This Hellish Alien World’s Skies May Create an Eerie Rainbow ‘Glory’ Effect
The atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-76b may rain iron and form a strange, rainbow-like phenomenon called a “glory” never yet seen outside the solar system
Stories by Robert Lea
Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.'s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.
First-Ever Magnetic Map of Milky Way’s Black Hole Reveals a Mystery
Polarized light from Sagittarius A*, our galaxy’s supermassive black hole, shows swirling magnetic fields that may hint at the presence of an unseen jet
The Brightest Quasar Ever Seen Eats a ‘Sun’ Every Day
The quasar, as bright as 500 trillion suns, has evaded astronomers for over 40 years because of its incredible luminosity
Newly Discovered Asteroid Fragments Are As Old as the Solar System
Fragments from Asteroid 2024 BX1 have proven to be a rare meteorite type that helps reveal the early solar system's building blocks
The Last Super Blue Moon until 2037 Rises Tonight. Here’s How to See It
August gets not only a second full moon but a rare super blue moon
Scientists Beam Solar Power to Earth from Space for First Time Ever
The MAPLE experiment was able to wirelessly transfer collected solar power to receivers in space and direct energy to Earth
Largest-Ever Cosmic Explosion Has Raged for Years
For at least three years, the mysterious blast has shined 10 times brighter than any supernova
JWST Sees Alien Asteroid Belt around Nearby Star
The first asteroid belt ever found outside the solar system is more complex than expected
JWST Captures Stunning Image of Rings around Uranus
The imagery offers a rare view of the ice giant’s ring system, bright moons and dynamic atmosphere
‘Impossible’ New Ring System Discovered at the Edge of the Solar System
Astronomers are puzzled by a ring around the icy dwarf planet Quaoar that is much farther from its parent body than thought possible
See Jupiter Shine During its Closest Approach to Earth Since 1963
September 26 marks an unmissable chance to view the massive planet Jupiter, whose opposition and perigee very rarely coincide
Einstein’s Greatest Theory Just Passed Its Most Rigorous Test Yet
The MICROSCOPE mission tested the weak equivalence principle with free-falling objects in a satellite