Space
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SpaceScientists Say: Astronomical interferometry
This technique links up many telescopes to see the universe in finer detail than any single telescope could alone.
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SpaceThe shape of our universe may be complex — like a doughnut
Physicists haven’t yet ruled out the possibility that in our universe, space loops back on itself.
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PlanetsPluto’s heart may hide the rocky wreckage of an ancient impact
A huge, rocky remnant beneath Pluto’s surface could explain the odd location of Sputnik Planitia — its famous heart-shaped basin.
By Adam Mann -
SpaceAnalyze This: A recently spotted space object is puzzling scientists
A pulsar’s invisible partner could be an oddly heavy neutron star or a very light black hole.
By Carolyn Wilke and Adam Mann -
SpaceScientists Say: Cosmic microwave background
The cosmic microwave background is the afterglow of the Big Bang.
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PlanetsThe desert planet in ‘Dune’ is pretty realistic, scientists say
Humans could live on the fictional planet Arrakis from Dune. But thankfully giant sandworms probably could not.
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SpaceHere’s how to build an internet on Mars
Future Red Planet residents will need to get online to talk to each other and Earth. But that will require a lot of new tech.
By Payal Dhar -
SpaceComets may be the source of sandy dunes on Saturn’s largest moon
In an early reshuffling of the solar system, comet collisions and other space rocks could have sent dusty bits falling to Titan’s surface.
By Nikk Ogasa -
SpaceCheck out the magnetic fields around our galaxy’s central black hole
Astronomers have captured polarized light coming from the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole. This offers insight into its magnetic fields.
By Adam Mann -
SpaceDid James Webb telescope images ‘break’ the universe?
James Webb data show bright, massive galaxies that would appear to require new physics to explain. But maybe not, Hubble data suggest.
By Adam Mann -
SpaceExplainer: What is the solar cycle?
Here’s what causes the sun’s 11-year cycle of activity and what it means for us on Earth.
By Adam Mann -
SpaceScientists Say: Corona
The sun’s corona can only be seen without special instruments during a total solar eclipse.