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The mysteries trapped in the corners of the universe are far more exciting than anyone could ever imagine. With each passing day and month, astronomers find new riddles and solve them in what is as puzzling as they are delightful. Sometimes astronomers find things in a place they least expect them to be. And that’s exactly what has happened with a group of astronomers looking for a simple sample of distant galaxies. Using radio waves, they discovered two “invisible” galaxies hiding behind a curtain of dust near the dawn of the universe. This curtain of dust was hitherto obscuring the galaxies from their view. The galaxies have been named REBELS-12-2 and REBELS-29-2 and they are among the most distant known galaxies.

Although the light from them has travelled 13 billion years to reach Earth, the galaxies are actually much farther away than that now — a staggering 29 billion light-years away. This is because the universe continuously expands. The astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), which captures radio waves.

The researchers have detailed their discovery in a paper published in the Nature journal. The study suggests that there were far more galaxies in the early universe than previously thought and raises new questions about our understanding of the universe. The astronomers have calculated that 10–20 percent of galaxies from the early universe may be hiding behind dust clouds, waiting to be discovered someday.

Astronomers usually use the Hubble Space Telescope to study cosmic mysteries. Though it has the most unobstructed view of the universe, Hubble can’t see everything as it watches the skies mostly in ultraviolet and visible wavelengths of light. So this group of astronomers used the ALMA telescope, which operates at wavelengths of 0.32mm to 3.6mm.

Pascal Oesch, an author of the study, said they were looking at a group of very distant galaxies with ALMA and then they noticed that two of them had a neighbour that wasn’t expected “to be there at all.” Both these neighbouring galaxies were surrounded with dust which blocked some of their light and Hubble couldn’t see them.

“We are trying to put the big puzzle about the universe’s formation together and answer the most basic question: ‘Where does it all come from?’” Oesch told New Atlas.

The astronomers are now waiting for more powerful instruments to be put in space so that their work can move forward. One of these power tools is the James Webb Space Telescope, which will specialse in infrared imaging of the cosmos. It is set to launch towards the end of this year, likely on December 22.


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Astronomers Reveal Sudden Explosion of Small Asteroid Over France

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In February 2023, asteroid 2023 CX1 exploded suddenly over France, stunning scientists. Tracked only hours before impact, the tiny rock disintegrated in a powerful airburst, scattering meteorites across Normandy. The rare event provides crucial insights into asteroid behavior and raises new considerations for future planetary defense strategies.

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Rare ‘Crescent Sunrise’ Solar Eclipse to Grace Skies Over Antarctica and New Zealand

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A rare partial solar eclipse will bring a crescent sunrise on Sept. 21–22, coinciding with the equinox. Skywatchers in New Zealand, Antarctica, and the South Pacific will witness up to 86% of the sun obscured at dawn, creating one of the most striking celestial spectacles short of a total eclipse.

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Sun Shows Signs of Rising Activity Following Decades of Weakening, Study Finds

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A new NASA study shows the Sun’s activity has been rising since 2008, reversing decades of decline. The unexpected trend suggests greater risks from solar storms, flares, and plasma ejections. Scientists stress improved forecasting is essential, with upcoming missions like IMAP and SWFO-L1 set to expand space weather monitoring and protection efforts.

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