Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features UGC 5460, a spiral galaxy that is located about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp;



“This image combines four different wavelengths of light to reveal UGC 5460’s central bar of stars, winding spiral arms and bright blue star clusters. Also captured in the upper left-hand corner of this image is a far closer object: a star just 577 light-years away in our own galaxy,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“UGC 5460 has hosted two recent supernovae named SN 2011ht and SN 2015as. It’s because of these two stellar explosions that Hubble targeted this galaxy, collecting data for three observing programmes that aim to study various kinds of supernovae.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-core-collapse-supernova-nbsp">A core-collapse supernova&nbsp;</h2>



SN 2015as is an example of a core-collapse supernova. This type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> occurs when the core of a massive star - typically with more than 8 times the mass of the sun - can no longer support its own gravity after exhausting its nuclear fuel. 



This causes the core to collapse under its own weight, leading to an extremely violent explosion. The collapse triggers the release of an enormous amount of energy, expelling the outer layers of the star into space.



In the aftermath of the explosion, a dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shockingly-bright-carbon-monoxide-detected-in-supernova-remnant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remnant</a> is created. This is often a neutron star or black hole, depending on the mass of the original star. Core-collapse supernovae are some of the most powerful events in the universe.



According to ESA, Hubble observations of SN 2015as will help researchers understand what happens when the expanding shockwave of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> collides with the gas that surrounds the exploded star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-stars-with-large-eruptions-nbsp">Rare stars with large eruptions&nbsp;</h2>



“SN 2011ht might have been a core-collapse supernova as well, but it could also be an impostor called a luminous blue variable. Luminous blue variables are rare stars that experience eruptions so large that they can mimic supernovae,” noted ESA.



“Crucially, luminous blue variables emerge from these eruptions unscathed, while stars that go supernova do not. Hubble will search for a stellar survivor at SN 2011ht’s location, and the explosion’s identity may be revealed at last.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-spiral-galaxy">What is a spiral galaxy?</h2>



Spiral galaxies are some of the most recognizable and beautiful structures in the universe. They are known for their distinctive arms that spiral outward from a central bulge.&nbsp;



These galaxies are typically composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The arms are often sites of intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>, where clouds of gas collapse to form new stars. 



In the center of a spiral galaxy lies a dense concentration of older stars and, often, a supermassive black hole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-a-spiral-galaxy-nbsp">Structure of a spiral galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



The structure of a spiral galaxy is generally divided into three main components: the disk, the bulge, and the halo.&nbsp;



The disk is where the spiral arms are located and contains most of the galaxy's visible stars and interstellar medium.&nbsp;



The bulge is a tightly packed region of older stars at the core, and the halo consists of a sparse collection of stars and globular clusters that surround the galaxy.&nbsp;



Spiral galaxies can be classified into different types based on the tightness and number of their spiral arms, as well as the size of their central bulge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-galaxy">The Milky Way galaxy</h2>



Our solar system is located within a large spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way. The name refers to its appearance as a dim, milky band of light stretching across the night sky.&nbsp;



The term "Milky Way" comes from ancient Greek mythology, where it was associated the goddess Hera's milk spilling into the sky. In Greek, it was called "Galaxias Kyklos," meaning "milky circle."&nbsp;



Spanning about 100,000 light-years in diameter, the Milky Way is composed of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter. The galaxy has a distinct disk shape with spiral arms that wind outward from a central bulge, which houses a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>. 



Our sun is located in one of the spiral arms - known as the Orion Arm - positioned roughly halfway from the center to the outer edge.&nbsp;



The Milky Way is part of a small group of galaxies called the Local Group, which includes the Andromeda Galaxy and several smaller galaxies.



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Hubble views a spiral galaxy with stellar explosions

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a satellite view of retreating glaciers in Alaska, where meltwater is rapidly expanding glacial lakes. 



“In parts of Alaska, water is replacing ice. As glaciers thin and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-images-reveal-hidden-retreat-of-arctic-glaciers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retreat</a>, meltwater collects at their fronts, forming proglacial lakes. According to an analysis by Mauri Pelto, a glaciologist at Nichols College, three such lakes in the southeastern part of the state have grown rapidly in recent decades,” said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retreating-glaciers-in-alaska">Retreating glaciers in Alaska</h2>



“A trio of glaciers - Yakutat, Alsek, and Grand Plateau - descend from inland mountains and flow onto the coastal plain southeast of Yakutat borough, ending at Harlequin Lake, Alsek Lake, and Grand Plateau Lake,” noted NASA.&nbsp;



The retreat of the glaciers, as well as the growth of the lakes, are visible in the image. When compared to an <a href="https://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/153000/153638/fastestlake_tm5_19840705_lrg.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">image</a> captured by Landsat 5 in the summer of 1984, the changes are even more evident.



