You Can See 400,000 “Strikingly Beautiful” Galaxies in This New Map of Space
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Any amateur astronomer will tell you that there’s something special about sitting outside with your telescope and taking in the distant wonders of the night sky. But with a bit of help from professional scientists using cutting-edge technology, it’s possible to get an even better view of far-off star systems swirling with their own mesmerizing, colorful displays. And now, researchers have announced the release of the Siena Galaxy Atlas, which allows you to see almost 400,000 “strikingly beautiful” galaxies with a few simple clicks. Read on to see how the offering came to be and what it could mean for future studies of the cosmos.
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Stunning images of the universe can be especially captivating with their vivid, swirling colors that stoke our imaginations and curiosity. Typically, these pictures find their way to us when a new series has been released before they eventually become the backgrounds on our phone screens.
But now, scientists at the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab) have announced the release of the Siena Galaxy Atlas (SGA), a collection of images of nearly 400,000 galaxies from across the universe that’s free for the public to access, according to a press release.
The massive library is a compilation of images taken by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Surveys between 2014 and 2017, which were used to identify possible galaxies as targets for future research for the project. Scientists used state-of-the-art telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile and Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory to collect the data, per the press release.
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The release of the data and image library marks a significant advancement in studying the cosmos. While scientists have long used research databases to help identify patterns and target potentially important areas of study, datasets typically had to be regularly updated as new technology became available. But the SGA’s release marks the first time a mother lode of such information has been made available all at once using cutting-edge instruments.
The project’s scope is also monumental, scanning a total area of 20,000 square degrees that covers half the night sky, according to the NOIRLab press release. It marks the first time highly accurate information on the location, shape, and size of so many galaxies has been made available.
“Nearby large galaxies are important because we can study them in more detail than any other galaxies in the universe; they are our cosmic neighbors,” John Moustakas , PhD, SGA project leader and a physics professor at Siena College, said in the NOIRLab press release. “Not only are they strikingly beautiful, but they also hold the key to understanding how galaxies form and evolve, including our very own Milky Way galaxy.”
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Even though the SGA represents the most up-to-date information available, it’s far from the first attempt to coherently map the cosmos. The research team cites projects dating back centuries, including the Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d’Étoiles (Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters) first released in 1774 by astronomer Charles Messier , the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (NGC) published in 1888 by John Louis Emil Dreyer , and the Third Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies in 1991. However, they also cite other recent atlases that are missing a significant number of galaxies and rely on outdated measurements.
“Previous galaxy compilations have been plagued by incorrect positions, sizes, and shapes of galaxies, and also contained entries which were not galaxies but stars or artifacts,” Arjun Dey , PhD, a project scientist and astronomer at the NOIRLab, said in the statement. “The SGA cleans all this up for a large part of the sky. It also provides the best brightness measurements for galaxies, something we have not reliably had before for a sample of this size.”
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Researchers are confident that the SGA will help foster new research on everything from why different galaxies appear the way they do to how lesser-known things like dark matter are spread out around the universe, per the NOIRLab press release. But they’re also quick to note that citizen scientists and amateur astronomers will also be able to put the treasure trove of information to use.
“The public release of these spectacular data contained in the atlas will have a real impact not only on astronomical research, but also on the public’s ability to view and identify relatively nearby galaxies,” Chris Davis , NSF Program Director for NOIRLab, said in the statement. “Dedicated amateur astronomers will particularly love this as a go-to resource for learning more about some of the celestial targets they observe.”
Others agree that the free resource could also be a gratifying way to explore the cosmos even from their desks. “The SGA is going to be the pre-eminent digital galaxy atlas for large galaxies,” Dey said in the press release. “In addition to its scientific utility, it has a lot of pictures of beautiful galaxies!”
The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says
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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.
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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.
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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.
Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.
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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.
For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.
The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.
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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.
“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”
And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.
“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.
