News at MPA

Large observatory on a mountain at sunset.

The first images from the observatory will be published on 23 June 2025 at 17:00 CEST. Researchers from the Max Planck Society report on their planned research more

Various telescopes observe galaxies in the starry sky above a mountainous landscape.

Focus on the universe

June 20, 2025

Astronomical images not only look beautiful, they also provide a wealth of information. What's behind it and what distinguishes four prominent telescopes? An overview. more

How stars stay young and spin slowly

Computer simulations suggest that the amplification of magnetic fields in stellar collisions may play an important role in the formation of a particular subset of stars in clusters. Blue straggler stars in clusters appear not only bluer, but also younger than other cluster members. One proposed explanation for their apparently different ages is that they are the result of stellar collisions. However, this would require the resulting star to spin down efficiently without losing too much mass. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics have now shown, using sophisticated 3D simulations, that the energy of the magnetic field is greatly amplified in the collisions of low-mass stars, providing a potentially efficient spin-down mechanism. more

New high-powered telescope reaches Chilean peak

The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope is now ready to be assembled at its destination in the Atacama Desert. Planned to take up operations in April 2026, it will be able to look all the way back to the Big Bang, revealing new details about star and galaxy formation.
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A bright, luminous point in the center with a circular, blurred halo, surrounded by dark space

Data from the Esa Euclid telescope enable precise analysis of an Einstein ring around the galaxy core of NGC 6505 and thus the surrounding dark matter more

MPA launches Mentorship Program to support aspiring astronomers

The Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) is excited to announce the launch of its new Mentorship Program, designed to connect aspiring astronomers from underrepresented groups with researchers at the institute. This initiative aims to increase diversity and inclusion in theoretical and computational astrophysics, offering participants valuable guidance and insights into the field. more

Elliptical galaxy at the center of a galaxy cluster with inset showing detailed structure.

In some of the first data from ESA’s Euclid space telescope, scientists have found a rare image of a distorted background galaxy, appearing as a so-called ‘Einstein Ring’ right in our cosmic backyard. Using a state-of-the art computer model at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, the astrophysicists were able to model the gravitational lensing system allowing them to learn more about this rare object. more

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