New Scientist - Space https://www.newscientist.com/ https://www.newscientist.com/build/images/ns-logo-scaled.ed2dc11a.png https://www.newscientist.com daily 1 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834433-300-the-jwst-is-already-delivering-on-its-promise-to-transform-cosmology/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:00:00 +0100 Almost a year after its first images were released, the James Webb Space Telescope is living up to the hype, and its price tag, by revolutionising our understanding of the universe mg25834433-300-the-jwst-is-already-delivering-on-its-promise-to-transform-cosmology|2378284 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2378624-a-star-has-been-eating-an-orbiting-planet-for-85-years/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sun, 18 Jun 2023 10:00:12 +0100 A distant star called FU Orionis has been shining extraordinarily bright for the last 85 years, and it may be because it is incinerating a young, nearby planet that could be fully consumed in another 300 years 2378624-a-star-has-been-eating-an-orbiting-planet-for-85-years|2378624 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2378532-how-to-see-five-planets-align-in-the-sky-this-weekend/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:32:51 +0100 In the early morning on 17 June you will be able to see Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn appear in the sky together – here's how you can spot them, wherever you are in the world 2378532-how-to-see-five-planets-align-in-the-sky-this-weekend|2378532 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24632800-900-is-the-universe-conscious-it-seems-impossible-until-you-do-the-maths/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 29 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0100 The question of how the brain gives rise to subjective experience is the hardest of all. Mathematicians think they can help, but their first attempts have thrown up some eye-popping conclusions mg24632800-900-is-the-universe-conscious-it-seems-impossible-until-you-do-the-maths|2241831 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2378266-fastest-star-in-the-galaxy-clocked-at-2285-kilometres-per-second/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:00:54 +0100 Astronomers have spotted white dwarfs moving faster than any free-moving star seen before – so fast they must have been launched by supernovae 2378266-fastest-star-in-the-galaxy-clocked-at-2285-kilometres-per-second|2378266 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834433-200-what-the-huge-young-galaxies-seen-by-jwst-tell-us-about-the-universe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +0100 A few months ago, the James Webb Space Telescope spotted six early galaxies that were so large they threatened to break our best theory of how the cosmos evolved. Did they? mg25834433-200-what-the-huge-young-galaxies-seen-by-jwst-tell-us-about-the-universe|2378070 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2377942-fast-growing-galaxy-seen-by-jwst-offers-window-on-the-early-universe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 12 Jun 2023 16:14:48 +0100 A galaxy seen 700 million years after the big bang appears surprisingly mature, suggesting some pockets of the early universe were more tranquil than expected 2377942-fast-growing-galaxy-seen-by-jwst-offers-window-on-the-early-universe|2377942 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2377791-astronomers-are-using-a-new-supernova-to-search-for-alien-signals/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:00:29 +0100 If any alien civilisations have spotted the new supernova SN 2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy, they may use it to try to make contact 2377791-astronomers-are-using-a-new-supernova-to-search-for-alien-signals|2377791 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2377250-has-anyone-really-seen-evidence-of-aliens-visiting-earth/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:00:56 +0100 The hunt for extraterrestrial spacecraft has generally been scattered and disorganised, but now NASA is collecting all the data in one place to try to find out if any UFOs really are alien ships 2377250-has-anyone-really-seen-evidence-of-aliens-visiting-earth|2377250 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834410-800-how-to-spot-ophiuchus-the-thirteenth-zodiacal-constellation/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 31 May 2023 19:00:00 +0100 Often referred to as the thirteenth sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus sits alongside Sagittarius and Scorpius. Now is a great time to spot it, says Abigail Beall mg25834410-800-how-to-spot-ophiuchus-the-thirteenth-zodiacal-constellation|2375846 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2376729-watch-mars-livestream-by-the-european-space-agency-latest-updates/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 02 Jun 2023 16:15:33 +0100 The European Space Agency is about to attempt the first ever livestream from another planet - although the distance from Earth to Mars means there will be a short delay in broadcasting 2376729-watch-mars-livestream-by-the-european-space-agency-latest-updates|2376729 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2376644-hundreds-of-weird-filaments-of-gas-are-hiding-in-our-galaxys-centre/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 02 Jun 2023 15:00:28 +0100 Astronomers have found strange strings of hot gas near the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, and they may be hurtling towards Earth 