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Explosive nuclear astrophysics
Nuclear physicists have made a key discovery related to the analysis of 'presolar grains' found in some meteorites. This discovery has shed light on the nature of stellar explosions and the origin of chemical elements. It has also provided a new method for astronomical research.
August 10, 2020 Read more
Inside the ice giants of space
By reconstructing on a small scale the physical processes that take place within ice giant planets, such as Uranus and Neptune, a new method of computer simulation allows to shed light on their present structure and past evolution.
August 10, 2020 Read more
Sounding rocket finds helium structures in sun's atmosphere
Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. But scientists aren't sure just how much there actually is in the Sun's atmosphere. NASA's HERSCHEL sounding rocket has taken the first global measurements of helium in the extended solar atmosphere - a key piece of information for understanding our space environment.
August 7, 2020 Read more
Stellar egg hunt - Tracing evolution from embryo to baby star
Astronomers took a census of stellar eggs in the constellation Taurus and revealed their evolution state. This census helps researchers understand how and when a stellar embryo transforms to a baby star deep inside a gaseous egg.
August 7, 2020 Read more
Hubble uses Earth as proxy for identifying oxygen on potentially habitable exoplanets
Taking advantage of a total lunar eclipse, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have detected Earth's own brand of sunscreen - ozone - in our atmosphere. This method simulates how astronomers and astrobiology researchers will search for evidence of life beyond Earth by observing potential 'biosignatures' on exoplanets.
August 6, 2020 Read more
Astronomers sink their teeth into special supernova
Calcium-rich supernovae, a unique type of exploding stars, produce up to half of the calcium in the Universe.
August 5, 2020 Read more
NASA data helps uncover our solar system's shape
Scientists have developed a new prediction of the shape of the bubble surrounding our solar system using a model developed with data from NASA missions.
August 5, 2020 Read more
Stars rich in phosphorus: Seeds of life in the universe
Scientists have discovered a new type of stars, very rich in phosphorus, which could help to explain the origin of this chemical element in our Galaxy.
August 4, 2020 Read more
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.
August 4, 2020 Read more
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.
August 4, 2020 Read more
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.
August 3, 2020 Read more
Surprisingly young galaxy breaks low-oxygen record
Rare, extremely metal-poor nearby galaxy discovered with machine learning.
August 3, 2020 Read more
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.
July 31, 2020 Read more
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.
July 31, 2020 Read more
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.
July 30, 2020 Read more
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.
July 29, 2020 Read more
The stars that time forgot
Scientists find remnant of strange dismembered star cluster at Galaxy's edge.
July 29, 2020 Read more
Breakthrough method for predicting solar storms
The method involves what could be labelled a quantum-mechanical interference.
July 29, 2020 Read more