NASA elaborated on the extent of the glacier retreat from 1984 to 2024. “During this period, Yakutat Glacier’s main arm retreated 4.3 miles, while Alsek Glacier’s northern and southern arms retreated 3.3 miles and 3.4 miles, respectively. Grand Plateau Glacier’s northern arm lost the most, retreating 4.8 miles.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes-doubled-in-size-nbsp">Glacial lakes doubled in size&nbsp;</h2>



“Collectively, the three lakes more than doubled in size over 40 years. In 1984, they covered about 50 square miles. By 2024, they spanned 90 square miles. That’s an area larger than Seneca Lake (67 square miles) - one of the Finger Lakes in New York, which also have a glacial origin,” said NASA.



Pelto noted that the lakes forming in this region are immense - starting at the mountains and spreading toward the coast - making this a new lake district that is unique in our nation.



“Millions of other lakes, named and unnamed, dot the state. But this system has grown fast, so much so that Pelto thinks it might represent the fastest lake growth in the United States this century,” said NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-glacier-retreat-nbsp">Understanding glacier retreat&nbsp;</h2>



Glacier retreat is a significant phenomenon driven primarily by global warming the results from rising greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a>.&nbsp;



As temperatures rise, glaciers lose more ice during the summer melt than they can regain in winter snowfall, causing them to shrink over time. This process has profound implications for ecosystems, water resources, and global sea levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-lakes">Glacial lakes</h3>



When glaciers retreat, they often leave behind depressions in the landscape that can fill with meltwater, forming glacial lakes. These lakes are typically bounded by natural dams made of rock, ice, or moraine - accumulations of debris left behind by the glacier's movement.&nbsp;



Over the past century, the number and size of glacial lakes worldwide have increased significantly due to the accelerating pace of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-glaciers-offer-a-glimpse-of-our-harsh-climate-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> retreat. This trend is especially evident in high-altitude regions like the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps, as well as in polar areas such as Alaska and Greenland.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-positive-and-negative-impacts-nbsp">Positive and negative impacts&nbsp;</h3>



Glacial lakes can have both positive and negative impacts. They provide critical water sources for downstream communities, support biodiversity, and sometimes offer opportunities for hydropower development or tourism.&nbsp;



However, they also pose serious risks. The dams holding back these lakes can fail suddenly, causing glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). These catastrophic events can devastate downstream areas, destroying infrastructure, agricultural lands, and habitats while endangering human lives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-changes">Monitoring changes</h3>



Understanding glacier retreat and glacial lake formation requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining climate science, hydrology, and geology.&nbsp;



Monitoring these changes is essential to mitigate associated risks and adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by a <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fperu-has-lost-over-half-of-its-glaciers-in-six-decades%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming planet</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-retreat-worldwide">Glacier retreat worldwide</h2>



Studies and satellite observations show that most glaciers in almost all regions of the world are shrinking.&nbsp;



Melting glaciers contribute significantly to global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emergency-meeting-reveals-the-alarming-extent-of-antarcticas-ice-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea level rise</a>, which threatens coastal communities and ecosystems.



The retreat of glaciers is considered one of the clearest indicators of climate change.&nbsp;Some glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates, indicating accelerating climate impacts.



The image was captured on August 4, 2024 by the Landsat 8 satellite.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Retreating glaciers and expanding meltwater lakes in Alaska

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1333, a reflection nebula located in the Perseus molecular cloud about 960 light-years away from Earth. The photo is a mosaic of images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.



“Webb’s superb sensitivity allows astronomers to investigate young objects with extremely low masses. Some of the faintest ‘stars’ in the picture are in fact newly born free-floating brown dwarfs with masses comparable to those of giant planets,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



The same cluster was featured in the 33rd anniversary image of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 2023.&nbsp;



According to ESA, Hubble’s image just scratched the surface of this region, because clouds of dust obscure much of the star formation process. 



"Observing with larger aperture and in the infrared part of the spectrum, Webb is capable of peering through the dusty veil to reveal newborn stars, brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-view-of-ngc-1333">Webb’s view of NGC 1333</h2>



ESA noted that the center of the image presents a deep peek into the heart of the NGC 1333 cloud.&nbsp;



“Across the image we see large patches of orange, which represent gas glowing in the infrared. These so-called Herbig-Haro objects form when ionized material ejected from young stars collides with the surrounding cloud. They are hallmarks of a very active site of star formation."



