Unraveling the connection between superconductivity, patterns of charge and magnetic organization, and partial energy gaps (“pseudogaps”) in the cuprates is a major thrust in quantum materials research. With the aim to understand the dynamic charge and magnetic correlations and their connection to the mechanism of pairing in these high-temperature superconductors, a collaboration led by scientists form University of Minnesota’s Center for Quantum Materials studied a model cuprate compound via state-of-the-art resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). The experiment had nearly unprecedented energy resolution and it primarily focused on the charge degrees of freedom. The scientists uncovered two unexpectedly large charge fluctuation scales and were able to connect these findings to a range of prior observations for the cuprates regarding the pseudogap phenomenon and superconducting pairing. The RIXS data also allowed an extension of prior, complementary neutron scattering results for the paramagnon dispersion to higher energies. The new findings are broadly consistent with a recent phenomenological model for the cuprates, and they provide comprehensive new insight into the electronic correlations in these fascinating materials.