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Supermassive black holes are among the largest objects in the Universe, yet most of them remain effectively invisible. Now, simulations conducted by Lucio Mayer’s team at the University of Zurich, together with colleagues in Italy, the UK, and the US, on CSCS’s Alps supercomputer using the new GPU-based code SPH-EXA, show in unprecedented detail how a star is torn apart by a black hole, producing a signal that can reveal its presence. The results also identified a previously unseen pattern that may help detect these hidden giants in the future.

How does fine dust aggregate into building blocks that ultimately form entire planets like our Earth? A research team led by the University of Bern, with the participation of ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich and the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS has provided the first experimental evidence – obtained during parabolic flights in zero gravity – that a key physical process, known as shear-flow instability, actually occurs under conditions similar to those in planet formation regions. The study thus addresses an important gap in our understanding of the very first steps of planet formation.

On March 16, 2026, the Department of Astrophysics and UZH Space hosted a special public astrophotography event celebrating the beauty of the cosmos.

Guests enjoyed a gallery-style exhibition of stunning images captured by members of the department, alongside an apéro and engaging presentations highlighting the creative process, technical challenges, and the stories behind the images and telescopes.

UZH astronomer Dr. Gabriele Cugno is one of a few researchers in Switzerland working with data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), one of the most powerful space-based telescopes ever built. In this interview, he talks about his work detecting moon-forming disks around young exoplanets and using molecular mapping to study their composition, shedding light on how moons and giant planets form and what this tells us about the origins of planetary systems like our own.

The first UZH Space Representative Meeting was held on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the UZH Space Hub’s Hangar 4 at Dübendorf Airfield. The meeting brought together representatives from different research areas and faculties to discuss organisational matters, receive updates on ongoing initiatives, and brainstorm ideas to strengthen cross-faculty collaboration, including joint events and new formats.