Science
Black holes, dark matter, gravitational waves and exoplanets: find out how astronomy is unlocking the secrets of the Universe.
We're getting a blue Moon in 2026. Here's how to make sure you don't miss the extra full Moon this year
We're getting a blue Moon in 2026. The month of May will see two full Moons rise: one on 1st May and a second on 31st May. That means we'll see 13 full Moons in 2026, rather than the usual 12. Here we'll look at what a blue Moon is, explore the difference between a monthly and a seasonal blue Moon, and all you need to know to see it. Get weekly Moon phases and times delivered to your inbox by signing up to receive our e-newsletter. Why blue Moons happen What makes a blue Moon? We all know the
Scientists have detected strange radio signals coming from the heart of our Galaxy
What are the weird radio waves detected in deep space, and how can astronomers hope to solve this Milky Way mystery?
What is the temperature of space?
A guide to cosmic thermodynamics and the extreme temperatures of the Universe.
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Ever seen the 'spiders' on Mars? Strange features are as big as 35 basketball courts. Scientists have worked out what they are
It turns out David Bowie was right: there really are spiders on Mars! These ones, though, aren’t eight-legged creepy-crawlies, but rather a geological phenomenon. Spiders on Mars are really a geological phenomenon called ‘araneiform terrain’, if you want to get all technical about it. More on Mars All the same, look at pictures of the Martian surface by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter or Mars Express missions. These little black bobs do indeed look like dozens of spiders crawling around. What causes spiders on Mars The 'spiders' on Mars aren't really spiders, of course. Spiders on Mars are a seasonal feature
Scientists pinpoint the sweet spot where ingredients for life can survive around new-forming stars
Lab models pinpoint survival zones inside young planetary systems
Hubble sees stars bursting into life in Orion's sword
US confirms plans to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon. NASA says technology will be in place before decade is out
NASA cites President Trump’s "vision of American space superiority," but others aren't convinced
Flare as bright as 10 trillion Suns caused by supermassive black hole consuming an enormous star
How long does it take to get to the Moon?
How long would it take to drive or walk to the Moon, and how long do actual missions take?
Astronomers have captured real photos of alien worlds in deep space. Here are some of the best
Want to explore Earth-like planets? Head to the outer galaxy. But the inner galaxy is where the really interesting worlds are
New study tells you the most interesting parts of the Galaxy to visit as a Federation starship captain.
Without Mars, humans and animals could look entirely different. Scientist says the Red Planet shapes our Ice Ages
Without Mars, evolution on Earth might have played out differently
A hidden planet on the edge of our Solar System? Here's why scientists are closer than ever to finding it
There could be a hidden 'planet 9' – or planet X – orbiting the Sun
Betelgeuse will one day explode, and it's been acting strange recently. Astronomers have finally worked out what it is
Betelgeuse's strange dimming could finally be explained
Have we been measuring the Universe wrong this whole time? New discovery could solve a huge cosmic mystery
Fresh evidence shows supernovae aren’t the yardsticks we thought, putting the standard model of an accelerating expanding Universe in doubt.
I'm an exoplanet hunter. Here's why 2026 is going to be a game-changer in the search for alien worlds
Supermassive black holes don't seem to make sense. But the mystery may be solved, and the answer is catastrophic
'What the heck is this?' Webb Telescope finds diamond-raining planet that defies explanation
NASA spacecraft captures comet 3I/ATLAS on its way to Jupiter, revealing elements invisible to the human eye
From an interstellar comet to alien worlds, these are the biggest, weirdest space discoveries of 2025
Scientists have found a new kind of object in deep space. And it could help solve one of the Universe's biggest mysteries
New image of comet 3I/ATLAS shows strange green glow, the effects of its close approach to the Sun
Alien-hunting scientists pointed their best telescopes at comet 3I/ATLAS. Here's what they found
