Scientists detect a black hole swallowing a neutron star

On August 14, gravitational wave detectors in the US and Italy sensed ripples in space-time. Data analysis suggests they came from a black hole engulfing a neutron star, 900 million light-years from Earth. If so ... it's a first-ever detection by earthly scientists.

A brief history of Saturn’s amazing rings

New analyses of Saturn's rings reveal how and when they were made, from what, and whether they'll last.

Meet WASP-121b, a hot ‘heavy metal’ exoplanet

For the first time, heavy metal gases like magnesium and iron have been detected floating away from an exoplanet, a planet orbiting a distant sun. Why? Because the planet - which is about as big as Jupiter - is orbiting perilously close to its star.

Arecibo Observatory gets $12.3 million grant

Arecibo in Puerto Rico was completed in 1963. In recent years, it has weathered multiple hurricanes. The emergency supplemental funds - supported by the U.S. Congress - represent an investment in the future of this large, famous and much-loved radio dish.

Chandrayaan-2 is on its way to the moon

Following a series of successful maneuvers, India's Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft has shifted trajectories and is now on its way to the moon.

Did these tardigrades survive crash-landing on the moon?

When Israel's Beresheet lunar spacecraft crashed in April 2019, there were thousands of microscopic, dehydrated tardigrades - water bears - aboard.

Check out these interacting galaxies

Hubble image of an interacting galactic duo known as UGC 2369.

Update on India’s Chandrayaan-2 moon mission

Tomorrow, the spacecraft will shift from its orbit of Earth toward a path to the moon.

Astronomers see a new type of pulsating star

At Palomar Observatory near San Diego, a dedicated telescope spends its nights surveying the heavens. A recent analysis of its data revealed 4 stars that change in brightness, over just minutes.

Can snowball planets support life?

Snowball planets are rocky worlds with frozen oceans. They were thought to be lifeless. But a new study suggests some might have land areas near their equators warm and wet enough to support life.