Astronomy
Cookie-Cutter Supernovas Might Come in Different Flavors
Astronomers thought that all Type Ia supernovas shine with the same brightness, making them incredibly useful cosmic yardsticks. But uncertainty over what causes these explosions has led researchers to reconsider their assumptions.
The Mystery of Dark Matter
The vastness of the universe is mostly full of dark matter and dark energy, which we can’t see and don’t yet understand.
Planet Nine Is Put on Trial in Absentia
Breathless media coverage notwithstanding, the cases for and against a hypothetical Planet Nine in the outskirts of the solar system remain inconclusive.
If ET Calls, Think Twice About Answering
Why some say searching for ET is best done quietly.
Exoplanet Puzzle Cracked by Jazz Musicians
A system of seven Earth-like exoplanets appeared to be unstable. Now their orbits have been rewritten in the music of the spheres.
Opening a New Window into the Universe
New technology could bring new insights into the nature of black holes, dark matter, and extrasolar planets.
How to Use a Sphere to Talk to Mars
To avoid garbled messages, mathematicians might translate them into geometric form.
