Rogue planet accretes mass at record 6 billion tonnes per second

Astronomers have observed a free-floating planet gaining mass at an unprecedented rate as it plows through the interstellar medium. The rogue world, similar in size to Jupiter, is adding 6 billion tonnes every second in what researchers call a record growth spurt. This discovery highlights how such planets can evolve independently of stars.

Skywatch Events for September 15 Week

The Skywatch for the week of September 15, 2025, features visible planets, a partial lunar eclipse, and meteor activity. Astronomy enthusiasts can observe Saturn at opposition and the Harvest Moon. The update provides viewing tips for optimal stargazing.

New Einstein's Cross discovery reveals giant dark matter halo

October 04, 2025 በAI የተዘገበ

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a new Einstein's Cross, a gravitational lensing phenomenon that exposes a massive dark matter halo surrounding a distant galaxy. This rare quadruple image of a quasar offers fresh evidence on dark matter's extent. The research, led by scientists from Spain's Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, appears in Nature Astronomy.

Meteor showers to illuminate 2025 night skies

Stargazers have multiple opportunities in 2025 to witness meteor showers, with peaks offering up to 120 shooting stars per hour. The year's displays include the reliable Geminids and Perseids, visible from dark locations worldwide. Optimal viewing requires minimal light pollution and clear weather.

Study suggests moon's largest crater formed from northern impact

A new analysis indicates that the moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, its oldest and largest crater, likely formed from an asteroid impact originating from the north rather than the south. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's early history. The discovery could enhance the value of NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission to the basin's rim.

Scientists uncover hidden energy mechanism in M87 black hole

Astrophysicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have simulated how the supermassive black hole M87* powers its massive particle jet using a new numerical code. Their findings reveal that magnetic reconnection, alongside the traditional Blandford-Znajek mechanism, extracts rotational energy from the black hole. This discovery explains the immense jets that influence galaxy evolution.

Astronomers find most distant odd radio circle

Astronomers have discovered the most distant and powerful odd radio circle, a massive double-ringed radio structure nearly 10 billion years old. Using citizen science and the LOFAR telescope, researchers propose these cosmic rings form from galactic superwinds rather than black hole mergers. The finding challenges existing theories and highlights the role of human pattern recognition in astronomy.

Scientists develop new method for dark matter detection

Researchers have announced a breakthrough in detecting elusive dark matter particles using advanced collider technology. The discovery, detailed in a recent Nature publication, could reshape our understanding of cosmic composition. Led by a team at CERN, the method promises more precise measurements than previous attempts.

Black Hole Merger Supports Hawking's Theorem

Astronomers announced on September 17, 2025, the detection of a black hole merger that provides strong evidence for Stephen Hawking's area theorem. Observed via gravitational waves, the event aligns with predictions that black hole surface areas cannot decrease. This bolsters fundamental physics theories amid ongoing cosmic explorations.

Scientists develop quantum sensor for detecting dark matter

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have unveiled a novel quantum sensor designed to detect dark matter particles. The breakthrough, announced on October 2, 2025, could provide new insights into the universe's unseen mass. The technology was detailed in a study published in the journal Nature.

Researchers develop new method for detecting gravitational waves

Scientists have announced a breakthrough in gravitational wave detection using advanced quantum sensors. The new technique promises to enhance sensitivity and uncover more cosmic events. This development stems from collaborative research at leading physics institutions.

General relativity may preserve habitable planets around white dwarfs

October 07, 2025 በAI የተዘገበ

A new study suggests that Einstein's general relativity could prevent tidal heating from destabilizing rocky planets in the tight habitable zones of white dwarfs. Researchers found that orbital precession caused by the theory's effects might decouple inner planets from larger companions, allowing life to persist for trillions of years. This challenges prior models that predicted runaway greenhouse effects on such worlds.