Space
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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
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		SpaceFrozen cosmic fingerprints
Researchers claim to find evidence of 11th century supernovas and the solar cycle in an ice core.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		AstronomyThese cosmic gluttons may be tight
Researchers may have discovered the most tightly bound pair of supermassive black holes known, an indication that two massive galaxies have merged.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		PhysicsBlack hole constant makes unexpected appearance
A mathematical constant that emerges only in the unusual conditions of specific black hole systems has shown up in a simple Newtonian system.
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		SpacePlanet hidden in Hubble archives
A new way to process images reveals an extrasolar planet that had been hiding in an 11-year-old Hubble picture. The technique could shed new light on other telescope images as well.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		HumansDOE wants to become more like Bell Labs
Steven Chus prizes DOE's research prowess, but not it's ability to marshall its discoveries into marketable innovations.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		SpaceSatellite collision: brief update on Hubble and debris
In an unprecedented collision, two large satellites crashed into each other in low-Earth orbit on February 10. The effect on a planned Hubble repair mission remains unclear.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		SpaceNew window on the high-energy universe
New telescope finds strange behavior in gamma-ray bursts, and also documents the highest energy burst known.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		SpaceGalaxy mix: No dark matter required
New ultraviolet observations suggest dwarf galaxies may form without dark matter. The findings have implications for the early universe.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		AstronomyA green visitor makes its approach
Comet Lulin, which passes closest to Earth on February 24, may be a sight for sore eyes.
By Ron Cowen - 			
			
		Planetary ScienceEarth may be home to unearthly life
No need to look on other planets for new forms of life — weird life could exist right here on Earth.
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		SpaceCosmic mystery
High-energy invaders from space could signal a nearby pulsar, or perhaps dark matter.
By Susan Gaidos - 			
			
		TechTwo satellites collide in Earth orbit
In an unprecedented collision, two large satellites crashed into each other in low-Earth orbit on February 10.
By Ron Cowen