New telescope finds strange behavior in gamma-ray bursts, and also documents the highest energy burst known.

New ultraviolet observations suggest dwarf galaxies may form without dark matter. The findings have implications for the early universe.

Comet Lulin, which passes closest to Earth on February 24, may be a sight for sore eyes.

In an unprecedented collision, two large satellites crashed into each other in low-Earth orbit on February 10.

Researchers have for the first time mapped the gravitational field of the moon’s farside — the lunar half that is permanently turned away from Earth. (p. 9)

By tracing star birth in a galaxy that existed when the universe was less than 1 billion years old, researchers have captured what appears to be the formation of a key galactic component — a central concentration of stars known as the bulge. (p. 9)

Astronomers have found the smallest known extrasolar planets that is blocking light from its parent star. The discovery could help reveal information about the structure of planets that may resemble Earth. (p. 9)

Gone. Vanished. Lost. When it comes to the early history of the solar system, planetary scientists must contend with a case of nearly systemwide amnesia. Although the solar system formed nearly 4.6 billion years ago, researchers have a pretty good record that goes back only 3.9 billion years. Yet those first 700 million years proved critical to all that followed. That’s when the planets coalesced and water and other compounds essential to life were delivered to the inner planets. What’s more, according to a leading theory now being explored in detail, that early era was capped by a tr... (p. 26)

New study suggests models may have given these supermassive beasts too much credit.

The definitive discovery in Mars’ atmosphere of methane — often, but not always, a compound hinting at life — introduces the possibility of underground organisms. (p. 10)

Unexplained radio noise may be signals from the early universe.

Findings pose a possible answer to long-standing question of when the black holes at galactic centers formed.

Videos chart old supernova remnant, give 3-D perspective