The Raw Materials for Life Were Found on Enceladus

A team of German scientists recently examined data gathered by the Cassini orbiter around Enceladus’ southern polar region and found was evidence of organic signatures that could be the building blocks for amino acids.

A planet that should not exist

Astronomers detected a giant planet orbiting a small star. The red dwarf GJ 3512 is located 30 light-years from us. The planet has much more mass than theoretical models predict.

Caught in the act: galaxies turning into quasars

Astronomers have identified six previously mild-mannered galaxies that suddenly transformed into voracious quasars, erupting in feeding frenzies powered by supermassive black holes.

Three Supermassive Black Holes Orbiting Around Each Other

Astronomers have spotted three supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at the center of three colliding galaxies a billion light years away from Earth. That alone is unusual, but the three black holes are also glowing in x-ray emissions. 

2I/Borisov - The Second Interstellar Visitor Of The Solar System

It is now confirmed that the comet spotted a few weeks ago by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov from MARGO Observatory, Crimea, is indeed coming from interstellar space. This is only the second known interstellar object to pass through our Solar System.

Venus Could Have Supported Life for Billions of Years

According to new study by a team of NASA scientists, Venus would have been able to maintain stable temperatures – from a low of 20 °C (68 °F) to a high of 50 °C (122 °F) – for about three billion years.

Water Discovered in the Atmosphere of an Exoplanet

Astronomers using the Hubble space telescope have discovered water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in its star’s habitable zone. The water was detected as vapour in the atmosphere. The planet is called K2-18b.

Asteroid collision in space 466 mil years ago boosted life on Earth

Largest documented asteroid breakup in the asteroid belt during the past two billion years caused enormous amounts of dust to spread through the solar system. The blocking effect of this dust lead to cooler temperatures which in turn  caused diversification.

The World's Largest Single Radio Dish Telescope, is Now Fully Operational

China’s new radio telescope FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope) has double the collecting power of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, which has a 305 meter dish. 

Exoplanet found in unusually long, elliptical orbit

The exoplanet is three times more massive than Jupiter and circles its star in an unusual elliptical orbit, one that would carry it between the Sun’s asteroid belt and the orbit of Neptune if it were transported to Earth’s solar system.

Analysis shows 1-in-6 stars may host Earth-size planets

A new statistical analysis shows Earth-size planets are likely orbiting one in six Sun-like stars. The study is the most accurate estimate yet, researchers say, of the potential population of roughly Earth-size worlds in the Milky Way.

Astronomers Uncover Dozens of Previously Unknown Galaxies

An international team of astronomers led by the University of Tokyo used ALMA to view 39 previously-undiscovered ancient galaxies,  a find that could have major implications for astronomy and cosmology.

Milky Way's Black Hole Has Grown 75 Times as Bright for a Few Hours

Observing Sagitarius A ( a supermassive balck hole in the center of our galaxy ) with the Keck's telescope, scientists just watched as its brightness bloomed to over 75 times normal for a few hours. Astronomers aren’t certain what caused the flaring. 

SpaceX's Starhopper Test Vehicle Completes First Free Flight

Thursday, July 25th Elon Musk’s aerospace company succeeded in conducting their first untethered test with the Starhopper. This test once again validated the engine that will fulfill Musk’s promise of sending people to the Moon and to Mars.

Russia launches international X-ray astronomy mission

Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday, Spektr-RG will detect X-ray emissions from across the sky, including those from huge clusters of galaxies. It could help astronomers better understand dark energy.