Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Planetary Science
Mars ‘air’ found thinner
Readers get an update on the Red Planet's atmosphere and how new probes land there with parachutes.
- Astronomy
Some gas clouds refuse to collapse
A study of dust gives astronomers a sharper picture of cold gas.
- Cosmology
Slow, cold start to universe suggested
By allowing particle masses to change, a new theory suggests how the universe could have arisen without a Big Bang.
- Astronomy
Clouds on nearby brown dwarf mapped
A study of clouds on a nearby brown dwarf reveals partial cloud cover.
- Planetary Science
China’s moon rover may be beyond repair
If the rover’s electronics are exposed to the extremely cold temperatures on the moon, they will break, leaving Jade Rabbit inoperable.
- Earth
Eighth century carbon spike not from comet impact
The space rock would have to have been 100 kilometers across and 100 billion to 1,000 billion tons, leaving a disastrous impact not supported by geological or written records.
- Planetary Science
Old rover finds new evidence of water on Mars
Opportunity’s analysis of rocks at Endeavour crater reveals chemistry that could have supported life.
- Planetary Science
Dwarf planet Ceres gives off gassy water
Astronomers report observations that Ceres releases water molecules from two distinct spots on its surface.
- Cosmology
New supernova spotted in nearby galaxy
The galaxy M82 has given off a brilliant flash, which astronomers have confirmed as a type 1a supernova.
- Cosmology
Filament of cosmic web set aglow
Astronomers say they have glimpsed a brightly lit strand of the cosmic web, the universe’s underlying structure
- Astronomy
Rosetta spacecraft checks in with Earth
The spacecraft has successfully transmitted a signal to Earth, meaning that ESA controllers can now prepare Rosetta for its August rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.
- Astronomy
Planet found around sun twin in star cluster
The exoplanet YBP1194b orbits a twin of the sun in the star cluster Messier 67. Astronomers found three planets orbiting stars in the cluster.
