Planets may form more easily around pairs of stars than around single stars like the sun, according to new research.
Binary star systems, in which two stars orbit each other, are common throughout the Milky Way — and, in fact, even our sun may not have always been alone. For decades, astronomers believed such multi-star systems were hostile environments for planet formation, with competing…
Aurora expert captures rare pulsating northern lights in remarkable detail: 'One of the most profound sightings of my career'
April 29, 2026
When Tom Kerss, chief aurora chaser for the Norwegian coastal voyage operator Hurtigruten, was looking back through footage from his latest season of northern lights voyages, he stumbled upon something truly remarkable.
“I’ve been chasing the Northern Lights…
By peering through thick veils of gas and dust, radio astronomers have been able to watch young binary stars orbit around one another in the heart of star-forming clouds – and, in the process, have revealed the stars’ masses.
Stars are born in vast clouds of…
Could the moon ever be blockaded? Experts predict cislunar space could be the next Strait of Hormuz
April 29, 2026
The ongoing military conflict regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz may well mirror a future situation off-Earth — the use of cislunar space, the region between the moon and our planet. Think blockades, seizing of ships, impacts on the global economy, repercussions in terms of needed resources and markets, from fuel to high-tech semiconductors and production processes. Now turn your attention…
Astrobotic fires next-generation 'rotating detonation rocket engine' in record-breaking test (video)
April 28, 2026
Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic has completed a successful series of hot-fire tests of its rotating detonation rocket engine prototype Chakram, marking a key milestone toward bringing the experimental propulsion technology to flight readiness.
Rotating detonation rocket…
AI image processing has sped up analysis of data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope from years to mere days or less, ushering in an avalanche of ground-breaking discoveries that may otherwise never have been made.
And now, the technology will be used to enhance the…
NASA wants to use a fleet of MoonFall drones to scout the lunar south pole: 'We believe we can do it'
April 28, 2026
Last month, NASA chief Jared Isaacman ripped off the Band-Aid on the space agency’s back-to-the-moon agenda, calling for a large overhaul of NASA’s Artemis Program. One of his announcements was a speedy series of robotic missions to scout, conduct experiments and prepare for surface operations ahead of any “rebooting” of the lunar landscape by astronauts in 2028.
As part…
Hubble Telescope celebrates 36th anniversary with gorgeous new image of famous Trifid Nebula
April 27, 2026
NASA celebrates Hubble’s 36th anniversary with a new image of the Trifid Nebula, a star-forming region it first captured in 1997. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI))
The Hubble Space Telescope is celebrating its 36th…
Sun unleashes 2 colossal X-flares within 7 hours of each other, knocking out radio signals on Earth
April 27, 2026
The first X-flare peaked at 9:07 p.m. EDT on April 23 (0107 GMT April 24) (Image credit: NOAA GOES-19)
The sun has certainly woken up! It has fired off not one but two powerful X2.5 solar flares within just 7 hours.
Both eruptions came from a sunspot region on the…
HOUSTON — The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal once again calls for steep cuts to NASA, and has set up a familiar clash with Congress over how the space agency should be funded.
The White House released its fiscal year (FY) 2027 federal budget request on April 3 — just two days after the launch of NASA’s Artemis 2 mission, while the four astronauts aboard Orion were…
