The Science of Space

SETI Returns

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, commonly known as SETI, is back on. SETI operates by turning an array of audio telescopes to the skies to listen for noise that would indicate intelligent life, for example, a pattern of radio waves that is distinct from the background noise of the Universe. SETI went offline in April of this year after failing to secure enough funding to continue operation. It now has a new agreement with Air Force, who will lease the telescope array when needed.

Found: Most Massive Black Holes Ever

331 million light years away, a black hole 9.7 billion times the mass of the sun is causing havoc at the center of a galaxy. The black hole has a diameter that could accompany our solar system… ten times from end to end. The previously largest known black hole was a paltry 6.3 billion solar masses. In addition to the new black hole, researchers are trying to determine the mass of another black hole 336 million light years away. That black hole could be more than twice as large at 21 billion solar masses.

Ultra-Red Galaxies Found

In a distant corner of the universe, a mere 13 billion light years away, scientists have found four “ultra-red” galaxies. These galaxies are some of the earliest to form after the big bang. Their ultra-redness may be  accounted for by their extreme distance, a large amount of dust surrounding the galaxies, and that the galaxies may be made up mostly of red stars… or a combination of all three.