Cosmology
Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that relates to the origin of the Universe, its evolution and eventual fate. It covers a broad variety of topics from string theory to dark matter, and cosmologists work to both broaden and refine our understanding of the current model of the Universe: The Big Bang Theory. With ties to physics, philosophy and ancient history, cosmology is an expansive subject that aims to discover the true theory of everything.
How a solar eclipse revealed the warping of spacetime and opened a new window into the Universe
Since its effects were proven more than a century ago, scientists have used gravitational lensing to uncover many of the Universe's mysteries.
This bizarre quantum theory could finally explain how our Universe began
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the 'inflation field'.
This 'zombie' cannibal star was spotted eating its siblings
Think Silence of the Lambs, but make it extra-terrestrial and undead.
101 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.
Earth is being bombarded by mysterious bursts of intergalactic radio waves. And it has scientists puzzled
Fast radio bursts originating from beyond the galaxy were first detected almost 20 years ago.
How new antimatter science could soon explain the existence of everything
Matter comes in many flavours, each with its own unique, intriguing properties.
Bizarre giant planet could rewrite the rules of solar systems
Once upon a time, there was a planet that was too big for its tiny sun. And it threw science into chaos…
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured images of ancient galaxies that shouldn't exist. A cosmologist explains what could be going on.
According to current thinking, the Universe isn’t old enough to contain such massive galaxies.
What's inside the fifth dimension?
What else could there be beyond the three dimensions of space and one of time? And how can we begin to conceive of it?
Why we don’t have to worry about being sucked into the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way
Black holes may be notorious for sucking up anything that gets in their way, but we have nothing to worry about from the one in our galaxy’s heart. At least not for another four billion years.
In Pictures: Euclid sends back first test images
Euclid sends back its first images ahead of producing a 3D map of the Universe.
Why the Big Bang might not have been the beginning of our Universe
The Big Bang marks the birth of the Universe, right? The physicists brave enough to look beyond it aren’t so sure.
Scientists reproduce the eerily beautiful sound of twinkling stars – and you can listen
Music inspired scientists’ new approach to understanding the waves of energy that flow in the centre of massive stars – and the results are more eery than a nursery rhyme.
New images could unlock the mysteries of how giant planets are born
A composite image made from observations by different telescopes supports theories of how planets as big as Jupiter form.
Euclid Space Telescope launch live: How to watch the 'dark Universe' spacecraft today
The new ESA and NASA device will explore the unknown dark Universe.
What's the largest planet in the Universe?
Find out the biggest planet in our Solar System and beyond.
How one particle could soon rewrite our laws of the Universe
The particle that gives all matter mass may have played a key role in the birth of the Universe.
The six numbers that define the entire Universe
In this edited extract from The Little Book of Cosmology, physicist Prof Lyman Page explains how our model of the Universe relies on just six parameters.
Spring equinox 2023: The best images from around the globe
From London to Mexico, here’s how the northern hemisphere celebrated the first day of spring.
Venus-Jupiter conjunction 2023: The best images from around the globe
As captured by stargazers over the world, the two planets met the Moon in the night sky.
How a simulation wormhole may unite gravity and quantum theory
Are physicists nearing in on the Holy Grail 'theory of everything'?
What would happen to our view of far-off galaxies, if we travelled at (or near) light-speed towards them?
If a star 1000 light-years away went supernova and died, it would take us 1000 years to know - but what if we were moving towards it, at (or near) light-speed?
How a hunt for secret nuclear weapon tests led to the discovery of the most violent explosions in the Universe
Immensely energetic bursts of electromagnetic radiation are released by exploding stars. Studying them can teach us more about stellar evolution and the composition of the cosmos.
What would actually happen if we discovered a message from an alien planet?
The SETI mission is scouring the skies for signs of extraterrestrial life. So what will the researchers do when they receive a signal, and will they send a message back?