Quantum computers and exoplanets: New view of distant worlds

Quantum computers and exoplanets: Distant planets around other stars are difficult to image. But quantum computers could help astronomers see them better.

New evidence for ancient Mars ocean found in giant canyon

Evidence for an ancient Mars ocean keeps growing. Deltas in the Valles Marineris canyon along the former shoreline show that the ocean covered half the planet.

This galaxy cluster provides a lens on distant space

The Webb space telescope has imaged the stunning galaxy cluster MACS J1149, putting a spotlight on its prominent gravitational lensing.

Voyager 2 met Uranus 40 years ago

Voyager 2 met Uranus on January 24, 1986. The spacecraft sent data that revealed 2 new rings, 10 new moons, radiation belts, and a very unusual magnetic field.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.