Space

  1. Astronomy

    Fast-track planet

    Astronomers have found a planet that's the closest yet known to its parent star, whipping around the star every 28.5 hours.

    By Ron Cowen
  2. Astronomy

    Chemistry of the Cosmos: Quasars illuminate the young universe

    Measuring the composition of some of the earliest structures in the universe, two teams of astronomers have unveiled new findings about star formation in the young cosmos.

    By Ron Cowen
  3. Planetary Science

    Roving on the Red Planet

    NASA last month selected the landing sites for rovers scheduled to begin exploring the Martian surface next January.

    By Ron Cowen
  4. Astronomy

    Telescope takes close-ups of distant star

    Radio astronomers have for the first time probed ejected gas in the immediate surroundings of a distant star.

    By Ron Cowen
  5. Astronomy

    Young pulsar has a split personality

    A new pulsar, the youngest discovered to date, unexpectedly exhibits properties of both regular pulsars and a recently explored class of supermagnetic pulsars, the magnetars.

    By Ruth Bennett
  6. Astronomy

    Big, Bigger . . . Biggest?

    Galaxy map reveals the limits of cosmic structure.

    By Ron Cowen
  7. Astronomy

    Echoes of a stellar outburst

    Light from the outburst of a star has revealed its dusty surroundings.

    By Ron Cowen
  8. Astronomy

    Comet LINEAR: Breaking up isn’t hard to do

    New images reveal that Comet LINEAR, which passed near the sun late last month, has broken into at least 10 fragments.

    By Ron Cowen
  9. Astronomy

    Once Upon a Time in the Cosmos: Using distant galaxies to study the early universe

    Peering far back in time, two teams of astronomers report that they have found some of the universe's earliest galaxies.

    By Ron Cowen
  10. Astronomy

    All-sky survey makes Internet debut

    An atlas of some 5 million images from the Two Micron All-Sky Survey is now available online.

    By Ron Cowen
  11. Astronomy

    Evidence grows for nearby planetary system

    Astronomers have found the nearest known planet that lies outside the solar system, a mere 10.5 light-years from Earth.

    By Ron Cowen
  12. Astronomy

    Cosmic Blowout: Black holes spew as much as they consume

    Supermassive black holes at the cores of galaxies can blow out as much material as they swallow, creating high-speed winds that may seed the universe with oxygen, carbon, iron, and other elements essential for life.

    By Ron Cowen