For many years, astronomers have wondered where the Milky Way truly “ends.” Unlike a solid object, our galaxy does not have a clear boundary. Its...

Astronomers can use telescopes to find specific molecules in the atmospheres of neighboring planets, in nebulae—clouds of interstellar dust and gas—hundreds or thousands of...

Where exactly is the edge of the Milky Way? That question is harder to answer than one might expect. Since we’re inside of the galaxy...

For a long time, scientists believed that having two stars in one system would make it difficult for planets to form. The strong gravitational pull...

Stars may look calm and steady in the night sky, but deep inside they are constantly moving and changing. One of the most important changes...

Scientists know that the behaviour of stars can dictate planetary habitability. Research shows that young stars emit powerful radiation that can strip planetary atmospheres away. And...

NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered a surprising variety of organic molecules on Mars, including chemicals that scientists consider important building blocks for life on...

From Earth, we only ever see half of the sun. The other half—the far side—is always hidden from view. But what happens there still matters. Powerful...

A star’s mass decides almost everything about its life, from how bright it shines to how it eventually dies. But for young stars hidden deep...

Astronomers have discovered a distant planet similar to Jupiter that may be covered with thick clouds, offering new insights into how giant planets form...

Fungi are already known for being tough, but new research suggests that some types might be strong enough to survive the long and harsh...

Scientists have found new evidence that Mars may once have been home to a vast ocean covering about one-third of the planet. The discovery comes...

Billions of years ago, Mars was once a much different place than the cold and desiccated place it is today. Basically, it had a thicker,...

Our Moon continues to surprise us with amazing features. Scientists recently shared new information about two canyons that branch out from a major lunar impact. The...

A fleet of tiny “nanocardboard” aircraft could help explore Mars, researchers say. They each weigh about as much as a fruit fly and have no...

Ice in space, long believed to be completely disordered like frozen water without structure, is turning out to be more complex. New research from University...

Researchers have discovered that powerful winds from supermassive black holes can significantly influence the development of surrounding galaxies. A team led by University of Wisconsin–Madison...