Tiny ancient galaxy near Andromeda may be a 12.5-billion-year-old cosmic fossil
Astronomers have discovered one of the faintest galaxies ever found near the Andromeda Galaxy.
The tiny galaxy, called Andromeda XXXVI (And XXXVI), may be around...
An alternative to black holes: Gravastars with big bangs inside
One foundational part of astrophysics concerns how stellar mass black holes form.
When a star several times more massive than our Sun runs out of...
Mysterious ‘dark force’ may actually slow the growth of cosmic structures
Dark matter is one of the biggest mysteries in science. It cannot be seen directly because it does not emit, absorb, or reflect light.
Yet...
Scientists discover magnetic fields guiding the birth of stars
How do stars form?
Scientists know that stars are born when huge clouds of cold gas in space collapse under their own gravity.
But one mystery...
Scientists develop diamond detector that captures electron bursts lasting just one picosecond
Scientists have developed a new particle detector that can measure incredibly short bursts of electrons lasting just one trillionth of a second, or one...
Mysterious cosmic rays are challenging what scientists thought they knew about the universe
Millions of years ago, a massive star exploded somewhere far away in our galaxy.
During this violent event, called a supernova, the dying star blasted...
The universe’s famous ‘pink planet’ has salty clouds in its sky
Astronomers have discovered an unexpected surprise on the famous “Pink Planet,” a strange world known as GJ504b.
Using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),...
Why ketchup suddenly pours: Scientists discover the hidden physics of soft materials
Almost everyone has experienced the frustration of trying to get ketchup out of a bottle. At first, nothing happens.
The ketchup seems almost solid and...
Lava planet has hydrogen-rich, active atmosphere
It’s 2158, and you’re chugging away on your PhD in Planetary Volcanology from the University of Utopia Planitia on Mars. Graduate students still get...
A star’s death throes involves a lot of kicking
When stars like our Sun age, they puff up into red giants.
Their bubbling outer mass gradually escapes into space, and their remaining cores contract...