Earth's Place in the Universe
- Space
Let’s learn about spooky ‘dark energy’
No one knows exactly what this stuff is, but it’s shaping our universe on the largest scales.
- Space
The Vera Rubin Observatory is set to revolutionize astronomy
Equipped with the world’s largest digital camera, this new telescope is poised to help solve some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.
- Space
Analyze This: Ice around baby stars may hint at origins of Earth’s water
Scientists have now gotten a good look at the ice around a baby star. It might help them unravel the origins of the water needed for life on Earth.
- Space
Looking for aliens from the far side of the moon [COMIC]
Earth’s noise and light pollution can make it hard to detect signs of life on other planets. The solution? Telescopes that use the moon as a shield.
- Space
This astronomer searches for alien chemistry and tech
At the SETI Institute, Chenoa Tremblay uses radio telescopes to look for molecules and emissions given off by alien technology.
- Space
A new dwarf planet may skirt the edge of our solar system
For the distant object, one trip around the sun takes over 24,000 years. Its orbit challenges a proposed path for a hypothetical “Planet Nine.”
- Space
Scientists Say: Lagrange point
Between and around a two-body system — such as the Earth and sun — there are five points of prime celestial real estate.
- Space
Megastars shredded by black holes offer new type of cosmic explosion
Called extreme nuclear transients, these events are 30 to 1,000 times as bright as supernovas — and their glow may persist for a year or more.
- Planets
The surface of Venus is morphing
Circular landforms speckling Venus' surface may be the work of tectonics — similar to the forces that reshape Earth’s surface.
- Space
A rogue black hole is on the loose in our galaxy
Astronomers now agree there’s a lone black hole wandering around the Milky Way — the first solitary black hole ever detected.
- Planets
Perseverance took the first picture of a visible aurora on Mars
A faint yet visible aurora has been spotted on Mars. It’s the first such light show seen from another planet's surface.
- Physics
Can a supervillain destroy the sun?
Although our sun is a dwarf yellow star, it’s more than massive enough to weather any attempts to alter it — super or otherwise.
