Topic: European Southern Observatory
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 07/21
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In Pictures: Space photos of the day 07/02
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In Pictures: Space photos of the day 06/30
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In Pictures: Space Photos of the Day 06/23
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 04/26
All Content
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Amazing photo shows 'swarm' of stars (+video)
Tens of thousands of stars can be seen clustered together in a new image.
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Black hole emits humongous energy burst (+video)
An unusual brightness, documented by NASA's Chandra telescope appears to be coming from a black hole.
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Astronomers say that there are billions of potentially habitable planets in our galaxy (+video)
A team of European astronomers say that about 40 percent of red dwarf stars - the most common type of star in the Milky Way - have at least one planet whose temperatures would allow liquid water on the surface.
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Study indicates existence of billions of habitable alien planets in Milky Way (+video)
A survey of red dwarf stars suggests that, in our galaxy alone, there are tens of billions of planets orbiting their stars' 'habitable zones.'
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Survey: Galaxies become cannibals as teens
Billions of years after the Big Bang, adolescent galaxies seem to be snacking on smaller galaxies.
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How reflections on the moon could aid search for aliens
By studying "earthshine" – the reflection of the Earth on the Moon – scientists may have found a technique they can use to look for life elsewhere.
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Moon acts as mirror, reflecting telltale signs of life (+video)
So-called 'earthshine' observations may pave the way for a similar tool to help spot signs of alien life in the universe, scientists say.
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Breathtaking Carina nebula photo provides window into star nursery
The Very Large Telescope spied the cosmic landscape of gas, dust and young stars in the majestic Carina nebula, which is located about 7,500 light-years away from Earth.
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Newfound alien planet 'best candidate to support liquid water'
A planet recently discovered orbiting a nearby star is located in the star's 'habitable zone,' meaning that it could support life as we know it.
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Humongous 'El Gordo' galaxy cluster packs mass of 2 quadrillion stars
Located some7 billion light-years from Earth, 'El Gordo' is the biggest and hottest cluster of galaxies ever observed in the early universe.
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Fried egg nebula: European telescope captures image of monster star [VIDEO]
Fried egg nebula: The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has spotted a massive yellow hypergiant star surrounded by a dusty double shell, prompting astronomers to think of breakfast.
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Super-Earth: Newly discovered planet could potentially support life
Super-Earth: The newfound haul of alien planets includes 16 super-Earths, which are potentially rocky worlds that are more massive than our planet. One in particular has captured astronomers' attention because it orbits at the edge of its star's habitable zone, suggesting conditions could be ripe to support life.
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In search for life, more planet 'candidates' are found. Are any just right?
For a planet to support life, it faces long odds: It has to be the right size, right composition, and right distance from its star. On Monday astronomers announced a trove of new planet 'candidates.'
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'Milestone' in bid to sniff atmosphere of a 'super Earth' light-years away
Scientists seeking an astronomical first – discerning the atmospheric composition of a 'super Earth' exoplanet – have now learned enough to rule out one leading theory.
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Found: a planet not from the Milky Way, circling a star in its death throes
For the first time, scientists have found a solar system that was not formed in the Milky Way galaxy. What's more, the planet is in danger of being eaten by its host star.
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Astronomers build on a Hubble find, report light from oldest galaxy
Astronomers, aiming a ground-based telescope at a target spotted by the Hubble in space, confirm the find as the oldest galaxy so far. Its light was emitted at a time when hydrogen and helium fog still filled the universe.
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Gliese 581g: 'Goldilocks' planet might not exist after all
Gliese 581g, a newly discovered, first-of-its-kind planet thought to exist in its star's habitable zone, might just be 'noise,' astronomers say.
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Astronomers view galaxy just like our own, but with huge pink clouds
Located about 6 million light-years away, the spiral galaxy NGC 300 has many star-forming regions, which appear as pink or red spots.
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Astronomers spot galaxy releasing gassy 'superwind'
A starburst galaxy some 80 million light-years away from earth is unleashing a powerful wind of gas, researchers say.
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Oddball solar system found: Six giants and an exoplanet pipsqueak?
A team of astronomers say they have found a solar system that includes at least five Neptune-like planets – all within the equivalent of Mars's orbit. There might be two other planets, as well, including the smallest exoplanet yet found.
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Cool Astronomy
Newfound star system could have seven planets
At least five and possibly seven planets are circling the star HD 10180, some 127 light-years away.
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Astronomers discover star system that looks strikingly like our own
At least five planets circle the star HD 10180 in regular orbits, some 127 light years away. This new star system could set the extrasolar record for most known planets.
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R136a1: Monster star too big to be true?
R136a1 could once have been 320 times as massive as the sun. That's twice as massive as scientists thought a star could be. Perhaps R136a1 is several stars close together, some say.
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 07/21
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R136a1 is the most massive star discovered so far
R136a1, hundreds of times the mass of our sun and millions of times brighter, was spotted in a star-making nebula some 22,000 light-years away.
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