The disks of gas and dust that surround the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in this image may eventually produce planetary systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-in-the-sun-s-birth-cluster">Stars in the Sun's birth cluster</h2>



“Similar to the young stars in this mosaic, our own Sun and planets formed inside a dusty molecular cloud, 4.6 billion years ago. Our Sun did not form in isolation but as part of a cluster, which was perhaps even more massive than NGC 1333,” explained ESA.



Over time, the stars in the Sun's birth cluster would have drifted apart due to gravitational interactions and the dispersion of gas in the region.



Astronomers have been studying certain clues, such as isotopic signatures in meteorites, that hint the Sun may have formed near massive stars. These stars likely produced supernovae, which could have influenced the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> by injecting heavy elements like iron-60.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1333">Star formation in NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is a vibrant example of a stellar nursery, where active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> is ongoing. It is known for its chaotic appearance, shaped by the interactions between newborn stars and the surrounding material.



Within NGC 1333, astronomers have observed a high level of turbulence, which makes the region dynamic and complex. 



The disturbances are caused by the outflows of young stars as they eject material into their surroundings, creating shock waves and influencing further star formation. 



These outflows are often seen as jets, which are visible in multiple wavelengths of light, especially infrared, as the surrounding dust absorbs visible light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-stages-of-planet-formation">Early stages of planet formation </h2>



NGC 1333 is also an area of interest for studying the early stages of star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, as many of the stars within the cluster are in their infancy.



These stars are still in the process of gathering material and developing protoplanetary disks.&nbsp;



In images, NGC 1333 is marked by bright patches of blue and red, representing reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebulae</a> and the ionized gas created by energetic young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-perseus-molecular-cloud-nbsp">The Perseus molecular cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Perseus molecular cloud is a vast region of cold gas and dust located about 600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseus</a>.&nbsp;



It is one of the most studied star-forming regions in our galaxy due to its relative proximity and the diversity of its young stellar objects. This cloud spans several hundred light-years and contains dense pockets of gas where new stars are actively forming.&nbsp;



These areas are often enshrouded in thick dust, which obscures them in visible light but allows astronomers to study them using infrared and radio wavelengths.



The Perseus molecular cloud is particularly interesting because of the chemistry taking place within it, including the formation of complex organic molecules that could be precursors to life.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA



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Stellar nursery shines in the Perseus cloud

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Messier 78 (M78), a reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion about 1,350 light-years away from Earth.&nbsp;



This image was released as part of the initial series of observations from ESA's <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a>.&nbsp;



All data collected during these early observations, including a series of incredible <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid/Euclid_s_first_images_the_dazzling_edge_of_darkness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new views</a> of the nearby universe, is available to the public.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-messier-78">Image of Messier 78</h2>



Messier 78 is a dynamic region of star formation that is obscured by cosmic dust in this high-resolution image captured by the Euclid space telescope.



This specific view highlights how young stars generate winds of charged particles, carving out “cavities” in the molecular clouds around them.&nbsp;



The blue hues in the image represent ionized atomic hydrogen, which is a primary component of the cloud, while the red indicates the absorption and scattering of light by dust particles.



The image captures hundreds of stars varying in brightness, illuminating their nebulous, purple surroundings. A dark, arch-like structure stretches from the upper left to the bottom right of the frame, merging into the densest, darkest clouds at the image’s base.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-site-of-star-formation-nbsp">Active site of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is not just a single nebula but part of a larger complex of stars and nebulous regions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a>, which includes various other objects like dark nebulae that are visible as patches blocking light from behind.



This region is an active site of star formation, featuring many young stars and protostars, which are stars in the early stages of formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-messier-78">Viewing Messier 78</h2>



M78 is easily observable with small telescopes, and it appears as a hazy patch of light with two prominent stars near its center, which illuminate the surrounding dust.&nbsp;



The nebula is also a favorite among amateur astronomers for its beauty and relatively bright appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subject-of-scientific-interest-nbsp">Subject of scientific interest&nbsp;</h2>



Messier 78 is fascinating not only for its visual beauty but also for its scientific interest, particularly in the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> and interstellar matter.&nbsp;



The nebula consists of dense, cold gas and dust, which are essential ingredients for the birth of new stars.&nbsp;



The intense blue light that characterizes M78 is due to the reflection of starlight off these dust particles - a process known as scattering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-region-surrounding-messier-78-nbsp">Region surrounding Messier 78&nbsp;</h2>



The region surrounding M78 includes several other interesting features. For instance, there are Herbig-Haro objects within it, which are small patches of nebulosity associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-molecule-detected-in-space-where-stars-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newly born stars</a>.&nbsp;



