Posts by 

Paul Scott Anderson

This gigantic searing hot exoplanet began its life very cold

Astronomers have found that the gigantic hot exoplanet WASP-121b was quite cold when it 1st formed. But then it migrated close to its star.

Weird! Titan’s atmosphere is wobbling like a gyroscope

Using data from NASA's Cassini mission, scientists have found that Titan's atmosphere is wobbling like a gyroscope. But they're not sure why.

Are the TRAPPIST-1 planets water-rich? New study says maybe

A new study suggests the 7 Earth-sized TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets could have widely varying amounts of water, ranging from very little to more than Earth.

Tantalizing dark streaks on Mars are bone-dry, study says

What are the mysterious dark streaks on Mars seen flowing down steep slopes? A new study using machine learning suggests they are caused by dry dust, not water.

What is this weird sphere in space astronomers found?

An international team of astronomers has found an odd sphere in space. The almost perfectly round bubble-like object is most likely a supernova remnant.

Strange double starlight pulses revealed in new SETI search

A SETI search of 1,300 stars for optical alien signals has found something odd: two fast, identical starlight pulses from a sunlike star 100 light-years away.

Frigid Titan has soaring, bubbling clouds with unusual rains

Astronomers have seen convective clouds in the northern regions of Saturn's moon Titan for the 1st time. The methane rains replenish Titan's lakes and seas.

Active tectonics on Venus? Old data reveal new clues

Are there active tectonics on Venus? A new study of the planet's enigmatic coronae, based on old data from NASA's Magellan mission, says yes.

Jupiter and Io: New insights into stormy, volcanic worlds

NASA's Juno orbiter has taken an in-depth look at Jupiter and Io, revealing what they are like beneath their turbulent atmosphere and fiery surface.

The awesome beauty of the Eagle Nebula

The Eagle Nebula - aka Messier 16 or M16 - is home to several well-known cosmic structures, including the stunning Pillars of Creation and Stellar Spire.