<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the European Space Agency features a portion of the Rosetta Nebula, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.</p>



<p>The Rosetta Nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust located in the constellation Monoceros, also known as the Unicorn. Shaped like a blooming rose in deep space, it lies about 5,200 light-years from Earth and spans roughly 100 light-years in diameter.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-image-of-the-rosetta-nebula-nbsp">Image of the Rosetta Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/35-years-of-hubble-the-telescope-that-changed-our-view-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble</a> zooms into a small portion of the nebula that is only four light-years across (the approximate distance between our Sun and the neighboring Alpha Centauri star system),” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.</p>



<p>“Dark clouds of hydrogen gas laced with dust are silhouetted across the image. The clouds are being eroded and shaped by the seething radiation from the cluster of larger stars in the center of the nebula.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“An embedded star seen at the tip of a dark cloud in the upper right portion of the image is launching jets of plasma that are crashing into the cold cloud around it. The resulting shock wave is causing a red glow. The colors come from the presence of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-appearance-of-rosetta">Distinct appearance of Rosetta</h2>



<p>Stellar winds and ultraviolet light are gradually carving out a cavity in the nebula’s center while simultaneously triggering new waves of <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> along its dense edges.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Rosetta Nebula is often studied to understand the life cycle of stars and the complex interactions between radiation and interstellar material.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Its intricate structure and visual appeal have made it a favorite target for both professional astronomers and astrophotographers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nebulae-that-are-similar-to-rosetta-nbsp">Nebulae that are similar to Rosetta&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Compared to other famous nebulae, the Rosetta Nebula stands out for its symmetry and floral appearance, which give it a distinct, iconic look. It's often compared to the Orion Nebula, which is much closer to Earth at about 1,300 light-years away and far brighter in the night sky.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orion-nebula-destroys-an-oceans-worth-of-water-every-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion Nebula</a> is a bustling stellar nursery visible even to the naked eye, while the Rosetta requires a telescope and is more diffuse and fainter despite being larger in actual size.</p>



<p>The Eagle Nebula, home to the famous "Pillars of Creation," shares a similar process of star formation and sculpting by radiation, but the Eagle has more dramatic, finger-like structures.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-feedback-and-cosmic-evolution">Stellar feedback and cosmic evolution</h2>



<p>The Lagoon Nebula and the Trifid Nebula, both in the constellation Sagittarius, also resemble the Rosetta in that they are active star-forming regions, but they lie in a denser part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-found-something-strange-at-core-of-milky-way-galaxy-webb-meerkat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> and are often surrounded by a rich starfield.</p>



<p>What makes the Rosetta Nebula particularly interesting scientifically is the clear interaction between its central star cluster and the surrounding gas, offering a textbook example of how massive stars influence their environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It may not be as visually iconic as the Orion or as dynamic as the Eagle, but it's a beautiful and instructive example of stellar feedback and cosmic evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-the-rosetta-nebula-nbsp">History of the Rosetta Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The history of the Rosetta Nebula, like many deep-sky objects, is a blend of observational discovery and increasing scientific understanding over time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although it was likely spotted by earlier astronomers, its first documented observation was in the late 17th century by John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal of England.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> itself was not fully recognized as a distinct object until the advent of astrophotography and improved telescopes in the 19th and 20th centuries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-clusters-of-the-enormous-cloud">Star clusters of the enormous cloud</h2>



<p>The central star cluster, NGC 2244, was cataloged separately by William Herschel in the 18th century. Over time, astronomers realized that this cluster was embedded in a much larger, complex nebular structure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As telescope technology advanced, astronomers identified several parts of the Rosetta Nebula and gave them separate designations, including NGC 2237, NGC 2238, NGC 2239, and NGC 2246 - essentially referring to different regions of the same enormous cloud.</p>



<p>Observations from space-based telescopes like Chandra (X-rays) and Spitzer (infrared) helped map the energetic processes inside the nebula, revealing how radiation and stellar winds from NGC 2244 are triggering the birth of new stars in its surrounding regions.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Rosetta Nebula: Sculpted by starlight over millions of years

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

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the European Space Agency features the galaxy I Zwicky 18, which was captured in remarkable detail by the James Webb Space Telescope.</p>



<p>I Zwicky 18 is a blue compact dwarf <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> located approximately 59 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-i-zwicky-18">Star formation in I Zwicky 18</h2>



<p>The galaxy is notable for its relatively young appearance and the fact that it contains very few heavy elements. These characteristics indicate that it has experienced little <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> compared to other galaxies of similar age.</p>



<p>“The galaxy was first identified by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky in the 1930’s and resides roughly 59 million light-years from Earth,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>. “This galaxy has gone through several sudden bursts of star formation.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to ESA, I Zwicky 18 is typical of the kinds of galaxies that inhabited the early universe and is much smaller than our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-j1249-36-spotted-trying-to-escape-our-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-image-of-the-galaxy">Webb telescope image of the galaxy</h2>



<p>“Two major starburst regions are embedded in the heart of the galaxy. The wispy brown filaments surrounding the central starburst region are bubbles of gas that have been heated by stellar winds and intense ultraviolet radiation unleashed by hot, young stars,” said ESA.</p>