2376644-hundreds-of-weird-filaments-of-gas-are-hiding-in-our-galaxys-centre|2376644 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2376456-planned-moon-landings-could-pelt-orbiting-spacecraft-with-dusty-debris/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 01 Jun 2023 11:31:18 +0100 The large landing vehicles planned for NASA’s upcoming moon missions could throw up large amounts of dust from the lunar surface, posing a possible danger to orbiters 2376456-planned-moon-landings-could-pelt-orbiting-spacecraft-with-dusty-debris|2376456 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2376444-jwst-has-spotted-an-enormous-plume-of-water-coming-out-of-enceladus/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 31 May 2023 18:02:58 +0100 Saturn’s moon Enceladus has a water ocean that makes it one of the most promising places to search for life, and water is spewing out of it in a jet bigger than any we have seen before 2376444-jwst-has-spotted-an-enormous-plume-of-water-coming-out-of-enceladus|2376444 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2376425-nasas-ufo-team-discusses-its-findings-publicly-for-the-first-time/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 31 May 2023 16:29:27 +0100 A NASA group that formed around a year ago to study unidentified aerial phenomena held its first public meeting ahead of a report expected in the next few weeks 2376425-nasas-ufo-team-discusses-its-findings-publicly-for-the-first-time|2376425 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834413-100-we-are-finally-closing-in-on-the-cosmic-origins-of-the-omg-particle/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 30 May 2023 17:00:00 +0100 Three decades ago, we spotted the single most energetic particle ever seen, nicknamed the 'Oh-My-God particle'. Since then, we have seen many more ultra-high-energy cosmic rays – and now we are unravelling the mystery of what produces them mg25834413-100-we-are-finally-closing-in-on-the-cosmic-origins-of-the-omg-particle|2376019 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834403-600-lab-imitations-of-the-unobservable-cosmos-can-be-genuinely-insightful/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 24 May 2023 19:00:00 +0100 Despite the obvious caveats, physicists are right to use fluids and other physical analogues to search for fresh insights about extreme cosmic phenomena, from black holes to the big bang mg25834403-600-lab-imitations-of-the-unobservable-cosmos-can-be-genuinely-insightful|2375339 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2375746-fake-alien-message-sent-to-earth-to-prepare-us-for-first-contact/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 25 May 2023 19:11:15 +0100 A coded message has been sent from a spacecraft orbiting Mars to simulate potential communication from an advanced alien civilisation 2375746-fake-alien-message-sent-to-earth-to-prepare-us-for-first-contact|2375746 https://www.newscientist.com/article/0-questions-i-dread-how-did-the-universe-begin-and-what-is-space-time/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 24 May 2023 19:00:00 +0100 As a theoretical cosmologist, you would think I'd welcome the chance to answer these questions - but it isn't clear this is an inquiry that physics can answer, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 0-questions-i-dread-how-did-the-universe-begin-and-what-is-space-time|2375159 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834402-600-why-sending-messages-to-extraterrestrials-is-controversial/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 24 May 2023 19:00:00 +0100 If there are intelligent aliens out there, should we try to get in touch with them? And who should speak for Earth, asks professor of astronomy Chris Impey mg25834402-600-why-sending-messages-to-extraterrestrials-is-controversial|2375095 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2375306-why-has-virgin-orbit-shut-down-and-what-will-happen-to-uk-spaceports/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 24 May 2023 15:42:07 +0100 Virgin Orbit's failed launch in January was the start of the end for the company, which has now sold off its assets and shut down for good. But what does this mean for Richard Branson's other space firm, Virgin Galactic? 2375306-why-has-virgin-orbit-shut-down-and-what-will-happen-to-uk-spaceports|2375306 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2375301-astronomers-race-to-observe-rare-supernova-in-a-nearby-galaxy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 24 May 2023 12:50:47 +0100 An exploding star spotted in the Pinwheel galaxy, 21 million light years from Earth, offers a rare chance to watch a supernova unfolding in real time 2375301-astronomers-race-to-observe-rare-supernova-in-a-nearby-galaxy|2375301 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2372339-was-spacexs-first-attempt-to-launch-its-starship-rocket-a-failure/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 13 May 2023 10:00:17 +0100 The huge Starship rocket made its first launch attempt on 20 April, but blew up shortly after – while the mission wasn’t a complete failure, it might be a while before we see it try to get to space again 2372339-was-spacexs-first-attempt-to-launch-its-starship-rocket-a-failure|2372339 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2373300-chaotically-shifting-planets-could-be-a-sign-of-advanced-aliens/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 12 May 2023 10:00:45 +0100 Simulations show planets that jockey for position around their star and appear to bounce off each other could survive in stable configurations - but it is unclear