Stars and solar physics Research update How LIGO’s merging black holes formed from two massive stars Simulations give a backstory to the first ever detection of a gravitational wave Read article: How LIGO’s merging black holes formed from two massive stars
Ultracold matter Research update Experiment is first to see kicking photons heat up nanoparticles Breakthrough could lead to measurements of quantum-state evolution due to gravity Read article: Experiment is first to see kicking photons heat up nanoparticles
Detectors and sensors Research update Atomic clocks in space could detect gravitational waves System could complement LISA and LIGO, say physicists Read article: Atomic clocks in space could detect gravitational waves
Quantum optics Research update Twisted light beams sent 143 km across the sea Orbital angular-momentum states transmitted between Canary Islands Read article: Twisted light beams sent 143 km across the sea
Gravity Research update LIGO detects second black-hole merger "Boxing Day event" confirms the dawn of gravitational-wave astronomy Read article: LIGO detects second black-hole merger
Telescopes and space missions Research update Chiral molecules spotted in interstellar cloud Possible precursors of life detected outside of the solar system for the first time Read article: Chiral molecules spotted in interstellar cloud
Ultrafast science Research update Lasers transform infrared into broadband white light Emitted light is exceedingly directional and could be useful for high-resolution microscopes Read article: Lasers transform infrared into broadband white light
Quantum computing Research update Google gains new ground on universal quantum computer Combination of digital and analogue computing methods may be the route towards a quantum computer Read article: Google gains new ground on universal quantum computer
Magnetism and spin Research update Quantum simulator entangles hundreds of ions Breakthrough could lead to better atomic clocks Read article: Quantum simulator entangles hundreds of ions
Mathematical physics Research update Soft hairs help resolve the black-hole information paradox Stephen Hawking and colleagues claim partial solution to 40-year-old puzzle Read article: Soft hairs help resolve the black-hole information paradox