Astronomy

Astronomy

While exploding, supernovas not spherical

X-rays reveal uneven allotment of element made by blowup.

Astronomy

China’s lunar rover fails to connect with controllers (updated)

Yutu, or Jade Rabbit, could not be restored to full function, Chinese media report.

Astronomy

Oldest star provides hints about first supernovas

The chemical composition of star SMSS J031300.362670839.3 and four others suggests that the explosions of the early universe weren't big enough to seed galaxies with iron.

Astronomy

Old stars gleaned neighbors’ gas, Hubble data show

Blue straggler stars can continue to burn hot after taking material from a stellar companion.

Astronomy

Some gas clouds refuse to collapse

A study of dust gives astronomers a sharper picture of cold gas.

Astronomy

Clouds on nearby brown dwarf mapped

A study of clouds on a nearby brown dwarf reveals partial cloud cover.

Planetary Science

Dwarf planet Ceres gives off gassy water

Astronomers report observations that Ceres releases water molecules from two distinct spots on its surface.

Cosmology

New supernova spotted in nearby galaxy

The galaxy M82 has given off a brilliant flash, which astronomers have confirmed as a type 1a supernova.

Astronomy

Rosetta spacecraft checks in with Earth

The spacecraft has successfully transmitted a signal to Earth, meaning that ESA controllers can now prepare Rosetta for its August rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Astronomy

Planet found around sun twin in star cluster

The exoplanet YBP1194b orbits a twin of the sun in the star cluster Messier 67. Astronomers found three planets orbiting stars in the cluster.

Astronomy

Kepler’s surprise: Planet hunter also found supernovas

NASA's now-defunct Kepler space telescope captured five stellar explosions as they happened.

Science & Society

Tracking fireballs for science

Watching a meteor race across the night sky is a romantic experience. And now it can be a scientific one as well.