Chang’e-5 samples reveal Moon rocks dating back less than 2 billion years – the youngest we've seen

A key goal of the Chang'e-5 mission was to find evidence of some of the youngest volcanic eruptions on the Moon.

Romain Tartese, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester • conversation
Oct. 7, 2021 • ~6 min

Energy burst from most distant known galaxy might have been a satellite orbiting Earth

Did we observe the most distant gamma ray burst yet seen, or was it something closer to home?

Christopher Lovell, Postdoctoral Researcher in Astronomy, University of Hertfordshire • conversation
Oct. 5, 2021 • ~6 min

How many stars are there in space?

Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe.

Brian Jackson, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Boise State University • conversation
Sept. 20, 2021 • ~5 min

James Webb Space Telescope: An astronomer on the team explains how to send a giant telescope to space – and why

The largest orbital telescope ever made will allow astronomers to study the atmospheres of alien planets, learn about how stars form in the Milky Way and peer into the farthest reaches of the universe.

Marcia Rieke, Regents Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 15, 2021 • ~9 min

Why are planets round?

Gravity, mass and centrifugal force all contribute to the final shape of a planet.

James Webb, Professor and Director, Stocker AstroScience Center for Physics; Stocker AstroScience Center, Florida International University • conversation
Sept. 7, 2021 • ~4 min

From flying boats to secret Soviet weapons to alien visitors – a brief cultural history of UFOs

The history of UFOs weaves together public fascination, government secrecy and cultural phenomena. Recent news and shifts in the government's stance on UFOs are giving new life to the mystery.

Greg Eghigian, Professor of History, Penn State • conversation
July 8, 2021 • ~9 min

Four ways artificial intelligence is helping us learn about the universe

Machine learning is helping astronomers unravel the vast amounts of data being collected.

Ashley Spindler, Research Fellow, Astrophysics, University of Hertfordshire • conversation
July 1, 2021 • ~6 min

Does outer space end – or go on forever?

Astronomers know a lot about what's in outer space – and think it's possible it never ends.

Jack Singal, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Richmond • conversation
June 21, 2021 • ~6 min

535 new fast radio bursts help answer deep questions about the universe and shed light on these mysterious cosmic events

Fast radio bursts are the focus of a young and fascinating field of astronomy. Researchers just released data on more than 500 new bursts, quadrupling the total number of detected events.

Emmanuel Fonseca, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, West Virginia University • conversation
June 9, 2021 • ~9 min

Four ways to enjoy a solar eclipse

Test out scientific ideas, connect with your ancestors or just marvel at the beauty of nature.

Samantha Rolfe, Lecturer in Astrobiology and Principal Technical Officer at Bayfordbury Observatory, University of Hertfordshire • conversation
June 8, 2021 • ~6 min

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