Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Gas blasts from black holes show surprising alignment
Unexpected alignment of galactic gas geysers might offer new insight into how galaxies and black holes arise from the cosmic web.
- Cosmology
Ancient dwarf galaxy was heavy-element factory
A rare event in an ancient galaxy left traces of heavy elements in its stars.
- Astronomy
Hubble telescope snaps stunning pic for its 26th birthday
For its 26th anniversary, the Hubble Space Telescope snapped a picture of star blowing bubbles in space.
- Space
Trying to find ET and our place in the universe
Editor in Chief discusses the search for life beyond Earth.
- Science & Society
Humans have pondered aliens since medieval times
People have been fascinated with extraterrestrials for centuries. If only aliens would get in touch.
- Cosmology
How to make gravitational waves ‘sing’
A rapidly spinning black hole would make a unique pattern of gravitational waves when it sucks in a smaller companion.
- Astronomy
To find ET, look at who’s (maybe) looking at us
To listen for aliens, two astronomers suggest that we focus on stars whose inhabitants can see Earth periodically cross in front of our sun.
- Cosmology
New sky map charts previously unknown gamma-ray sources
A new map of the sky from the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory charts the cosmic origins of high-energy photons.
- Planetary Science
How alien can a planet be and still support life?
Geoscientists imagine the unearthly mechanisms that could keep alien planets habitable.
- Astronomy
New telescopes will search for signs of life on distant planets
Researchers are coming up with creative ways to pick up biosignatures in far-away planetary atmospheres.
- Space
Will we know extraterrestrial life when we see it?
Desert varnish and certain minerals hint that life — here and elsewhere — may defy current criteria.
- Astronomy
Kepler telescope readies for new mission after communications scare
The Kepler space telescope has recovered from going into emergency mode and is now ready for its next planet-hunting mission.
