At just 25, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin applied quantum physics to a treasure trove of astronomical observations to show that stars are mostly hydrogen and helium.

Stars form in the universe from massive clouds of gas. European Southern Observatory, CC BY-SA For decades, astronomers have wondered what the very first stars in the universe were like. These stars ...

Scientists are using modern technology to peer heavenward. This is an Inside Science story. Since ancient times, people gazing up at the night sky have seen animals, gods and goddesses, and other ...

Astronomers first thought these red dots were ancient galaxies. They appeared unusually mature for their early universe age.

This image of the Sculptor galaxy will give astronomers detailed information on a variety of stars, nebulae and galactic regions. European Southern Observatory If you happen to find yourself in the ...

Pictures are the key to new insights in the field of astrophysics. Such images include simulations of cosmic events, which astrophysicists at UZH use to investigate how stars, planets and galaxies ...

New studies suggest that the first stars formed after the Big Bang may not have been as uniformly massive as previously believed.

A mysterious region near the center of the Milky Way has captured the attention of astronomers. Known as Sagittarius C, this strange place holds thousands of newborn stars, huge clouds of gas, and ...

For decades, astronomers have wondered what the very first stars in the universe were like. These stars formed new chemical elements, which enriched the universe and allowed the next generations of ...

(THE CONVERSATION) If you happen to find yourself in the Southern Hemisphere with binoculars and a good view of the night sky on a dark and clear summer night, you might just be able to spot the ...

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. If you happen to find yourself in the Southern ...