SUNSET: 
Take a Deep Look into the Milky Way Halo
New analysis shows the best view of the Milky Way halo to date, providing a window into our galaxy's future star formation.
In Heaven with M7, a Portal Into the Deep
M7 in Scorpius is one of the brightest, most beautiful open clusters in the sky. It's also "home" to a half-dozen other delectable deep-sky sights.
In Search of Ancient Suns
We track down and admire five of the most ancient stars in the universe.
Dark Matter "Wake" in the Milky Way's Outer Reaches
Astronomers have discovered that a satellite of the Milky Way has left a "wake" in the dark matter halo that surrounds our galaxy.
Flares from the Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole
The supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way released an unusual number of strong flares in 2019. Now, astronomers are trying to figure out why.
Seeking the Origins of Galactic Stellar Streams
A recent study has identified the origins of many of the long streams of stars that encircle the Milky Way. These streams may contain hints about our galaxy's past.
Tibet Observatory Confirms Existence of Galactic PeVatrons
A Tibetan cosmic-ray observatory has discovered high-energy particle accelerators within our galaxy.
The Milky Way’s Local Arm Is Longer Than We Thought
New maps of the Milky Way suggest the Local Arm that we call home is longer than expected — now upgraded to a major spiral feature (but not quite an arm).
What — and Where — Is the North Polar Spur?
Astronomers make the case that a gigantic ridge of gas sticking out of the galactic plane was blown out by a cluster of nearby supernovae.
The Alignment of the Milky Way’s Entourage, Explained
Astronomers are starting to understand why the dwarf galaxies around the Milky Way are aligned along a plane.
Astronomy News: Galactic One-Two Punch, Black Hole Heartbeat Falters
In the news this week: Globular clusters have the detailed scoop on our galaxy's past, and a "heartbeat" black hole binary in the Milky Way has gone mysteriously dim.
Astronomers Discover Galactic “Fossil” Inside the Milky Way
Thousands of stars that once belonged to an ancient galaxy are inside our own.
Gaia Makes Most Accurate 3D Map of the Milky Way Yet
Astronomers have released a new, extremely detailed three-dimensional census of our Milky Way galaxy.
Astronomers Map Andromeda’s Halo
Astronomers have observed 43 quasars in back of our sister galaxy, Andromeda, using the distant beacons to map its halo of hot gas.
Will Radio Bursts Reveal Hidden Baryons?
Scientists are using radio emission from pulsars and fast radio bursts to probe the circumgalactic medium around the Milky Way.
Close Encounters in the Milky Way — and What They Mean for Planets
New research shows stellar flybys are common in our galaxy’s crowded center. That could have both good and bad (but mostly bad) effects on growing planets.
Astronomers Discover Huge Circular Arc Near the Big Dipper
The 30-degree circular arc is likely a shock front expanding from a star that exploded some 100,000 years ago.
The 10 Million-Degree Gas Around the Milky Way
New observations show ultra-hot gas around the Milky Way. Stellar explosions may have driven this gas out of our galaxy.
Magnetism Rules in the Milky Way’s Core
Recent observations from the airborne SOFIA observatory show that magnetic fields — not gravity — govern the gas at the center of the Milky Way.
Is the Milky Way Throwing Out Forming Stars?
Some of the scant stars dwelling in the Milky Way's halo may have an unexpected origin: They may come from the galaxy itself.