Space

  1. Climate

    Cosmic rays offer clues about lightning

    Space particles called cosmic rays pelt Earth. Scientists are using the rain of these particles to probe how lightning forms.

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  2. Space

    Scientists Say: Gravitational lens

    A gravitational lens is an effect that occurs when a massive object lies between a viewer and something further away. The massive object’s gravity bends light arriving from the more distant object.

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  3. Space

    Radio telescope picks up signals from intelligent life

    Astronomers tracked down the source of perytons, mysterious radio bursts. They had at first seemed to emanate from Earth’s atmosphere. Probing now suggests the life forms responsible had a penchant for leftovers.

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  4. Space

    Mini-sats: The trick to spying Earth-bound asteroids?

    NASA is supposed to begin nonstop screening by 2020 for all asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth. Some astronomers now think the only way to affordably meet that deadline is by using mini-satellites

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  5. Physics

    New mirror picky in what it reflects

    A new type of mirror is selective in the light it reflects. It allows some wavelengths of radiation to pass through, while others bounce off.

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  6. Planets

    Something’s cooking on Saturn’s moon

    Grit in one of Saturn’s rings likely formed in hot water on the planet’s ice-covered moon Enceladus. That suggests conditions on this moon might be able to support life.

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  7. Space

    Galaxy cluster creates ‘magnifying glass’ in space

    A massive galaxy’s gravity is so strong that it bends light, creating a “lens” in space. This natural magnifying glass is giving astronomers a rare view of a supernova on the other side of the universe.

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  8. Space

    Astronomers spy fastest speeding star

    A few stars have been spotted departing our galaxy. The fastest of these might have been propelled by another exploding star, a new study finds.

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  9. Space

    Dust erases evidence of primordial gravity waves

    In March 2014, scientists claimed to have found the first echoes of the Big Bang — ripples in the very fabric of space. A new analysis shows the experts were mistaken. Dust appears to explain the confusion.

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  10. Space

    Picture This: Smiley face in space!

    Ancients used to ‘see’ the outline of animals and other well-known things as constellations in the night sky. Now astronomers have done much the same thing. But they’ve spotted a more distant — if totally modern — shape: a smiley face!

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  11. Physics

    Machine simulates the sun’s core

    A machine heats iron atoms to temperatures that match the interior of the sun. This has helped solve a solar mystery.

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  12. Space

    Black holes are on collision course

    But be patient. The distant galactic smashup is still some million years away.

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