Behold, directly overhead, a certain strange star was suddenly seen...
Amazed, and as if astonished and stupefied, I stood still.

— Tycho Brahe

Astronomy

Machine Learning is Surprisingly Good at Simulating the Universe

Universe Today - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 5:25pm

Some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world are designed to simulate complex astrophysical processes, like what's happening inside a giant star as it's going supernova. But researchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that was able to accurately simulate galaxy evolution with fewer computer resources and dramatically more quickly than a supercomputer, which could take years to fully process.

Categories: Astronomy

If Dark Energy is Decreasing, is the Big Crunch Back on the Menu?

Universe Today - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 5:25pm

Astronomers once wondered if the Universe might one day collapse in on itself in a Big Crunch, but the discovery of dark energy suggested that the expansion of the Universe would accelerate, removing that possibility. New data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument suggests that dark energy might be changing in strength over time, maybe even going negative. If that result holds, are we due for a Big Crunch? And how long would it take?

Categories: Astronomy

Herpes virus could soon be approved to treat severe skin cancer

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 5:00pm
A cancer-killing virus could soon be approved for use after shrinking tumours in a third of people with late-stage melanoma
Categories: Astronomy

Herpes virus could soon be approved to treat severe skin cancer

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 5:00pm
A cancer-killing virus could soon be approved for use after shrinking tumours in a third of people with late-stage melanoma
Categories: Astronomy

Trump explains why he pulled Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA chief

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 5:00pm
President Donald Trump says he withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator after learning of his donations to Democratic political candidates.
Categories: Astronomy

The truth about ivermectin’s supposed health benefits

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 4:12pm
Interest in the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin skyrocketed during the covid-19 pandemic, but evidence for many of its supposed health claims are lacking
Categories: Astronomy

The truth about ivermectin’s supposed health benefits

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 4:12pm
Interest in the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin skyrocketed during the covid-19 pandemic, but evidence for many of its supposed health claims are lacking
Categories: Astronomy

What will be the climate fallout from Trump's 'big beautiful bill'?

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 4:06pm
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” just signed by President Trump will slash support for clean energy, leaving the US far short of its Paris Agreement pledge
Categories: Astronomy

What will be the climate fallout from Trump's 'big beautiful bill'?

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 4:06pm
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” just signed by President Trump will slash support for clean energy, leaving the US far short of its Paris Agreement pledge
Categories: Astronomy

Astronomy has a major data problem – simulating realistic images of the sky can help train algorithms

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 4:00pm
Astronomers use algorithms to analyze the numerous images coming from space, but how accurate are they?
Categories: Astronomy

Could NASA's Mars Sample Return be saved? Lockheed Martin proposes $3 billion plan to haul home Red Planet rocks (video)

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 3:00pm
Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new proposal to take over NASA's beleaguered Mars Sample Return mission for less than half the current cost while achieving key science goals.
Categories: Astronomy

70,000 years ago humans underwent a major shift – that’s why we exist

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 2:00pm
Ancient humans in Africa changed their behaviour in a major way 70,000 years ago, which could explain how their descendants managed to people the rest of the world
Categories: Astronomy

70,000 years ago humans underwent a major shift – that’s why we exist

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 2:00pm
Ancient humans in Africa changed their behaviour in a major way 70,000 years ago, which could explain how their descendants managed to people the rest of the world
Categories: Astronomy

Best Amazon Prime Day 2025 model rocket deals

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 2:00pm
These are the best Amazon Prime Day model rocket deals available as we count down the top offers on rockets and accessories during the sales event.
Categories: Astronomy

The ocean on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus has the right pH for life — barely

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 2:00pm
"We know that some microbes on Earth can tolerate the range of pH found on Enceladus."
Categories: Astronomy

Gut Microbe Deficiency in U.S. Babies Tied to Asthma, Allergies, Autoimmune Disorders

Scientific American.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 1:30pm

Babies lacking in key gut bacteria are at greater risk of developing asthma, allergies or eczema

Categories: Astronomy

Geoengineering could avoid climate tipping points, but not if we delay

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 1:00pm
Putting aerosols in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight could prevent the shutdown of key ocean currents, but only if it is done soon, a computer model suggests
Categories: Astronomy

Geoengineering could avoid climate tipping points, but not if we delay

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 1:00pm
Putting aerosols in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight could prevent the shutdown of key ocean currents, but only if it is done soon, a computer model suggests
Categories: Astronomy

Intelligent aliens could be drawn to Earth by 'leaking' airports

Space.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 1:00pm
Radar signals from "leaky" civilian and military aviation systems could act as a beacon to alien life, revealing intelligent life on Earth while helping us pinpoint them.
Categories: Astronomy

Flood Forecasts in Texas and Beyond Could Worsen with Trump NWS Cuts

Scientific American.com - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 12:30pm

Forecasts and warnings largely worked during the recent flooding catastrophe in Texas. Those systems are expected to degrade as President Donald Trump’s cuts to the National Weather Service, satellites and other key services take hold

Categories: Astronomy