Astronomy

Astronomy

Galaxy’s petal-like structures came from collision

A cosmic crash of two huge masses of stars, gas and dust probably gave way to a new galactic structure with both young and old star clusters.

Astronomy

Water seen in rubble around star

Hubble sees debris that was part of an asteroid with the ingredients for habitable planets.

Astronomy

Voyager’s view

Though the 1970s-era space probe has finally slipped into an interstellar realm, in some senses it is still very much within the bounds of the solar system.

Astronomy

Tiny sphere bends light like a black hole does

Previously seen at the megascale, gravitational lensing goes micro.

Astronomy

The NASA take on ‘Gravity’

An astronaut and a NASA expert consider the reality of the film’s space dangers.

Astronomy

Last gorge for galaxy’s central black hole gauged

Relic light suggests the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center was millions of times more active 2 million years ago.

Astronomy

Don’t worry, be grumpy and take nature’s cycles in stride

Astronomy

At last, Voyager 1 slips into interstellar space

Solar blast data provides definitive evidence that Voyager 1 has cruised beyond the heliosphere and into interstellar space.

Astronomy

Radio telescope images reveal nebula’s heart of carbon

ALMA takes detailed look at elements surrounding dying star.

Astronomy

The sun’s older twin, 250 light-years away

Almost twice as ancient, the distant star gives a glimpse of the sun's future.

Astronomy

‘Space beads’ push back origins of iron working

Ancient Egyptians used advanced techniques to make beads out of 'metal from the sky.'

Astronomy

To determine stars’ physical traits, Kepler sees the light

Measuring stellar brightness can yield useful estimates of stars' size and evolutionary stage, and help in the hunt for planets.