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Giant gas cloud holds mysterious object, astronomers say
Astronomers witnessed a giant gas cloud pass in front of its star. A mysterious object is hidden in the gas cloud: likely a planet, brown dwarf or small star.
January 23, 2026
Milky Way’s central black hole erupted surprisingly recently
New observations of “light echoes” reflecting through the Milky Way suggest our galaxy’s supermassive black hole erupted violently in the recent past.
January 22, 2026
Powerful magnetic fields on super-Earths could boost chances of life
A new study said powerful magnetic fields on super-Earths could help shield them from radiation from their stars, making them potentially more friendly to life.
January 21, 2026
New survey of nearest stars reveals best spots for life
A new survey of nearest stars to the sun - more than 2,000 of them - is helping astronomers determine which ones are the most likely to have habitable planets.
January 20, 2026
Here’s what ‘habitable’ means to astronomers
When astronomers say a distant world is 'habitable,' what do they mean? Do they mean humans could live there? Do they mean we've discovered alien life?
January 18, 2026
Do aliens and fireflies communicate similarly?
Advanced aliens and fireflies on Earth might communicate in similar ways, by using signals of flashing light, a new theoretical study suggests.
January 16, 2026
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.
January 15, 2026
Europa’s ocean ‘quiet and lifeless,’ new research suggests
Is Europa's ocean habitable? A new study suggests it might be 'quiet and lifeless', with little to no geologic activity on the seafloor.
January 15, 2026
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.
January 14, 2026
Earth’s ice ages shaped by tiny tugs from Mars
Computer simulations show the presence of Mars affects the cycles that cause Earth's ice ages. Without Mars, those cycles vanish.
January 14, 2026
