Astronomy
Ongoing coverage on Astronomy.
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Roman Space Telescope Buttoned Up Inside Falcon Heavy Fairing Ahead of Aug. 30 Launch
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been encapsulated within the payload fairing of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of its planned August 30th launch. This encapsulation marks the transition from project to payload, protecting the observatory from the harsh conditions of ascent. The telescope is destined for the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2 and is expected to discover thousands of exoplanets, study dark matter, and investigate dark energy.
Here's where you want to be to see the 2026 solar eclipse
The best locations to view the 2026 solar eclipse will be in Spain and Iceland. These regions offer prime viewing opportunities for the celestial event.
Webb telescope maps the gas pipeline feeding a supermassive black hole 145 million light-years out
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured unprecedented images detailing the entire journey of gas feeding a supermassive black hole in the galaxy NGC 4696, located 145 million light-years away. The observations reveal a rotating disk of gas, approximately 800 light-years in diameter, directly linked to a filament of colder gas, illustrating the complete pathway matter takes before being consumed by the black hole.
FCC grants approval for sun-reflecting space mirror that's been widely criticized by astronomers
The FCC has granted approval for Reflect Orbital's controversial project to deploy a network of space mirrors designed to reflect sunlight at night. The initiative has faced significant criticism from astronomers concerned about its potential impact.
NASA celebrates James Webb's fourth anniversary with the most detailed image of Centaurus A yet
NASA celebrated the fourth anniversary of the James Webb Space Telescope by releasing its most detailed image yet of the Centaurus A galaxy. The image showcases unprecedented detail of the celestial object.
A 10-year sky survey begins filming a 'cosmic movie,' cyborg cockroaches go for a dive and more science stories
This week's science news includes the commencement of a 10-year sky survey aimed at creating a 'cosmic movie' and experiments involving cyborg cockroaches. The article covers various scientific developments and research.
European Space Agency's Euclid captures the star-filled center of the Milky Way
The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope has captured a detailed image of the star-filled center of the Milky Way galaxy. NASA is also planning a mission to map the galactic bulge, set to begin later this summer.
The Webb telescope has captured its first 'bulge fossil fragment'
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured its first 'bulge fossil fragment,' providing new insights into the formation of galaxies. This discovery offers a unique look into the early stages of galactic development.
Astronomers measure the mass of a dormant black hole, our solar system's lost protoplanet, and more science stories
This week's science news includes astronomers measuring the mass of a dormant black hole and discussing a lost protoplanet within our solar system. The roundup covers various other scientific discoveries and research updates.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch on August 30
NASA is targeting August 30 for the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. This new telescope will feature a field of view 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, promising significant advancements in space exploration and astronomy.
James Webb telescope spots supermassive black hole that formed before its galaxy
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed a supermassive black hole that appears to have formed before its host galaxy. This discovery challenges current models of black hole and galaxy formation, suggesting a potentially different timeline for these astronomical events.
Astronomers use the Webb telescope to improve our map of the cosmic web
Astronomers have utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to create a more detailed map of the cosmic web. This enhanced mapping is expected to facilitate more in-depth investigations into the universe's history and evolution.
A comet gets destroyed by the sun, data centers endanger the Potomac River, and more science news
This week in science news, a comet was observed exploding into dust as it made a close approach to the sun, and NASA and ESA shared images of the event. The nonprofit American Rivers named the Potomac River the most endangered in the US, citing sewage pollution from aging infrastructure and a surge in data center development. Additionally, the European Space Agency shared new images of Mars showing changes in volcanic ash distribution over the last 50 years.
A comet gets destroyed by the sun, data centers endanger the Potomac River, and more science stories
This week's science news includes NASA's images of a comet disintegrating as it approached the sun, American Rivers naming the Potomac River the most endangered in the US due to sewage pollution and data center development, and ESA sharing images showing changes in Martian volcanic ash deposits. The article also mentions a new PBS documentary on the Artemis program.
NASA shares incredible photos from the far side of the Moon
NASA has shared stunning photos from the far side of the Moon, taken during the Artemis II mission. The images include an "Earthset" and a solar eclipse, with astronauts witnessing the satellite completely block the sun. The crew also discovered and proposed names for two new lunar craters.
The latest on the Artemis II mission to the moon, and more science stories
The Artemis II mission has passed the halfway point to the moon with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen aboard the Orion spacecraft. Despite minor technical issues with a Surface Pro and a toilet, the mission is proceeding well, with the spacecraft completing its translunar injection burn. Separately, undergraduate students from the University of Chicago discovered a potentially ancient star, SDSSJ0715-7334, using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.
NASA pauses its lunar Gateway plan, a comet reverses its spin and more science news
NASA has announced significant changes to its Artemis moon program, including pausing the development of the lunar Gateway space station in favor of building a $20 billion moon base. The agency also revealed new details about a comet that reversed its spin and released stunning new images of Saturn from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes.
Into the Black
Astronomers are calling for a serious investigation into a recent increase in meteor sightings. The phenomenon has prompted concern and a desire for further study within the scientific community.
Webb and Hubble telescopes combine forces for a new view of Saturn
The ESA, NASA, and CSA have released new images of Saturn, combining data from the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes to provide an unprecedented view of the gas giant's atmosphere. The comparison highlights details in Saturn's outer layers, with Webb's infrared view sensing clouds and chemicals at various depths, while Hubble reveals subtle color variations and atmospheric bands. These observations, taken 14 weeks apart, are valuable for tracking atmospheric changes as Saturn transitions through its seasons.
DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science news
Recent scientific findings include the discovery of DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, suggesting these molecules were widespread in the early solar system and potentially transported to Earth. Additionally, a consortium of bacteria has been identified that can collectively digest plastic additives, offering a potential solution for plastic pollution. The Hubble Space Telescope also captured a rare, early view of a comet breaking apart.