Hubble Finds Dwarf Galaxies Lose Most Oxygen Forged by Stars

WHO:

NASA - NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope studied 37 dwarf galaxies.

Phys.org - The researchers included a Rutgers astrophysicist.

WHAT:

NASA - Hubble found that much of the oxygen expected in the 37 dwarf galaxies is missing.

Phys.org - The galaxies contain far less oxygen than their stars are estimated to have produced.

Phys.org - The findings were published in *The Astrophysical Journal*.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The 37 dwarf galaxies are within 22 million light-years of Earth.

Phys.org - The dwarf galaxies are much smaller than the Milky Way.

WHY:

Phys.org - Stars produce oxygen in the small galaxies, but the galaxies contain far less oxygen than their stars are estimated to have made.

HOW:

NASA - Researchers used NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to study 37 nearby dwarf galaxies.

Phys.org - Scientists examined data collected by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.

(UPDATED November 2, 2026 21:02 UTC)

Hubble studied 37 nearby dwarf galaxies and found they contain far less oxygen than expected. Their stars produced oxygen, but much of the element appears to be missing. The small galaxies lie within 22 million light-years of Earth.