Planet cannibalism is common, says cosmic ‘twin study’
How stable are planetary systems?
Will Earth and its seven siblings always continue in their steady celestial paths, or might we one day be randomly...
Red giants offer a new way to measure distance in the universe
For nearly three decades now, it’s been clear that the expansion of the Universe is speeding up.
Some unknown quantity, dramatically dubbed ‘dark energy’, is...
Ice grains: Tiny messengers from moons far far away
In the vastness of our solar system, the icy moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter stand out as potential hideouts for alien life.
These frozen worlds,...
Blue supergiant stars may form from star mergers
Blue supergiants, some of the most magnificent and radiant stars in the cosmos, have long puzzled astronomers.
Despite their prominence in the night sky, the...
Origami modules could build bridges, shelters, and stuff in space
For the first time, load-bearing structures like bridges and shelters can be made with origami modules—versatile components that can fold compactly and adapt into...
Mars’ Gale crater had water longer than thought
In a new discovery, scientists led by Imperial College London have uncovered evidence suggesting that water existed on Mars within the Gale crater long...
One in twelve stars ate a planet
That stars can eat planets is axiomatic.
If a small enough planet gets too close to a large enough star, the planet loses. Its fate...
Venus: A potential cradle for life among acidic clouds?
Scientists have long marveled at the mysteries of Venus, Earth's neighboring planet, known for its extreme conditions.
The surface of Venus is hostile to life...
NASA is planning to shut down one of the great observatories to save money
The US Government budget announcement in March left NASA with two billion dollars less than it asked for.
The weeks that followed have left NASA...
One impact on Mars produced more than two billion secondary craters
There are plenty of craters on Mars, especially when compared to Earth.
That is primarily thanks to the lack of weathering forces and strong plate...