<p>“A companion galaxy resides nearby to the dwarf galaxy, which can be seen at the bottom of the wider-field image. The companion may be interacting with the dwarf galaxy and may have triggered that galaxy's recent star formation.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>ESA explained that the “orange blobs” surrounding the galaxy are the dim glow from ancient fully formed galaxies at much larger distances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-characteristics-of-i-zwicky-18">Key characteristics of I Zwicky 18</h2>



<p>As previously mentioned, the galaxy has a very low abundance of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, suggesting that it has not undergone significant stellar processing.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-stellar-population-nbsp">Young stellar population&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Despite its old age, I Zwicky 18 contains many young, hot stars. This suggests that it might have experienced a burst of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-detects-awe-inspiring-newborn-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> relatively recently in its history.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-medium-nbsp">Interstellar medium&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The galaxy has a high density of gas, which is a prime ingredient for star formation. This gas is mostly in the form of hydrogen.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-characteristics">Unusual characteristics</h3>



<p>Its characteristics are more typical of primordial galaxies found in the early universe, making it a valuable object of study for understanding galaxy formation and evolution.</p>



<p>Ultimately, I Zwicky 18 provides insights into the conditions and processes that might have been prevalent in the early universe.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycles-of-stars-and-dust">Life cycles of stars and dust</h3>



<p>The image was captured as part of a Webb program to study the life cycle of dust in I Zw 18.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Scientists are now building off of previous research with Hubble obtained at optical wavelengths, studying individual dusty stars in detail with Webb’s equivalent spatial resolution and sensitivity at infrared wavelengths.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>ESA noted that this galaxy is of particular interest as its content of elements heavier than helium is one of the lowest of all known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-galaxy-formation-occurred-much-faster-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> in the local universe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Such conditions are thought to be similar to those in some of the first star-forming galaxies at high redshift, so the Webb study of I Zw 18 should shed light on the life-cycle of stars and dust in the early universe.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-ursa-major">The constellation Ursa Major </h2>



<p>Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most prominent and easily recognizable constellations in the northern sky. </p>



<p>Its name, "Ursa Major," means "Great Bear" in Latin, and it has been a significant part of various mythologies and star lore across cultures for thousands of years. </p>



<p>One of the most famous asterisms within Ursa Major is the Big Dipper, a group of seven bright stars that form a shape resembling a ladle or dipper. The Big Dipper is often used as a navigation tool because it points to Polaris, the North Star, located in the nearby constellation Ursa Minor.</p>



<p>Ursa Major is best viewed in the northern hemisphere and is circumpolar, meaning it is visible year-round for much of the Northern Hemisphere. Its position changes with the seasons, rotating around Polaris, the North Star.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Dwarf galaxy provides a window into the early universe

<p>Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a pair of interacting spiral galaxies known as the Antennae Galaxies. They are located approximately 45 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antennae-galaxies-in-a-deadly-embrace">Antennae Galaxies in a deadly embrace </h2>



<p>“The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the best ever image of the Antennae Galaxies. Hubble has released images of these stunning galaxies twice before, once using observations from its Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in 1997, and again in 2006 from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS),” noted <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/potw1345a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.</p>



<p>“The galaxies - also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - are locked in a deadly embrace. Once normal, sedate spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, the pair have spent the past few hundred million years sparring with one another.”</p>



<p>According to ESA, the clash of the Antennae Galaxies is so violent that stars have been ripped from their host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> to form a streaming arc between the two.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The name of the galaxy pair comes from this long stream of stars and gas, which resembles insect antennae.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-bursts-of-star-formation-nbsp">Intense bursts of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The collision has triggered intense bursts of star formation, making the Antennae Galaxies one of the nearest and most dramatic examples of a starburst galaxy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many of the newly formed stars are concentrated in massive star clusters, some of which are expected to evolve into globular clusters over millions of years.</p>



<p>“This new image of the Antennae Galaxies shows obvious signs of chaos. Clouds of gas are seen in bright pink and red, surrounding the bright flashes of blue star-forming regions - some of which are partially obscured by dark patches of dust,” explained ESA.</p>



<p>“The rate of star formation is so high that the Antennae Galaxies are said to be in a state of starburst, a period in which all of the gas within the galaxies is being used to form stars.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This cannot last forever and neither can the separate galaxies; eventually the nuclei will coalesce, and the galaxies will begin their retirement together as one large elliptical galaxy.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-antennae-galaxies">Significance of the Antennae Galaxies</h2>



<p>The Antennae Galaxies are one of the most well-studied examples of galaxy collisions - offering insight into the processes that shape galaxies over time.</p>



<p>Astronomers study the Antennae Galaxies using a range of telescopes across different wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and X-rays.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Observations in X-rays have revealed evidence of supernovae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, while infrared studies highlight regions of dust and star formation.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-s-collision-course-nbsp">The Milky Way's collision course&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Antennae Galaxies provide a glimpse into the future of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, which is expected to eventually merge with the Andromeda Galaxy - our closest spiral galaxy neighbor.</p>



<p>The cosmic collision course of the Milky Way and Andromeda will reshape both galaxies over billions of years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This event is expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Both galaxies are part of the Local Group, a cluster of galaxies bound together by gravity. Their mutual gravitational pull is drawing them closer at a speed of approximately 110 kilometers per second.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-an-elliptical-galaxy-nbsp">The birth of an elliptical galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



