stands 263 feet (80 meters) tall. Featuring a 130-foot-wide (39.3m) mirror, the ELT will study the universe in visible light to provide a more detailed view of potentially habitable exoplanets, the formation of the first galaxies, supermassive black holes, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New telescope dubbed 'world's biggest' could soon discover alien life
Science has come a long, long way in the past few decades, but we are yet to find conclusive proof of life beyond Earth. It seems pretty likely that there's some form of alien life out there given the vast universe we live in, and telescopes are a fantastic way to appreciate just how much there is out there, with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in particular treating us to some fantastic views from beyond Earth in recent times. Scientists have long considered the possibility of life on Mars thanks to our many visits to the red planet, with the Mars Rover regularly sending back interesting photos that seem to suggest that there is intelligent life out there. But now, a new telescope in Chile claiming to be the 'world's biggest eye on the sky' could completely transform the way we look at the world beyond the relatively small planet we live on. The aptly-named 'Extremely Large Telescope' (ELT) is the work of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). They been planning to develop the revolutionary ground-based telescope since 2005, with the programme approved in 2012 and the green light for construction at Cerro Armazones in Chile's Atacama Desert given at the end of 2014. The first 18 of the 798 segments for the ELT primary mirror arrived at the ELT Technical Facility in Chile in January of this year, while 2023 marked more than 50 percent of the project being completed. Once it is completely ready, it is expected that the telescope will give us results which will lead to a 'paradigm shift in our perception of the Universe', with the ESO suggesting that it could produce results as groundbreaking as the initial invention of the telescope by Galileo 400 years ago. The ESO say: "The ELT will track down Earth-like planets around other stars, and could become the first telescope to find evidence of life outside of our Solar System. "It will also probe the furthest reaches of the cosmos, revealing the properties of the very earliest galaxies and the nature of the dark Universe." A recent study, which was published on March 11 by researchers from the University of Washington and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, also suggested that the ELT could potentially detect signs of alien life within just hours. We may have to wait until December 2030 until we see the first scientific observations from the telescope but there certainly seems to be a great deal of excitement surrounding the ELT and if it can conclusively prove the existence of aliens out there, let's just hope that they're friendly.
