I can calculate the motions of the heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people

— Sir Isaac Newton

Astronomy

Mixing Regolith With Polymer Saves Mass For 3D Printing

Universe Today - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 9:24pm

3D printing is going to be a critical technology in space exploration, both for its ability to create almost any object, but also because it can utilize in-situ resources, at least in part. However, the more of those space resources are used in a print, the more the mechanical properties change from that on Earth, leading to problems with tensile or compressive strength. But a new paper from researchers at Concordia University hit a new milestone of how much lunar regolith can be used in a mixed feedstock for additive manufacturing, making it possible to use even more locally sourced material, and saving more launch cost, than ever before.

Categories: Astronomy

Hubble Captures Stunning View of Third Interstellar Visitor

Universe Today - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 9:24pm

A mysterious visitor from another star system is putting on a spectacular show as it streaks through our Solar System, shedding tons of ancient dust and revealing secrets from the depths of interstellar space. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, a team of astronomers have captured unprecedented details of 3I/ATLAS—only the third confirmed object from beyond our Solar System as it awakens under our Sun's warmth, offering a rare glimpse into alien worlds billions of kilometres away.

Categories: Astronomy

A 36 Billion Solar Mass Black Hole Detected Thanks To Gravitational Lensing

Universe Today - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 9:24pm

Astronomers from Brazil and the UK have detected what could be the most massive black hole ever found. It's about 36 billion solar masses, which is a stunning 10,000 times more massive than Sagittarius A*, the monstrous supermassive black hole at the heart of the Milky Way. This behemoth is about 5 billion light-years away.

Categories: Astronomy

This White Dwarf Merged With Another Star To Form An Ultra-Massive White Dwarf

Universe Today - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 9:24pm

White dwarfs are the stellar remnants left behind by stars after they run out of hydrogen and cease fusion. Only a small number of them are "high-mass white dwarfs" more massive than the Sun. New research indicates that these massive white dwarfs are the result of mergers.

Categories: Astronomy

See the August Perseids Battle the Waning Moon

Universe Today - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 9:24pm

It’s that time of year once again. August sees warm nights, with late summer campers out awaiting that ‘Old Faithful’ of annual meteor showers: the August Perseids. While 2025 also sees the shower peaking right around Full Moon, don’t despair; with a little bit of planning and patience, you can still catch this shower at its best.

Categories: Astronomy

DNA analysis reveals West African ancestry in early medieval England

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 8:01pm
An unrelated pair of people buried in cemeteries in 7th-century Britain probably had grandparents from West Africa
Categories: Astronomy

DNA analysis reveals West African ancestry in early medieval England

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 8:01pm
An unrelated pair of people buried in cemeteries in 7th-century Britain probably had grandparents from West Africa
Categories: Astronomy

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APOD - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 8:00pm

What's that green streak in front of the Andromeda galaxy?


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

How realistic is the xenomorph in 'Alien: Earth'? We asked a zoologist how its biology and lifecycle compare to real animals

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 5:00pm
To celebrate Alien: Earth landing on Hulu, we asked a zoologist if any of the Xenomorph's infamous characteristics occur in the natural world
Categories: Astronomy

Virgin Galactic's new Delta class space plane could fly as soon as fall 2026

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 4:00pm
The company is also looking at using its mothership aircraft that releases spacecraft at high altitude as a carrier platform for other customers.
Categories: Astronomy

Why ‘Use Your Words’ Can Be Good for Kids’ Health

Scientific American.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 3:00pm

Studies show that writing or expressing what we are feeling can help adults mentally and physically. Kids are no different

Categories: Astronomy

1 year until the total solar eclipse 2026: Here's what you need to know

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 3:00pm
With just one year until the total solar eclipse of 2026, we take a look at everything you need to know for the ultimate eclipse adventure.
Categories: Astronomy

Why a mysterious group of ancient humans doesn’t have a species name

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 2:00pm
An extinct group of humans that were once widespread in Asia don’t have an official species name – part of the reason is archaeological, and part is a legal question
Categories: Astronomy

Why a mysterious group of ancient humans doesn’t have a species name

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 2:00pm
An extinct group of humans that were once widespread in Asia don’t have an official species name – part of the reason is archaeological, and part is a legal question
Categories: Astronomy

We tracked illegal fishing in marine protected areas – satellites and AI show most bans are respected, and could help enforce future ones

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 2:00pm
Marine protected areas cover more than 8% of the world's oceans today, but they can get a bad rap as being protected on paper only.
Categories: Astronomy

Trump Order Would Give Political Appointees Power over Science Funding Decisions

Scientific American.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 1:30pm

Researchers are alarmed that an expansive executive order issued by President Donald Trump might upend a long-standing tradition of peer-review for grants

Categories: Astronomy

The real reason why we lost the ability to make vitamin C

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 1:00pm
The textbooks say our ancestors lost the ability to make vitamin C because we didn't need it, but the loss may have protected us from some parasites
Categories: Astronomy

The real reason why we lost the ability to make vitamin C

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 1:00pm
The textbooks say our ancestors lost the ability to make vitamin C because we didn't need it, but the loss may have protected us from some parasites
Categories: Astronomy

Watch the 2025 Perseid meteor shower peak Aug. 12 in free webcast

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 1:00pm
The annual Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight Tuesday (Aug. 12), and you can enjoy the event live online with the Virtual Telescope Project's webcast.
Categories: Astronomy

Today is the last chance to secure an exclusive NordVPN deal, perfect for watching Alien: Earth anywhere in the world

Space.com - Tue, 08/12/2025 - 12:02pm
Alien: Earth's two-episode premiere is released today and you can watch it anywhere with our exclusive 79% off NordVPN deal, but you'll have to hurry.
Categories: Astronomy