<p>When the two galaxies collide, their individual stars will largely avoid direct collisions due to the vast distances between them. However, the gravitational forces involved will create dramatic effects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These forces will distort the galaxies' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>, triggering intense bursts of star formation as gas clouds collide and compress. Over time, the galaxies will settle into a new, larger elliptical galaxy often referred to as "Milkomeda" or "Milkdromeda" by astronomers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-merger-and-the-solar-system">Galaxy merger and the solar system</h2>



<p>Despite the seemingly destructive nature of the collision, the solar system is unlikely to face direct harm. Our Sun may find itself flung into a new orbit within the merged galaxy or even cast into intergalactic space.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The merger will also significantly alter the night sky, with the Andromeda Galaxy becoming increasingly prominent before blending into the unified structure.</p>



<p>This event is part of the natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of galaxies</a> and serves as a fascinating reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the universe. </p>



<p>While the collision is still billions of years away, studying it helps astronomers understand galactic interactions and the long-term future of our cosmic neighborhood.</p>



<p>Image Credit<strong>: </strong>ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Violent clash of the Antennae Galaxies  

<p>Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the galaxy NGC 2090, located approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation Columba.</p>



<p>NGC 2090 is a stunning spiral galaxy that is notable for its well-defined structure, featuring a bright central core surrounded by tightly wound spiral arms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These arms are filled with young, hot stars and interstellar gas, indicating active star formation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Captured by the Webb Telescope’s MIRI and NIRCam instruments, the image reveals the galaxy's winding spiral arms and the swirling gas and dust of its disc in magnificent and unique detail, noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-of-ngc-2090">Observations of NGC 2090</h2>



<p>The galaxy’s spiral pattern is relatively symmetrical, making it a fascinating object of study for astronomers interested in galactic evolution and dynamics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Observations of NGC 2090, including those conducted by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-helps-solve-the-mystery-of-a-young-eruptive-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble</a> Space Telescope, have provided valuable insights into the properties of its stellar populations, gas content, and the nature of its spiral structure.</p>



<p>“NGC 2090 was one of many galaxies studied by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to refine the measurement of the Universe’s expansion rate, or ‘Hubble constant,’” said ESA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This can be done by observing a special type of variable stars named ‘Cepheids’ in relatively nearby galaxies.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-ngc-2090">New insights into NGC 2090</h2>



<p>A Cepheid-based measurement from 1998 indicated that NGC 2090 is 37 million light-years away from Earth. However, the latest measurements suggest that the galaxy is 40 million light-years away.</p>



<p>“Already before that Hubble project in 1998, NGC 2090 had been well studied as a very prominent nearby example of star formation,” noted ESA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Described as a ‘flocculent’ spiral, this galaxy has a patchy, dusty disc and arms that are flaky or not visible at all. We can see those patterns well in Hubble's visible-light images. However, Webb’s NIRCam near-infrared data reveal the spiral arms with remarkable clarity.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-spiral-galaxies">What are spiral galaxies?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spiral galaxies</a> are among the most common and visually striking types of galaxies in the universe.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They are characterized by their flat, disk-like shape with a bright central bulge surrounded by sweeping spiral arms.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiral-arms-and-central-bulge-nbsp">Spiral arms and central bulge&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The arms of a spiral galaxy are regions where stars, gas, and dust are concentrated, often glowing brightly with the light of young, hot stars that form within them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The central bulge typically contains older stars and can host a supermassive black hole at its core.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-spiral-galaxies-nbsp">Types of spiral galaxies&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Spiral galaxies are classified into different types based on how tightly their arms are wound and the size of their central bulge, ranging from tightly wound "Sa" galaxies to loosely wound "Sc" types.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-nbsp">Star formation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The structure of spiral galaxies is maintained by the interplay of gravity and angular momentum, with a rotating disk of stars and gas giving rise to their iconic shape.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They are active sites of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> due to the abundance of gas in their arms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Spiral galaxies often have a halo of older stars and globular clusters surrounding their disks, which provides clues about their formation and evolution.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barred-spiral-galaxy">Barred spiral galaxy</h3>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, the galaxy that contains our Solar System, is a prime example of a barred spiral galaxy, a subtype where a bar-shaped structure of stars extends from the central bulge.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-columba-nbsp">The constellation Columba&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Columba is a small and relatively faint constellation in the southern sky, whose name means "dove" in Latin. It was introduced in the late 16th century by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius and first appeared in a celestial atlas by Johann Bayer in 1603.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-jupiter-discovered-in-the-great-bear-constellation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constellation</a> is said to represent the dove sent out by Noah during the biblical flood, tying it to themes of hope and peace.</p>



<p>Columba lies near the larger constellation Canis Major and is bordered by others such as Lepus and Puppis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although it lacks particularly bright stars, its most notable star, Alpha Columbae (also called Phact), shines at a magnitude of approximately 2.6 and is a hot blue-white star. Beta Columbae, another prominent star in the constellation, is a slightly cooler, yellow-white star.</p>



<p>The constellation is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere during the summer months, though it can also be seen from lower latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope&nbsp;</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Webb unveils a spiral galaxy in magnificent detail

