Space And Astrophysics
- All
- News
- Videos
-
Physicists Deploy Quantum Sensors to Hunt the Universe’s Missing Matter
Dark matter makes up most of the universe’s mass, yet it has never been directly detected. Scientists are now deploying ultracold quantum sensors, underground detectors and space telescopes to catch its faint signals. At Texas A&M, new silicon detectors aim to register extremely rare particle interactions, while global experiments push sensitivit...
-
Astronomers Witness Longest-Lasting Gamma-Ray Burst in History, 8 Billion Light-Years Away
A gamma-ray burst lasting over seven hours was recorded 8 billion light-years away, revealing a rare type of cosmic explosion and challenging current astrophysics models.
-
Misaligned Exoplanet Is Challenging How We Think Solar Systems Form
Astronomers studying the dwarf-star system TOI-3884b have uncovered a striking anomaly: the planet’s orbit is sharply misaligned with its star’s rotation. Using multicolour transit observations, researchers detected repeated starspot-crossing events that revealed the planet passes over cooler regions on the stellar surface. Follow-up monitoring...
-
Dark Matter May Have Been Seen for the First Time in NASA Gamma-Ray Data
A new analysis of NASA’s Fermi telescope data reveals a faint gamma-ray halo around the Milky Way’s core, matching predictions for annihilating dark-matter particles. Researchers say no known astrophysical source fits the signal, raising the possibility of the first direct evidence of dark matter. Experts, however, stress caution and call for v...
-
Mystery Deepens as Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly Near the Sun
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS defied expectations during its 2025 solar flyby, brightening far faster than predicted. Observatories worldwide recorded a blue coma rich in exotic gases, suggesting unique chemistry from another star system. Scientists are investigating whether its unusual composition or speed caused the outburst, marking a new interste...
-
Dark Matter May Behave Like Ordinary Matter Under Gravity, New Study Finds
A new study shows dark matter falls into cosmic gravity wells much like ordinary matter, narrowing one of astronomy’s biggest mysteries. Researchers say any unknown force acting on dark matter must be very weak, though future missions could detect smaller effects. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding how the universe’s unseen m...
-
LIGO Detect Possible Second-Generation Black Holes with Extreme Spins
LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observatories detected two extraordinary black hole collisions in late 2024—GW241011 and GW241110. The first involved a rapidly spinning black hole, while the second revealed one rotating opposite its orbit. These findings fit predictions for second-generation black holes, born from earlier mergers within crowded star clusters. T...
-
James Webb Telescope Finds Early Universe Galaxies Were More Chaotic Than We Thought
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that galaxies in the early universe were far more chaotic and unstable than once believed. A new study shows that gas turbulence and intense star formation disrupted young galaxies, reshaping scientists’ understanding of how galaxies evolved into the structured systems seen today.
-
James Webb Offers First Glimpse Into How Moons Are Built Around Distant Planets
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon-bearing molecules in a moon-forming disk surrounding CT Cha b, a massive planet-like object orbiting a young star 625 light-years away. The discovery marks the first measurement of its kind and offers clues to how moons like those around Jupiter and Saturn might have formed.
-
Astronomers Capture Sharpest-Ever Solar Flare Images with NSF’s DKIST Telescope
Astronomers have achieved a major breakthrough by capturing the sharpest images of a solar flare ever recorded, using the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). Observed at the hydrogen-alpha wavelength during the decay of an X1.3-class solar flare, the images unveiled hundreds of ultra-fine coronal loops averagin...
-
Scientists Apply Stephen Hawking's Theory to Propose Detectable ‘Black Hole Morsels’ in Space
A new study suggests “black hole morsels” — tiny, asteroid-sized black holes from cosmic mergers — could emit detectable bursts of Hawking radiation. Observatories like HESS, HAWC, and Fermi may already hold clues. Detecting them could unlock insights into quantum gravity, unknown particles, and even hidden dimensions beyond the Standard Mo...
-
Astronomers Observe Rare Supernova–Black Hole Interaction in Early Stages
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers observed SN 2023zkd, a supernova that may have been triggered by close interaction with a black hole. Featuring unusual brightness peaks and extended pre-explosion activity, the event offers new insights into star black hole dynamics. Real-time AI detection played a key role, and upcoming surveys promise t...
-
NASA Explores Industry Collaboration to Boost Swift Observatory’s Orbit and Extend Its Mission
NASA is partnering with U.S. firms to study boosting the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit, aiming to extend its scientific life and advance orbital servicing technologies. Funded through Phase III SBIR awards, the project explores cost-effective solutions while preserving Swift’s astrophysics role. Collaboration with Starfish Space may al...
-
Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst Ever Observed Reveals Cosmic Secrets
On October 9, 2022, astronomers detected GRB 221009A, the most powerful gamma-ray burst ever recorded, earning the nickname “BOAT” (Brightest Of All Time). This rare, once-in-10,000-year event came from a galaxy 2 billion light-years away and temporarily blinded gamma-ray detectors. It revealed new insights into stellar death, as the associated...
-
PSR J0922+0638 Pulsar Keeps Glitching Every 550 Days, Scientists Are Intrigued
PSR J0922+0638, an ultradense neutron star, shows puzzling rotational glitches every 550 days. Using 22 years of radio data, scientists detected both abrupt and slow changes in its spin. These may be linked to magnetic field cycles or superfluid dynamics deep inside the star. However, the exact cause remains a mystery, demanding continued long-term...
