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Astronomers see signs of planet birth
Around the young star AB Aurigae lies a dense disc of dust and gas in which astronomers have spotted a prominent spiral structure with a 'twist' that marks the site where a planet may be forming. The observed feature could be the first direct evidence of a baby planet coming into existence.
May 20, 2020 Read more
A new plasma engine will allow less expensive, more efficient, and longer space missions
Researchers have developed a new spatial plasma-fueled engine capable of satellite and spacecraft propulsion, with magnetic field geometry and configuration that would minimize losses on walls and their erosion, thereby resolving issues of efficiency, durability, and operating restrictions of engines that are currently in orbit.
May 20, 2020 Read more
New study estimates the odds of life and intelligence emerging beyond our planet
Astronomers use Bayesian statistics to shed light on how extraterrestrial life might evolve in alien worlds.
May 19, 2020 Read more
Mystery of lava-like flows on Mars solved by scientists
The mystery of some lava-like flows on Mars has been solved by scientists who say they are caused not by lava but by mud.
May 18, 2020 Read more
Astronomers reveal common origin of fermi bubbles and galactic center x-ray outflows
Recently, researchers have presented a new model that for the first time simultaneously explains the origins of both the Fermi bubbles and the Galactic center biconical X-ray structure, which was discovered in 2003.
May 15, 2020 Read more
Like thunder without lightning - In star clusters, black holes merge with neutron stars, unseen
Mergers between black holes and neutron stars in dense star clusters are quite unlike those that form in isolated regions where stars are few. Their associated features could be crucial to the study of gravitational waves and their source.
May 15, 2020 Read more
Seeing the universe through new lenses
Images collected for dark energy telescope project reveal hundreds of new gravitational lens candidates.
May 14, 2020 Read more
TESS enables breakthrough study of perplexing stellar pulsations
Astronomers have detected elusive pulsation patterns in dozens of young, rapidly rotating stars. The discovery will revolutionize scientists' ability to study details like the ages, sizes and compositions of these stars -- all members of a class named for the prototype, the bright star Delta Scuti.
May 14, 2020 Read more
Where neutrinos come from
Researchers trace high-energy neutrino origins to black holes in far-off quasars.
May 13, 2020 Read more
Astronomers find regular rhythms among pulsating stars
Through the noise, a class of stars reveals its inner workings; poor 'social distancing' identified using NASA space telescope.
May 13, 2020 Read more
What's Mars made of?
Researchers simulate the core of Mars to investigate its composition and origin.
May 13, 2020 Read more
Solar system's oldest molecular fluids could hold the key to early life
The oldest molecular fluids in the solar system could have supported the rapid formation and evolution of the building blocks of life.
May 12, 2020 Read more
Hayabusa2 reveals more secrets from Ryugu
In February and July of 2019, the Hayabusa2 spacecraft briefly touched down on the surface of near-Earth asteroid Ryugu. The readings it took with various instruments at those times have given researchers insight into the physical and chemical properties of the 1-kilometer-wide asteroid.
May 11, 2020 Read more
Atronomers find closest black hole to Earth
Invisible object has two companion stars visible to the naked eye.
May 6, 2020 Read more
Could dark matter be hiding in existing data?
Current experiments' detectors and data analyses efforts could be refocused to seek out newly suggested types of dark matter signals that may have been overlooked.
May 5, 2020 Read more
Life might survive, and thrive, in a hydrogen world
When searching for extraterrestrial life, astronomers may want to look at planets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
May 5, 2020 Read more
Exoplanets: How we'll search for signs of life
An interdisciplinary team of researchers has provided a framework called a 'detectability index' to help prioritize exoplanets to study and provide scientists with a tool to select the best targets for observation and maximize the chances of detecting life.
May 4, 2020 Read more
New study examines which galaxies are best for intelligent life
Galaxies such as our own Milky Way are more likely to harbor intelligent, technologically advanced civilizations, astrophysicist argues.
May 1, 2020 Read more