Astronomy

Chemistry

The first type of molecule to form in the universe has been seen in space

The chemistry of the universe began with helium hydride. Scientists have just seen it in outer space for the first time.

Science & Society

Black hole image validates imagining the unimaginable

Human creativity conjured up the most extreme of astronomical phenomena long before they could be seen.

Astronomy

Meet one of the first scientists to see the historic black hole image

Kazunori Akiyama was one of the first scientists to see the black hole snapshot.

Astronomy

How scientists took the first picture of a black hole

Here’s how scientists connected eight observatories across the world to create one Earth-sized telescope in order to create an image of a black hole.

Astronomy

All you need to know about the history of black holes

From dreaming up black holes to snapping the first picture of one, the history of black holes has had many twists.

Astronomy

The first picture of a black hole opens a new era of astrophysics

Astronomers used a network of telescopes around the world to take a picture of the supermassive black hole in the galaxy M87.

Science & Society

The delight of discovering an asteroid that spits

Editor in Chief Nancy Shute discusses recent news about the asteroid Bennu and Kuiper Belt–object Ultima Thule.

Astronomy

This planetary remnant somehow survived the death of its sun

A small, sturdy piece of planet survived the collapse of its sun and now orbits the dead star.

Physics

The LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors are back on

Souped-up instruments could spot never-before-seen sources of gravitational waves.

Astronomy

4 things we’ll learn from the first closeup image of a black hole

Scientists are gearing up to release the first image of the black hole at the center of the galaxy. Here’s what they hope to find out.

Astronomy

X-ray ‘chimneys’ connect the Milky Way to mysterious gamma-ray bubbles

Two columns of X-rays that are hundreds of light-years long could explain the existence of giant bubbles of energetic light that sandwich the galaxy.

Astronomy

One of the strongest known solar storms blasted Earth in 660 B.C.

Ice cores and tree rings reveal that Earth was blasted with a powerful solar storm 2,610 years ago.