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Surprisingly dense exoplanet challenges planet formation theories

Weighing in at 25 Earth-masses, and slightly smaller than Neptune, this exoplanet's existence is at odds with the predictions of leading planet formation theories.

Aug 4th, 2020

First radio detection of an extrasolar planetary system around a main-sequence star

Astronomers discovered a Saturn-like planet orbiting a small, cool star by detecting the 'wobble' in the star's motion caused by the gravitational pull of the planet.

Aug 4th, 2020

Astronomers captures stirred-up planet factory

Planet-forming environments can be much more complex and chaotic than previously expected. This is evidenced by a new image of the star RU Lup.

Aug 3rd, 2020

Surprisingly young galaxy breaks low-oxygen record

Rare, extremely metal-poor nearby galaxy discovered with machine learning.

Aug 3rd, 2020

Differences between discs of active and non-active galaxies detected for the first time

A study, making comparison between the discs of several pairs of spiral galaxies, active and non-active, concludes that in the discs of the former the rotational motion of the stars is of greater importance.

Jul 31st, 2020

Surprising number of exoplanets could host life

A new study shows other stars could have as many as seven Earth-like planets in the absence of a gas giant like Jupiter.

Jul 31st, 2020

Astronomers capture stunning space butterfly

Resembling a butterfly with its symmetrical structure, beautiful colours, and intricate patterns, this striking bubble of gas -- known as NGC 2899 -- appears to float and flutter across the sky.

Jul 30th, 2020

Cosmic tango between the very small and the very large

Theory of loop quantum cosmology describes how tiny primordial features account for anomalies at the largest scales of the universe.

Jul 29th, 2020

The stars that time forgot

Scientists find remnant of strange dismembered star cluster at Galaxy's edge.

Jul 29th, 2020

Breakthrough method for predicting solar storms

The method involves what could be labelled a quantum-mechanical interference.

Jul 29th, 2020

New Mars rover tool will zap rocks to investigate planet's past habitability

SuperCam will examine the chemistry and mineralogy of rocks on Mars.

Jul 27th, 2020

Researchers offer unprecedented look into 'central engine' powering a solar flare

An international research team has presented a new look inside the 'central engine' of a solar flare accompanied by an eruption, revealing an enormous electric current 'sheet', offering the first measurements characterizing the magnetic field.

Jul 27th, 2020

New approach refines the Hubble's constant and age of universe

Physicists reconfigure a distance-calculation technique built around empirical observations.

Jul 27th, 2020

An origin story for a family of oddball meteorites

Study suggests the rare objects likely came from an early planetesimal with a magnetic core.

Jul 27th, 2020

Dark energy: map gives clue about what it is - but deepens dispute about the cosmic expansion rate

Dark energy is one of the greatest mysteries in science today. We know very little about it, other than it is invisible, it fills the whole universe, and it pushes galaxies away from each other. This is making our cosmos expand at an accelerated rate. But what is it?

Jul 23rd, 2020

Artificial intelligence predicts which planetary systems will survive

Why don't planets collide more often? How do planetary systems organize themselves? Of all of the possible ways planets could orbit, how many configurations will remain stable over the billions of years of a star's life cycle?

Jul 23rd, 2020