Earth's Place in the Universe
- Physics
New solar system found to have 7 Earth-size planets
A neighboring star system hosts seven Earth-like planets. Especially surprising: Three of those planets appear to reside in a zone that could support life as we know it.
- Physics
Strange X-rays point to possible ‘dark’ matter
Scientists have been looking for “dark” matter. It’s supposed to make up most of the universe — but it’s also invisible. X-rays may now point to where some of this weird stuff is.
- Planets
Cool Jobs: Probing Pluto
The New Horizons mission captivated the world as it flew by Pluto. Here are some of the people who made that possible.
- Space
Rivers of stars flow between ‘clouds’ orbiting the Milky Way
Two streams of stars flow between dwarf galaxies known as the Magellanic Clouds. This new finding could give clues to the structure of our Milky Way galaxy.
- Physics
Weird physics warps nearby star’s light
Scientists have observed a bizarre effect of quantum physics in light coming from a nearby neutron star.
- Space
Movie, book illuminate Hidden Figures from the space race
A new movie and book showcase the hidden heroes of the space race — the mathematicians who crunched the numbers.
- Space
Clouds on Jupiter run surprisingly deep
Jupiter’s clouds are not just a thin jacket about the planet, new data show.
- Space
Scientists Say: Comet
Comets are small solar system objects. When they pass close to their sun, their melting gases and water give them a tail.
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Scientists consider how to visit the closest exoplanet
Even at only a little more than four light-years away, a trip to our closest exo-world could take some tens of thousands of years — unless we’re willing to settle for virtual visits.
- Space
Women in STEM reach for the stars
What does science look like? These astronomers, astrophysicists and planet hunters are out of this world.
- Space
Lost lander spotted on comet’s surface
Scientists have spotted the missing comet lander. Philae landed in a shadow, which kept the sun from recharging its batteries.
- Space
Some white dwarf stars point to possible dark matter
Certain white-hot stars are cooling too fast for scientists to explain — unless they consider the presence of “axions.” These never-seen, but suspected particles could be shuttling away the extra energy from these cooling dwarf stars.
