Frontier science, explained
Space, physics and materials news from NASA, NIST, ESA/Hubble, ESA/Webb, ESO, NOIRLab and ALMA.
NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Launches Real-Time Discovery Machine for Monitoring the Night Sky
NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory has issued its first scientific alerts, marking a historic milestone in astrophysics.
astrophysics
Webb examines Cranium Nebula
Astronomers are losing their heads over the latest images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, which bear a striking resemblance to a transparent cosmic cranium, revealing the “brain” inside.
astrophysicsnebulae
Webb locates former star that exploded as supernova
Webb shows star was surrounded by a vast shell of carbon-rich dust
astrophysics
Webb maps the mysterious upper atmosphere of Uranus
Webb provides the first vertical view of the planet’s ionosphere, revealing auroras shaped by its tilted magnetic field
astrophysicsthe solar system
Hubble identifies one of darkest known galaxies
The elusive object dubbed CDG-2 may be composed of 99% dark matter
astrophysicsgalaxiesNIST Releases New Forensic Genetic Reference Material to Help Crime Laboratories Analyze Challenging Cases
The reference material is the first to include mixtures of high-quality and degraded DNA from different individuals.
chemistry
Hubble captures light show around rapidly dying star
This stunning image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals a dramatic interplay of light and shadow in the Egg Nebula, sculpted by freshly ejected stardust.
astrophysicsstarsEpic Journey Through the Universe Observes 22 Years!
Journey Through the Universe — a partnership between the Hawaiʻi Department of Education Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area and the International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab, funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation — celebrates 22 years of cosmic exploration with Hawai‘i students.
astrophysics
Space: The Final Frontier for Standards
Seven NIST reference materials, including house dust and freeze-dried human liver tissue, have been flown to the International Space Station.
metrologyAES Andes announces cancellation of INNA, the industrial complex planned near Paranal
AES Andes announced that it will step back from the megaproject INNA, planned to be located near the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO’s) Paranal Observatory.
astrophysicsMagnetic Superhighways Discovered in a Starburst Galaxy’s Winds
For the first time, ALMA traces polarized light to map magnetic fields in the high-speed winds of Arp 220, an ultraluminous infrared galaxy
astrophysicsgalaxies
Webb pushes boundaries of observable Universe closer to Big Bang
The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has topped itself once again, delivering on its promise to push the boundaries of the observable Universe closer to cosmic dawn with the confirmation of a bright galaxy that existed 280 million years after the Big Bang.
astrophysicsgalaxies
Researchers discover hundreds of cosmic anomalies with help from AI
A team of astronomers have used a new AI-assisted method to search for rare astronomical objects in the Hubble Legacy Archive.
astrophysics
Dark Energy Survey Scientists Release Analysis of All Six Years of Survey Data
The Dark Energy Survey Collaboration collected information on hundreds of millions of galaxies across the Universe using the U.S. Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera, mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at CTIO, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.
astrophysicsgalaxies
Hubble uncovers the secret of stars that defy ageing
Some stars appear to defy time itself.
astrophysicsstars