Galaxy Evolution Explorer

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer was an orbiting space telescope designed to observe the universe in ultraviolet wavelengths to measure the history of star formation in the universe.

In addition to paving the way for future ultraviolet missions, the space telescope allowed astronomers to uncover mysteries about the early universe and how it evolved, as well as better characterize phenomena like black holes and dark matter. The mission was extended three times over a period of 10 years before it was decommissioned in June 2013.

October 2003: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer captures the most sensitive and comprehensive image ever taken of the Andromeda galexy, our nearest large neighbor galaxy.

April 2004: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer captures a giant star eruption, or flare, about one million times more energetic than those from our Sun.

December 2004: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer spots what appear to be massive "baby" galaxies in our corner of the universe, suggesting our aging universe is still alive with youth.

August 2006: Findings from The Galaxy Evolution Explorer indicate that supermassive black holes in some giant galaxies create such a hostile environment, they shut down the formation of new stars.

December 2006: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer's observations allow scientists for the first time to see the process of a black hole eating a star.

November 2007: Observations from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer prove the "nature" theory of galaxy evolution, which holds that galaxies are evolutionarily linked.

February 2009: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer identifies dwarf galaxies forming out of nothing more than pristine gas likely leftover from the early universe, rather than in association with dark matter or gas containing metals.

August 2010: Astronomers, using data from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer, find that galaxies presumed "dead" and devoid of star-making can be reignited with star birth, and that galaxy evolution does not proceed straight from the cradle to the grave.

April 2011: Astronomers come up with a new way to identify planets beyond our solar system based on the Galaxy Evolution Explorer's use of tultraviolet imaging.

May 2011: The Galaxy Evolution Explorer and the Anglo-Australian Telescope on Siding Spring Mountain in Australia complete a five-year survey of 200,000 galaxies stretching back seven billion years in cosmic time. The results lead to one of the best independent confirmations that dark energy is driving our universe apart at accelerating speeds.