Nasa/Swift/Cruz deWilde
Analysis of two major cosmic blasts deepens the mystery of where the universe’s ‘heavy’ elements come from.
A lunar base on the Moon would include solar panels for power generation, and equipment for keeping astronauts alive on the surface.
ESA - P. Carril
The best spots on the Moon for lunar bases are the same spots where scientists want to build telescopes − can these two interests coexist?
NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory detects X-ray emissions from astronomical events.
NASA/CXC & J. Vaughan
2024 marks 25 years since NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory started detecting X-rays from energetic astronomical events.
“Cosmic cliffs” in the Carina nebula, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
You have the US space program to thank for some of the technology in your phone and laptop.
An illustration of a supermassive black hole.
NASA/JPL
Studying theoretical, fast-spinning black holes is helping physicists understand more about the elusive black holes out in the universe.
NASA
Solar storms can play havoc with electrical grids, satellites and railway lines.
WASP-69b closely orbits its sun.
W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko
Research on one exoplanet that’s rapidly losing its atmosphere is hinting to scientists why exoplanets tend to look a certain way.
Austin Human/Unsplash
When rocks from space fall towards Earth, they usually don’t do any damage – here’s why.
An artist’s illustration of hydrogen disappearing from Venus.
Aurore Simonnet/ Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics/ University of Colorado Boulder
Studying Venus’ water loss can help scientists better understand how planets go from potentially habitable to incapable of supporting life.
Keith J Fink / Shutterstock
Starliner is only the second vehicle to launch astronauts from US soil since the retirement of the shuttle in 2011.
Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels
China’s Change'6 is going to explore the Moon’s far side and bring back precious lunar soil for scientists to study.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on approach to the International Space Station during an uncrewed test in 2022.
Bob Hines/NASA
The Starliner’s planned crewed test on May 6, 2024, was scrubbed after a technical issue with the rocket taking it up to orbit.
A bright Eta Aquariid meteor photobombed this photo of comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) in May 2020.
Jonti Horner
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks each year in early May, but this year it should be particularly good, thanks to dark skies and extra activity.
Artur Maltsau / Alamy Stock Photo
Astrophysicist Jacco van Loon joins us on The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast.
The three-body problem is a familiar puzzle in astrophysics.
(Shutterstock)
The Netflix series ‘3 Body Problem’ is based on Liu Cixin’s scifi novel that follows what happens to the alien residents of a planet that orbits two stars.
The equipment planned to help bring samples back from Mars.
NASA/JPL
It’s not easy to collect rocks on a budget when the rocks are 140 million miles away.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
The Perseverance rover has arrived at what’s thought to be an ancient shoreline on Mars.
ESO/A. Watts et al.
When astronomers focused on the galaxy NGC 4383, they didn’t expect the data to be so spectacular. This is the first detailed map of gas flowing from this galaxy as stars burst within.
Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024.
James Peirce/Flickr
If you look carefully at the night sky, you may spot this fuzzy visitor with the naked eye – but binoculars will help.
Artist’s impression of a fireball.
Triff / Shutterstock
The amount of space junk will increase as we continue to launch objects into space, but there are ways to curb damage on the ground.