Ron Cowen

All Stories by Ron Cowen

  1. Astronomy

    Variable quasar may help measure the cosmos

    A flickering cosmic mirage, recorded for the first time in X rays, promises to provide a new estimate of how rapidly the universe is expanding.

  2. Humans

    Science gets a start on the space station

    Although the space station's main laboratories have yet to be launched, scientists are already using nooks and crannies in the existing structure to conduct experiments in biotechnology and physics.

  3. Planetary Science

    Portrait of Phoebe: Cassini images a large Saturn moon

    The Saturn-bound Cassini spacecraft took the first close-up images ever recorded of one of Saturn's oddest moons, Phoebe.

  4. Astronomy

    Oddball asteroid

    Astronomers have discovered an asteroid that takes only 6 months to go around the sun.

  5. Astronomy

    Cosmic Push: X-ray study confirms universe’s dark side

    Culling clues from X rays emitted by distant clusters of galaxies, astronomers report new evidence that some mysterious force overcame gravity's tug about 6 billion years ago and ever since has been pushing galaxies apart at an accelerating rate.

  6. Astronomy

    Live! Venus’ transit on the Web

    On June 8, astronomers in Europe plan to Webcast observations of the transit of Venus, the first time the planet has passed across the face of the sun as seen from Earth in 122 years.

  7. Astronomy

    Old Stars Even Older: Determining a new age for the universe

    Using particles accelerators to mimic the conditions inside stars, two independent research groups have found evidence that the most-ancient known stars are about a billion years older than astronomers had estimated.

  8. Astronomy

    Before the big one hits

    The next time you hear about an asteroid or comet about to hit Earth, you can go to a new Internet site to find out where the collision will be and how much damage will occur.

  9. Astronomy

    Windy endeavor

    In early April, an Earth-orbiting satellite closed its doors after more than 2 years of collecting ions from the solar wind.

  10. Astronomy

    Dark Doings

    A slew of new and proposed experiments, ranging from the cosmic to the subatomic scale, may shed light on why the expansion of the universe is speeding up.

  11. Astronomy

    Back to the Beginning: Hubble’s infrared camera goes the distance

    Using the Hubble Space Telescope, researchers have identified 26 galaxies that may be the youngest and most distant known.

  12. Astronomy

    Closing In on a Monster: A black hole’s dusty environs show themselves

    The first clear picture of the immediate surroundings of a supermassive black hole confirms that these gravitational monsters hide behind thick belts of dust.