True identity of mysterious gamma-ray source revealed
Astronomers have shown that a rapidly rotating neutron star is at the core of a celestial object now known as PSR J2039-5617.
Feb 3rd, 2021
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An innovative and non-destructive strategy to analyse material from Mars
Researchers propose a method that can be used to characterize samples from the Mars Sample Return mission.
Feb 3rd, 2021
Read moreNew research on carbon cracks open secrets deep inside exoplanets
Measuring carbon at the highest pressures ever achieved in a laboratory, researchers report first model of carbon structures that may make up planets outside the solar system.
Feb 2nd, 2021
Read moreAstronomers spot bizarre, never-before-seen activity from one of the strongest magnets in the Universe
Astronomers have just observed bizarre, never-seen-before behaviour from a 'radio-loud' magnetar - a rare type of neutron star and one of the strongest magnets in the Universe. Their new findings suggest magnetars have more complex magnetic fields than previously thought - which may challenge theories of how they are born and evolve over time.
Feb 2nd, 2021
Read moreAstronomers detect extended dark matter halo around ancient dwarf galaxy
Findings suggest the first galaxies in the universe were more massive than previously thought.
Feb 1st, 2021
Read moreSpaceX vs NASA: who will get us to the Moon first? Here's how their latest rockets compare
To enable flights to the Moon and beyond, both NASA and SpaceX are developing new heavy lift rockets: SpaceX's Starship and NASA's Space Launch System. But how do they differ and which one is more powerful?
Jan 29th, 2021
Read moreNew concept for rocket thruster exploits the mechanism behind solar flares
A new type of rocket thruster that could take humankind to Mars and beyond has been proposed by a physicist. The device would apply magnetic fields to cause particles of plasma to shoot out the back of a rocket and propel the craft forward.
Jan 28th, 2021
Read morePrecision measurements of intracluster light suggest possible link to dark matter
Faint light from rogue stars not bound to galaxies has been something of a mystery to scientists. The dimness of this intracluster light makes it difficult to measure, and no one knows how much there is. Scientists have made the most radially extended measurement of this light ever, and they've found that its distribution might point to the distribution of dark matter.
Jan 27th, 2021
Read moreWhen galaxies collide
Models suggest galactic collisions can starve massive black holes.
Jan 25th, 2021
Read moreMagnetic waves explain mystery of Sun's outer layer (w/video)
A theory as to why the Sun's outer atmosphere differs in its chemical make-up from its inner layers has been confirmed by direct observation for the first time.
Jan 22nd, 2021
Read moreSolar System formation in two steps
Why are the planets of the inner Solar System dry and rocky, but the outer ones are not? Researchers discovered that a two-step formation process of the planets can explain the chronology and split in volatiles like water and isotope content of the inner and outer Solar System.
Jan 22nd, 2021
Read moreAstronomers discover first cloudless, Jupiter-like planet
Astronomers have detected the first Jupiter-like planet without clouds or haze in its observable atmosphere.
Jan 22nd, 2021
Read moreAstronomers see whirlwind around possible exoplanet-in-the-making
An international team of astronomers has discovered a whirlwind of dust and pebbles in orbit around a young star. It is possible that a planet is forming in the pebbles.
Jan 21st, 2021
Read moreCosmic beasts and where to find them
Two giant radio galaxies have been discovered with South Africa's powerful MeerKAT telescope. These galaxies are thought to be amongst the largest single objects in the Universe.
Jan 21st, 2021
Read moreAstronomers estimate Titan's largest sea is 1,000-feet deep
Far below the gaseous atmospheric shroud on Saturn?s largest moon, Titan, lies Kraken Mare, a sea of liquid methane. Astronomers have estimated that sea to be at least 1,000-feet deep near its center - enough room for a potential robotic submarine to explore.
Jan 21st, 2021
Read moreOldest carbonates in the solar system
A meteorite that fell in northern Germany in 2019 contains carbonates which are among the oldest in the solar system; it also evidences the earliest presence of liquid water on a minor planet.
Jan 20th, 2021
Read moreMystery of Martian glaciers revealed
Research shows Mars had as many as six to 20 ice ages during the past 300-800 million years.
Jan 19th, 2021
Read moreA 'super-puff' planet like no other
Astronomers discover that the core mass of exoplanet WASP-107b is much lower than previously thought possible for a gas-giant planet.
Jan 18th, 2021
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