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the European Space Agency features NGC 6744 - a large, barred spiral galaxy located approximately 30 million light-years away in the constellation Pavo.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The galaxy is often considered a close analog to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> due to its similar structure and size, spanning about 175,000 light-years across.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>The image was captured by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a> space telescope. NGC 6744 stands out as a prime example of the galaxies currently forming the majority of stars in the nearby universe, making it an ideal subject for study with the Euclid mission.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Euclid’s extensive field-of-view allows it to capture the entire galaxy, showcasing not only its large-scale spiral structure but also revealing intricate details on smaller scales across various wavelengths. These details include feather-like dust lanes, known as “spurs,” emerging from the spiral arms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-6744">Star formation in NGC 6744</h2>



<p>Euclid's observations enable scientists to count individual stars within NGC 6744, trace the distribution of stars and dust throughout the galaxy, and map the dust associated with the gas that fuels the development of new stars.&nbsp;</p>



<p><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 a key process in the growth of galaxies, making these studies crucial for understanding galaxy evolution.</p>



<p>Researchers are utilizing Euclid’s data to explore the relationship between dust, gas, and star formation; to map the distribution of different stellar populations and identify regions of active star formation; and to investigate the underlying physics of spiral galaxy structures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Spiral arms play a significant role in star formation by compressing gas, yet the precise mechanisms behind this process are still unclear. The presence of “spurs” along NGC 6744’s spiral arms offers valuable insights into the dynamics of star formation within these structures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-new-dwarf-galaxies-nbsp">Discovering new dwarf galaxies&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Additionally, Euclid's dataset will help scientists identify clusters of old stars (globular clusters) and discover new dwarf galaxies around NGC 6744. </p>



<p>Remarkably, Euclid has already identified a new dwarf satellite galaxy of NGC 6744 - a surprising discovery given that the galaxy has been studied extensively.</p>



<p>With Euclid’s detailed observations, scientists are gaining a deeper understanding of the processes shaping galaxies, providing essential clues to the evolution and appearance of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universes-expansion-rate-hubble-tension-puzzles-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-ngc-6744">More about NGC 6744</h2>



<p>NGC 6744's disk is rich in star-forming regions and contains numerous young, bright blue stars. The galaxy's nucleus is slightly elongated and has a bar structure, which influences the motion of the stars and gas within it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The spiral arms of NGC 6744 are well-defined and extend outward, wrapping around the central bar. </p>



<p>Additionally, NGC 6744 has a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 6744A, which is interacting with it, adding to the complexity and interest of this distant system. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-spiral-galaxies">Types of spiral galaxies</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mesmerizing-beauty-of-spiral-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spiral galaxies</a> are one of the most common types of galaxies in the universe, characterized by their distinct, spiral-shaped structure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The galaxies typically consist of a flat, rotating disk containing stars, gas, and dust, along with a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. This bulge is often surrounded by a halo of older stars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The spiral arms, which extend from the central bulge, are regions of active star formation and are rich in young, hot stars, giving them a bright, bluish appearance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These arms are also sites where interstellar gas and dust are concentrated, leading to the formation of new stars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Spiral galaxies are classified into different types based on the tightness of their spirals and the size of their central bulge, with classifications ranging from tightly wound arms in Sa galaxies to more loosely wound arms in Sc galaxies. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-amount-of-dark-matter-may-be-missing-from-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, our home galaxy, is a prime example of a spiral galaxy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-pavo">The constellation Pavo</h2>



<p>Pavo, which means "peacock" in Latin, is a constellation in the southern sky. It was named by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century, based on observations made during the Dutch explorations of the southern hemisphere. </p>



<p>Pavo is one of the 12 constellations created by Plancius from the records of explorers Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman. </p>



<p>The constellation is known for its distinctive shape, resembling a peacock with a long, curved tail. Pavo is not visible from most of the northern hemisphere, but it can be seen from the southern hemisphere, particularly during the winter months.</p>



<p>The constellation contains several interesting celestial objects, including the star Peacock, also known as Alpha Pavonis, which is the brightest star in the constellation. This star is a blue-white subgiant located about 179 light-years from Earth.</p>



<p>Image Credit: <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA&nbsp;</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Young stars illuminate a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pavo

Tiktaalik,,Extinct,Walking,Fish,,The,Evolution,Of,Four-legged,Animals,(3d

<p>About 375 million years ago, shallow streams and tidal flats teemed with creatures that looked like fish but were already edging toward life on solid ground. One such pioneer, <em>Tiktaalik roseae</em>, blended fins with hints of limbs and sported a flat head suited for peering above the waterline. </p>



<p>Its fossils, pulled from Arctic rocks, have become a favorite window into that unsure first step from swimming to strolling.</p>



<p>Fresh scans of a well-preserved specimen now show that the shift to land began deep inside the backbone and ribs, long before true legs showed up. </p>



<p>Instead of an even string of look-alike vertebrae, Tiktaalik’s spine carried specialized sections, and the rear ribs grew stout enough to brace a body that sometimes lifted clear of the water’s push.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiktaalik-fossils-a-fish-with-a-twist">Tiktaalik fossils: A fish with a twist</h2>



<p>Scientists led by Tom Stewart at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> turned a microcomputed tomography scanner loose on the fossil block, peeling away stone to reveal the hidden bones. </p>