These objects are formed when gas ejected by young stars collides with clouds of gas and dust at high speeds, creating shock waves that glow brightly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earliest-stages-of-star-development-nbsp">Earliest stages of star development&nbsp;</h2>



Additionally, infrared observations of M78 have revealed much about the dust and colder objects in the area, which are not visible in optical light.&nbsp;



The observations have helped astronomers identify numerous young stars and brown dwarfs (objects that are too large to be planets and too small to be stars) within the nebula.&nbsp;



This makes M78 a critical area for studying the earliest stages of star development and the properties of the interstellar medium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-euclid-space-mission-nbsp">Euclid space mission&nbsp;</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-batch-of-brilliant-images-from-the-euclid-mission-live-up-to-the-hype/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid space mission</a> is designed to study the dark universe, particularly focusing on dark energy and dark matter. These components are believed to drive the accelerating expansion of the universe and shape its large-scale structure. 



The mission aims to map the geometry of the dark universe and better understand the physics of the cosmos.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-billions-of-galaxies-nbsp">Observing billions of galaxies&nbsp;</h3>



Euclid uses two primary scientific instruments: a visible light camera (VIS) and a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP).&nbsp;



These instruments will allow Euclid to measure the shapes and redshifts of galaxies at distances of up to 10 billion light-years. By surveying more than a third of the sky, the mission is expected to observe several billion galaxies.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-dark-universe-nbsp">Studying the dark universe&nbsp;</h3>



The data collected will help astronomers in studying the effects of dark matter and dark energy in depth, testing cosmological models, and exploring new theories about the nature of the universe.&nbsp;



The mission, named after the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, seeks to address key questions related to the structure of the universe and the fundamental laws of physics governing its evolution and expansion.



Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Messier 78: Young stars shine through dense dust

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency showcases the striking beauty of the planetary nebula NGC 2899, which resembles a moth in flight. The photo was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.



“The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle, with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-features-of-the-planetary-nebula">Defining features of the planetary nebula</h2>



The nebula features a bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas extending diagonally, driven by intense radiation and stellar winds from a central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-planets-are-more-habitable-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a> with a scorching temperature of nearly 22,000 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;



“In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus - looking like a half-eaten donut,” said ESA.



Streams of gaseous “pillars” extend outward, all pointing back toward the central source of energy. The vibrant colors in the image come from glowing hydrogen and oxygen gases.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-and-significance-of-ngc-2899">Discovery and significance of NGC 2899</h2>



NGC 2899 was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on March 2, 1835, during his survey of the southern skies from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Herschel cataloged many deep-sky objects in the southern hemisphere, contributing significantly to the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled later by John Louis Emil Dreyer.



NGC 2899 is located approximately 4,500 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Vela, which is part of the larger Vela-Puppis-Carina region of the Milky Way known for its rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star-forming activity</a> and remnants of past stellar explosions.&nbsp;



Vela, whose name means "sails" in Latin, represents the sails of the ancient Greek mythological ship Argo Navis. This region of the sky is particularly abundant in nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects, making it a focal point for astronomical observations.&nbsp;



The nebula’s distance places it well within our galaxy, offering astronomers a valuable glimpse into the later stages of stellar evolution and the processes that sculpt and illuminate planetary nebulae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-planetary-nebula">What is a planetary nebula?</h2>



Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust in space, often serving as the birthplaces or remnants of stars.&nbsp;



They come in various types, including emission nebulae that glow due to ionized gases energized by nearby stars, reflection nebulae that shine by scattering starlight, and dark nebulae that obscure light from background <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-may-be-dragging-a-planet-along-with-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a>.&nbsp;



Planetary nebulae form when dying stars shed their outer layers, creating colorful, often symmetrical shapes. Nebulae can span light-years across and are key to understanding the life cycles of stars and the structure of galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-dying-stars">The fate of dying stars</h2>



Not all dying stars become planetary nebulae. In fact, stars much more massive than the Sun follow a very different and far more violent path.&nbsp;



These massive stars end their lives in dramatic supernova explosions, releasing tremendous energy and scattering heavy elements into space, which enriches the interstellar medium.&nbsp;



What remains after the explosion depends on the star’s mass. The collapsed core can form a neutron star - an incredibly dense object composed mostly of neutrons. Or, if the star was even more massive, it may create a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-confirm-lone-black-hole-wandering-through-our-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>, where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examples-of-winged-nebulae-nbsp">Examples of “winged” nebulae&nbsp;</h2>



Several well-known nebulae are noted for their "winged" or symmetrical, wing-like appearances, often earning them evocative nicknames.&nbsp;



One of the most famous is the Butterfly Nebula, located in the constellation Scorpius. This planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragons-egg-nebula-is-a-truly-stunning-sight-to-behold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> displays two expansive lobes that resemble butterfly wings, shaped by fast stellar winds from a dying star.