if they could occur naturally 2373300-chaotically-shifting-planets-could-be-a-sign-of-advanced-aliens|2373300 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2373380-astronomers-have-spotted-the-biggest-cosmic-explosion-ever-seen/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 12 May 2023 02:01:35 +0100 The most powerful explosion ever seen seems to come from a supermassive black hole devouring a colossal cloud of gas, blasting out enormous amounts of energy as it eats 2373380-astronomers-have-spotted-the-biggest-cosmic-explosion-ever-seen|2373380 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2372834-a-distant-supernova-defies-our-understanding-of-the-cosmoss-expansion/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 11 May 2023 20:00:59 +0100 The two main methods of measuring the expansion of the universe have always disagreed, and observations of a supernova found in 2014 have thrown another wrench in the works 2372834-a-distant-supernova-defies-our-understanding-of-the-cosmoss-expansion|2372834 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2373201-saturn-now-has-over-100-known-moons-more-than-any-other-planet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 10 May 2023 18:23:03 +0100 Astronomers are still discovering new natural satellites of Saturn and Jupiter, with the latest update seeing Saturn claim the crown for the solar system's most moons 2373201-saturn-now-has-over-100-known-moons-more-than-any-other-planet|2373201 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2372207-absolutely-enormous-asteroid-belt-discovered-around-a-nearby-star/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 08 May 2023 17:00:16 +0100 Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to spot strange asteroid belts around the nearby star Fomalhaut, along with evidence for at least three planets 2372207-absolutely-enormous-asteroid-belt-discovered-around-a-nearby-star|2372207 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371431-weve-seen-a-star-devouring-a-planet-for-the-first-time/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 03 May 2023 17:00:54 +0100 In a preview of what’s to come for Earth in about 5 billion years, astronomers have spotted a sun-like star gobbling up a planet and belching out a blast of light and energy 2371431-weve-seen-a-star-devouring-a-planet-for-the-first-time|2371431 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371740-remnants-of-the-universes-first-stars-may-have-been-found/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 03 May 2023 14:00:38 +0100 The first stars in our universe may have blown up in relatively weak supernovae, and astronomers believe they have found three clouds of ash remaining from those cosmic explosions 2371740-remnants-of-the-universes-first-stars-may-have-been-found|2371740 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371222-alien-messages-responding-to-nasa-signals-could-reach-us-by-2029/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 02 May 2023 13:00:14 +0100 Radio signals sent to NASA spacecraft could have already reached four neighbouring star systems, and if any aliens tried to respond, we might hear from them within a few years from now 2371222-alien-messages-responding-to-nasa-signals-could-reach-us-by-2029|2371222 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834361-700-how-to-spot-mars-travelling-through-gemini-this-week/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:00:00 +0100 No matter where you live, Mars is currently taking a little stroll through Gemini, so it is a great time to get to know this constellation with its twin stars, Castor and Pollux, and take a look at the Red Planet too, says Abby Beall mg25834361-700-how-to-spot-mars-travelling-through-gemini-this-week|2370459 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370825-our-galaxys-black-hole-may-have-made-a-huge-x-ray-flare-205-years-ago/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 29 Apr 2023 10:00:13 +0100 The supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way may have blasted out a powerful burst of X-rays two centuries ago, possibly due to eating a star 2370825-our-galaxys-black-hole-may-have-made-a-huge-x-ray-flare-205-years-ago|2370825 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371296-it-may-have-been-snowing-on-mars-400000-years-ago/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 28 Apr 2023 20:00:36 +0100 China’s Zhurong rover has found evidence for liquid water on the surface of Mars - and it probably began as snow or frost that melted into sand dunes 2371296-it-may-have-been-snowing-on-mars-400000-years-ago|2371296 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834360-100-what-was-the-universes-first-second-like-these-particles-can-tell-us/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0100 If we could detect them, cosmic neutrinos would paint a picture of the universe in the instant after it began. Physicist Martin Bauer has come up with a plan to do just that mg25834360-100-what-was-the-universes-first-second-like-these-particles-can-tell-us|2370261 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371065-one-star-being-eaten-by-another-will-take-revenge-as-a-black-hole/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 27 Apr 2023 01:01:20 +0100 Astronomers have found one huge star eating another, but the smaller star is predicted to eventually become a black hole and go on to feed off its companion 2371065-one-star-being-eaten-by-another-will-take-revenge-as-a-black-hole|2371065 