Science
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.
NASA opens applications for yearlong Mars and Moon mission simulation
NASA has opened applications for a yearlong analog mission designed to simulate the challenges of deep space travel at the Johnson Space Center. Volunteers will reside in specialized habitats to help the agency develop health and psychological protocols for future lunar and Mars expeditions.
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.
China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft arrives at asteroid Kamo’oalewa for sampling
China's Tianwen-2 mission has reached the quasi-satellite Kamoʻoalewa, initiating an effort to collect regolith and resolve the object's mysterious origins.
uOttawa researchers discover genetically distinct Western toad in Canada
New research reveals that Western toads separated by the Canadian Rockies represent distinct evolutionary lineages, prompting a re-evaluation of conservation needs.
Webb Telescope captures star formation in FS Tau region
New infrared imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope offers a look at the birth of stars within the dust-shrouded FS Tau region. These findings provide evidence that protostars accumulate mass through discrete, energetic episodes rather than steady growth.
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth
Katalyst Space Technologies has deployed its Link spacecraft to perform a robotic rescue of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The mission seeks to prevent the telescope from burning up in Earth's atmosphere by boosting it to a higher, stable orbit.
NASA's Hubble Spots Star-Spangled Cosmic Scene
To commemorate the U.S. 250th anniversary, NASA has released a high-resolution image of the massive Messier 3 globular cluster containing 500,000 stars.
NASA launches Link spacecraft to rescue falling Swift telescope
Katalyst Space Technologies launched the Link spacecraft to stabilize the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is losing altitude due to solar activity.
NASA launches robotic mission to rescue Swift observatory from orbit decay
A robotic spacecraft is attempting an unprecedented salvage mission to rescue the decaying Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from atmospheric reentry. This high-risk effort marks the first time an American robotic craft will attempt to service an uncrewed U.S. government satellite.
GJ 3378b identified as potentially habitable super-Earth 25 light-years away
New research indicates that GJ 3378b is a rocky super-Earth rather than a gas giant, making it a key candidate for future studies of habitability.
University of Minnesota scientists create first synthetic SpudCell
University of Minnesota researchers have developed SpudCell, a synthetic construct that performs fundamental biological processes like growth and replication. This bottom-up engineering effort provides a platform for studying the threshold between inanimate matter and biological behavior.
ESO Study Warns 1.7 Million Satellites Threaten Future of Astronomy
An ESO study warns that the proposed launch of over 1.7 million satellites poses an existential threat to astronomy by causing severe light pollution. Researchers are advocating for a strict orbital limit of 100,000 satellites to preserve the viability of ground-based observations.
Antarctica froze before the Arctic due to tectonic uplift of mountains
New research reveals that tectonic mantle waves raised the Antarctic landscape, allowing ice to form millions of years before global cooling reached the Arctic.
Acinetobacter baumannii genome study reveals decades of superbug evolution
Researchers reconstructed the evolutionary history of Acinetobacter baumannii by sequencing samples dating back to the 1970s. The study reveals how the bacterium evolved in waves to acquire resistance traits and survive medical interventions.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins decade-long cosmic survey of the sky
Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has begun a decade-long project to create a time-lapse of the sky. The survey aims to capture vast amounts of data to help researchers study dark energy, dark matter, and other celestial phenomena.
NASA mission to rescue Swift space telescope delayed by launch problem
A mission to boost the aging Swift gamma-ray telescope's orbit has been paused following a failure to deploy the rocket. NASA is evaluating if a secondary launch attempt is feasible.
ESO study warns massive satellite constellations threaten space observation
New research from the European Southern Observatory indicates that massive satellite constellations could damage astronomical research by creating light trails and elevating background sky brightness. Scientists are calling for an orbital cap to protect the ability to observe the cosmos.
Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy: Study
A study by the European Southern Observatory warns that the rapid expansion of satellite constellations could render critical ground-based research impossible. Scientists are urging the FCC to implement strict regulatory limits to protect the night sky.
1.7 million planned satellites pose existential threat to astronomy
A new European Southern Observatory study warns that proposed satellite constellations could render ground-based astronomy impossible through massive light pollution and data interference.