Unusual stars may not owe their origins to hypernovae after all
Evidence for hypernovae, theorized to be the most powerful explosions in the universe, has been disputed in two papers by University College London (UCL) researchers.
Astronomers Solve Cosmic Cold Case with NASA Hubble Data
Diligent sleuthing by astronomers uncovered a surprising chemical clue that indicates the white dwarf star HS 0209+0832 may host a second-generation planet. This artist’s concept …
Striking new images of unique supernova remnant reveal pearl-like chains
The only known supernova remnant of its kind in the Milky Way has an unexpectedly intricate structure: chains of gas knots resembling pearls on a string, each wide enough to fit t…
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Catches Stunning Martian Dawn
A newly released panorama captured by NASA’s Curiosity rover offers the most detailed view yet of distant, wind-carved Martian cliffs, highlighting features the mission’s scientis…
Where are the best places for life in the cosmos? A universe in a supercomputer yields an answer
Earth seems like a troubled place right now, but at least our cosmic surroundings appear peaceful. This is not universally true, as explosions, collisions and other dangers lurk i…
To keep GPS constellations from drifting, look to the moon
Global positioning systems are a key feature in everyday life for much of the world's population. Whether it's ensuring a ship delivers its goods safely or helping you avoid a roa…
NASA’s Webb Captures Commotion From Nebula’s Stellar Jets
A cauldron of cosmic creation is being revealed in a new image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Webb has unveiled numerous stars formerly hidden by clouds of dust in a stel…
APOD: 2026 October 6 – A Complete Auroral Oval from SMILE
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 October 6 – A… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cos…
The Beaver Brown Waters of Rupert Bay
Dissolved organic matter and suspended sediment mingle in the southernmost extent of James Bay.
Neutrons, rotating black holes, and a galactic PeVatron at the center of the Milky Way
Galactic black holes are cosmic mitochondria, powerhouses of the universe. Most of the energy these supermassive black holes produce comes from the material surrounding them: supe…
Curiosity Blog, Sols 5029-5035: Back in the Lab
Written by Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator Earth planning date: Friday, Oct. 1, 2026 The majority of Curiosity plans involve mosaics from Mastcam and ChemCam…
A Journey to the Depths of Ancient Mars?
Written by Alex Jones, Ph.D. candidate at Imperial College London Sept. 29, 2026 After spending the last six months exploring “Lac de Charmes,” a region of ancient rock beyond Jez…
Quantum interactions may have locked early universe's fields into existing energy states
The universe may be trapped in its own comfort zone, and a researcher in the College of Engineering and Computer Science has helped explain why it cannot seem to leave. A new stud…
NASA to Stream SpaceX Crew-12 Return, Splashdown Live
NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 8:05 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 7, for the undocking of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission from the International Space Station, pend…
Astronomers catch a star slowly snacking on a brown dwarf, 300 light years away
Like Earth, most planetary bodies circle their star in stable, detached orbits. These companionable systems can suddenly change when a planet comes too close to its star. In such …
NASA Astronaut Christina Koch at Eagles vs. Rams
NASA astronaut and mission specialist of the agency’s Artemis II mission, Christina Koch, leads the fans in singing the Eagles Fight Song from the field at an NFL game between the…
Space radiation sparks: A biological cascade of cancer
Deep space travel comes with a huge potential downside—radiation exposure that can kill an astronaut either quickly or slowly over time if not managed correctly. But what exactly …
Tiny ancient black holes may live in a five-dimensional world
Primordial black holes (PBHs) don't exist as far as we know. But if they did, these hypothetical objects would have formed in the early universe rather than from dying stars, and …
X-rays and AI reveal how spacecraft heat shields burn in real time
Heat shields are one of the most important parts of any spacecraft that intends to enter an atmosphere. And the material they are made of is critical. Improving them has been a ch…
NASA Testing Aims at Supercooled Large Droplet Aviation Safety
NASA is leveraging its expertise and enhancing its test facilities to help address a rare but persistent aviation hazard: icing that occurs when aircraft encounter unusually large…
Suspected Second-generation Planet Solves NASA Hubble Cold Case
New analysis of archival Hubble data points to the possibility of “dead” white dwarf stars hosting second-generation planetary systems.
The phoenix planet: Astronomers find a world reborn from its star's ashes
Astronomers have discovered the first example of a second-generation planet orbiting a white dwarf, a world that appears to have formed from the remains of the dead star it now or…
Contacting NASA’s Langley Research Center
By Mail: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, VA 23681-2199 By Phone: Operator: (757) 864-1000 Public & Media Inquiries: larc-dl-public-…
Electrical technique could help identify signs of life in space
The truth is out there—but identifying signs of life in space involves an intense search for biosignatures within our solar system and beyond. However, developing sensitive yet co…