Skip to content

Subscribe today

Every print subscription comes with full digital access

All Topics
- Health
- Humans
- Life
- Earth
- Physics
- Space

Magazine
Menu
About
For Students
Our Store

Donate

Science News

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM SINCE 1921 SIGN IN

Search

Science News

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM SINCE 1921

All Topics
- Earth
- Humans
- Life
  - Animals
  - Plants
  - Ecosystems
  - Paleontology
  - Neuroscience
  - Genetics
  - Microbes
- Physics
- Space
- Tech
  - Computing
  - Artificial Intelligence
- Chemistry
- Math
- Science & Society
Health
Humans
- Humans
- - Health & Medicine
    Pelvic exams at hospitals require written consent, new U.S. guidelines say
    
    By Meghan Rosen13 hours ago
  - Health & Medicine
    A new U.S. tool maps where heat will be dangerous for your health
    
    By Nikk OgasaApril 22, 2024
  - Science & Society
    Language models may miss signs of depression in Black people’s Facebook posts
    
    By Sujata GuptaApril 22, 2024
Life
- Life
  - Animals
  - Plants
  - Ecosystems
  - Paleontology
  - Neuroscience
  - Genetics
  - Microbes
- - Life
    A vaccine for bees has an unexpected effect
    
    By Tina Hesman Saey18 hours ago
  - Animals
    Glowing octocorals have been around for at least 540 million years
    
    By Jake BuehlerApril 23, 2024
  - Plants
    Plant ‘time bombs’ highlight how sneaky invasive species can be
    
    By Susan MiliusApril 23, 2024
Earth
- Earth
- - Climate
    A rapid shift in ocean currents could imperil the world’s largest ice shelf
    
    By Douglas FoxApril 23, 2024
  - Health & Medicine
    A new U.S. tool maps where heat will be dangerous for your health
    
    By Nikk OgasaApril 22, 2024
  - Earth
    Polar forests may have just solved a solar storm mystery
    
    By Carolyn GramlingApril 9, 2024
Physics
- Physics
- - Physics
    Separating science fact from fiction in Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’
    
    By Emily ConoverApril 23, 2024
  - Physics
    Physicists take a major step toward making a nuclear clock
    
    By Emily ConoverApril 4, 2024
  - Life
    During a total solar eclipse, some colors really pop. Here’s why
    
    By Tina Hesman SaeyApril 1, 2024
Space
- Space
- - Physics
    Separating science fact from fiction in Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’
    
    By Emily ConoverApril 23, 2024
  - Planetary Science
    Pluto’s heart-shaped basin might not hide an ocean after all
    
    By Adam MannApril 22, 2024
  - Planetary Science
    Our picture of habitability on Europa, a top contender for hosting life, is changing
    
    By Nikk OgasaApril 19, 2024

Feature

Mystery Star’s Light Varies Because of Hidden Companion

Share this:

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Pocket
Reddit
Print

By Science News

Magazine Issue: Vol. 36 No. #23, December 2, 1939

Having trouble viewing this? Open in a new window

Questions or comments on this article? E-mail us at feedback@sciencenews.org | Reprints FAQ

A version of this article appears in the December 2, 1939 issue of Science News.

We are at a critical time and supporting climate journalism is more important than ever. Science News and our parent organization, the Society for Science, need your help to strengthen environmental literacy and ensure that our response to climate change is informed by science.

Please subscribe to Science News and add $16 to expand science literacy and understanding.

Related Stories

Health & Medicine
Pelvic exams at hospitals require written consent, new U.S. guidelines say

By Meghan Rosen13 hours ago
Chemistry
A new method of making diamonds doesn’t require extreme pressure

By Emily Conover15 hours ago
Life
A vaccine for bees has an unexpected effect

By Tina Hesman Saey18 hours ago

Science News

Science News was founded in 1921 as an independent, nonprofit source of accurate information on the latest news of science, medicine and technology. Today, our mission remains the same: to empower people to evaluate the news and the world around them. It is published by the Society for Science, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education (EIN 53-0196483).

Science News Explores
Science News Learning

Subscriber Services

Subscribe
Renew
Give a Gift Subscription
Customer Service

Follow Science News on Facebook
Follow Science News on X
Follow Science News via RSS
Follow Science News on Instagram
Follow Science News on YouTube
Follow Science News on TikTok

More Information

FAQ
Newsletters
Rights & Permissions
Advertise
Contact

Society for Science

About the Society
Society Store
Donate
Careers

© Society for Science & the Public 2000–2024. All rights reserved.

1719 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 202.785.2255

Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Log in

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.

Not a subscriber?
Become one now.

Client key* E-mail Address*