A galaxy is a huge gravitationally bound system of stars, interstellar gas and dust, plasma, and (possibly) unseen dark matter. Typical galaxies contain 10 million to one trillion (10⁷ to 10¹²) stars, all orbiting a common center of gravity. In addition to single stars and a tenuous interstellar medium, most galaxies contain a large number of multiple star systems and star clusters as well as various types of nebulae. Most galaxies are several thousand to several hundred thousand light years in diameter and are usually separated from one another by distances on the order of millions of light years.

Although so-called dark matter appears to account for around 90% of the mass of most galaxies, the nature of these unseen components is not well understood. There is some evidence that supermassive black holes may exist at the center of many, if not all, galaxies.

Intergalactic space, the space between galaxies, is filled with a tenuous plasma with an average density less than one atom per cubic meter. There are probably more than a hundred billion (10¹¹) galaxies in the observable universe.

More on [ Galaxy ]

BBC News | Science/Nature | World Edition

'Jules Verne' begins final voyage
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:27:47 -0000
Europe's space freighter undocks from the International Space Station after completing its mission to the orbiting platform.
Universal flu vaccine tests start
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:21 -0000
A universal flu vaccine which could mean an end to the annual flu jab is being trialled on UK volunteers.
Rosetta probe makes asteroid pass
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:32:03 -0000
Europe's Rosetta space probe makes a close pass of asteroid Steins, taking pictures and recording other scientific data.

L.A. Times - Science

Ice shelf breaks away in Canadian Arctic
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The 19-square-mile Markham Ice Shelf is now floating in the Arctic Ocean. An Arctic ice shelf specialist says 83 square miles of ice has been lost from shelves this summer. Ice shelf breaks off in Arctic
Hanna-Ike-Josephine storm trio isn't an anomaly
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Global warming can't be blamed for the trifecta -- headed toward the Southeast U.S. -- meteorologists say. It's just 'peak season in an active hurricane cycle.' Despite the prospect of three major tropical storms heading toward the Southeastern United States, meteorologists say that the conga-line assault is not particularly unusual in the stormy history of the region.
Straying mate? His genes may be to blame
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
That cheating husband could have a gene variant that scientists have linked to higher risks of marital discord and divorce. (He could even have two.) Men are more likely to be devoted and loyal husbands when they lack a particular variant of a gene that influences brain activity, researchers reported this week.

Reuters: Science News

European space probe completes asteroid fly by
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:09:48 -0400
BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Space Agency obtained on Saturday the first images of an asteroid 360 million km (224 million miles) from earth, part of a space mission which scientists hope will help them understand the origins of the planets.
New fingerprint method could unlock cold cases
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:06:40 -0400
LONDON (Reuters) - It's a discovery that would make even Sherlock Holmes proud. British scientists have developed a new crime-fighting technique that allows police to lift fingerprints from bullets even if a criminal has wiped down a shell casing.
Storms delay space shuttle launch to Hubble
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:32:17 -0400
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Atlantis' launch on a final mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope has been delayed because of tropical storms, NASA said on Friday.

AP Top Science News At 9:51 a.m. EDT

Spacecraft flies by remote asteroid, camera stops
By KATRIN SCHIEFER and GEORGE FREY Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:51:26 -0000
DARMSTADT, Germany (AP) -- The European deep space probe Rosetta successfully completed a flyby of an asteroid millions of miles from earth, but its high resolution camera stopped shortly before the closest pass, space officials said Saturday....
Cassini detects partial rings with Saturn's moons
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:35:23 -0000
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- The latest images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show faint, partial rings orbiting with two of Saturn's small inner moons, scientists said Friday....
Oldest gorilla in captivity dies in Dallas at 55
By LINDA STEWART BALL Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:10:15 -0000
DALLAS (AP) -- The oldest gorilla in captivity, a 55-year-old female named Jenny, has died at the Dallas Zoo - her home for more than half a century, a spokesman said Friday....

NOVA scienceNOW | PBS

NOVA scienceNOW: Phoenix Mars Lander
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
NASA's latest robot has already found frozen water and is looking for more signs that the Red Planet could support life.
NOVA scienceNOW: Brain Trauma
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
Even so-called "mild" head injuries turn out to be anything but.
NOVA scienceNOW: Mammoth Mystery
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
A pair of mammoth skeletons is found locked together by their tusks. What happened?

Newsweek Technology Headlines

The Cloud's Chrome Lining
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0000
What Google's browser suggests about the way the search giant views the Web
Virtual Viewpoint
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
A new online software service allows you to build three-dimensional scenes out of dozens of photographs.
Of Sludge and Salad: Wastewater Greens the World's Gardens
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:14:52 -0000
You might want to hold your nose for this one.

Innovation

Horizon highlights – Tough questions for Obama, tough gadgets for soldiers, and tough love for Chrome
cgaylord Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:15:03 -0000
Our regular roundup of sci-tech stories from across the Web includes: Where does Obama stand on science issues? How sturdy are Panasonic Toughbooks? And how good is Google’s new web browser? Let’s kick it off: Politics – Obama answers your science questions “Though unable to convince Obama and John McCain to engage in a full-blown science debate, [...]
‘Spore’ ready to bloom
briefs Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:12:04 -0000
“Spore,” the long-awaited (and long-delayed) follow-up from video game guru Will Wright launches Friday in Europe and Sunday in North America. Mr. Wright, who made pop culture history when he created the massively popular PC world known as “The Sims,” calls his new creation “the ultimate God game,” allowing players to guide a home-brewed species [...]
How to download free books, music, and movies from local libraries
editorial Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:11:55 -0000
In a time when practically any question can be answered through a Google search, brick-and-mortar libraries are evolving to remain relevant. Rather than cede ground to search engines, e-book readers, and download services, more than 7,500 US libraries are adopting their competitor’s tricks and offering digital means to access books, music, and movies – free of [...]

Science News - UPI.com

Test could lead to better BSE detection
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:21:33 -0400
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Canadian researchers said changes in protein levels in urine can detect mad cow disease in live animals.
Andes may hold treasure trove of metals
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:19:59 -0400
RESTON, Va., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A geological study of South America suggests the Andes Mountains may hold a treasure trove of undiscovered minerals, researchers said.
NASA adjusts launch dates
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:37:19 -0400
HOUSTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. space officials moved the target launch date for the Shuttle Atlantis mission to the Hubble Space Telescope back two days to Oct. 10.

 

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