Astronomy
See the most realistic simulation of star formation yet
A new simulation of star formation is the most realistic ever created, giving scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study the birth of a star.
Radioactive plutonium from space found in Pacific Ocean
A rare form of plutonium has been discovered on Earth for the first time — and an exploding star appears to have helped it get here.
Volcanoes on Mars might still be active
New evidence suggests that volcanoes on Mars may have erupted just 50,000 years ago, far more recently than previously thought.
Algorithm quickly simulates massive universes in high-res
A new algorithm lets astrophysicists produce high-res cosmological simulations of large parts of the universe far more quickly than was previously possible.
New black hole image reveals swirling magnetic fields
A new black hole image depicts one of the supermassive objects in polarized light, making it possible to see its magnetic field lines.
A distant exoplanet made itself a second atmosphere
A distant exoplanet, GJ 1132 b, appears to have created a second atmosphere for itself after being stripped of its first.
New underwater telescope could explain birth of the universe
The world’s second-largest neutrino detector is now observing “ghost particles” from below the ice of Siberia’s Lake Baikal.
Ancient computer found in shipwreck decoded by scientists
A new model explains how an ancient computer known as the Antikythera Mechanism could have made complex astronomical predictions.
Space hurricane rains electrons down on North Pole
A space hurricane formed above the North Pole in 2014, marking the first discovery of the theorized — but never proven — extreme space weather event.
Solar probe snaps surprising photo of the surface of Venus
The Parker Solar Probe has taken an image of the surface of Venus that may change what we thought we knew about the planet — or possibly the probe itself.