Astronomy

FAST and DESI reveal slow star formation despite stable cosmic hydrogen

Combining high radio sensitivity with extensive optical spectroscopy, astronomers discovered that neutral atomic hydrogen remains stable even as stellar birth rates plummet.

Science · 735 words

Rare solar eclipse wows millions across Europe and UK

The region's most significant celestial event since August 1999 brought total darkness to parts of Iceland and Spain while drawing millions outdoors across the UK.

Science · 742 words

Astronomers discover a new kind of cosmic object – a black hole ‘star’

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope identified MoM-BH*-1, an unprecedented black hole star formed 660 million years after the big bang.

Science · 836 words

Millions watch rare total solar eclipse sweep across Spain and Iceland

The rare total solar eclipse drew millions of visitors to rural vantage points across Spain and Iceland, prompting a massive security deployment amid severe seasonal wildfire risks.

World · 866 words

North America prepares for partial solar eclipse and Perseids on August 12-13

While mainland Europe experiences its first total solar eclipse since 1999, North American skywatchers will see a partial eclipse followed by optimum dark-sky viewing conditions for the Perseids.

Science · 770 words

Perseid meteor shower and planetary parade peak alongside new moon

The August 12 celestial alignment combines a planetary parade and the Perseid meteor peak under dark skies, though visibility remains tied to weather and equipment.

Science · 887 words

When and where to see the solar eclipse in Scotland

The most dramatic eclipse visible from the UK since 1999 will see the Moon obscure up to 95% of the Sun, though weather patterns may shift the best viewing spots.

Science · 788 words

Solar eclipse chasers prepare to view August totality from Spain and Iceland

With totality occurring late in the day near sunset, authorities across Spain and infrastructure operators are deploying massive security and monitoring groups to manage crowds and low-horizon viewing risks.

Science · 871 words

Total solar eclipse to darken Spain for 1st time in a century

The upcoming celestial event brings daytime darkness to northern Spain for the first time in over a century, arriving alongside a rare planetary alignment and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.

Science · 864 words

Catalonia evaluates weather prospects for August 12 total solar eclipse

Catalonia faces its first total solar eclipse in over a century on August 12, 2026, as forecasters analyze how late-afternoon thermal instability might impact viewing conditions in the zone of totality.

Science · 707 words

August 12 solar eclipse set to boost tourism in rural Spain

The 2026 total solar eclipse is driving a strategic surge in travel to Spain's rural inland regions, helping officials shift tourism away from crowded hotspots.

Science · 602 words

Astronomers detect first atmosphere on rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b

Researchers led by Collin Cherubim identified a helium-rich atmosphere on the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b, marking a milestone in the study of terrestrial worlds.

Science · 756 words

Barnard’s Star planets found to be uninhabitable and mineral-rich

Scientific analysis has ruled out habitability for the four exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star due to extreme heat, volatile geology, and atmosphere loss.

Science · 567 words

Beta Pictoris hosts a newly discovered faint planet after decade-long search

Researchers identified the dimmest planet ever directly imaged, uncovering a cold gas giant within the Beta Pictoris system after it remained hidden for 11 years.

Science · 523 words

Rubin Observatory begins decade-long cosmic survey in Chile

Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the observatory is beginning a massive cinematic survey of the southern sky to track transient events. The project aims to study the universe by mapping billions of stars and galaxies over the next decade.

Science · 593 words

Beta Pictoris d discovered as the faintest exoplanet imaged from Earth

Researchers have confirmed the discovery of Beta Pictoris d, a gas giant 63 light-years away, while a separate study revealed four previously obscured stellar remnants.

Science · 693 words

James Webb telescope reveals origin of infrared light near black hole

New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope are challenging established timelines of galactic evolution by revealing how supermassive black holes grow.

Science · 571 words

NASA's Roman Telescope Will Spot Distant Black Holes That Shred Stars

A new study suggests the Roman Space Telescope will track star-shredding events to help researchers determine how supermassive black holes formed in the early universe.

Science · 590 words

FCC approves Reflect Orbital space mirror test despite safety concerns

Regulators have cleared an experimental space mirror test despite warnings from astronomers that the technology could disrupt research and ecosystems. The mission is the first step toward the company's proposed goal of providing sunlight on demand.

Science · 593 words

Archaeologists identify ancient Maya astronomer Sak Tahn Waax in Xultun

Archaeologists in Xultun, Guatemala, have identified Sak Tahn Waax, a Classic Maya mathematician-astronomer, through hieroglyphs found in a workshop. This discovery provides a rare link between individual intellectual labor and the broader traditions of ancient Maya astronomy.

Science · 674 words

The 25 Best James Webb Space Telescope Photos - PetaPixel

Marking four years of operations, the James Webb Space Telescope has used its infrared capabilities to transform our understanding of the universe.

Science · 504 words

FCC approves Reflect Orbital satellite to test sunlight reflection tech

The FCC authorized Reflect Orbital to launch a mirror-equipped satellite designed to beam sunlight to Earth. The mission faces scrutiny from the astronomy community regarding potential environmental impacts and the future of the night sky.

Science · 633 words

Earth reaches annual aphelion as farthest point from the Sun

Earth has reached its annual farthest point from the Sun, highlighting the role of axial tilt over orbital distance in creating seasons.

Science · 663 words

James Webb telescope discovers 14 dormant galaxies in the early universe

Observations reveal that 14 galaxies in the early universe prematurely ceased star formation, suggesting a complex, bursty cycle of stellar evolution. These findings challenge standard cosmological models that predicted early galaxies would be defined by constant growth.

Science · 645 words

NASA's Hubble Captures a Stunning Red, White, and Blue Stellar Nursery

Hubble has captured images of the LH 95 stellar nursery, revealing how massive blue stars and crimson gas shape the ongoing processes of star formation.

Science · 631 words

Hubble captures stellar nursery LH 95 in Large Magellanic Cloud

New high-resolution imagery of LH 95 provides a rare, unobstructed view of star formation, showing how massive blue giants shape their cosmic environment.

Science · 673 words

HKU Astronomer Joins Study Weighing Ancient Black Hole

Astronomers have successfully measured the mass of a dormant supermassive black hole in the early universe by leveraging gravitational lensing.

Science · 679 words

Astronomers oppose SpaceX and Reflect Orbital satellite plans over sky risks

Scientific organizations are opposing proposed orbital expansion projects, warning that the influx of satellites threatens to compromise astronomical research.

Science · 597 words

Astronomers discover two Jupiter-sized super-puff planets

Researchers have identified a pair of low-density exoplanets, TOI-791 b and c, that challenge existing theories on how planetary systems form and evolve.

Science · 626 words

NASA releases red, white and blue space images for America’s 250th birthday

NASA has unveiled a collection of space imagery and audio sonifications rendered in red, white, and blue to mark the United States' 250th anniversary. The project features four celestial objects captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory and other space and ground-based telescopes.

Science · 604 words