Astronomers Find Metal-Rich Distant Galaxy

User rating: 4.6 / 5 after 12 vote(s)

A distant quasar is used as a beacon in the Universe. Galaxies and intergalactic material that lie between the quasar and us will reveal themselves by the features seen in the spectrum. Figure courtesy of John Webb.
A distant quasar is used as a beacon in the Universe. Galaxies and intergalactic material that lie between the quasar and us will reveal themselves by the features seen in the spectrum. Figure courtesy of John Webb.

Astronomers, using the unique capabilities offered by the high-resolution spectrograph UVES on ESO's Very Large Telescope, have found a metal-rich hydrogen cloud in the distant universe. The result may help to solve the missing metal problem and provides insight on how galaxies form.


Full story »

All News summaries from Space & Earth science news
All News summaries for February 15, 2006

Astronauts step out for longest, hardest spacewalk

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Astronauts stepped out for the longest and hardest spacewalk of their mission Saturday to wrap up greasy repair work on a gummed-up joint at the international space station.

Astronauts face hardest spacewalk to finish repair

11 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Astronauts up on the international space station faced the longest and hardest spacewalk of their mission Saturday, a seven-hour-plus excursion to wrap up repair work on a gummed-up joint.

NASA's space water recycling system has hiccups

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- NASA's revolutionary new space water recycling system is having serious hiccups. The $154 million device for turning astronauts' urine and sweat into drinking water aboard the international space ...

NASA scales back flagship Mars mission

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- NASA is scrapping a controversial piece of hardware from its next-generation Mars rover that would have allowed the spacecraft to store rock fragments in a mini-basket for a future mission.

Would-be Japanese space tourist wants $21M back

Nov 21, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Japanese millionaire Daisuke Enomoto had planned to dress up as his favorite cartoon character in outer space and spent $21 million to make it happen. Now he claims the company that was supposed make his dream come ...