The Omega Nebula (also known as the Swan Nebula) in the constellation Sagittarius is a bright star-forming region that has been said to resemble a swan in flight. It has broad, glowing "wings" formed by clouds of ionized hydrogen gas. 



Similarly, the Eagle Nebula has an overall shape reminiscent of a bird with outstretched wings, which inspired its name. It is located in the constellation Serpens and home to the iconic "Pillars of Creation."



Image Credit: ESA



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Planetary nebula with ethereal wings captured by Hubble

Every evening, the Zwicky Transient Facility’s wide-field camera clicks through hundreds of exposures, comparing each pixel with last night’s view. If something new pops up - a sudden spark inside a distant galaxy - the system beams an alert to astronomers within seconds. 



The steady rhythm of these scans, soon to be amplified by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, has turned the sky into a real-time laboratory where cosmic heavyweights occasionally step into the spotlight.



In December 2019, one such notice pointed to SDSS1335+0728, a modest spiral galaxy in the Virgo constellation, roughly 300 million light-years away. 



The galaxy’s core, quiescent for more than two decades, suddenly brightened by orders of magnitude. 



At the center sits a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-radiation-may-actually-be-a-catalyst-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> about one million times the Sun’s mass, and researchers realized they were watching either a star being shredded or a black hole tasting its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-feast-black-hole-at2019qiz-seen-eating-one-star-then-attacking-another/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first steady meal</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wake-up-call-for-sdss1335-0728">Wake up call for SDSS1335+0728</h2>



Follow-up measurements show the rise hasn’t leveled off even after more than four years - a duration far longer than the brightest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-cosmic-rays-from-supernova-sparked-rapid-earth-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova flares</a> or typical star-eating tidal disruption events. 



The persistence alone makes the source an outlier, yet its overall luminosity still falls short of the blazing quasars that dominate textbooks, leaving SDSS1335+0728 in a gray zone between well-defined categories.



“Imagine you’ve been observing a distant galaxy for years, and it always seemed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-black-hole-is-seen-taking-a-nap-after-eating-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calm and inactive</a>,” says Paula Sánchez Sáez, an astronomer at <a href="https://www.eso.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESO</a> in Germany and lead author of the study accepted for publication in Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics. 



“Suddenly, its core starts showing dramatic changes in brightness, unlike any typical event we've seen before.” The surprise spurred a global observing campaign aimed at pinning down the cause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sorting-cosmic-flashes">Sorting cosmic flashes</h2>



Astronomers file nuclear flares into several bins. A tidal disruption event flares when a star wanders too close to the black hole’s maw. 



A turning-on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-active-black-holes-discovered-where-it-was-believed-they-couldnt-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">active galactic nucleus</a> marks the moment gas first spirals inward, lighting up magnetic fields and hot disks. 



Changing-look AGNs swing between bright and dim states, while ambiguous nuclear transients sit in limbo until further data arrive.



Classification hinges on timing, color, and, crucially, spectra. <a href="https://www.ztf.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky surveys such as ZTF</a> already stream millions of measurements each night, and LSST is expected to increase that torrent by an order of magnitude. 



Automated software will sift most of it, yet unusual cases like SDSS1335+0728 still demand old-fashioned follow-up on larger telescopes capable of splitting the light across wavelengths. Human review remains vital when robots raise a cosmic eyebrow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closely-watching-sdss1335-0728">Closely watching SDSS1335+0728</h2>



Teams pulled archived images, then pointed instruments - including the X-shooter spectrograph on the European Southern Observatory’s <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Very Large Telescope</a> - toward the galaxy. 



Ultraviolet, optical, and infrared emission all rose sharply, and in February 2024, the source turned on in X-rays for the first time. 



The spectrum now bears the broad emission lines that announce fast-moving gas only a few light-hours from the black hole.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/galaxy_SDSS1335-0728_waking-up_black-hole_agn_comparison_credit-ESO_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/galaxy_SDSS1335-0728_waking-up_black-hole_agn_comparison_credit-ESO_1s.webp" alt="This artist’s impression shows two stages in the formation of a disc of gas and dust around the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy SDSS1335+0728. The core of this galaxy lit up in 2019 and keeps brightening today — the first time we observe a massive black hole become active in real time. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser" class="wp-image-1970925"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This artist’s impression shows two stages in the formation of a disc of gas and dust around the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy SDSS1335+0728. The core of this galaxy lit up in 2019 and keeps brightening today - the first time we observe a massive black hole become active in real time. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser</figcaption></figure>



“This behavior is unprecedented,” says Sánchez Sáez, who is also affiliated with the <a href="https://astrofisicamas.cl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Millennium Institute of Astrophysics</a> in Chile. 