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25533970-300-your-essential-guide-to-the-many-breathtaking-wonders-of-the-universe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 22 Apr 2023 18:00:00 +0100 An abridged inventory of everything there is in the universe – from rogue planets and exomoons to supernovae, supermassive black holes and the cosmic web. mg25533970-300-your-essential-guide-to-the-many-breathtaking-wonders-of-the-universe|2330521 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370616-detailed-image-of-supermassive-black-hole-shows-its-powerful-jet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:00:26 +0100 An image of a black hole called M87* shows never-before-seen details of matter falling into its centre and a jet shooting out of it, which has given astronomers a better understanding of the dynamics around this behemoth 2370616-detailed-image-of-supermassive-black-hole-shows-its-powerful-jet|2370616 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370784-japanese-hakuto-r-spacecraft-seems-to-have-crash-landed-on-the-moon/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 25 Apr 2023 19:31:53 +0100 A lunar lander from Japanese company ispace attempted to become the first craft from a private firm to touch down safely on the surface of the moon – but it lost communications just before landing 2370784-japanese-hakuto-r-spacecraft-seems-to-have-crash-landed-on-the-moon|2370784 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370639-watch-japans-ispace-attempt-moon-landing-with-hakuto-r-lunar-lander/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:00:32 +0100 The Hakuto-R lander from Japanese company ispace could become the first craft from a private firm to touch down safely on the surface of the moon – watch it live from 4pm BST 2370639-watch-japans-ispace-attempt-moon-landing-with-hakuto-r-lunar-lander|2370639 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370594-jwst-has-spotted-the-most-distant-galaxy-cluster-ever-seen/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 24 Apr 2023 22:52:11 +0100 The James Webb Space Telescope has found the most distant galaxy cluster ever seen, at 30 billion light years away. Researchers say it’s probably one of the biggest clusters in the universe by now 2370594-jwst-has-spotted-the-most-distant-galaxy-cluster-ever-seen|2370594 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370417-amazing-images-of-marss-moon-deimos-snapped-by-emirates-mars-mission/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:00:25 +0100 The Hope orbiter got closer to Mars’s moons Deimos and Phobos than any probe before, collecting unprecedented images and data that hints at the moons’ true origins 2370417-amazing-images-of-marss-moon-deimos-snapped-by-emirates-mars-mission|2370417 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370186-spacexs-efforts-to-make-satellites-less-bright-arent-working-well/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 22 Apr 2023 09:00:09 +0100 Megaconstellations of satellites are a problem for astronomy, and while SpaceX has made several attempts to dim its Starlink satellites, they don't seem to be having the desired effect 2370186-spacexs-efforts-to-make-satellites-less-bright-arent-working-well|2370186 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369967-martian-base-on-earth-set-to-host-first-astronauts/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 22 Apr 2023 08:30:26 +0100 Four people will soon move into the Space Analog for the Moon and Mars (SAM) base in Arizona 2369967-martian-base-on-earth-set-to-host-first-astronauts|2369967 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369136-how-to-watch-the-lyrids-meteor-shower-peak-this-weekend/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:32:10 +0100 You have a decent chance of seeing shooting stars from anywhere in the world during the Lyrids meteor shower peak in the early hours of 22 and 23 April 2369136-how-to-watch-the-lyrids-meteor-shower-peak-this-weekend|2369136 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369755-distant-world-breaks-record-for-heaviest-element-on-an-exoplanet/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:42:44 +0100 The element samarium has been spotted in the atmosphere of a planet called MASCARA-4b, breaking the record for heaviest element ever detected in a world beyond our solar system 2369755-distant-world-breaks-record-for-heaviest-element-on-an-exoplanet|2369755 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369958-weird-dark-matter-waves-seem-to-warp-the-light-from-distant-galaxies/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:00:10 +0100 Ultralight dark matter particles that behave like waves, called axions, seem to be a better match for gravitational lensing measurements than more traditional explanations for dark matter 2369958-weird-dark-matter-waves-seem-to-warp-the-light-from-distant-galaxies|2369958 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2370122-spacexs-enormous-starship-rocket-finally-launched-and-then-exploded/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:04:25 +0100 The launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket, the biggest and most powerful to ever fly, didn't quite go as planned. It lifted off from the Starbase launch facility in Texas on 20 April but exploded a few minutes afterwards 2370122-spacexs-enormous-starship-rocket-finally-launched-and-then-exploded|2370122 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369895-starship-launch-livestream-watch-as-spacex-begins-second-attempt/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:40:53 +0100 SpaceX’s powerful Starship rocket is due to make