Twisted light from the beginning of time could reveal brand-new physics By Mara Johnson-Groh A new study on the rotation of the universe's first light could suggest physicists need new rule-breaking subatomic particles
How do stars die? By Paul Sutter Surprisingly, the fate of a star is easy to predict. All you need to know is how big it is.
A neutron-star crash spotted 3 years ago is still pumping out X-rays. But why? By Meghan Bartels Three years ago, two neutron stars collided in a cataclysmic crash, the first such merger ever observed directly. Naturally, scientists kept their eye on it — and now, something strange is happening.
SpaceX is about to run its final test of Starship SN9 before 1st launch By Rafi Letzter SpaceX plans to test-fire its enormous Starship prototype's engines in Boca Chica, Texas at some point today (Jan. 20).
Monster black hole spews energy as regularly as Yellowstone's 'Old Faithful' By Mindy Weisberger Regular energy flares that emerge from galaxy ESO 253-3 are produced by a black hole about 20 times larger than the one at the center of the Milky Way.
Mystery particle may explain extreme X-rays shooting from the 'Magnificent 7' stars By Stephanie Pappas Particles called axions may be the reason the 'Magnificent 7' cluster of neutron stars emits extreme X-rays.
Humans could move to this floating asteroid belt colony in the next 15 years, astrophysicist says By Brandon Specktor A new paper proposes building a 'megasatellite' of human habitats around the dwarf planet Ceres.
Now-dead radio telescope finds bizarre venomous-spider star By Rafi Letzter Data from the now-destroyed Arecibo radio telescope has revealed a bizarre new type of hybrid venomous-spider star.
Critical engine test for NASA's Space Launch System megarocket shuts down earlier than planned By Amy Thompson NASA fired up the core stage of its massive new megarocket Saturday (Jan. 16) in a critical test that appeared to shut down early.
Watch NASA test the world's most powerful rocket ever on Saturday By Rafi Letzter NASA is going to light up the most powerful rocket it's ever built Saturday (Jan. 16), though it won't go anywhere.
Astronomers are still reeling from the loss of iconic Arecibo radio telescope By Meghan Bartels The collapse of the iconic radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico last month has left astronomers with a host of questions about what went wrong and what comes next.
This might be the fastest magnetar in the whole galaxy By Rafi Letzter A rapidly twirling, ultramagnetic 500-year-old infant has been spotted zipping at never-before-seen speeds through the Milky Way. It belongs to a super-rare flavor of super-rare star.
'Bumblebee gravity' could explain why the universe is expanding so quickly By Paul Sutter Bumblebee gravity could explain dark energy — if it's proven true.
Where are all the squarks and gluinos? By Paul Sutter There have been no signs of supersymmetry, and the theory is looking a little shaky, researchers say.
NASA will soon fire up the most powerful rocket ever built By Rafi Letzter NASA plans to ignite an absolutely mammoth rocket on Jan. 17, the largest it's built since the Apollo program
How to watch the rare 'triple conjunction' of Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn this Sunday By Brandon Specktor Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn will form a tight triangle in the sky this Sunday during a rare 'triple conjunction' event.
An alien machine already visited us, Harvard astrophysicist still contends By Rafi Letzter Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb has reignited a debate about whether alien life can explain an object that visited the solar system in 2017 in a scathing new book.
Are primordial black holes really giant gravitinos? By Paul Sutter New research proposes that the first black holes came from clumps of gravitinos, exotic, hypothetical particles that managed to survive the first chaotic years of the Big Bang.
New type of ultra-strong chemical bond discovered By Rafi Letzter Similar to the bonds found in water, but way more powerful, this new bond could offer deep insight into the true workings of chemical reactions.
A mysterious 'wobble' is moving Mars' poles around By Brandon Specktor Like a teetering top, Mars refuses to rotate on a straight axis.
