Study: Early dark energy could resolve cosmology’s two biggest puzzles

In the universe’s first billion years, this brief and mysterious force could have produced more bright galaxies than theory predicts.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
yesterday ~8 min

Cosmology is at a tipping point – we may be on the verge of discovering new physics

Right now, it looks like the cosmology is at a tipping point.

Andreea Font, Reader in Theoretical Astrophysics, Liverpool John Moores University • conversation
Sept. 12, 2024 ~13 min


The Boeing Starliner has returned to Earth without its crew – a former astronaut details what that means for NASA, Boeing and the astronauts still up in space

NASA’s decision to send Starliner’s crew home on a SpaceX capsule will have implications for Boeing, the agency itself and the astronauts still on the space station.

Michael E. Fossum, Vice President, Texas A&M University • conversation
Sept. 7, 2024 ~8 min

The Moon had surprisingly recent volcanic activity, samples from Chinese space mission confirm

Lunar volcanism was thought to have stopped two billion years ago.

Lionel Wilson, Emeritus Professor, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University • conversation
Sept. 6, 2024 ~6 min

Space travel comes with risk − and SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission will push the envelope further than any private mission has before

Traveling to space is riskier than many extreme sports − an increase in private missions could mean more civilians taking that risk.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 6, 2024 ~9 min

Tiny, compact galaxies are masters of disguise in the distant universe − searching for the secrets behind the Little Red Dots

These small galaxies are either crammed with stars or they host gigantic black holes. The data astronomers have collected continues to puzzle them.

Fabio Pacucci, Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Sept. 6, 2024 ~9 min

3 Questions: Evidence for planetary formation through gravitational instability

Assistant Professor Richard Teague describes how movement of unstable gas in a protoplanetary disk lends credibility to a secondary theory of planetary formation.

Paige Colley | EAPS • mit
Sept. 4, 2024 ~4 min

Life on alien planets probably wouldn’t experience day and night – here’s how that may change evolution

Most planets that have the potential to host life have one side always facing their sun.

Maureen Cohen, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Venus Global Climate Modelling, The Open University • conversation
Sept. 3, 2024 ~6 min


I’ve read hundreds of diary entries to quantify the restorative power of Scotland’s lochs and rivers

Diary entries revealed people’s strong appreciation of Scotland’s freshwater environments.

Megan Grace, PhD Candidate, Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling • conversation
Sept. 2, 2024 ~5 min

What is space made of? An astrophysics expert explains all the components – from radiation to dark matter – found in the vacuum of space

While space is mostly empty, it does have some matter and particles spread throughout it.

Nilakshi Veerabathina, Professor of Physics Instruction, University of Texas at Arlington • conversation
Aug. 30, 2024 ~8 min

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