Astronomy and space
Latest developments
The 12 August 2026 partial solar eclipse as seen from the Isle of Wight
Sean G Ryan snaps an astronomical spectacle that captured the public imagination
Radiation shielding vest could reduce cancer risk for astronauts on deep space missions
A new personal radiation shielding vest tested during the Artemis I flight could significantly reduce the radiation dose that future astronauts might receive
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Research headlines
Has vacuum birefringence been seen at long last?
Polarized X-rays from magnetar could be first direct observation of quantum effect
Frame-dragging measurement around the Earth sets new precision record
Laser-ranging technique proves Einstein right again
Physicists extend Hawking’s black hole laws to dynamical objects
Thermodynamics can describe the mechanics of black holes that change over time
Transit-based exoplanet survey finds its first microlensing exoplanet
Additional planetary signals may be hidden in TESS data, say astronomers
Thermal imaging technique helps overcome a major problem for gravitational-wave astronomy
Correcting heat-induced distortions in interferometer mirrors will dramatically increase the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors
Physicists find unexpected connection between black hole mergers and thermodynamics
Properties of a merger remnant can be predicted using a simple entropy-maximization principle
Explore more in astronomy and space
Careers at the frontier of space technology
The European Space Agency recruits from all over Europe (and beyond) to further its mission of peacefully exploring and using space for the benefit of everyone
Read article: Careers at the frontier of space technology
New image captures glowing shock waves in the Helix Nebula
Data were taken with the MOTHRA telescope, which is still under construction
Read article: New image captures glowing shock waves in the Helix Nebula
Knowing through uncertainty: probability and the evolution of our cosmos
Chrysi Malouchou Kanellopoulou reviews The Random Universe: How Models and Probability Help us Make Sense of the Cosmos by Andrew H Jaffe
Read article: Knowing through uncertainty: probability and the evolution of our cosmos
Astronomers capture highest-resolution image ever of the Sun’s surface
Picture reveals tiny plasma whirlpool-like patterns that have never been seen before
Read article: Astronomers capture highest-resolution image ever of the Sun’s surface
Bringing physics down to Earth through rocket science
Keith Cooper reviews It’s (Just) Rocket Science: Exploring Physics Through Spaceflight Missions by Trisha Muro
Read article: Bringing physics down to Earth through rocket science
GPS particle detectors track space radiation over two decades
Cross calibration combines data from 25 satellites
Read article: GPS particle detectors track space radiation over two decades
Discovery of giant ‘exosatellite’ challenges our notion of what makes a moon
In a novel three-tiered hierarchical system, the star CD-35 2722 is orbited by a brown dwarf that, in turn, is orbited by a newly discovered exosatellite candidate
Read article: Discovery of giant ‘exosatellite’ challenges our notion of what makes a moon
Scientists discover sugar in interstellar space
The first detection of sugar in the interstellar medium could shed more light on how life began on Earth
Read article: Scientists discover sugar in interstellar space
Super-loud gravitational waves offer a new way to study black hole event horizons
Region near the "surface of no return" was previously only accessible with theoretical models
Read article: Super-loud gravitational waves offer a new way to study black hole event horizons
First medical X-ray images taken in space achieve diagnostic quality
Diagnostic X-ray images recorded during an orbital spaceflight exhibited similar contrast and spatial resolution to those taken preflight on Earth
Read article: First medical X-ray images taken in space achieve diagnostic quality
Metasurface grating gives solar telescopes a boost
New optical device could fly on future space missions that study solar magnetic fields and space weather
Read article: Metasurface grating gives solar telescopes a boost
Satellite-based sensor system designed to detect nuclear weapons in space
Proposed inspector satellite could one day provide a means for verifying the Outer Space Treaty
Read article: Satellite-based sensor system designed to detect nuclear weapons in space
Powerful cosmic winds may have destroyed galaxies in the early universe
Astronomers discover a huge plume of gas streaming out of a galaxy during rapid star formation
Read article: Powerful cosmic winds may have destroyed galaxies in the early universe
Does the Bullet Cluster contain a lot less dark matter than we thought?
New analysis of JWST observations suggests that the Bullet Cluster of galaxies might only have half as much dark matter as previously believed
Read article: Does the Bullet Cluster contain a lot less dark matter than we thought?
‘Amaze, amaze, amaze’: in Project Hail Mary, science and friendship save the day
Andrew Glester and Tushna Commissariat delve into the science and story of Project Hail Mary
Read article: ‘Amaze, amaze, amaze’: in Project Hail Mary, science and friendship save the day
Can we create a shield to protect Earth from solar storms?
A space-based system could help deflect potentially catastrophic interplanetary weather
Read article: Can we create a shield to protect Earth from solar storms?
Cosmic crisis averted as supernovae put dark energy back on track
New study confirms accelerating expansion of the universe
Read article: Cosmic crisis averted as supernovae put dark energy back on track
Ken’ichi Nomoto and Stanford Woosley share the 2026 Shaw Prize in Astronomy
Pair are honoured for their work on supernovae and nucleosynthesis
Read article: Ken’ichi Nomoto and Stanford Woosley share the 2026 Shaw Prize in Astronomy
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- Astronomy and space | Conference Eighth Spacetime Conference 14—17 September 2026 | Albena, Bulgaria
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