Space
Scientists Say: Kugelblitz
A black hole made of pure light —or kugelblitz — may be possible, at least in theory. But in practice: impossible.
Space
More Stories in Space
- Space
Here’s why some shooting stars have long-lasting afterglows
Atmospheric chemistry is the most important factor in determining which meteors leave behind these persistent trails.
- Space
Summer ‘space hurricanes’ are emerging high above Earth’s magnetic poles
A separation — and later recombining — of Earth’s magnetic field lines may be what churns up these super-high-altitude storms of plasma.
- Space
Scientists Say: Cosmic rays
These energy-packed particles come to us from the farthest reaches of outer space.
- Planets
Here are 5 exoplanet mysteries the James Webb telescope could help solve
This space telescope could reveal much about the formation, makeup and evolution of distant exoplanets.
- Space
A cosmic explosion this summer may add a ‘new star‘ to the night sky
Some 3,000 light-years away, this white dwarf undergoes a nova eruption every 80 years or so — throwing off light that can be seen with the unaided eye.
- Space
Sci-fi inspired spacesuit recycles pee into drinking water
A spacesuit that collects and filters urine could prove a boon to future remote workers — even on Earth. Like the idea? Thank Dune.
- Space
Astronomers caught a supermassive black hole turning on for the first time
The black hole at the center of a not-too-distant galaxy switched from being dim and quiet to bright and active.
- Space
Space tourists could face out-of-this-world health risks
As commercial spaceflight starts to take off, a new project — the Space Omics and Medical Atlas — documents potential health impacts to travelers.
- Planets
Active volcanoes may be common on Venus
Researchers took a new look at decades-old images from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft. These now suggest volcanic activity is widespread on the planet.
