Astronomy

  1. Astronomy

    Infant worlds carve gaps in planet-forming disk

    A new image shows planets sweeping up gas and dust in a disk encircling the infant star HL Tau.

    By
  2. Astronomy

    Nearly starless galaxies found in nearby cluster

    Astronomers have found 47 galaxies with relatively few stars, something not predicted by any galaxy formation theories.

    By
  3. Cosmology

    Gamma rays offer mixed messages on identity of dark matter

    Conflicting results from Fermi telescope puzzle astronomers about dark matter’s true identity.

    By
  4. Astronomy

    Amateur astronomer spots supernova in nearby galaxy

    Koichi Itagaki noticed the exploding star as a brilliant point of light in the spiral galaxy M61.

    By
  5. Astronomy

    Rendezvous with a comet

    On November 12, Rosetta mission scientists successfully completed the first-ever attempt to put a lander on a comet. See all Science News coverage of Rosetta and Philae's voyage to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

    By
  6. Astronomy

    Supersized sunspot is largest in decades

    A colossal sunspot large enough to be seen with the naked eye now blemishes the nearside of the sun, covering an area wide enough to comfortably fit 10 Earths side by side.

    By
  7. Astronomy

    Comets caught zooming around nearby star

    The young star Beta Pictoris hosts at least two families of comets, which might mirror our solar system’s past.

    By
  8. Astronomy

    A musician composes a solar soundtrack

    Robert Alexander combines life long passions of both music and astronomy to uncover solar secrets.

    By
  9. Planetary Science

    Comet Siding Spring makes close pass by Mars

    Mars appears to have survived its close encounter with comet Siding Spring mostly unscathed.

    By
  10. Astronomy

    Second stop planned for mission to Pluto

    Scientists identify three possible targets for the New Horizons probe after it visits the former planet.

    By
  11. Astronomy

    Comet-crazed, and for good reason

    Coming to the edge of knowledge, especially about what’s out in space, fires the imagination.

    By
  12. Astronomy

    Rosetta readies for its close rendezvous with a comet

    The Rosetta spacecraft and its lander Philae are ready to make history in a risky rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

    By