-
Physicists Deploy Quantum Sensors to Hunt the Universe’s Missing Matter
Dark matter makes up most of the universe’s mass, yet it has never been directly detected. Scientists are now deploying ultracold quantum sensors, underground detectors and space telescopes to catch its faint signals. At Texas A&M, new silicon detectors aim to register extremely rare particle interactions, while global experiments push sensitivit...
-
Astronomers Witness Longest-Lasting Gamma-Ray Burst in History, 8 Billion Light-Years Away
A gamma-ray burst lasting over seven hours was recorded 8 billion light-years away, revealing a rare type of cosmic explosion and challenging current astrophysics models.
-
Misaligned Exoplanet Is Challenging How We Think Solar Systems Form
Astronomers studying the dwarf-star system TOI-3884b have uncovered a striking anomaly: the planet’s orbit is sharply misaligned with its star’s rotation. Using multicolour transit observations, researchers detected repeated starspot-crossing events that revealed the planet passes over cooler regions on the stellar surface. Follow-up monitoring...
-
Dark Matter May Have Been Seen for the First Time in NASA Gamma-Ray Data
A new analysis of NASA’s Fermi telescope data reveals a faint gamma-ray halo around the Milky Way’s core, matching predictions for annihilating dark-matter particles. Researchers say no known astrophysical source fits the signal, raising the possibility of the first direct evidence of dark matter. Experts, however, stress caution and call for v...
-
Mystery Deepens as Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Brightens Unexpectedly Near the Sun
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS defied expectations during its 2025 solar flyby, brightening far faster than predicted. Observatories worldwide recorded a blue coma rich in exotic gases, suggesting unique chemistry from another star system. Scientists are investigating whether its unusual composition or speed caused the outburst, marking a new interste...
-
Dark Matter May Behave Like Ordinary Matter Under Gravity, New Study Finds
A new study shows dark matter falls into cosmic gravity wells much like ordinary matter, narrowing one of astronomy’s biggest mysteries. Researchers say any unknown force acting on dark matter must be very weak, though future missions could detect smaller effects. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding how the universe’s unseen m...
-
LIGO Detect Possible Second-Generation Black Holes with Extreme Spins
LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observatories detected two extraordinary black hole collisions in late 2024—GW241011 and GW241110. The first involved a rapidly spinning black hole, while the second revealed one rotating opposite its orbit. These findings fit predictions for second-generation black holes, born from earlier mergers within crowded star clusters. T...
-
James Webb Telescope Finds Early Universe Galaxies Were More Chaotic Than We Thought
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that galaxies in the early universe were far more chaotic and unstable than once believed. A new study shows that gas turbulence and intense star formation disrupted young galaxies, reshaping scientists’ understanding of how galaxies evolved into the structured systems seen today.
-
James Webb Offers First Glimpse Into How Moons Are Built Around Distant Planets
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon-bearing molecules in a moon-forming disk surrounding CT Cha b, a massive planet-like object orbiting a young star 625 light-years away. The discovery marks the first measurement of its kind and offers clues to how moons like those around Jupiter and Saturn might have formed.
-
Astronomers Capture Sharpest-Ever Solar Flare Images with NSF’s DKIST Telescope
Astronomers have achieved a major breakthrough by capturing the sharpest images of a solar flare ever recorded, using the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). Observed at the hydrogen-alpha wavelength during the decay of an X1.3-class solar flare, the images unveiled hundreds of ultra-fine coronal loops averagin...
-
Scientists Apply Stephen Hawking's Theory to Propose Detectable ‘Black Hole Morsels’ in Space
A new study suggests “black hole morsels” — tiny, asteroid-sized black holes from cosmic mergers — could emit detectable bursts of Hawking radiation. Observatories like HESS, HAWC, and Fermi may already hold clues. Detecting them could unlock insights into quantum gravity, unknown particles, and even hidden dimensions beyond the Standard Mo...
-
Astronomers Observe Rare Supernova–Black Hole Interaction in Early Stages
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers observed SN 2023zkd, a supernova that may have been triggered by close interaction with a black hole. Featuring unusual brightness peaks and extended pre-explosion activity, the event offers new insights into star black hole dynamics. Real-time AI detection played a key role, and upcoming surveys promise t...
-
NASA Explores Industry Collaboration to Boost Swift Observatory’s Orbit and Extend Its Mission
NASA is partnering with U.S. firms to study boosting the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory’s orbit, aiming to extend its scientific life and advance orbital servicing technologies. Funded through Phase III SBIR awards, the project explores cost-effective solutions while preserving Swift’s astrophysics role. Collaboration with Starfish Space may al...
-
Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst Ever Observed Reveals Cosmic Secrets
On October 9, 2022, astronomers detected GRB 221009A, the most powerful gamma-ray burst ever recorded, earning the nickname “BOAT” (Brightest Of All Time). This rare, once-in-10,000-year event came from a galaxy 2 billion light-years away and temporarily blinded gamma-ray detectors. It revealed new insights into stellar death, as the associated...
-
PSR J0922+0638 Pulsar Keeps Glitching Every 550 Days, Scientists Are Intrigued
PSR J0922+0638, an ultradense neutron star, shows puzzling rotational glitches every 550 days. Using 22 years of radio data, scientists detected both abrupt and slow changes in its spin. These may be linked to magnetic field cycles or superfluid dynamics deep inside the star. However, the exact cause remains a mystery, demanding continued long-term...