<p>“Tiktaalik was discovered in 2004, but key parts of its skeleton were unknown,” Stewart explained. “These new high-resolution micro-CT scans show us the vertebrae and ribs of Tiktaalik and allow us to make a full reconstruction of its skeleton, which is vital to understanding how it moved through the world.”</p>



<p>Those scans show that the fish’s rear ribs likely reached the pelvis by way of ligaments. </p>



<p>That soft connection echoes the bony tie between hips and spine seen in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-reptiles-are-more-colorful-in-open-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four-limbed animals</a>, hinting that the load-bearing framework for walking was already under construction while fins still ruled the day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spine-and-ribs-on-tiktaalik-fossils">Spine and ribs on Tiktaalik fossils</h2>



<p>Most fish carry ribs and vertebrae that stay uniform from head to tail. Limbed animals break that pattern, dividing the spine into neck, trunk, sacrum, and tail, each tuned for a different job. </p>



<p>Tiktaalik lands somewhere in between. Its trunk vertebrae differ from those near the skull, creating room for the head to swivel. </p>



<p>“Tiktaalik is remarkable because it gives us glimpses into this major evolutionary transition,” Stewart noted. “Across its whole skeleton, we see a combination of traits that are typical of fish and life in water as well as traits that are seen in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/these-marine-mammals-killer-whales-dolphins-permanently-lost-ability-to-ever-walk-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">land-dwelling animals</a>.”</p>



<p>The researchers point out that bigger, stronger ribs in the rear half of the body would have let this fish prop itself up on the streambed rather than flop like a pure swimmer. </p>



<p>Supporting weight that way is a critical step toward pushing against the ground with true limbs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-the-hips">Connecting the hips</h2>



<p>Fins sprout from long rods of bone that float free inside most fish. In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lungfish-genome-discovery-explains-how-fish-first-walked-onto-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">land vertebrates</a>, those rods fuse into a broad pelvis anchored to the spine. </p>



<p>Tiktaalik’s pelvis was already large, and the new reconstruction shows it lining up neatly with reinforced ribs. </p>



<p>“Tiktaalik had specialized ribs that would have connected to the pelvis by a ligament. It’s astonishing really. This creature has so many traits - large pair of hind appendages, large pelvis, and connection between the pelvis and axial skeleton - that were key to the origin of walking," Stewart enthused.</p>



<p>"And while Tiktaalik probably wasn’t walking across land, it was definitely doing something new. This was a fish that could likely prop itself up and push with its hind fin.”</p>



<p>That ligament link is softer than the tight bony joint found in later tetrapods, yet it marks a clear change in how force traveled through the body. Instead of relying only on water for support, Tiktaalik could shift part of its weight to the ground below.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scanning-the-tiktaalik-fossils">Scanning the Tiktaalik fossils</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dirt-ants-were-once-masters-of-disguise-in-the-caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Micro-CT imaging</a>, a cousin of the medical CT machines used in hospitals, fires X-rays at a fossil from every angle and builds a digital stack of slices. </p>



<p>The resolution reaches a fraction of a millimeter, letting researchers “see” bones still locked in stone. For Tiktaalik, this non-destructive peek exposed details of the pelvic fin skeleton that hand tools would have missed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tiktaalik-fossil-discovery_computer-analysis_credit-PSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tiktaalik-fossil-discovery_computer-analysis_credit-PSU_1s.webp" alt="New reconstruction of the skeleton of the 375-million-year-old fossil fish, Tiktaalik roseae. In a new study, researchers used Micro-CT to reveal vertebrae and ribs of the fish that were previously hidden beneath rock. The new reconstruction shows that the fish’s ribs likely attached to its pelvis, an innovation thought to be crucial to supporting the body and for the eventual evolution of walking. Credit: Thomas Stewart, Penn State" class="wp-image-1967597"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>New reconstruction of the skeleton of the 375-million-year-old fossil fish, Tiktaalik roseae. In a new study, researchers used Micro-CT to reveal vertebrae and ribs of the fish that were previously hidden beneath rock. The new reconstruction shows that the fish’s ribs likely attached to its pelvis, an innovation thought to be crucial to supporting the body and for the eventual evolution of walking. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Thomas Stewart, Penn State</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“It’s incredible to see the skeleton of Tiktaalik captured in such vivid detail,” said Neil Shubin of the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, who co-authored the study. </p>



<p>“This study sets the stage for ones that explore how the animal moved about and interacted with its environment 375 million years ago.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hints-of-future-on-land">Hints of future on land</h2>



<p>The new picture fits with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prototaxites-the-mystery-fossil-from-a-lost-branch-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devonian fossils</a>, such as Acanthostega and Ichthyostega, that carried limbs but still lived largely in water. </p>



<p>Tiktaalik slots just before them on the timeline, showing that the groundwork for walking - regional spines, hefty ribs, mobile necks - began while fins were still the main mode of travel. </p>



<p>Its head could lift, its body could rest on the bottom, and its rear fins could shove against mud or sand.</p>



<p>By tracing these incremental tweaks, biologists can chart how natural selection solved the engineering puzzle of gravity. </p>



<p>Each adjustment, from a sturdier rib to a mobile skull joint, nudged our distant cousins closer to the shoreline.</p>



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



<p>Walking seems ordinary now, but it took a cascade of innovations to make it possible. Tiktaalik reminds us that evolution rarely leaps; instead, it stacks small changes that, over ages, open new ways of living. </p>



<p>The study’s authors plan to model how the fish moved, using the fresh skeleton as a blueprint. Their work could even guide robotics engineers who borrow ideas from ancient anatomy.</p>



<p>For anyone who has ever skipped stones or waded in a creek, the notion that a fish once hoisted itself for a peek above the water threads our own story to a world long gone. </p>



<p>Tiktaalik’s sturdy ribs and ambitious pelvis speak across the ages, whispering that bold moves often start with a subtle shift beneath the surface.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.14.011028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Fossils explain how fish evolved to walk out of the water to live on land

About 375 million years ago, shallow streams and tidal flats...

