Ceres - A world full of mysteries
After an intermission of five weeks, the Dawn space probe is once again sending images of the dwarf planet back to Earth.
Apr 20th, 2015
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Space Exploration News – Latest Headlines
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Pulsing light may indicate supermassive black hole merger
As two galaxies enter the final stages of merging, scientists have theorized that the galaxies' supermassive black holes will form a 'binary', or two black holes in such close orbit they are gravitationally bound to one another. In a new study, astronomers present direct evidence of a pulsing quasar, which may substantiate the existence of black hole binaries.
Apr 20th, 2015
Read moreA cold cosmic mystery solved
Astronomers discover what might be the largest known structure in the universe that leaves its imprint on cosmic microwave background radiation.
Apr 20th, 2015
Read moreAstronomers probe inner region of young star and its planets
Taking advantage of the unprecedented sensitivity of the Large Binocular Telescope in southeastern Arizona, an international team of astronomers has obtained the first results from the LEECH exoplanets survey.
Apr 20th, 2015
Read moreA blueprint for clearing the skies of space debris
An international team of scientists have put forward a blueprint for a purely space-based system to solve the growing problem of space debris.
Apr 17th, 2015
Read moreAstronomers reveal supermassive black hole's intense magnetic field
Astronomers have used the giant telescope Alma to reveal an extremely powerful magnetic field very close to a supermassive black hole in a distant galaxy.
Apr 16th, 2015
Read moreProtosuns teeming with prebiotic molecules
Complex organic molecules such as formamide, from which sugars, amino acids and even nucleic acids essential for life can be made, already appear in the regions where stars similar to our Sun are born. Astrophysicists have detected this biomolecule in five protostellar clouds and propose that it forms on tiny dust grains.
Apr 16th, 2015
Read morePotential signs of 'interacting' dark matter suggest it is not completely dark after all
Astronomers believe they might have observed the first potential signs of dark matter interacting with a force other than gravity.
Apr 15th, 2015
Read moreSpitzer, OGLE spot planet deep within our galaxy
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has teamed up with a telescope on the ground to find a remote gas planet about 13,000 light-years away, making it one of the most distant planets known.
Apr 15th, 2015
Read moreSearch for advanced civilizations beyond Earth finds nothing obvious in 100,000 galaxies
After searching 100,000 galaxies for signs of highly advanced life, a team of scientists using observations from NASA's WISE satellite has found no evidence of advanced civilizations there. The idea behind the research is that, if an entire galaxy had been colonized by an advanced spacefaring civilization, the energy produced by that civilization's technologies would be detectable in mid-infrared wavelengths.
Apr 14th, 2015
Read moreDark Energy Survey creates detailed guide to spotting dark matter
Analysis will help scientists understand the role that dark matter plays in galaxy formation.
Apr 14th, 2015
Read moreMars might have liquid water
Researchers have long known that there is water in the form of ice on Mars. Now, new research from NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows that it is possible that there is liquid water close to the surface of Mars. The explanation is that the substance perchlorate has been found in the soil, which lowers the freezing point so the water does not freeze into ice, but is liquid and present in very salty salt water - a brine.
Apr 13th, 2015
Read moreAccelerating universe? Not so fast
A team of astronomers found that the type of supernovae commonly used to measure distances in the universe fall into distinct populations not recognized before; the findings have implications for our understanding of how fast the universe has been.
Apr 12th, 2015
Read moreAn exoplanet with an infernal atmosphere
As part of the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), astronomers have come to measure the temperature of the atmosphere of an exoplanet with unequalled precision, by crossing two approaches.
Apr 10th, 2015
Read moreCosmic debris: Study looks inside the universe's most powerful explosions
Finding sets the stage for discoveries from the next generation of neutrino telescopes.
Apr 10th, 2015
Read moreSmall solar eruptions can have profound effects on unprotected planets
While no one yet knows what's needed to build a habitable planet, it's clear that the interplay between the sun and Earth is crucial for making our planet livable - a balance between a sun that provides energy and a planet that can protect itself from the harshest solar emissions.
Apr 10th, 2015
Read moreOur Sun came late to the Milky Way's star-birth party
In one of the most comprehensive multi-observatory galaxy surveys yet, astronomers find that galaxies like our Milky Way underwent a stellar 'baby boom', churning out stars at a prodigious rate, about 30 times faster than today.
Apr 10th, 2015
Read moreFlip-flopping black holes spin to the end of the dance
When black holes tango, one massive partner spins head over heels (or in this case heels over head) until the merger is complete, said researchers.
Apr 9th, 2015
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