Twin stars, wild storms: Strange magnetism discovered in binary systems
Scientists have long known that a star’s magnetic activity—responsible for dramatic flares, sunspots, and energetic outbursts—is linked to how fast the star spins.
Generally, faster...
Titan’s wobbly atmosphere spins like a gyroscope, surprising scientists
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, has always fascinated scientists with its thick, hazy atmosphere—the only one like it on any moon in our solar system.
Now,...
Scientists discover mysterious Pluto-like object at the edge of the solar system
Astronomers have discovered a strange and distant object orbiting far beyond Neptune, raising new questions about the outer edges of our solar system.
The object,...
Scientists uncover how the Sun speeds up mysterious space particles
A new discovery by scientists at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is shedding light on how the Sun influences a special kind of space...
Jupiter’s secret past: Twice as big and 50 times more powerful
A new study has revealed that Jupiter—our solar system’s largest planet—was once even more enormous than it is today.
In fact, around 3.8 million years...
Terraforming Mars could be within reach
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, captivates both scientists and dreamers with its rust coloured surface and tantalising similarities to Earth.
Often called the...
Falcon 9 launches shake California with low-frequency sonic booms
When a rocket launches into space, it creates a powerful blast of sound that can be heard—and even felt—miles away.
SpaceX's Falcon 9, a rocket...
These Mars streaks are likely caused by dust, not water, study finds
For years, mysterious dark streaks running down the slopes of Martian cliffs and craters have puzzled scientists.
Some believed these streaks, called slope streaks and...
How the squid galaxy’s neutrinos defy physics
Deep beneath the ice of the Antarctic lies a network of special detectors called the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
These detectors, buried in a cubic kilometer...
Astronomers take a second look at twin star systems
Apples-to-apples comparisons in the distant universe are hard to come by.
Whether the subject is dwarf galaxies, supermassive black holes, or “hot Jupiters,” astronomers can...