Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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- Astronomy
Cosmic superlens gives telescopes a boost
A map of galaxy cluster Abell 2744 unveils how gravity magnifies and smears images of far more distant galaxies.
- Astronomy
In another universe, free-range planets could host life
If other universes exist, then those with denser galaxies might harbor a larger fraction of habitable worlds.
- Planetary Science
NASA picks nine instruments for future mission to Europa
NASA has selected nine instruments to fly on a future spacecraft to Jupiter’s ice-covered moon Europa.
- Astronomy
Brightest galaxy discovered
The brightest known galaxy is about 350 trillion times as bright as the sun, and a supermassive black hole is to blame.
- Astronomy
Peeks into early life of supernovas show how to blow up a star
Multiple supernovas show off some of the ways a star can explode.
- Planetary Science
Sea salt may stripe Europa’s surface
Salt deposits on Jupiter’s moon Europa might be responsible for brown stripes on the icy satellite’s surface.
- Planetary Science
Boulders balance on tiny tips as comet 67P zooms through space
Three boulders on comet 67P resemble balancing rocks that are seen on Earth.
- Earth
Asteroids boiled young Earth’s oceans, remnant rocks suggest
Giant asteroid impacts may have boiled Earth’s oceans around 3.3 billion years ago, snuffing out near-surface life.
- Astronomy
First quasar quartet discovered
A quartet of quasars seen in the early universe may mark where a massive galaxy cluster is starting to form.
- Planetary Science
New Horizons probe takes family photo of Pluto’s moons
The New Horizons spacecraft finally spied Pluto's two tiniest satellites, Kerberos and Styx, in a series of images taken from April 25, 2015 to May 1, 2015.
- Astronomy
Andromeda reaches out to touch Milky Way
The Andromeda galaxy is enveloped in a wispy halo of gas that extends halfway to the Milky Way.
