Press Releases
Astronomers make rare exoplanet discovery – and a giant leap in detecting Earth-like bodies
Astronomers have made the rare discovery of a small, cold exoplanet and its massive outer companion – shedding light on the formation of planets like Earth.
What fireworks can teach us about the sky at night
With New Years Eve on the horizon, scientists reveal just why fireworks are differently coloured and what this can teach us about stars in space.
Elements commonly found in salts are used to make the colours in fireworks. The colours are caused when the elements are heated, causing them to release light in different colours, from bright blues to deep reds.
First JWST observations of a ‘Kilonova’ merger of two stars
For the first time, the JWST has observed the rare merger of two dense neutron stars (known as a kilonova) – in a spiral galaxy a billion light years away.
Satellite swarm to provide ‘missing link’ between space weather and space debris
The European Space Agency (ESA) has funded a new mission concept involving a “swarm” of satellites to address the growing threat of space debris. The news comes as just this week the US government issued its first ever fine to a company for leaving space junk orbiting the Earth.
The fourth state of matter: How Sun's plasma could help answer humanity's challenges
Scientists are studying plasma in the Sun’s atmosphere, to help address some of humanity’s greatest challenges – from harnessing an endless source of green energy to building knowledge of the Earth’s climate.
Two-faced star exposed in first for astronomy
An unusual white dwarf star is made of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other.