Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Milky Way

latest news & developments
Hard to swallow: Planetary nebula Abell 82, which contains the remains of dying stars.
AQUILA CONSTELLATION

Star swallows planet in first glimpse of Earth’s probable end

The star, which is similar to the sun, engulfed the planet over a period of around 100 days

  • Daniel Lawler
  • Pierre Celerier
3 min read
The image is the first direct visual evidence of Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the dark heart of the Milky Way.
BLACK HOLE

Scientists reveal the wondrous, supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy

The breakthrough is a result of the work of 300 scientists from 80 institutions, including Wits University

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Dung beetles rely on the Milky Way for direction at night, but new research shows how light pollution is causing them to lose their bearings. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/LightRocket via Getty Images)
ARTIFICIAL SKYLIGHT

Rolling blind: What happens when dung beetles get lost?

Dung beetles rely on the Milky Way for direction at night, but new research shows how light pollution is causing them to lose their bearings. This could spell danger for other…

  • Sarah Evans
4 min read