Astronomers detect the brightest fast radio burst of all time
The dazzling “RBFLOAT” radio burst, originating in a nearby galaxy, offers the clearest view yet of the environment around these mysterious flashes.
Planets without water could still produce certain liquids, a new study finds
Lab experiments show “ionic liquids” can form through common planetary processes and might be capable of supporting life even on waterless planets.
Astronomers discover star-shredding black holes hiding in dusty galaxies
Unlike active galaxies that constantly pull in surrounding material, these black holes lie dormant, waking briefly to feast on a passing star.
Supporting mission-driven space innovation, for Earth and beyond
Aurelia Institute, founded by a team from MIT, serves as a research lab, an education and outreach center, and a policy hub for the space industry.
New optical sensing system will improve space domain awareness
MIT Lincoln Laboratory developed the system, launched recently aboard the QZSS-HP satellite, for a collaborative effort between the US Space Force and Japan.
Why are some rocks on the moon highly magnetic? MIT scientists may have an answer
A large impact could have briefly amplified the moon’s weak magnetic field, creating a momentary spike that was recorded in some lunar rocks.
New research, data advance understanding of early planetary formation
Led by Assistant Professor Richard Teague, a team of international astronomers has released a collection of papers and public data furthering our understanding of planet formation.
Deploying a practical solution to space debris
Researchers share the design and implementation of an incentive-based Space Sustainability Rating.
The MIT-Portugal Program enters Phase 4
New phase will support continued exploration of ideas and solutions in fields ranging from AI to nanotech to climate — with emphasis on educational exchanges and entrepreneurship.
Luna: A moon on Earth
MIT students and faculty designed and fabricated a control room for a unique lunar landing mission — an achievement in design and engineering.
Astronomers discover a planet that’s rapidly disintegrating, producing a comet-like tail
The small and rocky lava world sheds an amount of material equivalent to the mass of Mount Everest every 30.5 hours.
Bridging Earth and space, and art and science, with global voices
Professor Craig Carter’s precision design for a student-led project now on the moon encodes messages from around the world on a silicon wafer.
3Q: MIT’s Lonnie Petersen on the first medical X-ray taken in space
Performed in microgravity, 200 miles above the Earth’s surface, the imaging procedure could help keep astronauts safe and healthy on long-term missions.
MIT welcomes 2025 Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b Fellow Jess Speedie
The fellowship supports research contributing to the field of planetary science and astronomy.
Study: Climate change will reduce the number of satellites that can safely orbit in space
Increasing greenhouse gas emissions will reduce the atmosphere’s ability to burn up old space junk, MIT scientists report.