“The most tangible option to explain this phenomenon is that we are seeing how the galaxy's core is beginning to show activity,” says co-author Lorena Hernández García of MAS and the <a href="https://uv.cl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Valparaíso</a> in Chile. “If so, this would be the first time that we see the activation of a massive black hole in real time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-a-monster-rise-in-real-time">Watching a monster rise in real-time</h2>



Most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-map-of-supermassive-black-holes-unveiled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black holes</a> finished their growth billions of years ago, and the nearest examples appear dormant today. 



Watching one light up now gives astronomers a front-row seat to processes that usually unfolded when the universe was young. 



Energy pumped into the host galaxy can shape star formation and regulate future mergers, so the event offers more than a curiosity; it is a laboratory for galaxy evolution.



“These giant monsters usually are sleeping and not directly visible,” explains co-author Claudio Ricci from the <a href="https://diegoportalesuniversity.udp.cl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diego Portales University</a> in Chile. 



“In the case of SDSS1335+0728, we observed the awakening of the massive black hole, which suddenly began feasting on nearby gas and became very bright. This process has never been observed before,” Hernández García explained.



Ricci adds, “This could also happen to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-formed-through-a-merger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our own Sgr A*</a>, the massive black hole at the center of our galaxy,” but it is unclear how likely that is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-sdss1335-0728">What's next for SDSS1335+0728</h2>



Researchers continue to gather spectra, radio maps, and high-energy observations to decide whether the flare stems from a very slow tidal disruption, a newborn <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/x-ray-radiation-from-black-holes-explained-after-50-year-struggle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accretion disk</a>, or an entirely new class of outburst. 



Each scenario would revise models of how material settles into a black hole and how often these awakenings occur in the present-day universe.



“Regardless of the nature of the variations, this galaxy provides valuable information on how black holes grow and evolve,” Sánchez Sáez says. 



“We expect that instruments such as MUSE on the VLT and those on the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope will be key to understanding why the galaxy is brightening.” 



Future facilities promise deeper looks, but for now SDSS1335+0728 serves as a timely reminder that even nearby galaxies can spring surprises. 



As survey telescopes keep watch, more sleepy giants may stir, turning the routine nightly scan into a treasure hunt for cosmic firsts.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/08/aa47957-23/aa47957-23.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>.



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Astronomers watched an entire galaxy 'turn on the lights' in real-time

Every evening, the Zwicky Transient Facility’s wide-field camera clicks through...

The woolly mammoth once trudged across what is now Colorado, its shaggy bulk casting long shadows on windswept steppe. Saber-toothed cats prowled the edges, and herds of giant bison kicked up dust that settled on early human camps. 



These outsized creatures, known collectively as megafauna, vanished roughly 13,000 years ago, leaving researchers with a puzzle and a patchwork of broken bones.



The mystery of their disappearance still drives debates at conferences and around lab benches. After all, settling whether people, climate, disease, or some mix of forces pushed the giants over the edge may refine our understanding of extinction in a warming world.



Scientists at the Smithsonian <a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Museum of Natural History</a> decided to tackle the problem from a fresh angle - by revisiting the museum’s own drawers.



Now, molecular clues from collagen in old bones are teaching us about the lives, movements, and demise of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-americans-relied-on-mammoths-for-food-and-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice Age megafauna</a> like mammoths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-forgotten-bone-fragments">Analyzing forgotten bone fragments</h2>



Natural history museums curate millions of bones, but much of the stock never makes it into glass cases. The less glamorous bits - bleached splinters, edge-rounded chips, weather-pocked shards - sit in boxes that smell faintly of old cardboard. 



Many were dug up in Colorado between 1934 and 1981 and later tagged as "unidentifiable." Conventional methods could not assign them to species, genus, or sometimes even family.



That anonymity holds the investigation back. If a chipped tibia could belong to a mammoth or a camel, its position in a layer tells us little about which creature lumbered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-interesting-technique-hunt-big-animals-clovis-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">through that campsite</a>. 



Multiply that confusion across thousands of samples, and the result is a grainy timeline that keeps any theory on shaky ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collagen-in-mammoth-bones">Collagen in mammoth bones</h2>



Enter Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry, or <a href="https://iaas.gea.mpg.de/2021/07/27/zooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooMS</a>. The technique treats collagen - the tough protein that lingers in bone long after DNA degrades - as a kind of barcode. 