<p>NASA’s Lucy spacecraft captured a striking image of the asteroid Donaldjohanson during its close flyby on April 20, 2025. </p>



<p>The snapshot reveals that the asteroid is an elongated contact binary - an object formed when two smaller bodies merge after a collision. </p>



<p>This flyby marked a major milestone as Lucy completed its second encounter in its planned 12-year journey across the solar system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-lucy-asteroid-mission">Understanding the Lucy asteroid mission</h2>



<p>NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is on a bold journey to explore the Trojan asteroids - ancient remnants of our solar system that share Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun. </p>



<p>Launched in October 2021 by scientists from the <a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Research Institute</a>, Lucy swings past a total of Earth three times, using gravity assists to gain the speed and trajectory it needs to reach its distant targets. </p>



<p>Over its 12-year mission, the spacecraft will visit eight asteroids, including one in the main asteroid belt and seven Trojans, making it the first mission to examine this unique population up close.</p>



<p>The Trojans are time capsules from the solar system’s early days, and scientists believe they hold vital clues to how the planets formed and migrated. </p>



<p>By photographing their surfaces, analyzing their composition, and tracking their movement, Lucy aims to unlock secrets about our cosmic origins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lucy-s-busy-road-ahead">Lucy’s busy road ahead</h2>



<p>Over the next several years, Lucy will visit a record number of asteroids. It is scheduled to pass three asteroids in the main <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroids-found-in-the-main-belt-are-the-smallest-ever-detected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroid belt</a> and eight Trojan asteroids that travel in Jupiter’s orbit. </p>



<p>This journey offers a rare opportunity to study these time capsules from the formation of our planets.</p>



<p>Last month, April 20 marked a big moment for the team as Lucy completed its second <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-lucy-discovers-two-asteroids-instead-of-one-during-dinkinesh-flyby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flyby</a>. The spacecraft’s next destination is the Trojan asteroid Eurybates and its small satellite Queta, with the encounter set for August 2027.</p>



<p>Each stop along the way brings scientists closer to understanding how the solar system grew and evolved.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-story-behind-donaldjohanson-s-name">The story behind Donaldjohanson’s name</h2>



<p>The Lucy spacecraft is named after the fossilized skeleton of a prehuman ancestor from East Africa, famously known as "Lucy." It carries forward the spirit of discovery that the fossil represents.</p>



<p>During this latest flyby, NASA made history by visiting a planetary body named after a living person - a first for the agency.</p>



<p>The asteroid Donaldjohanson received its name only after becoming one of Lucy’s targets. It was named to honor Dr. Donald Johanson, the paleoanthropologist who discovered the original Lucy fossil in Ethiopia. </p>



<p>His work reshaped how we understand human evolution, and now his legacy travels through space alongside a new era of exploration.</p>



<p>“Asteroid Donaldjohanson has strikingly complicated geology,” noted Hal Levison, principal investigator for Lucy at Southwest Research Institute. </p>



<p>“As we study the complex structures in detail, they will reveal important information about the building blocks and collisional processes that formed the planets in our Solar System.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-the-past-through-lucy-s-eyes">Seeing the past through Lucy’s eyes</h2>



<p>Lucy’s journey has just begun. The spacecraft continues to cruise through space with a full list of destinations ahead. </p>



<p>Each asteroid it encounters will offer more pieces to the grand puzzle of how our solar system came to be.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/asteroid_Donaldjohanson_Lucy-Spacecraft-photo_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/asteroid_Donaldjohanson_Lucy-Spacecraft-photo_NASA_1s.webp" alt="The asteroid Donaldjohanson as seen by the Lucy Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (L’LORRI). This is one of the most detailed images returned by NASA’s Lucy spacecraft during its flyby. This image was taken at 1:51 p.m. EDT (17:51 UTC), April 20, 2025, near closest approach, from a range of approximately 660 miles (1,100 km). The spacecraft’s closest approach distance was 600 miles (960 km), but the image shown was taken approximately 40 seconds beforehand. The image has been sharpened and processed to enhance contrast. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL/NOIRLab" class="wp-image-1967589"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The asteroid Donaldjohanson as seen by the Lucy Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (L’LORRI). This is one of the most detailed images returned by NASA’s Lucy spacecraft during its flyby. This image was taken at 1:51 p.m. EDT (17:51 UTC), April 20, 2025, near closest approach, from a range of approximately 660 miles (1,100 km). The spacecraft’s closest approach distance was 600 miles (960 km), but the image shown was taken approximately 40 seconds beforehand. The image has been sharpened and processed to enhance contrast. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL/NOIRLab</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Through Lucy’s eyes, we are seeing the remnants of the past, stitched together in rock and ice. </p>



