One Step Closer to Interstellar Travel. A Successful Microgravity Test of a Graphene Light Sail
If we want to travel to the stars, we’re going to have to be creative. The answer might be light sails made of sheets of graphene.
A Fast Radio Burst Has Been Detected From Inside The Milky Way
Fast radio bursts last for such a short time that it is difficult to track down the source. Now astronomers have found one in our own back yard.
The Sun is less active magnetically than other stars
While the Sun can be active, it is often quite a calm star. We now know it is unusually calm when compared to other stars.
Could The Physical Constants Change? Possibly, But Probably Not
The laws of physics are rooted in universal physical constants. But what if these constants change over time?
How Do You Weigh The Universe?
If we can find the weight of everything in the universe, we can better understand how the universe came to be.
Betelgeuse Is Bright Again
Everyone’s favorite red supergiant star is bright again. The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) has been tracking Betelgeuse as it has gradually returned to its more normal brilliance. As of this writing, it is about 95% of its typical visual brightness. Supernova fans will have to wait a bit longer.
Why was there more matter than antimatter in the Universe? Neutrinos might give us the answer
The universe is filled with matter, and we don’t know why. We know how matter was created, and can even create matter in the lab, but there’s a catch. Every time we create matter in particle accelerators, we get an equal amount of antimatter. This is perfectly fine for the lab, but if the big …
New observations show that the Universe might not be expanding at the same rate in all directions
When we look at the world around us, we see patterns. The Sun rises and sets. The seasons cycle through the year. The constellations drift across the night sky. As we’ve studied these patterns, we’ve developed scientific laws and theories that help us understand the cosmos. While our theories are powerful, they are still rooted …
The three-body problem shows us why we can’t accurately calculate the past
Our universe is driven by cause and effect. What happens now leads directly to what happens later. Because of this, many things in the universe are predictable. We can predict when a solar eclipse will occur, or how to launch a rocket that will take a spacecraft to Mars. This also works in reverse. By …
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Betelgeuse Is Brightening Again
After an usual period of dimming Betelgeuse is growing brighter. But no supernova yet.