Astronomers link mysterious cosmic flashes to collisions of dead stars

For decades, astronomers have identified collisions between two neutron stars through bursts of gamma rays that can disappear in less than two seconds. But some of these violent encounters may also reveal themselves through X-ray flashes lasting several minutes. A new study published in Science Bulletin provides evidence for this connection, suggesting that merging neutron […]

Sugar found in meteorites may have helped secure its own survival on early Earth

Is there life elsewhere, or is Earth unique in the universe? This is one of humanity’s great unanswered questions. One way to approach this mystery is to investigate how life began here on Earth. Our research explores the conditions in which a mixture of molecules somehow transformed from chemistry into biology.

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Hidden star cluster discovered in Milky Way’s crowded disk defies easy classification

Astronomers have discovered a stellar cluster hidden in the crowded disk of the Milky Way. The object, named Garro 04, was first identified as an unusual collection of stars in observations from the VVVX survey and was later confirmed using infrared spectroscopy. A paper outlining the properties of this seemingly mysterious stellar system was posted […]

Earth and Mars: Built from different cosmic recipes

Four and a half billion years ago, Earth and Mars were born in the rotating cloud of gas and dust that would eventually become our solar system. Yet exactly how the planets formed remains one of the most disputed questions in planetary science.

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Starship’s first orbital flight put its heat shield to the test

SpaceX’s Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, reached Earth orbit for the first time on Sept. 28, 2026. This mission, the rocket’s 14th test flight, also marked the first time that Starship deployed Starlink internet satellites into the existing larger constellation: 26 new next-generation nodes in total.

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The north pole of Mars is less dusty than scientists thought

Although Mars may have once resembled Earth, the rocky red planet now appears far from hospitable. Still, certain details—such as ice-bound water—pique researchers’ curiosity. As on Earth, ice on Mars contains valuable records of past climate that could reveal whether the planet hosts, or has ever hosted, life.

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New simulations connect the first stars to cosmic fingerprints still visible today

Researchers have used some of the most detailed simulations yet of the early universe to investigate how the first stars and galaxies formed. Led by researchers at the University of Bath in the U.K., alongside collaborators at the University of Chicago in the U.S. and the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris in France, the MEGATRON project […]

Alien life? Why the possibility of exoplanet LHS 1140b emitting helium gas is so exciting

This summer, exoplanet science—the study of planets orbiting stars beyond our sun—took a big step forward. Reports of helium gas escaping from the atmosphere of LHS 1140b propelled this exoplanet from the pages of scientific journals into the mainstream media.

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Under the Microscope: NASA-made material for moon manufacturing

Photos taken using a microscope reveal the colorful, kaleidoscope-like crystal structure of a new NASA-made material that could be used for manufacturing during future space missions. Developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the material could be created directly on the moon or Mars, allowing NASA to pack fewer supplies—saving weight and reducing launch […]

Suns set on hunt for giant planets in nearby binary system

New research led by the University of Michigan is helping set the stage for future observatories to characterize rocky planets outside our solar system, planets that could prove life isn’t confined to Earth. The new research represents the most sensitive modern search for giant planets in a nearby binary system—a system with two stars orbiting […]

SpaceX’s Starship rocket does its job during first orbital flight

SpaceX sent its Starship super-rocket on its first orbital flight—a shorter-than-planned test mission that put operational Starlink satellites into orbit for the first time.

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How ocean chemistry helped life keep breathing

Scientists have helped solve a longstanding mystery about how Earth remained habitable after oxygen first accumulated in its atmosphere more than 2 billion years ago, providing evidence that ancient ocean chemistry sustained life-friendly conditions.

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NASA announces new missions for Boeing Starliner spacecraft

NASA announced Monday that it is planning new missions using Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, the first since a troubled test flight left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station for months.

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NASA highlights lessons learned from Swift boost mission

A commercial mission to boost NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory ended without raising the spacecraft’s orbit, but the agency and Katalyst Space gained experience that will benefit future in-space servicing programs.

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NASA ramps up support to get Boeing’s astronaut capsule flying after Butch and Suni fiasco

NASA is throwing extra support and money behind Boeing’s troubled astronaut capsule to get it fixed and flying again as soon as possible.

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