another launch attempt on 20 April after the first attempt was cancelled – watch the launch live here 2369895-starship-launch-livestream-watch-as-spacex-begins-second-attempt|2369895 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369297-spacex-launch-cancelled-why-didnt-elon-musks-starship-blast-off/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:39:03 +0100 The first test of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, was due to take place on 17 April but was cancelled due to a frozen valve 2369297-spacex-launch-cancelled-why-didnt-elon-musks-starship-blast-off|2369297 https://www.newscientist.com/video/2369129-esas-juice-mission-launches-to-jupiter/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:02:28 +0100 Moons of Jupiter, here we come. Watch live: ESA’s JUICE mission launches to Jupiter 2369129-esas-juice-mission-launches-to-jupiter|2369129 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368832-juice-livestream-watch-the-launch-of-esas-mission-to-jupiters-moons/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:53:56 +0100 The JUICE mission to explore three of Jupiter’s icy moons and examine whether they have the right conditions for life is launching on 14 April. Watch the live launch coverage here 2368832-juice-livestream-watch-the-launch-of-esas-mission-to-jupiters-moons|2368832 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368553-the-juice-mission-to-explore-jupiters-ocean-moons-is-about-to-launch/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:13:39 +0100 Jupiter’s icy moons are thought to host buried oceans that could have the right conditions for life, and the European Space Agency’s JUICE mission is about to go find out if they do 2368553-the-juice-mission-to-explore-jupiters-ocean-moons-is-about-to-launch|2368553 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368055-exoplanets-with-a-permanent-day-side-may-sometimes-flip-into-night/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:00:32 +0100 Some planets outside our solar system are thought to be tidally locked, with one side always facing their star, creating a world divided into hot and cold. Now, it seems this set-up may not be permanent after all, allowing the two sides to flip 2368055-exoplanets-with-a-permanent-day-side-may-sometimes-flip-into-night|2368055 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367734-tonight-is-your-best-chance-to-see-mercury-in-the-night-sky/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 11 Apr 2023 07:00:52 +0100 As the smallest planet in the solar system, and the closest to the sun, Mercury is hard to spot - but 11 April offers potentially good viewing 2367734-tonight-is-your-best-chance-to-see-mercury-in-the-night-sky|2367734 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368361-x-ray-map-of-the-crab-nebula-reveals-strange-pockets-of-turbulence/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:36:13 +0100 The Crab nebula is one of the most thoroughly studied cosmic objects ever, but new observations have revealed that it’s far more complex than anyone accounted for 2368361-x-ray-map-of-the-crab-nebula-reveals-strange-pockets-of-turbulence|2368361 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2369173-starship-livestream-watch-spacex-launch-the-most-powerful-rocket-ever/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:40:38 +0100 Elon Musk's SpaceX is expected to launch its Starship rocket from Boca Chica, Texas, later today 2369173-starship-livestream-watch-spacex-launch-the-most-powerful-rocket-ever|2369173 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367584-what-are-the-prospects-for-life-on-the-icy-moons-europa-and-enceladus/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 10 Apr 2023 11:00:29 +0100 As far as we know, there are three main ingredients required for life: liquid water, an energy source and complex chemistry. Do Europa or Enceladus have them all? 2367584-what-are-the-prospects-for-life-on-the-icy-moons-europa-and-enceladus|2367584 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368321-a-supermassive-black-hole-is-hurtling-away-from-its-home-galaxy/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 07 Apr 2023 21:46:23 +0100 For the first time, researchers have spotted what appears to be a supermassive black hole flying away from its home galaxy at incredible speeds, trailing bursts of star formation behind it 2368321-a-supermassive-black-hole-is-hurtling-away-from-its-home-galaxy|2368321 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368271-breathtaking-jwst-image-of-uranus-shows-rings-clouds-and-a-polar-cap/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:20:20 +0100 We only have a few images of the rings around Uranus, but now the James Webb Space Telescope has captured a startling view 2368271-breathtaking-jwst-image-of-uranus-shows-rings-clouds-and-a-polar-cap|2368271 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2368042-solar-flares-made-in-the-lab-could-teach-us-about-the-real-thing/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:00:40 +0100 We don't fully understand how the sun spits out high-energy particles during a solar flare, so researchers have created a miniature version in the lab 2368042-solar-flares-made-in-the-lab-could-teach-us-about-the-real-thing|2368042 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367577-nasa-announces-four-astronauts-for-artemis-ii-mission-around-the-moon/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:42:20 +0100 NASA has selected four crew members to travel around the moon in its Artemis II mission, planned for late 