Space Exploration News – Latest Headlines

Astronomers observe planet orbiting b Centauri

The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has captured an image of a planet orbiting b Centauri, a two-star system that can be seen with the naked eye.

December 8, 2021 Read more

Gravitational waves could be key to answering why more matter was left over after Big Bang

A team of theoretical researchers have found it might be possible to detect Q-balls in gravitational waves, and their detection would answer why more matter than anti-matter to be left over after the Big Bang.

December 8, 2021 Read more

Star's self destruction is shown in 3D, revealing new details

A 1,000-year-old supernova has been captured in 3D images that reveal yet unseen details of the elements that are ejected when a star explodes. Analysis of data from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) and X-shooter at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), offers new insights into how stars self-destruct.

December 8, 2021 Read more

Astronomers discover strangely massive black hole in Milky Way satellite galaxy

Astronomers have discovered an unusually massive black hole at the heart of one of the Milky Way's dwarf satellite galaxies, called Leo I. Almost as massive as the black hole in our own galaxy, the finding could redefine our understanding of how all galaxies evolve.

December 1, 2021 Read more

Astronomers observe a new type of binary star long predicted to exist

Astronomers have observed a new type of binary star that has long been theorized to exist. The discovery finally confirms how a rare type of star in the universe forms and evolves.

December 1, 2021 Read more

Record-breaking simulations of large-scale structure formation in the Universe

Scientists present computer simulations that capture the complex dynamics of elusive neutrinos left over from the Big Bang.

December 1, 2021 Read more

Mysterious clouds could offer new clues on dark matter

The hunt for gravitational waves, ripples in space and time caused by major cosmic cataclysms, could help solve one of the Universe's other burning mysteries - boson clouds and whether they are a leading contender for dark matter.

December 1, 2021 Read more

Cells' replication of DNA is more error-prone in microgravity

Researchers show for the first time that a DNA polymerase enzyme derived from bacteria makes 10-140% more errors while copying DNA in microgravity. Combined with the known greater rate of DNA damage from space radiation, this inaccuracy of DNA replication is likely to pose a threat to the health of future astronauts on long missions.

November 29, 2021 Read more

Mars seismic deployment lays groundwork for future planetary missions

About 1000 days after the Mars InSight mission deployed SEIS, the first seismometer on the red planet, researchers are analyzing new seismic data and reporting on instrument responses, using these data to plan for future planetary seismographs.

November 24, 2021 Read more

DARPA takes first steps towards biomanufacturing capabilities in space

B-SURE program aims to develop fundamental understanding of microbial capabilities for bioproduction in space.

November 24, 2021 Read more

Analysis of Mars's wind-induced vibrations sheds light on the planet's subsurface properties

Seismic data collected in Elysium Planitia, the second largest volcanic region on Mars, suggest the presence of a shallow sedimentary layer sandwiched between lava flows beneath the planet's surface.

November 23, 2021 Read more

High-speed propeller star is fastest spinning white dwarf

Record-breaking spin rate for a confirmed white dwarf star is observed astronomers. Establishes the star as only the second magnetic propeller ever found, over seventy years since the first.

November 22, 2021 Read more

Alien organisms - hitchhikers of the galaxy?

Scientists warn, without good biosecurity measures 'alien organisms' on Earth may become a reality stranger than fiction.

November 17, 2021 Read more

Life on Mars search could be misled by false fossils, study says

Mars explorers searching for signs of ancient life could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by chemical processes, research suggests.

November 17, 2021 Read more

Russian anti-satellite weapon test: What happened and what are the risks?

On Nov. 15, 2021, U.S. officials announced that they had detected a dangerous new debris field in orbit near Earth. Later in the day, it was confirmed that Russia had destroyed one of its old satellites in a test of an anti-satellite weapon.

November 17, 2021 Read more

Astronomers team up to create new method to understand galaxy evolution

New research outlines a new method to establish the star formation history of a post-starburst galaxy using its cluster population. The approach uses the age and mass estimates of stellar clusters to determine the strength and speed of the starburst that stopped more stars from forming in the galaxy.

November 16, 2021 Read more

The worlds next door: Looking for habitable planets around Alpha Centauri

Could life survive around the nearest stars? This project aims to find out.

November 16, 2021 Read more

Carbon dioxide cold traps on the moon are confirmed for the first time

The traps likely contain solid carbon dioxide that could be used to sustain robot or human presence on the moon.

November 15, 2021 Read more