Space

Astronomy

Readers boggled by black hole behemoth

Readers had questions about the first image of a black hole and a chytrid fungus.

Astronomy

Table salt may be hiding in Europa’s underground sea

Observations of Europa by the Hubble Space Telescope suggest that the moon’s ice-covered ocean may hold sodium chloride, or common table salt.

Astronomy

Massive superflares have been seen erupting from stars like the sun

Older stars, like the sun, can still send out massive bursts of energy that can be seen from light-years away.

Astronomy

Astronomers may have spotted the ghost galaxy that hit the Milky Way long ago

Astronomers think they’ve identified a galaxy that hit the Milky Way and ruffled its edges millions of years ago.

Chemistry

Carbon plays a starring role in the new book ‘Symphony in C’

In Symphony in C, geophysicist Robert Hazen explores carbon’s ancient origins, its role in life and its importance in the modern world.

Astronomy

50 years ago, scientists wanted to build solar panels on the moon

In 1969, scientists proposed building solar panels on the moon to convert the sun’s energy into electricity that can be used on Earth.

Astronomy

In a first, magnetic fields have been spotted between two galaxy clusters

The discovery of magnetic fields in the gaseous filament between two galaxy clusters suggests that some large cosmic structures are magnetized.

Astronomy

The accretion disk around our galaxy’s black hole has been spotted at last

The Milky Way's central black hole has a disk of gas and dust orbiting it, astronomers can finally say with confidence.

Astronomy

Watch the oldest surviving film of a total solar eclipse

A short film of the 1900 total solar eclipse was restored by conservation experts and is now available to view online.

Astronomy

Questions about solar storms, slingshot spiders and more reader feedback

Readers had questions about solar storms, a robotic gripper, slingshot spiders and more.

Planetary Science

Icy volcanoes on Pluto may have spewed organic-rich water

Planetary scientists found ammonia-rich ice near cracks on Pluto, suggesting the dwarf planet had recent icy volcanoes.

Physics

100 years ago, an eclipse proved Einstein right. Today, black holes do too — for now

In 1919, an eclipse affirmed Einstein’s famous general theory of relativity. Now scientists hope to use black holes to poke holes in that idea.