2024: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen 2367577-nasa-announces-four-astronauts-for-artemis-ii-mission-around-the-moon|2367577 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734321-500-how-to-spot-the-beehive-cluster-in-the-constellation-of-cancer/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:00:00 +0100 Nestled within the faintest of the zodiacal constellations, the Beehive cluster can be tricky to find, but these stars are worth the effort, says Abigail Beall mg25734321-500-how-to-spot-the-beehive-cluster-in-the-constellation-of-cancer|2366339 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367328-we-may-finally-know-how-hawkings-black-hole-paradox-could-be-solved/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 31 Mar 2023 21:55:09 +0100 Under the laws of quantum mechanics, information about what has fallen into a black hole cannot be destroyed, and now researchers claim they have figured out how it is preserved 2367328-we-may-finally-know-how-hawkings-black-hole-paradox-could-be-solved|2367328 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367202-bits-of-saturns-rings-are-falling-onto-the-planet-and-heating-it-up/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:47:32 +0100 Observations from five spacecraft over 40 years have shown that as Saturn’s rings slowly disintegrate, the particles fall into the planet’s atmosphere and heat it 2367202-bits-of-saturns-rings-are-falling-onto-the-planet-and-heating-it-up|2367202 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2366656-jwst-has-spotted-the-earliest-black-hole-ever-seen-in-the-universe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:00:31 +0100 The discovery of a black hole that formed just 570 million years after the big bang could help us understand the evolution of these cosmic behemoths 2366656-jwst-has-spotted-the-earliest-black-hole-ever-seen-in-the-universe|2366656 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367101-this-map-of-venus-shows-every-volcano-we-know-about-on-its-surface/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:25:40 +0100 Mapping the volcanoes of Venus is surprisingly easier than doing the same on Earth, because many of the volcanoes on our planet are hidden beneath the sea 2367101-this-map-of-venus-shows-every-volcano-we-know-about-on-its-surface|2367101 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734320-700-why-space-scientists-need-science-fiction/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:00:00 +0100 Carl Sagan's novel Contact, in which Ellie Arroway searches for alien intelligence, has been an inspiration and a guide, says Chanda Prescod-Weinstein mg25734320-700-why-space-scientists-need-science-fiction|2366321 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2366440-the-most-powerful-space-explosion-ever-seen-keeps-baffling-astronomers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 28 Mar 2023 20:00:27 +0100 A gamma ray burst observed in 2022 was brighter than any explosion ever spotted before, and follow-up observations are threatening to break our understanding of how these blasts work 2366440-the-most-powerful-space-explosion-ever-seen-keeps-baffling-astronomers|2366440 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2366236-jwst-finds-the-planet-trappist-1b-may-not-have-an-atmosphere/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:00:45 +0100 Many researchers thought the worlds orbiting the star TRAPPIST-1 would have thick atmospheres, but new observations of one of them show that it doesn’t 2366236-jwst-finds-the-planet-trappist-1b-may-not-have-an-atmosphere|2366236 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2366405-astronauts-could-mine-drinking-water-from-glass-beads-on-the-moon/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0100 Glass beads created by meteoroid impacts on the lunar surface should contain enough water for future astronauts to use 2366405-astronauts-could-mine-drinking-water-from-glass-beads-on-the-moon|2366405 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734320-300-the-hunt-for-black-holes-older-than-the-universe-itself/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0100 Primordial black holes older than the big bang could rewrite cosmology by providing evidence for a previous universe. It's a wild idea, but some physicists think we've got a chance of finding them mg25734320-300-the-hunt-for-black-holes-older-than-the-universe-itself|2366091 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2365635-how-to-see-the-moon-venus-jupiter-and-mars-line-up-tonight/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:00:05 +0000 Tonight, after sunset, it will be possible to see three planets line up with the crescent moon – and a fourth, if you have binoculars and a dark sky 2365635-how-to-see-the-moon-venus-jupiter-and-mars-line-up-tonight|2365635 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2365625-fissures-on-ocean-moons-may-be-too-rare-to-provide-conditions-for-life/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 22 Mar 2023 21:09:22 +0000 Fractures on the seafloors of Europa and Enceladus are thought to provide energy and nutrients crucial for any life that might exist there, but they may not experience enough stress to crack 2365625-fissures-on-ocean-moons-may-be-too-rare-to-provide-conditions-for-life|2365625 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2365126-samples-from-asteroid-ryugu-contain-one-of-the-building-blocks-of-rna/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:00:20 +0000 The Hayabusa 2 spacecraft brought back samples from Ryugu in 2020, and an analysis of