Chang'e 6 brought rocks from the far side of the Moon back to Earth − a planetary scientist explains what this sample could hold

The far side of the Moon has a very different composition from the near side − so researchers are eager to see what stories these samples will tell.

Jeffrey Gillis-Davis, Research Professor of Physics, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
Aug. 6, 2024 • ~9 min

A new ‘guest star’ will appear in the sky in 2024 − a space scientist explains how nova events work and where to look

Your favorite TV show isn’t the only place where guest stars might appear. Keep an eye on the sky for the second half of 2024 and you might be able to witness a rare astronomical event.

Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
Aug. 1, 2024 • ~8 min

Supermassive black holes have masses of more than a million suns – but their growth has slowed as the universe has aged

X-rays emitted around black holes can tell astrophysicists about how fast they’re growing.

W. Niel Brandt, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
July 12, 2024 • ~6 min

Why do some planets have moons? A physics expert explains why Earth has only one moon while other planets have hundreds

It’s not a competition, but if it were, Saturn would be winning.

Nicole Granucci, Instructor of Physics, Quinnipiac University • conversation
June 24, 2024 • ~7 min

The Hubble telescope has shifted into one-gyro mode after months of technical issues − an aerospace engineering expert explains

Hubble’s technical issues continue. But through some clever engineering, the telescope can continue operations with just 1 gyroscope.

Panagiotis Tsiotras, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
June 17, 2024 • ~6 min

Scientists call the region of space influenced by the Sun the heliosphere – but without an interstellar probe, they don’t know much about its shape

An interstellar probe could help scientists answer fundamental questions about how the Sun influences Earth, space and other planets in the solar system.

Sarah A. Spitzer, Research Fellow in Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
June 7, 2024 • ~9 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

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

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