Astronomy

Simulations of asteroids near Venus reveal gaps in our ability to detect them.

The brain weighs factors based on their importance to oneself and one’s social world as part of a complex calculation that shapes behavior

Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, but its seismic nature is part of a much broader geological history.

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists, supported by an ESA-funded project, have uncovered the underlying forces that forged the North Atlantic’s fiery volcanic past – shedding light on the vast geological region that spans from Greenland to western Europe, which is home to iconic natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. 

A radio signal from the dawn of time could help scientists weigh the first stars and reveal how they lifted the cosmic darkness.

In the early 20th century, a mathematician and economist sought the optimal strategy for Holmes to escape Moriarty’s pursuit

Our climate seems to be more sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions than some researchers had hoped, meaning the world will have to up its decarbonisation efforts

Our climate seems to be more sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions than some researchers had hoped, meaning the world will have to up its decarbonisation efforts

Humans established a wild population of brown forest wallabies in the Raja Ampat Islands thousands of years ago for their meat and fur in one of the earliest known species translocations

Humans established a wild population of brown forest wallabies in the Raja Ampat Islands thousands of years ago for their meat and fur in one of the earliest known species translocations

A team of scientists is proposing a bold alternative to the Big Bang theory, suggesting that our universe may have instead formed inside a colossal black hole.

What's that unusual spot on the Moon?

Can you find the Rosette Nebula?

NASA has announced a new launch date for the private Axiom astronaut launch to the ISS, following delays due to leaks aboard the space station.

Stephen Hawking has made a compelling case that black holes eventually evaporate, but the time scales are beyond our ability to detect it. A new paper suggests that primordial black holes passing through the Solar System could be releasing positron emissions that would be detectable when they pass up to 10 AU from Earth. If found, they would confirm Hawking's theories and provide an explanation for dark matter. Unfortunately, our best technology isn't quite sensitive enough.

The Chinese Space Agency took a major step toward its 2030 lunar mission goals this week by successfully testing the escape system of its next-generation Mengzhou spacecraft. At the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, engineers conducted their first zero-altitude escape flight test at 12:30 PM when solid rocket engines ignited, propelling the spacecraft skyward for 20 seconds before the return capsule separated, deployed parachutes, and landed safely.

As different nations begin conducing operations on the lunar surface, humanity's penchant for geopolitical struggles will likely be along for the ride. Tension between nations and/or corporations could grow. There are few rules and treaties that can calm this potential rising tension. What kinds of conflict might erupt and how can it be prevented?

Star formation peaked during the Cosmic Noon, which spanned from 10 to 12 billion years ago. During Cosmic Noon, star formation was 10 to 100 times greater than it is now. New research shows that a particular class of galaxy was experiencing its first intense burst of star formation during this time. Were these galaxies the progenitors of galaxies like the Milky Way?

Modern telescopes like the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) are watching the sky for any changes, and can report a million variations in a single night. This will multiply when Vera Rubin comes online. SETI researchers are looking for specific events that could be caused by an intelligent civilization, and have developed methods to search through astronomical alerts automatically. This could give SETI researchers dozens of potential targets a night to follow up on, scanning for signals or anomalous changes in brightness.

You're probably aware that most of the matter of the Universe is "dark matter," and astronomers still don't know what it is. But 75% of the regular matter in the Universe is also hidden, located in the thin gas between galaxies. Probing this gas is difficult, but astronomers have used a new technique, analyzing the light from fast radio bursts as they pass through billions of light-years of gas. Longer, redder wavelengths are slowed down compared to shorter, bluer wavelengths, allowing the hidden material to be weighed.

Great, another potential long-term risk of spaceflight. Researchers have studied the effects of simulated microgravity on mice and found that it could lead to periodontitis, where the gums become inflamed and the bones supporting teeth start to break down. This was compared to mice who experienced normal gravity. This could be limited to just the teeth or a larger indicator of inflammation in the body caused by weightlessness, which could have other health impacts.