Science
Galaxies tangled in science and spirit | Space photo of the day for Sept. 7, 2026
"Astronomy is not just science or spirit; it's both at the same time."
Rare pulsar unleashes 114 giant pulses in a single hour
Astronomers have detected extreme, never-before-seen behavior from a rare kind of pulsar and stumbled on a surprising link to one of astronomy's biggest current mysteries. Using 1…
Decades-old museum specimens reveal 10 extraordinary new worms
Scientists have discovered that one of the most unusual creatures in the animal kingdom is far more diverse and evolutionarily complex than previously known. An international team…
Do black holes have hidden hair? Scientists find a new way to check
When two black holes crash together and merge, the newly formed black hole rings like a bell, sending out gravitational waves with specific frequencies that fade over time. This b…
The future of Earth observation: Private satellites and AI bring benefits but also pose risks
We've entered a new world of Earth observation, in which artificial intelligence helps researchers make sense of an ever-glowing glut of privately gathered data.
Behind the scenes: The science that confirmed Australia's first H5 bird flu case
When a suspected case of H5 bird flu arrived in Australia, CSIRO scientists knew the first hours would matter.
Heatwaves and wildfires are setting back air quality improvements, UN finds
WMO report details extreme weather events causing climatic feedback loop with serious health consequencesBig increases in wildfires and heatwaves supercharged by the climate crisi…
The 20th data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the largest multispectral imaging and spectroscopic redshift survey of the cosmos, has released its 20th data release (DR 20). It is also the …
Three quantum phases in chromium-based material hint at a spin-triplet superconductor
Superconductors are materials that conduct electricity without electrical resistance when cooled below a specific critical temperature. These materials have proved promising for t…
Cheaper than Prime Day, this super-portable, beginner-friendly telescope is my number one choice for skywatching
20% off at Amazon, the Celestron FirstScope is the telescope I grab for quick stargazing sessions and it's ideal for beginners and kids too.
Glowworms shine again in North Yorkshire after larvae reared in garden shed
Volunteer ‘glow-getters’ overseeing reintroduction of endangered beetles at Nosterfield nature reserveThe bioluminescent beams of “fairy folk” are shining again from a nature rese…
Labor Day in space: NASA astronauts get the holiday off
Like their compatriots here on Earth, the three NASA astronauts living aboard the International Space Station will get a well-deserved rest on Labor Day.
The Winners and Losers of Maine’s Race to Armor Its Shoreline Against Climate Change
GORHAM, Maine—Supersonic shockwaves shook the bones of Charlie Hamblen’s historic Maine farmhouse more than a dozen times last year, travelling over half a mile from blasts at a n…
Can dogs sniff cancer? AI joins the hunt in India
When rescue dog Chloe is not tumbling across the grass on a farm outside India's tech capital, Bengaluru, she is learning to sniff human breath for cancer with a little help from …
Hawking by Graham Farmelo review – the dark side of genius
A biography of the physicist recognises his achievements, but also reveals the selfish narcissist underneathWhen I wrote an unadoring review of Stephen Hawking’s final book, a col…
Starwatch: Waning crescent moon gets close to brilliant beacon of Jupiter
The moon will pass less than a degree north of the giant planet and will be on its other side the next morningThose already out and about at 5am this week will be rewarded with a …
APOD: 2026 September 7 – The Pelican Nebula in Gas, Dust, and Stars
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 7 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the…
A Bright Spot at Mount Michael
With austral winter nearing its end, clouds cleared for a satellite view of volcanic activity in the remote South Atlantic.
The great silence: why haven’t we found any aliens yet? – podcast
Given the size and age of the universe, it should be full of species with technology far more advanced than our own. So where are they?By Adam Kirsch. Read by James Sobol KellyRea…
Advanced optical imaging reveals hidden activity in blood immune cells
A routine blood sample contains a diverse collection of immune cells that can reveal important clues about health and disease. These cells, known as peripheral blood mononuclear c…
How bird movements are helping researchers track a global virus
While the highly virulent avian influenza strain has only recently been discovered on Australian shores, researchers at Deakin University have been working behind the scenes for y…
Small molecular substitutions reshape energy pathways behind aggregation-induced emission
Certain chemical substances, broadly called luminogens, have an inherent ability to emit light. Most fluorescent molecules emit light in solution but lose their emission in the so…
The Guardian view on extreme heat: its scale should be a wake-up call to us all | Editorial
With thousands dead across Europe this summer, it’s time to recognise heatwaves as the major natural disasters they areThe numbers are now trickling in: nearly 2,900 dead in the U…
On this day in space! Sept. 6, 1947: The US Navy launches 1st V-2 rocket at sea in ballistic missile test
On Sept. 6, 1947, a V-2 rocket launched from an U.S. Navy aircraft carrier for the first time. Here's why it mattered.