<p>It’s a journey that not only charts the ancient history of our cosmic neighborhood but also reminds us of the human drive to explore - from Earth's earliest ancestors to the distant edges of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-meteorites-provide-a-window-into-the-early-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-small-asteroids">Significance of small asteroids</h2>



<p>At first glance, asteroids like Donaldjohanson might seem small and unremarkable compared to the giant planets or dazzling moons of the solar system. </p>



<p>But for scientists, these smaller bodies hold some of the most important clues about how everything we see today came to be.</p>



<p>Asteroids are often described as "fossils" of the solar system. They have remained relatively unchanged for billions of years, preserving the conditions and materials from the time when planets were still forming. </p>



<p>Studying them is like opening a time capsule. Every rock, every crater, and every surface texture tells a story about ancient collisions, chemical changes, and the forces that shaped our cosmic neighborhood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-the-early-solar-system">Insights into the early solar system </h2>



<p>The contact binary shape of Donaldjohanson also raises interesting questions. Contact binaries are formed when two separate bodies slowly come together under mutual gravitational forces. </p>



<p>Understanding how and when this happens could reveal new insights about the early chaotic days of the solar system, when collisions were common and the building blocks of planets were still gathering.</p>



<p>Lucy’s mission goes far beyond just taking pictures. Scientists will analyze the colors, surface compositions, and structures of these asteroids to look for patterns. </p>



<p>They want to find out why some asteroids are darker, why some are rich in metals, and why others seem almost untouched since the beginning.</p>



<p>Each asteroid adds another piece to the larger puzzle of how the Earth, the other planets, and even life itself eventually emerged.</p>



<p>The discoveries that Lucy makes over the coming years could reshape what we know about our origins. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the smallest and most distant places hold big secrets.</p>



<p>Information for this article comes from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



<p>Image credit: NASA/Goddard/SwRI/Johns Hopkins APL/NOIRLab</p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

Spacecraft captures rare photo of a remnant from our solar system's formation

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft captured a striking image of the asteroid...

<p>Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality across the globe and Nigeria is no exception: Breast, cervical, prostate, and liver malignancies are climbing steadily despite wider access to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drugs. </p>



<p>For many patients, however, modern treatment is difficult to afford. This has sparked renewed interest in a largely untapped yet promising resource: Nigeria’s indigenous food plants.</p>



<p>These plants - including their leaves, seeds, tubers, and fruits - are loaded with bioactive compounds. Laboratory studies show that many of these natural substances have the potential to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-plant-species-show-great-promise-in-fight-against-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slow or even halt</a> tumor growth. </p>



<p>A growing body of evidence suggests that these plants, long consumed as part of the traditional diet, could be developed as low-cost, complementary tools in the nation’s fight against cancer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-that-prevent-or-halt-cancer">Plants that prevent or halt cancer</h2>



<p>Researchers have catalogued dozens of edible Nigerian species with measurable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anti-cancer activity</a>, but nine stand out for the breadth of experimental data already available.</p>



<p><em>Spondias mombin</em> (hog plum) contains the flavonoid quercetin along with carotenoids that trigger apoptosis - the “self-destruct” program in malignant cells - while simultaneously tamping down inflammation.</p>



<p><em>Xanthosoma sagittifolium</em>, a cocoyam cultivated widely in the humid south, produces tannins and other phenolics that cause leukemia cells to stall in the cell-cycle, blocking proliferation and reducing the formation of new blood vessels that tumors need in order to expand.</p>



<p>Oil palm (<em>Elaeis guineensis</em>) is often maligned for ecological reasons, yet its vitamin-E–rich tocotrienols are potent antioxidants; in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diet-improves-health-in-women-with-breast-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breast cancer</a> models they lower cell viability and force cells into arrest, nudging them toward death.</p>



<p><em>Irvingia gabonensis</em>, the African bush mango, supplies gallotannins that regulate metabolic pathways linked to tumorigenesis and stimulate immune surveillance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-cancer-fighting-plant-compounds">Powerful cancer-fighting plant compounds </h2>



<p><em>Allium cepa</em>, the humble onion, is packed with organosulphur compounds as well as flavonoids that up-regulate detoxification enzymes, mop up DNA-damaging free radicals and may even help reverse multidrug resistance.</p>



<p><em>Blighia sapida</em> (ackee) fruit, famous for its culinary role in Caribbean cuisine, also grows in Nigeria; laboratory work shows its flavonoids can hamper the ERK5 pathway, a key driver of aggressive breast cancer.</p>