a tiny portion of those samples has revealed key ingredients for life 2365126-samples-from-asteroid-ryugu-contain-one-of-the-building-blocks-of-rna|2365126 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364995-asteroids-that-speed-up-unexpectedly-may-be-dark-comets-in-disguise/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 21 Mar 2023 06:00:25 +0000 Some asteroids appear to accelerate in ways that can’t be accounted for by gravity, suggesting they might be firing out invisible jets of gas - like those of comets 2364995-asteroids-that-speed-up-unexpectedly-may-be-dark-comets-in-disguise|2364995 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2365187-spring-equinox-2023-why-day-and-night-arent-actually-equal-in-length/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:46:19 +0000 The 2023 vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere occurs on 20 March, but it’s not strictly true that this means day and night are the same length 2365187-spring-equinox-2023-why-day-and-night-arent-actually-equal-in-length|2365187 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364910-quantum-effects-could-be-key-to-the-chemistry-of-life-on-titan/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Sat, 18 Mar 2023 17:00:21 +0000 Saturn’s moon Titan is too cold for many types of chemical reactions, but quantum tunnelling could present a loophole that would allow reactions that are crucial for life 2364910-quantum-effects-could-be-key-to-the-chemistry-of-life-on-titan|2364910 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364628-nasa-unveils-new-spacesuit-for-artemis-moon-mission-astronauts/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:59:46 +0000 A spacesuit designed for the Artemis moon missions is much lighter than those worn by the Apollo astronauts, and allows a greater range of motion 2364628-nasa-unveils-new-spacesuit-for-artemis-moon-mission-astronauts|2364628 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2363950-galaxy-may-have-eaten-all-its-neighbours-and-now-its-all-alone/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:54:24 +0000 Astronomers have spotted an object with all the hallmarks of a galaxy cluster, but containing only one galaxy – hinting it may have swallowed up all of its neighbours 2363950-galaxy-may-have-eaten-all-its-neighbours-and-now-its-all-alone|2363950 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364388-jwst-took-a-stunning-picture-of-a-star-thats-about-to-go-supernova/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:17:14 +0000 The James Webb Space Telescope has taken an astonishingly detailed image of a Wolf-Rayet star as it blows off its outer layers in preparation to go supernova 2364388-jwst-took-a-stunning-picture-of-a-star-thats-about-to-go-supernova|2364388 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2363077-the-first-3d-printed-rocket-is-about-to-launch-into-space/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:43:11 +0000 US aerospace start-up Relativity Space is planning to launch its 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket on 8 March, skipping planned tests and heading straight for orbit 2363077-the-first-3d-printed-rocket-is-about-to-launch-into-space|2363077 https://www.newscientist.com/video/2363264-japans-h3-rocket-self-destructs-following-launch-failure/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:00:32 +0000 Japan's H3 rocket fails to launch after encountering an issue with its stage two engine ignition 2363264-japans-h3-rocket-self-destructs-following-launch-failure|2363264 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2362868-galaxies-missing-matter-may-be-found-but-now-theres-too-much-of-it/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 06 Mar 2023 08:00:07 +0000 Most galaxies seemed to be missing a huge proportion of the matter we expected them to have – now researchers may have found its hiding spot, but the discovery contradicts accepted models of galaxy formation 2362868-galaxies-missing-matter-may-be-found-but-now-theres-too-much-of-it|2362868 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2363059-how-to-understand-wormholes-and-their-weird-quantum-effects/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:31:48 +0000 Classical relativity suggests that nothing could pass through a wormhole and exit, but quantum effects change that, says space reporter Leah Crane 2363059-how-to-understand-wormholes-and-their-weird-quantum-effects|2363059 https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734281-200-a-stargazers-guide-to-managing-light-pollution/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:00:00 +0000 Light pollution is an issue for astronomers, but you can limit your contribution – and find a dark spot near you, says Abigail Beall mg25734281-200-a-stargazers-guide-to-managing-light-pollution|2361410 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2362341-hubble-space-telescope-images-are-being-spoiled-by-satellite-trails/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 02 Mar 2023 16:00:02 +0000 With so many satellites now in orbit, some are straying across Hubble’s field of view as it is taking photographs of distant celestial objects 2362341-hubble-space-telescope-images-are-being-spoiled-by-satellite-trails|2362341 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2362322-spacex-launches-crew-6-astronaut-team-to-international-space-station/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:09:37 +0000 An international team of astronauts launched towards the International Space Station this morning in Space