The Phoenix Cluster is one of the most massive galaxy clusters known. Astronomers have identified 42 member galaxies so far, yet there could be as many as 1,000 in the cluster. Because of its size and its age, it should be finished with the vigorous star formation characteristic of young galaxies. But it’s not. Star … Read more
Look closely. Can you spot the ring of light around the center of this galaxy, NGC 6505? ESA’s Euclid telescope captured galaxy NGC 6505, which is acting as a gravitational lens, bending the light from a more distant galaxy and creating this Einstein ring. See closeup below. Image via ESA/ Euclid/ Euclid Consortium/ NASA. Image … Read more
This ringed galaxy with 9 rings – known previously as LEDA 1313424 – has been nicknamed the Bullseye. It has 6 more rings than any other known galaxy. Researchers said on February 4, 2025, that a small galaxy dove through the heart of the Bullseye some 50 million years ago. The collision resulted in these … Read more