Space & Future
Astronomers spot first stars billions of years after they were supposed to die
Over the course of billions of years, the universe has steadily been evolving.
Thanks to the expansion of the universe, we are able to “see”...
Hunting for wandering black holes in dwarf galaxies
Tracking down black holes at the center of dwarf galaxies has proven difficult.
In part that is because they have a tendency to “wander” and...
How dark energy changed cosmology forever
Let’s rewind the clock back…oh, I don’t know, let’s say a hundred years. It was 1917, and Einstein had just developed his general theory...
How colorful microbes in clouds could help us find life on other planets
Clouds may spoil a picnic or block our view of the stars, but they could also help scientists discover life on distant planets.
A new...
Astronomers crack the case of mysterious radio relics in galaxy clusters
Galaxy clusters are the largest structures held together by gravity in the universe.
Each cluster contains hundreds or even thousands of galaxies, along with hot...
Our solar system is moving three times faster than expected
A new study has found that our solar system is racing through the universe much faster than current theories predict.
This surprising discovery, led by...
The rust that could reveal alien life
Iron rusts.
On Earth, this common chemical reaction often signals the presence of something far more interesting than just corroding metal for example, living microorganisms...
Astronomers discover the Pleiades is part of a giant hidden star family
The Pleiades, also known as the “Seven Sisters,” is one of the most recognizable sights in the night sky.
For centuries, people around the world...
Astronomers discover a superheated galaxy building stars at record speed
Astronomers have found a distant galaxy that’s building stars 180 times faster than our own Milky Way—offering a new clue to how galaxies grew...
How cloud-dwelling microbes could help us find life on other worlds
Clouds may seem like a barrier when looking for life on distant planets, but new research shows they could actually be the key.
Scientists at...
The impossible black holes that shouldn’t exist
In 2023, gravitational wave detectors picked up the signature of a collision 7 billion light years away.
Two black holes had merged in an explosion...
Rare meteor strike on Mars triggers dust avalanches and new streaks
A rare meteoroid impact on Mars has given scientists a glimpse into how the planet’s dusty surface is constantly reshaped.
When a space rock struck...
Deep Space
Astronomers see white dwarf switch on and off for the first time
Astronomers have used a planet-hunting satellite to see a white dwarf abruptly switching on and off for the first time.
The researchers led by Durham...
Is there a fifth force of nature
Could a new, fifth force of nature provide some answers to our biggest questions about dark matter and dark energy?
We’re working on it.
The Standard...
How to track hidden comets that could threaten earth
How do you spot a dangerous comet that hasn’t been near Earth for more than 200 years?
By following its "footprints"—the meteor showers it leaves...
Scientists catch a natural comet outburst in unprecedented detail
Using data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers at the University of Maryland (UMD), in College Park, Maryland, have captured a clear...
Is Venus hiding dangerous asteroids
Twenty years ago, the US Congress instructed NASA to find 90% of near-Earth asteroids threatening Earth.
They've made progress finding these asteroids that orbit the...