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EarthSky Voices

SETI@home takes a closer look at 100 notable signals

The SETI@home project is taking a 2nd look at 100 notable signals. Researchers are using China's FAST radio telescope to prepare for future surveys.

Wildfires becoming more frequent in the north: See the maps

See satellite data and maps that show wildfires becoming more frequent in the far north, especially in northern Eurasia. Numbers of fires have skyrocketed.

How to detect signatures of alien life in exoplanet air

Astronomers can detect the molecules of distant exoplanets when they pass in front of their stars. These molecules might help reveal signatures of alien life.
Space

Strange shock wave around dead star surprises astronomers

Astronomers have spotted a beautiful shock wave around a dead star 730 light-years away. And according to all known mechanisms, this shock wave shouldn't exist.

Earliest, hottest galaxy cluster gas could upend models

Astronomers have found the earliest, hottest galaxy cluster gas yet. This scorching gas between galaxies is hotter than expected for so early in the universe.
Space

Betelgeuse’s companion star leaves detectable wake

Astronomers have detected the influence of Betelgeuse's companion star, Siwarha, on the gas around the red supergiant star.

Cloud-9 is a new type of object: a failed galaxy

Cloud-9 is the 1st example astronomers have found of a failed galaxy. Hubble found the galaxy contains no stars, but it is home to dark matter.

Supermassive black holes in all galaxies? Maybe not

A new study looked at 1,600 galaxies and found that the cores of small galaxies are less likely to be home to supermassive black holes.

Bright blue cosmic outbursts linked to black holes

Astronomers studying one of the strongest bright blue cosmic outbursts believe they occur in a binary star system where a black hole tears its companion apart.

Blaze Star to go nova soon! Here’s how to see it

A recurring nova - long overdue - in Corona Borealis - nicknamed Blaze Star - should appear bright enough to see with the unaided eye sometime in 2026.