Polaris, Earth’s north star, has a surprisingly spotted surface
Humanity’s been fortunate to have a star situated over Earth’s north pole. The star, known as Polaris, or the North Star, has guided many...
How a black hole in orbit around a planet could be a sign of...
In 1971, English mathematical physicist and Nobel-prize winner Roger Penrose proposed how energy could be extracted from a rotating black hole.
He argued that this...
There might be water on the surface of the metal asteroid Psyche
While a NASA probe heads for an asteroid known as Psyche, telescopes have been probing it to prepare for the arrival.
Data from the James...
The secrets hiding in the vacuum
Empty space is nothing but.
According to the weird rules of quantum mechanics, it’s actually filled with an endless amount of energy, known appropriately enough...
We know when a black hole will have its next feast
Black holes are notoriously destructive to stars near them. Astronomers often see flashes representing the death throes of stars collapsing past the event horizon,...
Why is the sun’s atmosphere so hot?
Scientists have long been puzzled by the sun’s corona, the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere, which is incredibly hot—up to 200 times hotter...
Ancient rocks in Mars’ Jezero crater confirm habitability
According to NASA’s Perseverance rover, ancient rocks in Jezero Crater formed in the presence of water.
These sedimentary rocks are more than 3.5 billion years...
Scientists find new way to make Mars habitable
For years, scientists have wondered if Mars, with its cold and barren surface, could ever be made more hospitable to life.
A new study published...
Specialized materials could passively control the internal temperature of space habitats
Areas of space have wildly different temperatures depending on whether they are directly in sunlight or not.
For example, temperatures on the Moon can range...
New study reveals Mars rocks that hold clues to ancient water and life
Rocks collected on Mars by NASA’s Perseverance rover could hold vital clues about the planet’s watery past and even the possibility of ancient life.
However,...