Tag: Astronomy
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The first-ever image of a black hole
This week, scientists released the first-ever picture of a black hole, compiled over the last two years using data from eight telescopes around the world. It is a major landmark in the history...
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Huge meteor explosion like 10 atom bombs
The blast happened in December over Russia but has only just been detected. Worryingly, scientists had no idea the meteor was coming. Could there be more and, if necessary, could we stop them?
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World goes crazy for rare ‘supermoon’
Can the Moon really affect the mind? This weekend a rare phenomenon, a supermoon, brightened skies all over the world. Humanity is entranced by our lunar satellite. But is there more to it?
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Not (that) far: a planet where life is likely
Would contacting aliens be such a good idea? Another planet that might support life has been found, while China is investing huge amounts in the world's most advanced alien-spotting radar.
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Rare solar eclipse to darken and enlighten
Today more than seven million Americans are preparing to witness the country’s first solar eclipse in 99 years. But why exactly is the “Great American Eclipse” so exciting?
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How to talk to aliens (without being killed)
A new in-depth article has shed light on the scientists trying to contact aliens. But what if extraterrestrials are unfriendly? Should we really be drawing attention to ourselves?
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Scientists hail evidence of parallel universes
Yet another sign has been discovered that supports the increasingly popular “multiverse theory” — the idea that there is an infinite number of universes. Would that make physics pointless?
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Seven ‘beautiful’ Earth-sized planets found
NASA has discovered a solar system 39 light years away with a record seven exoplanets. It is more evidence that the universe is teeming with Earth-like worlds. How should it make us feel?
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Earth’s magnetic poles could be about to flip
Scientists are ‘abuzz’ with the discovery that the Earth’s magnetic field is rapidly getting weaker. This could be a sign that the poles are going to switch — and north would become south.
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Icy ‘Super-Earth’ could be our ninth planet
There is a huge, dark, frozen world lurking on the edge of the solar system, say astronomers. We don’t know what it looks like — or even if it really exists. Could this be Planet X?
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‘Little lander that could’ awakes on a comet
Six months ago, the Philae lander made a miraculous landing on the surface of a distant comet. Now, after six months of hibernation, it has awoken. Why do we find this story so inspiring?
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Dark matter map reveals ‘invisible cosmic web’
The things we can see account for less than 20% of the universe’s mass. Almost nothing is known about the rest. Now, a huge project is attempting to map how ‘dark matter’ is distributed.
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Astronauts warn of ‘city killer’ asteroids
A group of scientists and former astronauts claim that humankind is dangerously unprepared for a calamitous strike from space. Should we be worried or does Earth have more pressing problems?
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Scientists detect ripples from dawn of time
An international team of researchers has announced a dramatic discovery: evidence, after a long search, of how the universe came into being. Is it a genuine breakthrough or simply hot air?
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Comet-chasing probe ‘wakes’ for final mission
The Rosetta space probe came back online yesterday after a long hibernation. It will now try to deploy a lander onto a comet hurtling at extreme, unimaginable speeds towards the Sun.