By putting a huge umbrella into space, we could come closer to finding extraterrestrial life
FutureTech
FutureTech
Astronomy
Two halves have unified to make the James Webb Space Telescope
This next-generation space telescope, due to launch in 2021, will detail our solar system and beyond into the cosmos
Deep Space
Astronomers spot a ‘football-shaped’ exoplanet kicking out heavy metals
The hot-Jupiter WASP-121b has metals such as iron and magnesium flee the host planet due to its weak gravity
Space Exploration
Tiny satellites could lead the way for huge next-generation telescopes
With the proposal for enormous space telescopes becoming more serious, engineers suggest using tiny satellites as ‘guide stars’ for any future telescope
News
Space telescope captures most of the early universe’s starlight
The analysis estimates the formation rate of stars and provides a reference for future missions that will explore the still-murky early days of stellar evolution
Deep Space
One world in the TRAPPIST-1 system could be Earth-like
Rigorous modelling was conducted of the TRAPPIST-1 system, focussing on the chemistry and radiation of the environment
Deep Space
Oddball features spotted around neutron star for the first time
The observation could help astronomers better understand the evolution of these collapsed stellar cores
Deep Space
NASA identifies the science of extraterrestrial life
Researchers in astronomy, biology and geology have come together in the search for life on distant planets
Astronomy
Astronomers plan for interstellar water search
One of the James Webb Space Telescope’s preliminary missions will be to search for water in a nearby star-forming region
Deep Space
Unveiling the atmospheres of the TRAPPIST-1 system
Three Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 lack hydrogen in their atmospheres, which could be a good sign for its habitability
Deep Space
James Webb Space Telescope will hunt down brown dwarfs
Astronomers hope to understand the elusive object that forms a bridge between stars and planets
Deep Space
Double-world discovery could solve ‘puffy planet’ mystery
Since astronomers first measured the size of an extrasolar planet 17 years ago, they have struggled to answer the question: how did the largest planets get to be so large?
Astronomy
Targets pinpointed for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
After much consideration, the next-generation instrument will observe 13 targets in its first five months of scientific observations
News
Alien volcanoes could improve chances of finding life on exoplanets
Hydrogen pouring from volcanic sources on planets throughout the universe could improve chances of locating life in the cosmos
News
Seven Earth-sized planets discovered just 40 light years away
The system has both the largest number of Earth-sized planets yet found and the largest number of worlds that could support liquid water on their surfaces
News
Possible water vapour plumes spotted erupting from Europa
Missions may be able to sample the Jupiter moon’s ocean without having to drill through miles of ice
News
Universe is expanding faster than previously thought
Astronomers have obtained the most precise measurement yet of how fast the universe is expanding at the present time
News
Potentially habitable worlds found just 40 light years from Earth
Similar in size and temperature to Venus and Earth, the exoplanets are the best targets so far in our search for life
News
FREE PREVIEW: All About Space issue 51
Don’t miss the transit of Mercury with our complete guide to the rarest astronomical event of the decade
News
Hubble spots galaxy 13.4 billion years in the past
Astronomers have shattered the cosmic distance record by measuring the farthest galaxy ever seen in the universe