3 Questions: Richard Binzel on astronomers’ powerful new tool
Pan-STARRS, a telescope designed to reveal the ‘unexpected surprises’ in our solar system, including possible threats to Earth, just became fully operational.
In a first, astronomers detect strong winds on an exoplanet
Researchers see tempestuous atmosphere on a planet located 150 light years from Earth.
Coordinated stargazing
MIT astronomer leads the first team to study a Kuiper Belt object during a stellar occultation.
In the search for Earthlike exoplanets, GJ 436b has much to tell us
First detailed analysis of the atmosphere of a Neptune-sized planet reveals surprisingly low methane levels, presents "new territory" for researching planets outside our solar system
Bartusiak honored by Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Wins Klumpke-Roberts Award in recognition of her contributions
Unraveling black hole spin
Retrograde spin of supermassive black holes may create jets that control galaxy evolution
Powering cube satellites
An electric propulsion technology for miniature satellites aims to give them more mobility — and may eventually allow them to take on deep-space missions.
Extreme makeovers in space
Research suggesting that near-Earth encounters can ‘shake’ asteroids opens the door to a new field: asteroid seismology
Team predicts satellite could locate hundreds of Earth-sized planets
Researchers say proposed satellite could represent astronomy’s ‘next big leap’ — one that may help find signs of life elsewhere in the universe.
A massive star is born
Time-lapse movie shows that massive stars — which may hold clues about the origins of life — form like their smaller siblings.
ET: Check your voicemail
New message beamed to the stars commemorates Earth’s first attempt to reach out to intelligent aliens
3 Questions: Sara Seager on searching for Earth-like planets
MIT planetary scientist discusses projects that aim to discover distant planets similar to our own, and what we can learn when we find them
A faraway planet intrigues
An exoplanet with an extremely tilted orbit raises new interest in stellar astronomy.
Bursting the sun's bubble
New observations indicate the heliosphere — the sun's sphere of influence — has a different shape than theorists had expected.
Tracking icy objects, across the globe
Pilot project sets the stage for MIT-led globe-girdling efforts to learn about icy relics of the solar system's birth.