Physics
Free-falling atoms in space put a new twist on Galileo’s gravity test
Rubidium atoms on China’s Tiangong space station fell with the same acceleration, upholding a cornerstone of Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
More Stories in Space
- Planetary Science
Microbes might get freeze-dried on the moon’s south pole
Artemis IV will put people on the moon’s surface for the first time in 50 years. NASA research reveals the microbes that might hitch a ride.
- Astronomy
A record-breaking star could reveal how the Milky Way’s giant black hole spins
The star passes very close to the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole and could reveal the black hole’s spin by tracking how it warps the star’s orbit.
- Space
Stars’ plasma spurts may be blocked by magnetic fields
The sun frequently flings plasma into space, but sightings of such eruptions on other stars are rare. Magnetic fields could explain why.
- Space
A vest tested on the Artemis I mission blocked some radiation exposure
A 26-kilogram plastic garment, flown on a model human torso on the uncrewed Artemis I mission, may one day protect astronauts from solar storms.
- Space
The largest known galaxy is wider than 17 Milky Ways
Scientists have identified the edge of galaxy IC 1101 and crowned it with the title of largest known galaxy.
- Space
These tiny swirls on the sun could trigger solar flares
Scientists have finally seen a long-predicted motion on the sun, and it may help explain explosive solar activity.
- Astronomy
New images reveal Betelgeuse’s buddy star
A century of hints has suggested the famed red supergiant had a star pal but seeing it amid Betelgeuse’s brightness has been hard — until now.
- Astronomy
What kinds of black holes exist — and how are they different?
Scientists have identified four types of black holes, classified mostly by their masses. But these mysterious objects continue to challenge our understanding of the universe.
- Planetary Science
Different moon rocks tell different tales about a long-ago bombardment
Prior moon rock samples, including from Apollo, seem heavily influenced by one impact. The farside samples tweak the story.
