Astronomers solve mystery of missing sulfur in space
For years, astronomers and astrochemists have puzzled over two big mysteries in space.
First, they noticed that dense clouds and star-forming regions had much less...
Why studying asteroids could save our planet
Asteroids are rocky objects left over from the early days of our solar system, orbiting the Sun much like planets. While most asteroids are...
The first supernovae flooded the early universe with water
Water is the essence of life. Every living thing on Earth contains water within it. The Earth is rich with life because it is...
An even ghostlier neutrino may rule the universe
Strange “right-handed” neutrinos may be responsible for all the matter in the universe, according to new research.
Why is the universe filled with something other...
About a third of supermassive black holes are hiding
Supermassive black holes can have trillions of times more mass than the Sun, only exist in specific locations, and could number in the trillions.
How...
How astronauts train for long missions
Going to space is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. Imagine being far from Earth, living in a tiny spacecraft or...
Why exploring Mars matters
Mars has fascinated humans for centuries, earning the nickname "the Red Planet" because of its rusty color. In recent decades, scientists have been studying...
Astronomers see flares coming from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole
There’s plenty of action at the center of the galaxy, where a supermassive black hole (SMBH) known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) literally holds...
This quasar helped end the dark ages of the universe
After the Big Bang came the Dark Ages, a period lasting hundreds of millions of years when the universe was largely without light.
It ended...
Exploring Venus and beyond: the next steps in space travel
Space agencies around the world are setting their sights on new frontiers, with plans to explore Venus and other distant destinations in our solar...