SpaceX rocket left behind a plume of chemical pollution as it burnt up in the atmosphere

by quasarn01 | Feb 20, 2026 | Astronomy

Space junk returning to Earth is introducing metal pollution to the pristine upper atmosphere as it burns up on re-entry, a new study has found. Go to Source

Citizen science: Map the Earth’s magnetic shield with the Space Umbrella Project

by quasarn01 | Feb 20, 2026 | Astronomy

A stream of charged particles known as the solar wind flows from the sun toward Earth. Here, it meets Earth’s magnetic fields, which shield our planet like a giant umbrella. The Space Umbrella project needs your help investigating this dynamic region, where...

3D method can accurately measure gravity in wide binary stars, as demonstrated by pilot study

by quasarn01 | Feb 20, 2026 | Astronomy

Since the third Gaia data release in 2022, wide binary stars with separation greater than several thousand astronomical units have been intensely investigated across the world, to probe the nature of gravity in the low acceleration regime, weaker than about 1...

REGALADE: The most extensive catalog of galaxies for modern astronomy

by quasarn01 | Feb 20, 2026 | Astronomy

An international team of scientists led by the Institute of Cosmos Sciences at the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) has presented REGALADE, an unprecedented catalog covering the entire sky and bringing together...

Impact-formed glass provides evidence of cosmic collision in Brazil about 6 million years ago

by quasarn01 | Feb 20, 2026 | Astronomy

For the first time in Brazil, researchers have identified a field of tektites. These are natural glasses formed by the high-energy impact of extraterrestrial bodies against Earth’s surface. These structures, named geraisites in honor of the Brazilian state of...