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Black Hole Flare is Biggest and Most Distant Seen
11/04/2025

Black Hole Flare is Biggest and Most Distant Seen

Whitney Clavin

The flare, co-discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility, may be the result of a mega black-hole meal.

A black hole surrounded by debris is depicted garbling a star that has been shredded and appears as bright light swirling into the black hole.
Colliding Black Holes Might Have Formed from Earlier Cosmic Smashups
10/28/2025

Colliding Black Holes Might Have Formed from Earlier Cosmic Smashups

Two recent detections have given the international LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration new insights into black hole formation and evolution

Two black circles appear to merge like bubbles with stars in the background.
Ten Years Later, LIGO is a Black-Hole Hunting Machine
09/10/2025

Ten Years Later, LIGO is a Black-Hole Hunting Machine

Whitney Clavin

LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA celebrate anniversary, announce verification of Stephen Hawking's Black Hole Area Theorem.

Swirling, colorful, wisps of gas surround a black hole.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Boost LIGO
09/04/2025

Artificial Intelligence Helps Boost LIGO

Whitney Clavin

New algorithm hushes unwanted noise in LIGO, may lead to more black hole discoveries.

hanging mirrors are seen with lasers between them and ripples in space-time in the background
Evidence Found for Planet around Closest Sun-Like Star
08/07/2025

Evidence Found for Planet around Closest Sun-Like Star

The candidate gas giant planet sits in the habitable zone around Alpha Centauri A.

Pinkish streaked planet is seen in foreground, with two bright stars in background.
LIGO Detects Most Massive Black Hole Merger to Date
07/14/2025

LIGO Detects Most Massive Black Hole Merger to Date

Gravitational waves from massive black holes challenge current astrophysical models

Side-by-side-by of the twin LIGO detector buildings.
Zwicky Transient Facility Nabs an Interstellar Visitor
07/11/2025

Zwicky Transient Facility Nabs an Interstellar Visitor

Whitney Clavin

Observations from the survey camera helped pinpoint the object's path through the solar system.

The 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope
Building SPHEREx in a Caltech Basement
06/26/2025

Building SPHEREx in a Caltech Basement

Whitney Clavin

How a NASA space telescope came together in a university lab

Scientists working on an instrument in lab, wearing protective suits.
Missing Matter in Universe Found
06/16/2025

Missing Matter in Universe Found

Whitney Clavin

Using Caltech's DSA-110 radio telescope, astronomers pinpoint whereabouts of "fog" between galaxies.

Artwork shows swirling colorful patterns that represent light traveling at different speeds through space.
A Missing Link in Magnetic Stars
06/10/2025

A Missing Link in Magnetic Stars

Cynthia Eller

Caltech researchers identify a missing link in the evolution of white dwarf stars that have magnetic fields millions of times stronger than the Sun's.

Photo of the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope
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