Ron Cowen

All Stories by Ron Cowen

  1. Astronomy

    All-sky survey makes Internet debut

    An atlas of some 5 million images from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey is now available online.

  2. Astronomy

    Cosmic Blowout: Black holes spew as much as they consume

    Supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies can blow out as much material as they swallow, creating high-speed winds that may seed the universe with oxygen, carbon, iron, and other elements essential for life.

  3. Planetary Science

    Spacecraft reveal Mars’ molten heart

    Tracking the precise motion of a spacecraft orbiting Mars, planetary scientists have deduced that the core of the Red Planet is at least partially liquid.

  4. Tech

    Building a Better Shuttle

    Researchers are working on both more heat-tolerant materials and totally new designs for vehicles that might ultimately replace the space shuttle.

  5. Astronomy

    By the light of a starry eruption

    Astronomers calculating the brightness of a supernova explosion witnessed in the 11th century estimate that it was likely the most brilliant stellar event in recorded history.

  6. Astronomy

    Cosmic Afterglow: Gamma-ray bursts may one-up themselves

    New observations suggest that gamma-ray bursts may be even more energetic than scientists had estimated.

  7. Astronomy

    Planet’s Slim-Fast Plan: Extrasolar orb is too close for comfort

    A new study of the atmosphere of a planet outside the solar system suggests that some orbs will vaporize if they orbit too close to their parent star.

  8. Astronomy

    Ordinary matter: Lost and found

    Astronomers believe they have finally found the whereabouts of most of the ordinary matter in the universe.

  9. Astronomy

    Death of a pioneer

    Pioneer 10, the first spacecraft to reach the fringes of the solar system, appears to have sent its last feeble signal to Earth on Jan. 22.

  10. Astronomy

    Cosmic Doomsday Scenario: Phantom energy would trigger the Big Rip

    According to a new model, the universe may end with a Big Rip—every galaxy, star, planet, molecule, and atom torn asunder and the cosmos ceasing to exist some 21 billion years from now.

  11. Astronomy

    Mature Before Their Time

    Some galaxies were in place and forming stars at a prolific rate when the universe, now 13.7 billion years old, was just an 800-million-year-old whippersnapper.

  12. Planetary Science

    Martian Gullies: Carved by melting snow?

    Melting snow may have sculpted the recently formed gullies found at midlatitudes on Mars.