Welcome to the age of space scepticism – and a growing revolt against elites

Billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are among those most vocal about the benefits of exploring, mining and colonising space.

Tony Milligan, Research Fellow in the Philosophy of Ethics, Cosmological Visionaries project, King's College London • conversation
June 5, 2024 • ~8 min

New instrument to search for signs of life on other planets

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has signed an agreement for the design and construction of ANDES, the ArmazoNes high Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph.

Cambridge University News • cambridge
June 5, 2024 • ~2 min

UK cities need greener new builds – and more of them

Access to nature is provenly beneficial. Yet the UK’s urban green spaces are poorly funded and are vulnerable to local government budget cuts.

Peter Larkham, Professor of Planning, Birmingham City University • conversation
June 4, 2024 • ~8 min

Why do astronomers look for signs of life on other planets based on what life is like on Earth?

It’s hard to look for something you’ve never seen before – and that might not even exist. But you have to start somewhere.

Cole Mathis, Assistant Professor of Complex Adaptive Systems, Arizona State University • conversation
June 3, 2024 • ~9 min

The universe’s biggest explosions made some of the elements we are composed of. But there’s another mystery source out there

Analysis of two major cosmic blasts deepens the mystery of where the universe’s ‘heavy’ elements come from.

Robert Brose, Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin City University • conversation
May 30, 2024 • ~6 min

Weird system shows stars can die quietly
Kristian Bjørn-Hansen-U. Copenhagen • futurity
May 30, 2024 • ~7 min

The rush to return humans to the Moon and build lunar bases could threaten opportunities for astronomy

The best spots on the Moon for lunar bases are the same spots where scientists want to build telescopes − can these two interests coexist?

Martin Elvis, Senior Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
May 30, 2024 • ~7 min

I’m an astrophysicist mapping the universe with data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory − clear, sharp photos help me study energetic black holes

2024 marks 25 years since NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory started detecting X-rays from energetic astronomical events.

Giuseppina Fabbiano, Senior Astrophysicist, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
May 29, 2024 • ~9 min

Turning up the heat on next-generation semiconductors

Research sheds light on the properties of novel materials that could be used in electronics operating in extremely hot environments.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
May 23, 2024 • ~9 min

New calculations offer a closer peek at Pluto’s ocean

New research offers a peek at the ocean that likely covers Pluto under a shell of nitrogen, methane, and water ice.

Chris Woolston-Washington U. in St. Louis • futurity
May 22, 2024 • ~5 min

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