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Astronomy

FCC approves Reflect Orbital satellite to test sunlight reflection tech

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 ·12 Jul 2026, 11:34 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Earth reaches annual aphelion as farthest point from the Sun

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 ·7 Jul 2026, 06:04 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
James Webb telescope discovers 14 dormant galaxies in the early universe

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 ·5 Jul 2026, 19:07 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
NASA's Hubble Captures a Stunning Red, White, and Blue Stellar Nursery

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 ·5 Jul 2026, 16:31 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Hubble captures stellar nursery LH 95 in Large Magellanic Cloud

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 ·5 Jul 2026, 08:33 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
HKU Astronomer Joins Study Weighing Ancient Black Hole

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 ·5 Jul 2026, 06:34 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Astronomers oppose SpaceX and Reflect Orbital satellite plans over sky risks

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 ·4 Jul 2026, 21:35 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Astronomers discover two Jupiter-sized super-puff planets

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 ·4 Jul 2026, 17:36 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
NASA releases red, white and blue space images for America’s 250th birthday

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 ·4 Jul 2026, 12:36 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Webb Telescope captures star formation in FS Tau region

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.

Science ·3 Jul 2026, 22:40 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
NASA's Hubble Spots Star-Spangled Cosmic Scene

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.

Science ·3 Jul 2026, 19:36 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
GJ 3378b identified as potentially habitable super-Earth 25 light-years away

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.

Science ·3 Jul 2026, 12:33 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
ESO Study Warns 1.7 Million Satellites Threaten Future of Astronomy

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.

Science ·3 Jul 2026, 06:04 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins decade-long cosmic survey of the sky

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.

Science ·2 Jul 2026, 22:35 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
ESO study warns massive satellite constellations threaten space observation

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.

Science ·2 Jul 2026, 15:35 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Planned 1.7 million satellites 'devastating' for astronomy: Study

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.

Science ·2 Jul 2026, 09:01 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
1.7 million planned satellites pose existential threat to astronomy

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.

Science ·1 Jul 2026, 17:03 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Hubble telescope captures images of two merging galaxy clusters

Hubble telescope captures images of two merging galaxy clusters

New Hubble imagery confirms that the galaxy cluster CL0016+1609 is a site of active cosmic interaction, allowing researchers to map dark matter distribution.

Science ·29 Jun 2026, 15:32 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
Euclid telescope captures 60-million-star image of Milky Way center

Euclid telescope captures 60-million-star image of Milky Way center

The ESA has unveiled a high-resolution mosaic of the Milky Way’s galactic bulge captured by the Euclid space telescope. This detailed image of 60 million stars provides researchers with a critical tool for identifying and characterizing planets beyond our solar system.

Science ·28 Jun 2026, 20:39 ·Niko Vale 3 min read
NASA's Webb Pinpoints Millions of Stars Within Cigar Galaxy

NASA's Webb Pinpoints Millions of Stars Within Cigar Galaxy

New high-resolution imagery from the James Webb Space Telescope pierces through dense galactic dust to unveil the internal structure of the starburst galaxy M82.

Science ·28 Jun 2026, 14:01 ·Niko Vale 4 min read