X’s Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule on top of a Falcon 9 rocket 2362322-spacex-launches-crew-6-astronaut-team-to-international-space-station|2362322 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361970-what-we-learned-from-nasas-asteroid-smashing-dart-mission/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:00:23 +0000 The Double Asteroid Redirection Test smashed into the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, and the huge plume of rubble from the collision more than tripled the momentum transferred from the spacecraft to the asteroid 2361970-what-we-learned-from-nasas-asteroid-smashing-dart-mission|2361970 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2362038-what-is-the-venus-jupiter-conjunction-and-how-can-you-view-it/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 01 Mar 2023 12:15:37 +0000 The solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter, and its brightest planet, Venus, will appear to touch in the sky tonight – here’s why 2362038-what-is-the-venus-jupiter-conjunction-and-how-can-you-view-it|2362038 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361795-northern-lights-the-best-pictures-of-the-aurora-taken-across-the-uk/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:44:14 +0000 The northern lights, or aurora borealis, usually occur near the Arctic – but solar activity has seen much of the UK treated to the spectacular nighttime display 2361795-northern-lights-the-best-pictures-of-the-aurora-taken-across-the-uk|2361795 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361798-spacex-launches-starlink-v2-satellites-to-increase-internet-capacity/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:32:19 +0000 A new generation of Starlink’s internet satellites will orbit at low altitudes and eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, limiting the amount of clutter in orbit 2361798-spacex-launches-starlink-v2-satellites-to-increase-internet-capacity|2361798 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361381-how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-the-uk-tonight/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:56:55 +0000 The northern lights, or aurora borealis, were seen as far south as Cornwall in the UK on Sunday night, and are likely to be visible again on Monday night. Here is how to spot them, says Stargazing at Home columnist Abigail Beall 2361381-how-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-the-uk-tonight|2361381 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361421-spacex-launch-scrapped-at-last-minute-leaving-nasa-astronauts-grounded/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:10:47 +0000 Four NASA astronauts were scheduled to set off for the International Space Station this morning on the SpaceX Crew-6 mission but engineers detected a fault on their rocket 2361421-spacex-launch-scrapped-at-last-minute-leaving-nasa-astronauts-grounded|2361421 https://www.newscientist.com/video/2361159-stunning-nighttime-views-from-europes-first-dark-sky-sanctuary/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 24 Feb 2023 09:50:07 +0000 An island off the coast of north Wales has become the first place in Europe to be awarded dark sky sanctuary certification 2361159-stunning-nighttime-views-from-europes-first-dark-sky-sanctuary|2361159 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361033-welsh-island-ynys-enlli-becomes-europes-first-dark-sky-sanctuary/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:57:32 +0000 Ynys Enlli, located 3 kilometres off the coast of Wales and also known as Bardsey Island, is now officially one of the best places in the world to see the stars 2361033-welsh-island-ynys-enlli-becomes-europes-first-dark-sky-sanctuary|2361033 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360662-huge-young-galaxies-seen-by-jwst-may-upend-our-models-of-the-universe/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:00:53 +0000 Galaxies spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope seem far too massive to have formed so early on in the universe’s history, which could be a problem for our ideas of galaxy formation 2360662-huge-young-galaxies-seen-by-jwst-may-upend-our-models-of-the-universe|2360662 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360225-mars-rover-sensors-may-not-be-sensitive-enough-to-find-signs-of-life/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:00:54 +0000 While testing Mars rover sensors in the Atacama desert, researchers inadvertently found a variety of unclassifiable microorganisms called “the dark biome” 2360225-mars-rover-sensors-may-not-be-sensitive-enough-to-find-signs-of-life|2360225 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2359129-were-hurtling-into-a-new-region-of-interstellar-space-what-now/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:00:00 +0000 As we speed towards a mysterious new bubble of interstellar space, new insights are revealing its exotic chemistry, strange waves and vast bubbles, and their ramifications for life on Earth 2359129-were-hurtling-into-a-new-region-of-interstellar-space-what-now|2359129 https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360065-a-weird-comet-is-travelling-through-space-with-a-dust-blob-it-made/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=space Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:47:25 +0000 Comet 108P/Ciffreo was spotted in 1985 hurtling through space alongside a strange blob of dust, and now astronomers have finally figured out where the blob came from 2360065-a-weird-comet-is-travelling-through-space-with-a-dust-blob-it-made|2360065