Space exploration, scientific discoveries, astronomy, and physics.
259 articles
New 'cosmic clocks' like time-delay cosmography are helping astronomers tackle the Hubble tension, a discrepancy in measuring the universe's expansion rate. Meanwhile, the return to the Moon aims to teach humanity how to live in space, while the threat of weaponized satellites looms.
A Soviet cosmonaut's accidental discovery of a spinning wing nut revealed the bizarre Janabbeckov effect. This phenomenon, also known as the tennis racket theorem, explains why some spinning objects inexplicably flip, a quirk now understood through physics.
A proposed 'cosmic GPS' system using mysterious Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) could help resolve the Hubble Tension, a major disagreement in measuring the universe's expansion rate. The system would use a network of spacecraft to measure distances geometrically, bypassing traditional methods.
In 2026, NASA's Artemis II mission will send astronauts to orbit the Moon, marking a return to lunar exploration. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Hubble's successor, is set to launch in October. Additionally, the BepiColombo mission will reach Mercury, and Voyager 1 will achieve a light-day distance from Earth.
New research suggests our Sun, long considered a typical star, might be more unusual than previously thought. This finding impacts our understanding of life's prevalence in the universe and the search for habitable exoplanets.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's vast data is now publicly accessible, empowering astronomers worldwide to make new discoveries. Innovations in star shades and spacesuits promise to accelerate our exploration of exoplanets and the solar system.
New research suggests the Habitable Worlds Observatory needs to observe wavelengths around 1.52 to 1.68 microns to effectively detect key biosignatures like carbon dioxide, water, and methane on Earth-like exoplanets. This optimal range avoids the need for complex telescope cooling systems.
Our Moon is frequently struck by space rocks, creating visible flashes of light. Scientists are tracking these impacts to understand solar system dynamics and plan future human missions. This ongoing cosmic bombardment reveals the Moon's evolving surface.
Dark matter forms an invisible cosmic web, connecting galaxies with vast filaments. Computer simulations predicted this structure decades ago, and recent observations confirm its existence. The cosmic web provides crucial evidence for dark matter and helps us understand the universe's evolution.
NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon. This historic flight, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, will test the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket. The mission includes a flyby of the Moon and aims to break distance records.