<p><em>Dioscorea dumetorum</em>, a wild yam, synthesizes diosgenin - long prized in the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material for steroid hormones - which shuts off the pro-survival NF-κB and MAPK cascades in cancer cells.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/plants_anti-cancer-properties_nigeria_credit-google-photos_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/plants_anti-cancer-properties_nigeria_credit-google-photos_1s.webp" alt="Selected edible Nigerian plants with anti-cancer properties. (a) Spondias mombin; (b) Xanthosoma sagittifolium; (c) Elaeis guineensis; (d) Irvingia gabonensis; (e) Blighia sapida; (f) Launaea taraxacifolia; (g) Tetracarpidium conophorum; (h) Chrysophyllum albidum; (i) Solanum macrocarpon; (j) Dioscorea dumetorum; (k) Talinum triangulare; (l) Psidium guajava; (m) Allium cepa L. Photo credit: google photo." class="wp-image-1967580"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Selected edible Nigerian plants with anti-cancer properties. (a) Spondias mombin; (b) Xanthosoma sagittifolium; (c) Elaeis guineensis; (d) Irvingia gabonensis; (e) Blighia sapida; (f) Launaea taraxacifolia; (g) Tetracarpidium conophorum; (h) Chrysophyllum albidum; (i) Solanum macrocarpon; (j) Dioscorea dumetorum; (k) Talinum triangulare; (l) Psidium guajava; (m) Allium cepa L. Click image to enlarge. Photo credit: FIM/Google photo.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p><em>Psidium guajava</em> (guava) leaves have been used for generations to treat diarrhea; now their tannins and phenolic acids are recognized for inducing apoptosis and shielding DNA from oxidative injury.</p>



<p>Finally, <em>Talinum triangulare</em>, the protein-rich “waterleaf,” contains quercetin and other antioxidants that bolster immune responses and hinder tumor growth in vitro.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-plants-with-similar-strategies">Diverse plants with similar strategies </h2>



<p>Despite their botanical diversity, these species rely on a handful of overlapping biochemical strategies. </p>



<p>First and foremost is apoptosis induction: they activate pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax while down-regulating anti-apoptotic factors like Bcl-2, tipping the balance toward cell death.</p>



<p>Many extracts also impose cell-cycle arrest at the G1/S or G2/M checkpoints by interfering with cyclin-dependent kinases; deprived of the green light to divide, cancer cells accumulate DNA damage and succumb. Angiogenesis - the sprouting of new blood vessels that feed a tumor - is another frequent target. </p>



<p>Compounds from cocoyam, yam and hog plum have been shown to lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related signals, choking off the nutrient supply to nascent tumors. </p>



<p>Inflammatory enzymes (COX-2, iNOS) and reactive oxygen species are suppressed as well, reducing the chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflammation</a> and oxidative stress that often initiate or accelerate malignancy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-tradition-and-modern-oncology"><a></a>Bridging tradition and modern oncology</h2>



<p>While pre-clinical data are encouraging, several hurdles must be cleared before Nigerian food plants can take their place beside paclitaxel or cisplatin. </p>



<p>Bioactive composition varies by soil type, rainfall pattern and harvest time; rigorous agronomic studies are needed to standardize cultivation and extraction.</p>



<p>Dosage, toxicity and potential interactions with conventional drugs remain largely untested in humans. Well-designed clinical trials - randomized, placebo-controlled and sufficiently powered - are essential if these botanicals are to earn a formal role in oncology clinics. </p>



<p>Another challenge is the disconnect between traditional knowledge holders and laboratory scientists.</p>



<p>Ethnobotanical surveys can help bridge that gap, ensuring that leads chosen for development reflect community practices and dietary realities. </p>



<p>Public-health campaigns, meanwhile, could educate physicians, pharmacists, and patients about the evidence base for plant-derived adjuncts, avoiding unsubstantiated claims while highlighting genuine benefits such as reduced side-effects or improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of life</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-effective-renewable-treatments">Cost-effective, renewable treatments</h2>



<p>If these hurdles are overcome, the payoff could be substantial. Many of the plants grow wild or are already farmed for food, implying a local, renewable supply chain. </p>



<p>Extracts could be formulated as teas, capsules or functional foods, lowering barriers to access in rural areas where oncology centers are scarce.</p>



<p>Combining plant-based agents with lower doses of chemotherapy or radiation might retain efficacy while mitigating nausea, hair loss, and myelosuppression - side-effects that often deter patients from completing treatment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-cancer-with-plants-future-research">Fighting cancer with plants: Future research</h2>



<p>Future research should prioritize mapping the full chemoprofile of each candidate plant. This should also include identifying synergistic combinations and unravelling pharmacokinetics in vivo. </p>



<p>Genomic and metabolomic tools can accelerate the discovery of lead molecules, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-nanotechnology-is-fighting-microplastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanotechnology</a> may enhance their bioavailability. Collaboration between Nigerian universities, pharmaceutical firms, and international cancer institutes will be vital to secure funding and regulatory approval.</p>



<p>Ultimately, Nigeria’s indigenous food plants harbor a rich arsenal of anticancer phytochemicals that attack tumours through multiple, complementary pathways. </p>



<p>Integrated with evidence-based medicine, these botanicals could broaden the therapeutic arsenal, reduce treatment costs and bring culturally familiar options to patients. Harnessing the plants may demand careful science, but the potential rewards will justify the effort.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00042" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Future Integrative Medicine</em></a><em>.</em></p>



<p>-----</p>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p>-----</p>

These food plants demonstrated natural anti-cancer properties in a recent study

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality across the globe...

<div class="vdb_player vdb_591c9e3c9efa894c3c6e150b58d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49">
<script src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
<p>A study links prenatal exposure to pollution to lower IQs.</p>


Pollution Could be Linked to Lower IQs

News coming your way