By clipping a pea-sized sample, dissolving it in acid, and running the solution through a mass spectrometer, researchers read the unique pattern of collagen fragments that distinguishes bison from mammoth, camel, or ground sloth. 



Unlike ancient-DNA sequencing, ZooMS works on heavily weathered specimens and leaves only a light scar.



The whole procedure takes hours, not weeks, and costs a fraction of full genomic workups. 



That speed means entire boxes of fragments can be run through the pipeline, turning a hodgepodge of "bone" into a spreadsheet of animal names ready for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-data-analysis-reshapes-climate-future-lowers-warming-estimates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological analysis</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bits-of-collagen-on-mammoth-ribs">Bits of collagen on mammoth ribs</h2>



The Smithsonian team sampled material from five late-Pleistocene sites. Some fragments looked hopeless: sun-bleached surfaces, river-rolled edges, even hints of chemical decay. Yet collagen hung on in most of them. 



"A remarkable 80 percent of the bones sampled yielded sufficient collagen for ZooMS identifications," they report. Of those, "Seventy-three percent could be identified to genus level." 



The method flagged Bison, Mammuthus, Camelidae, and a probable mastodon among the scraps. Tiny clues, big payoff.



Those identifications already sharpen maps of ancient ranges. A camelid shard in a layer dated to 11,500 years ago suggests the lanky browsers survived later in the Rockies than some models predict. 



Collagen found on a mammoth rib beside early human tools hints at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-were-likely-the-leading-cause-of-megafauna-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting or scavenging</a> rather than harmless coexistence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-cracked-bones-hold-big-clues">Tiny cracked bones hold big clues</h2>



Those microscopic barcodes do more than tidy up a catalog. Knowing exactly which animals turned up at each layer lets archaeologists map when the giants retreated and whether people followed in lockstep. 



If mammoth remains vanish from a site just as spear points appear, that strengthens a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-hunted-woolly-rhinoceros-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting hypothesis</a>. 



If camel bones persist well into a warmer interval, that weakens an argument centered on rapid climate swings.



Protein identifications also feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-climate-shifts-changed-early-human-migration-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a>. By matching dated layers to animal presence, ecologists can test how temperature or vegetation shifts tracked population declines. 



The work acts like a time-lapse film stitched from static photos, revealing whether the megafauna fade-out was an abrupt crash or a slow, uneven ebb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The study underlines the value of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeopteryx-fossil-soft-tissue-flight-evolution-proves-darwin-right/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term collection care</a>. Old excavation notes may be scant and storage boxes may sag, but the bones inside still whisper. 



Throwing them out because they look unpromising would erase information we have yet to imagine. 



Museums need stable humidity, proper labeling, and, yes, funding, to keep those whispers audible for future scientists armed with tools we have not yet invented.



There is a broader moral, too: data security is not only digital. 



A chipped mammoth molar cradled in acid-free tissue is a data point that could change the way children learn prehistory. Discard it, and that future chapter of the story is gone for good.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zooms-mammoth-fossils-and-collagen">ZooMS, mammoth fossils, and collagen</h2>



Reference libraries for North American species remain thin, so some collagen signatures remain unnamed. 



Expanding those databases could let ZooMS sort <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-in-america-coexisted-with-giant-sloths-and-mastodons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mastodon from mammoth</a> at a glance, or differentiate ancient camel from its llama cousins. 



Couple that with emerging protein-sequencing techniques and the story of Ice Age extinction may finally gain the clarity of a high-definition photo - one chipped rib at a time.



Museum shelves, once considered quiet archives of yesterday’s digs, are turning into active laboratories. 



The next breakthrough in Paleo-American research may not come from a windswept canyon but from a gray archival box, opened under fluorescent lights and examined with a tool that sees information hidden for millennia.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/mammal-science/articles/10.3389/fmamm.2024.1399358/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers</a>.



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North America's large mammals disappeared 50,000 years ago, new tech is now showing us where they went

The woolly mammoth once trudged across what is now Colorado,...

Lake Alakol has a way of catching you off guard. One moment the eastern Kazakh steppe looks endless and austere; the next, a glassy inland sea flashes jade and indigo against pale desert grass. 



The water smells faintly briny, the wind pushes hard from the northwest, and swallows write quick loops over the breakers. Even without postcard fame, the lake feels unforgettable.



Locals have long trusted these salty swells to soothe eczema, achy knees, and winter-rough hands. Doctors in nearby Koktuma see a steady stream of visitors every June hoping the minerals can do what ointments never quite manage. 



