MIT scientists pin down the origins of a fast radio burst

The fleeting cosmic firework likely emerged from the turbulent magnetosphere around a far-off neutron star.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Jan. 1, 2025 ~9 min

NASA’s micro-mission Lunar Trailblazer will make macro-measurements of the lunar surface in 2025

Lunar Trailblazer is planned to launch on the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission of 2025.

César León Jr., Ph.D. Student of Planetary Geology, Washington University in St. Louis • conversation
Dec. 29, 2024 ~8 min


From new commercial Moon landers to asteroid investigations, expect a slate of exciting space missions in 2025

From exploring the Moon to revealing mysteries of the solar system, space agencies around the world are gearing up for an exciting year of launches and flybys.

Zhenbo Wang, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Dec. 26, 2024 ~11 min

2 populations of dark comets in the solar system could tell researchers where the Earth got its oceans

Comets without tails, called dark comets, are a newly discovered space object. Now, astronomers know they come in 2 classes.

Darryl Z. Seligman, Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics and Astronomy, Michigan State University • conversation
Dec. 20, 2024 ~8 min

In Disney’s ‘Moana,’ the characters navigate using the stars, just like real Polynesian explorers − an astronomer explains how these methods work

Disney’s ‘Moana’ movies have brought a new level of excitement for astronomy and wayfinding, says an astronomer who regularly hosts planetarium shows.

Christopher Palma, Teaching Professor, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Penn State • conversation
Dec. 20, 2024 ~7 min

A small slice of time

An NSF project builds a special camera to shoot the night sky, light up dark matter, and map the Milky Way

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Dec. 19, 2024 ~6 min

Massive black hole in the early universe spotted taking a ‘nap’ after overeating

Scientists have spotted a massive black hole in the early universe that is ‘napping’ after stuffing itself with too much food.

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Dec. 18, 2024 ~6 min

The Moon might be older than scientists previously thought − a new study shines light on its history

An extreme heating event may have interfered with scientists’ attempts to figure out the Moon’s age by dating lunar rock samples.

Francis Nimmo, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz • conversation
Dec. 18, 2024 ~7 min


How does the International Space Station orbit Earth without burning up?

The International Space Station is an engineering feat that has led to countless scientific discoveries. Like the thousands of satellites in orbit, it manages to stay up in the atmosphere.

Kelly Griendling, Lecturer of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Dec. 16, 2024 ~8 min

Human settlement of Mars isn’t as far off as you might think

Could humans expand out beyond their homeworld and establish settlements on the planet Mars? The idea of settling the red planet has been around for decades. However, it has been seen by sceptics as a…

Sam McKee, Associate Tutor and PhD Candidate in Philosophy of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University • conversation
Dec. 12, 2024 ~7 min

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