News: Astronomy
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
McDonald Observatory Invites Ecological Research as a Texas Field Station
The observatory joins a network of six University of Texas sites dedicated to scientific research, environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.
![Two telescope domes sit atop a mountain with more peaks in the distance](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/mcdonald_observatory-141_0-1200x800.jpg)
Astronomers Confirm Maisie’s Galaxy is Among Earliest Ever Observed
Detected with the James Webb Space Telescope, Maisie’s galaxy was observed 390 million years after the Big Bang.
![An orange-red blob in the center of a black background](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/flight-to-maisies-1200x800.png)
Chemical Cartography Reveals the Milky Way’s Spiral Arms
The method overcomes the challenges of dust that block the view of some of the Milky Way's stars.
![A spiral galaxy floats in the black background of space with red and blue dots sprinkled over one section](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/milky_way_hawkins-edits1200x800.jpg)
UT Austin Ranks among Top U.S. Universities in Nature Index
Among U.S. universities, UT ranks 17th in natural sciences, 8th in physical sciences and 7th in chemistry.
![UT is spelled in flowers south of the main mall with the UT Tower in the distance](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3-2-tower-university-ave.-orange-flowers-ut-2022139208-copy-2400x1600-b6b12ebe-5022-4038-83d1-95b78c2b17dc.jpg)
Webb Telescope Detects Most Distant Active Supermassive Black Hole
At about 9 solar masses, this black hole is a real lightweight compared to previously seen ones in the early universe that are typically 1...
![A dense field of galaxies set against a black background of space](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/ceers-nircam-crop2400x1600.png)
Science News
Muñoz Named Among Science News’ SN 10 List of Scientists to Watch
The scientist developed a ruler with the power to size up the early university and shed light on the cosmic dawn.
![A bearded man in a patterned collared shirt stands in a building in front of a window](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/julian_munoz-3-2-v.jpg)
New Era of Exoplanet Discovery Begins with Images of ‘Jupiter’s Younger Sibling’
Astrometry uses the shift in a star’s position on the sky relative to other stars to infer the existence of orbiting planets.
![In this side-by-side comparison of two telescope images, a white dot on a blue background changes position as it orbits around a central star symbol](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/aflep_subtracted_imgs_press_release_jup_sat_allbold2400x1600.png)
McDonald Observatory
Giant Tails of Helium Observed Escaping Jupiter-Like Planet
Astronomers used the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) at the McDonald Observatory to discover some of the longest tails of gas yet observed escaping a planet.
![An orange swirl of light around a bright yellow star against a purple background](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/planet-tail_v3_1200x800.png)
James Webb Space Telescope Images Challenge Theories of How Universe Evolved
Hefty young galaxies defy the reigning model of cosmology, called "dark energy + cold dark matter" or ΛCDM.
![Six candidate galaxies](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/six-galaxies-closeup2400x1600.png)
James Webb’s First Stunning Image of Cassiopeia A, Fragments of a Hellish Explosion
A new image of a supernova remnant reveals wonders, beauty, secrets of star structure and building blocks of life.
![Wisps of colorful gas and dust in a telescope image showing the remains of a supernova explosion](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/casa_miri_draftcompositev3_25mar23-3x2.png)