Astronomy
- Physics
Separating science fact from fiction in Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’
Real science underpins much of the action in the show — along with a hefty dose of artistic liberty.
- Space
How a sugar acid crucial for life could have formed in interstellar clouds
Computer calculations and lab experiments have revealed a possible mechanism for the creation of glyceric acid, which has been seen in meteorites.
- Astronomy
How a 19th century astronomer can help you watch the total solar eclipse
Astronomer Maria Mitchell’s observations of total solar eclipses from more than 100 years ago hold tips that are still relevant for watching an eclipse.
- Space
A new image reveals magnetic fields around our galaxy’s central black hole
Astronomers have captured polarized light coming from the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole, giving insight into its magnetic fields.
- Space
Did the James Webb telescope ‘break the universe’? Maybe not
There’s no need for strange new physics to explain anomalously bright, massive galaxies seen by JWST, Hubble data suggest.
- Astronomy
JWST spies hints of a neutron star left behind by supernova 1987A
Signs of highly ionized atoms in dusty clouds at SN 1987A’s explosion site suggest a powerful source of X-rays — likely a neutron star — lurks within.
- Space
How to build an internet on Mars
Future Red Planet inhabitants will need new ways to connect, including improved relay networks and an offshoot internet.
- Space
Astronomers have snapped a new photo of the black hole in galaxy M87
The Event Horizon Telescope image shows material around the black hole has moved, but other aspects remain the same, proving Einstein is right again.
- Astronomy
Astronomers are puzzled over an enigmatic companion to a pulsar
The strange entity has a mass between that of a neutron star and a black hole. It’s either one or the other or something else entirely.
- Space
The strongest known fast radio burst has been traced to a 7-galaxy pileup
The galactic smashup, located 11 billion light-years from Earth, could have triggered star formation and also odd flares like the fast radio burst.
- Planetary Science
Salt may have carved out Mercury’s terrains, including glacierlike features
Mercury may contain a planetwide cache of salt that has sculpted chaotic terrain and possibly even habitable niches.
- Space
In 2023, space missions explored the moon, asteroids and more
This year, spacecraft landed on the moon, dropped off asteroid samples to Earth and started a journey to Jupiter's icy moons.
