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Massive 'proton aurora' blasted a 250-mile-wide hole in Earth's ozone layer
By Brandon Specktor published
In June 2015, a little-known type of aurora cut a Grand-Canyon-size ozone hole in Earth's mesosphere. Scientists have finally assessed the damage.

Stunning (and spooky) photos of the final solar eclipse of 2022
By Brandon Specktor published
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, half the world saw the moon's shadow creep over the surface of the sun in the year's last partial solar eclipse.

Stunning 'pillars of creation' shine like never before in new James Webb Telescope image
By Brandon Specktor published
The towering pillars of creation, captured by the James Webb Telescope, are a nursery of newborn stars that’s been slowly destroying itself for millions of years.

Gamma-ray burst may represent the most powerful cosmic explosion ever recorded
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers stunned by 'brightest of all time' gamma-ray burst reckon it could be the most powerful space explosion since the Big Bang

Energy jet traveling 7 times the speed of light appears to break the laws of physics
By Brandon Specktor published
A jet of particles released by two colliding stars appears to be moving seven times faster than the speed of light — but astronomers blame a cosmic illusion known as superluminal motion.

Elemental Shift: Periodic Table Gets Weight Changes
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
Ten elements that help make up the universe, including carbon, are getting their very atomic weights altered.

As Myth Marries Science, the Origin Story Matters (Op-Ed)
By Roger Briggs last updated
Opinion In modern times, scientific understanding replaces myths as the origin story for humanity.

Nearly 50% in US Believe in Medical Conspiracy Theories
By Rachael Rettner last updated
About half of Americans agree with at least one medical conspiracy theory, a new study suggests.
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