Astrophysics

Large amounts of matter are needed to create and sustain the massive plasma structures in the solar corona. New calculations reveal how this is possible more

German research institutions, including the Max Planck Society, made key preparations for the new citizen science project  more

First demonstration: the detection of clouds around exoplanets is an important step in the search for a second Earth more

At the center of the galaxy Markarian 501, there appears to be not just one supermassive black hole, but two. The duo could merge in as short as 100 years more

A cosmic laboratory for planet formation in the WISPIT-2 System more

Bright flashes of lensed starlight guide the way more

New radio observations of molecular gas reveal how dozens of galaxies rapidly merge together in the early universe. more

The cosmic particle that struck earth in 2021 with the second-highest energy ever measured may have originated in the nearby galaxy m82 more

Observations with the Event Horizon Telescope enable researchers to localize the likely base of the central outflow in a massive galaxy more

Nobel Prize winner Genzel and nearly 30 leading researchers have been calling for the stop or relocation of an industrial plant more

Geoffrey Andama was a mentee in the first round of the ARTEMIS program in 2023. Since September 2025, he has headed the Max Planck-Humboldt Research Unit at Muni University in Uganda. The new unit is dedicated to developing astrophysics and astronomy across Africa. In this interview, Andama talks about his path into science, the role of mentoring, and his vision for astronomy on the continent. more

Interview with Marumi Kado on the future of particle physics and the origin of everything more

How the world of the smallest particles is structured, what is known about fundamental forces, and what particles have to do with the Big Bang more

A new class of supermassive black holes embedded in a thick gas shell could explain small red dots in images from the James Webb Space Telescope more

Astronomical images not only look beautiful, they also provide a wealth of information. What's behind it and what distinguishes four prominent telescopes? An overview. more

The American astronomer fundamentally advanced our knowledge of galactic dynamics, laid the groundwork for dark matter research, and was a lifelong advocate for women in science more

The sight of a bright comet has fascinated people at all times. But what is behind such a celestial spectacle? It was only in modern times that researchers discovered the phenomenon - by which time the tail stars had already had a long career as bringers of bad luck or divine messengers. more

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2023 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

The Euclid space telescope contains technology from two Max Planck Institutes more

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Interview with Reinhard Genzel, director at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) and architect of the 30-year programme that led to the discovery of the Schwarzschild precession around the black hole at the heart of our Milky Way. Genzel describes the general relativity effect observed by his team and how it can be used to study the galactic gravity trap.Reinhard Genzel receives the Nobel Prize for Physics 2020
Digital Story: Reinhard Genzel more