Space

Two merging neutron stars, in blue light, circle each other. They blast out 2 jets of particles, above and below, and are surrounded by a huge ring of cloudy orange and yellow particles.

Bright flash leads astronomers to a heavy-metal factory 900 million light years away

Using multiple observatories, astronomers directly detect tellurium in two merging neutron stars.

October 25, 2023

The inside of a LIGO chamber with an array of lenses, metallic pieces, and cords. There is green and pink lighting.

LIGO surpasses the quantum limit

Researchers achieve a landmark in quantum squeezing.

October 23, 2023

Workers in white protective gear stand near the Psyche spacecraft as it sits on a stand at Astrotech Space Operations facility.

With Psyche, a journey to an ancient asteroid is set to begin

The NASA mission, a project with deep roots at MIT, is setting course for a metallic space rock that could be the remnant of a planetary core like our own.

October 11, 2023

A black NASA orb-shaped capsule in the Utah desert during daytime

3 Questions: The first asteroid sample returned to Earth

Richard Binzel describes how asteroid dirt and dust delivered by OSIRIS-Rex, with help from MIT, may reveal clues to the solar system’s origins.

September 25, 2023

Headhshot of Mikhail Ivanov with a bookcase behind him

Mikhail Ivanov wins 2024 New Horizons in Physics Breakthrough Prize

MIT assistant professor of physics shares award for understanding the large-scale structure of the universe.

September 18, 2023

Two rows of vials, and each has smaller chambers with white fluid inside them.

How to prevent biofilms in space

Microbial or fungal biofilms on spacecraft can clog hoses and filters, or make astronauts sick. Space Station tests show that a surface treatment can help.

September 7, 2023

The observatory has unique white buildings with smooth edges and dome roofs, and a parking lot, and is in a rural area.

3 Questions: A bigger, better space-ripple detector

The MIT-led Cosmic Explorer project aims to detect gravitational waves from the earliest universe.

August 31, 2023

An artist’s rendering of three brownish celestial bodies against a black background; one far away and crescent-shaped on left, one glowing bright in center, and a large one on right.

Newly discovered planet has longest orbit yet detected by the TESS mission

The frosty gas giant was discovered in a system that also hosts a warm Jupiter.

August 30, 2023

Radar image of a lake taken from high above Titan's surface shows liquid areas as dark blue and land areas as dark yellow

Studying rivers from worlds away

A new technique uses remote images to gauge the strength of ancient and active rivers beyond Earth.

July 10, 2023

Black space with thousands of stars, tiny swirling galaxies, dozens of very bright glowing lights, and a larger swirling galaxy on bottom right.

3Q: Exploring the universe’s “first light”

After the James Webb Space Telescope’s first year in service, astronomers are awash in new observations that illuminate the oldest stars and galaxies.

June 13, 2023