Astronomy

Astronomy

As first run of gravitational wave search winds down, rumors abound

Advanced LIGO has completed its first search for gravitational waves. Researchers are crunching the data as rumors swirl of a detection.

Astronomy

Readers ponder mysterious origins of oxygen on comets and Earth

Readers pondered the origins of oxygen within a comet and during Earth's history.

Astronomy

Clues left at a galactic hit-and-run

Scientists may have discovered a dwarf galaxy that triggered a “galaxy quake” when it buzzed by the Milky Way a few hundred million years ago.

Astronomy

Red giants map how the Milky Way grew

A new catalog of the ages of our galaxy’s stars confirms that the Milky Way grew from the inside out.

Astronomy

Newfound gas cloud may be graveyard of first stars

A 12-billion-year-old gas cloud, rich in hydrogen and helium but nothing else, may house the remains of the universe’s first stars.

Astronomy

To search for an advanced civilization, take a U-turn to star clusters

Globular star clusters might be safe, stable homes for long-lived advanced civilizations.

Astronomy

This black hole is an extreme recycler

A cosmic pump powered by a supermassive black hole is recycling gas through a galaxy.

Astronomy

Black hole burps up gobbled gas and dust

Two belches from a supermassive black hole are drifting away from another galaxy.

Astronomy

Supernova captured in quadruple comes back for an encore

A supernova that has already appeared four times is back for an encore.

Astronomy

‘Bones’ in Milky Way could help map galactic structure

Six newly discovered tendrils of interstellar gas might be “bones” of the Milky Way that could help researchers understand the scaffolding of our galaxy.

Astronomy

This white dwarf is hotter than the rest

A new record holder for hottest white dwarf sizzles at about 250,000˚ Celsius.

Astronomy

Astronomical milestones of 2015

The New Horizons mission to Pluto was the No. 1 science story of the year. Here some other notable space missions.