Space

Astronomy

Dawn of a Disk: Water vapor pours down on embryonic star

Infrared observations show water vapor pouring down on a planet-forming disk around a young star.

Astronomy

Separation Anxiety: Cosmic collision may shed light on dark matter

The debris from an ancient collision of galaxy clusters seems to show cosmic dark matter behaving in a puzzling way.

Planetary Science

Geyser gawker: Plans for a closer look at Enceladus

The Cassini spacecraft will change course to take a close look next March at plumes of water vapor emanating from the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus.

Planetary Science

Idiosyncratic Iapetus

The strange appearance of Saturn's moon Iapetus suggests that it was frozen in shape soon after birth, providing a glimpse into conditions in the early solar system.

Astronomy

Veiled black holes

Many X ray sources in the sky could be active galactic nuclei smothered by gas and dust that blocks their emission of visible and ultraviolet light.

Planetary Science

Deep Impact and Stardust: Still on assignment

Two sturdy NASA spacecraft have new assignments, studying comets and looking for exoplanets.

Planetary Science

G Whiz! Craft identifies source of faint Saturnian ring

The Cassini spacecraft has discovered the source of particles that make up Saturn's G ring.

Astronomy

Shedding light on the precursor to a supernova

A supernova lights up its surroundings, revealing evidence of what made the star explode.

Astronomy

Heavenly Chemistry: Astronomers announce astrophysical anion

Astronomers' discovery of a rare negatively charged organic molecule sheds light on conditions in interstellar gas clouds, where amino acids, sugars, and other prebiologic compounds form.

Planetary Science

Saturn’s retinue: 60 and counting

A little moon, two kilometers across, is Saturn's 60th satellite.

Planetary Science

Hyperion’s hydrocarbons

New observations by the Cassini spacecraft indicate the presence of ice and solid carbon dioxide on Saturn's moon Hyperion, and suggest an explanation for the orb's spongelike appearance.

Astronomy

Help Spot Galaxies

Although computer programs can be written to sort galaxies into general categories, they would inevitably throw out the unusual, the weird and the wonderful, astronomers say. Because the human brain is much better at recognizing patterns, astronomers launched a site this week recruiting the public to help identify spiral galaxies on sky photos. Instructions are […]