by Prof. Benjamin D. Wandelt, Johns Hopkins University  more

The European Astronomical Society announced today that the 2026 Fritz Zwicky Prize for Astrophysics & Cosmology is awarded to Prof. Rashid Sunyaev for his pioneering work on the cosmic microwave background and the theory of disk accretion. more

Rare or unusual astrophysical objects are used to test the limits of theoretical models because of their extreme properties. The bright X-ray source SS433 in our galaxy undoubtedly belongs to this category. Initially identified as an Hα emitter, it was later recognised as a black hole in a binary system.  Since then, SS433, which emits strongly in the radio and X-ray bands, has been targeted by almost every space- and ground-based observatory, leading to a flurry of discoveries.  In contrast, the surrounding huge W50 nebula, spanning more than two degrees, is much fainter and difficult to study. The complete radio image earned W50 the nickname 'Manatee Nebula', while X-ray maps were mostly patches from different observatories or lacked spatial or energy resolution. This shortcoming has finally been overcome by the recently published SRG/eROSITA map of W50 in multiple X-ray colours, which reveals a beautiful blend of thermal and non-thermal processes within an elongated cocoon.
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An international team of astronomers has created the most detailed 3D map yet of Lyman alpha light emitted by hydrogen in the early universe. Using Line Intensity Mapping on data by the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX), they identified faint galaxies and gas that were previously difficult to observe. This can now be compared to simulations of the structures in the early universe. The team processed half a petabyte of data to refine their map, revealing unseen objects and enhancing our understanding of galaxy evolution.  more

Sun-like stars form within turbulent molecular clouds, encircled by disks of gas and dust - the birthplaces of planets. While the earliest phases of the disk assembly process are obscured by the surrounding dense gas, ALMA can observe proto-stellar disks shortly after their formation. In a project supported by the Excellence Cluster ORIGINS, researchers from MPA, MPE, Harvard, and the University of Cologne performed high-resolution non-ideal magneto-hydrodynamical simulations that self-consistently follow proto-stellar disk formation from their parental turbulent molecular clouds down to stellar scales, spanning over 10 orders of magnitude. The study uncovers the complex paths by which disks assemble and demonstrates that magnetic fields play a central role in their formation and early evolution.
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Munich astronomers image and model extremely rare gravitationally lensed supernova more

In January, Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer, Advisor to the MPG President on Africa Affairs, visited the Partner Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics at Kyambogo University in Uganda, led by Dr. Benard Nsamba. Prof. Bonhoeffer met with the university's top management and participated in a productive collaborative board meeting, discussing future research initiatives and opportunities for deeper cooperation.
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