Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Oldest star provides hints about first supernovas
The chemical composition of star SMSS J031300.362670839.3 and four others suggests that the explosions of the early universe weren't big enough to seed galaxies with iron.
- Planetary Science
Moon like blue cheese?
The lunar surface turns out to have more grit than scientists thought.
- Astronomy
Old stars gleaned neighbors’ gas, Hubble data show
Blue straggler stars can continue to burn hot after taking material from a stellar companion.
- Planetary Science
Big space rock makes an impact on Mars
An orbiting spacecraft snapped images of a huge crater and blast marks on the surface of the Red Planet.
- Planetary Science
Asteroid shows its inner differences
The peanut-shaped space rock is more compact on one side than on the other.
- 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.
