
ALT Wild Asian elephants often form lasting social relationships, relying on one another for mutual care and support. However, these social groups are now at risk of unraveling owing to declining numbers. Observations conducted over more than a decade indicate that some endangered Asian elephant populations may have crossed a critical tipping point, resulting in greater social fragmentation and isolation. Photo: Yashpal Rathore/NPL/Minden

ALT A crowded field of galaxies is interspersed with bright 8-pointed stars on a dark background. The galaxies and stars come in a variety of sizes and colors, ranging from bluish white to orange. Some galaxies are large enough to make out spiral arms, while others look like faint smudges or pinpricks. The most prominent feature is a large, detailed spiral galaxy called LEDA 2046648, seen at an oblique angle towards the bottom of the frame. A smaller spiral galaxy is just below it. About one-quarter the size of its larger companion, this small galaxy looks like a miniature version of LEDA 2046648. Both of these spiral galaxies have glowing cores and areas of star formation lighting up their pale pink arms.





















































