Astronomy

What if we could send a probe smaller than a paperclip, yes a paperclip to visit a black hole? It sounds impossible, but one scientist believes this extraordinary mission could become reality within our lifetimes. Astrophysicist Cosimo Bambi has outlined a bold plan to launch microscopic spacecraft toward the nearest black hole, potentially revolutionising our understanding of physics and Einstein's theory of general relativity. While the technology doesn't exist today and would cost trillions, within the next 20-30 years it could become a reality!

NASA has selected six companies to produce studies focused on lower-cost ways to launch and deliver spacecraft of various sizes and forms to multiple, difficult-to-reach orbits. The firm-fixed-price awards comprise nine studies with a maximum total value of approximately $1.4 million.

An international team of astronomers led by The University of Texas at Austin’s Cosmic Frontier Center has confirmed the most distant black hole ever observed. Located at the center of the galaxy CAPERS-LRD-z9, this black hole existed 13.3 billion years ago, just 500 million years after the Big Bang. As such, it provides a unique opportunity to study the structure and evolution of the period known as "Cosmic Dawn."

A Long March 5B rocket launched the eighth batch of satellites for China's Guowang broadband network on Wednesday (Aug. 13). It was the fourth Guowang launch in less than three weeks.

This quiz tests your knowledge of which female astronauts broke barriers and reached for the stars.

mRNA drugs might be able to protect against a huge range of viruses by turning on key parts of our innate defences against infection

mRNA drugs might be able to protect against a huge range of viruses by turning on key parts of our innate defences against infection

A material made from bacterial cellulose alters its insulating properties in dry and moist conditions, which could help you stay a comfortable temperature whatever the weather

A material made from bacterial cellulose alters its insulating properties in dry and moist conditions, which could help you stay a comfortable temperature whatever the weather

NASA's Orion spacecraft for the crewed Artemis 2 mission to fly astronauts around the moon is all fueled up and going through final preparations to ready the vehicle for stacking with its SLS rocket.

In Here Comes the Sun, environmentalist Bill McKibben argues that the rapid adoption of solar power should quell our worst climate fears. Is he right, asks James Dinneen

In Here Comes the Sun, environmentalist Bill McKibben argues that the rapid adoption of solar power should quell our worst climate fears. Is he right, asks James Dinneen

As part of the exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, photographer M'hammed Kilito's images showcase the importance and fragility of humanity's relationship with fresh water

From DNA sequencing to rainbows, the world of microfluidics is well-served by Albert Folch's book How the World Flows, says Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

As part of the exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, photographer M'hammed Kilito's images showcase the importance and fragility of humanity's relationship with fresh water

From DNA sequencing to rainbows, the world of microfluidics is well-served by Albert Folch's book How the World Flows, says Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

Groundbreaking new research reveals something that should have been obvious all along: trees have a vast, diverse microbiome in their interiors, says Graham Lawton

From AMANDA to COSTAR, coming up with a good acronym will help sell a scientific project. Feedback admires the brains behind a new machine-learning model, the Flavor Analysis and Recognition Transformer

Psychiatrist Rami Kaminski says he has observed a previously unrecognised personality type – the "otrovert". Here is what he thinks these people can teach us

A new measure of ageing says today's older people are the healthiest ever – keeping the trend going won't be easy, however