Science is still sorting out those claims, yet the setting alone - dry air, sun, and the hush of open land - works a kind of quiet magic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-silence-and-healing-water">Salt, silence, and healing water</h2>



Lake Alakol lies in a closed basin about 1,000 square miles wide, fed by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urzhar_(river)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urzhar</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_(river)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emil rivers</a> and cut off from every ocean. Whatever pours in stays until the sun lifts it back out; salt and other minerals remain behind. 



Over centuries that constant loop raised salinity to roughly half that of the Atlantic, enough to keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freshwater fish</a> away but gentle enough for bold swimmers. 



The lake usually skins over for about two months at winter’s end, then cracks apart in early spring, leaving floating shards that sparkle like broken bottles.



Its surface size changes from year to year. A rainy spring can push the shoreline several hundred yards outward; three dry summers in a row pull it back. 



Those swings tinker with salt levels and with the algae that tint the water turquoise or rust red. People used to call that chameleon quality “the water’s mood.” 



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a>, peering down with Sentinel-1 radar, now see the same shifts as color bands on monthly composites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lake-alakol-captured-by-satellites">Lake Alakol captured by satellites</h2>



ESA analysts stacked three passes from March, April, and May 2025 and assigned them blue, green, and red. 



Where the images overlap, the ground shows up charcoal or silver; where things change - ice breaking, soil drying, crops greening - new hues flare. 



Alakol itself glowed mostly blue, proof that March ice still gripped much of the lake during the first scan. To the south, Aibi Lake in China’s Xinjiang region blushed pink where retreating water exposed salt flats in May.



The radar picture also picked out a fan-shaped burst of fields west of Alakol. Meltwater racing off the Dzungarian Alatau drops sand and silt as soon as it hits the plain, building fertile triangles perfect for wheat, onions, and apricots. 



Farmers here work narrow plots, each stage of growth marking the fan with another shade. What looks abstract from orbit translates on the ground to young rows, shoulder-high stalks, and the buzz of irrigation pumps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-also-love-lake-alakol">Birds also love Lake Alakol</h2>



Every spring, a sheet of feathers sweeps in from the south. Dalmatian pelicans cruise in first, their bills bright as fresh pumpkins. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/youll-never-guess-what-flamingos-are-doing-with-their-feet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greater flamingos</a> follow, legs stilted, shoulders hunched like old men in pink coats. 



For rare relict gulls - slate-gray wings, white eye crescents - Lake Alakol is one of the few safe nesting spots left on Earth. The birds crowd onto Ul’kun-Aral-Tyube Island, bickering over pebbly ground and guarding nests from sly foxes that swim across at night.



<a href="https://www.unesco.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNESCO</a> folded the lake system into its <a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/mab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Man and the Biosphere Programme</a> back in 2013, noting its slot on the Central Asian Flyway. 



Ramsar added a wetland designation as well, which nudged Kazakhstan to fence off breeding zones and limit boat traffic near the islands each breeding season. 



Success shows up not in spreadsheets but in sound: a dull roar at dawn when thousands of wings clap the air at once.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-on-the-shore">People on the shore</h2>



Traders riding Silk Road spurs once skirted these banks, swapping Sogdian silver coins for Chinese silk bolts beneath flapping yurt doors. 



Now tourists roll in on overnight trains from Almaty, step onto the platform at Koktuma, and blink at the sudden blue horizon. They rent bikes, buy salted perch for lunch, and post sunset shots that make the water look liquid copper.



Development remains modest - guesthouses, cedar-scented saunas, a scattering of cafés - but every new pier cuts habitat a little finer. Regional officials talk of zoning rules, stronger waste controls, perhaps a cap on shoreline construction. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lake-alakol-is-at-a-crossroads">Lake Alakol is at a crossroads</h2>



Hot summers already push evaporation higher, and climate forecasts warn that snowpack in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzungarian_Alatau" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dzungarian Alatau</a> could shrink by mid-century. 



If the inflow weakens, the lake’s salt will climb, and the delicate dance of microbes, brine shrimp, and birds could stumble.



Lake Alakol’s story reads like a lesson in balance. Mineral water glints under a hard sun, birds rest on speckled islets, farmers coax green rows from fan-shaped soils, and visitors float in water dense enough to lift them like corks. 



None of those pieces can be pulled free without tugging the others loose. Stand on the shingle at dusk, feel a cool spray on your face, and the message is plain: salt and silence can endure only if we let them.



Zoom in and see more <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/05/Earth_from_Space_Alakol_the_multicoloured_lake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">details of this magnificent lake by clicking here...</a>



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The most colorful lake in the world also has special healing powers

Lake Alakol has a way of catching you off guard....

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