Two Giant Structures Have Been Found Billions of Light-Years Away
The early universe, according to the Standard Model of Cosmology, ought to be a fairly homogenous place, with little structure…
This Alien Landscape is Actually a Microscopic View of an Atomic Clock
Navigation satellites couldn't accomplish anything without extremely accurate clocks. But a regular clock won't do. Only atomic clocks are accurate…
Half of this Exoplanet is Covered in Lava
Astronomers working with TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) have discovered a planet that's been left out in the Sun too…
The Meteorites That Made Earth Were Filled With Water
According to the most widely accepted scientific theory, our Solar System formed from a nebula of dust and gas roughly…
Dark Matter Could Map the Universe's Early Magnetic Fields
Even though we still don't know what dark matter is, astronomers can use it as a natural telescope lens with…
A Self-Eating Engine Could Make Rockets More Efficient
There can’t be many ideas that beat the crazy yet ingenious idea of a rocket engine that uses part of…
There are Mysteries at Venus. It’s Time for an Astrobiology Mission
When scientists detected phosphine in Venus' atmosphere in 2020, it triggered renewed, animated discussions about Venus and its potential habitability.…
Parker Solar Probe Skims the Sun on its 18th Flyby
The fasted object ever made by humans has completed another milestone. The Parker Solar Probe recently celebrated the new year…
Planetesimals Are Buffeted by Wind in their Nebula, Throwing Debris into Space
Before planets form around a young star, the protosolar disk is populated with innumerable planetesimals. Over time, these planetesimals combine…
Solar Electric Propulsion Systems are Just What we Need for Efficient Trips to Mars
There are many different ways to get to Mars, but there are always tradeoffs. Chemical propulsion, proven the most popular,…