Press Releases
Astronomers discover a rare ‘black widow’ binary, with the shortest orbit yet
The flashing of a nearby star has drawn a team of astronomers including the University of Warwick to a new and mysterious system 3,000 light years from Earth.
Planetary bodies observed in habitable zone of dead star
A ring of planetary debris studded with moon-sized structures has been observed orbiting close to a white dwarf star, hinting at a nearby planet in the “habitable zone” where water and thus life could exist, according to a new study involving astronomers from the University of Warwick.
Final moments of planetary remnants seen for first time
The moment that debris from destroyed planets impacts the surface of a white dwarf star has been observed for the first time by astronomers at the University of Warwick.
Scientists are a step closer to finding planets like Earth
A UK-backed mission which which will search for Earth-like planets orbiting alien stars has been given the green light to continue with its development after passing a critical milestone review.
Star’s self-destruction is presented in 3D
A 1,000-year-old supernova has been captured in 3D images that reveal yet unseen details of the elements that are ejected when a star explodes. Analysis of data collected by the University of Warwick from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) and X-shooter at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), offers new insights into how stars self-destruct.