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- 1Astronomers warn Reflect Orbital's 50,000-mirror plan would devastate astronomy●"'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, t
Reflect Orbital's plan to launch tens of thousands of orbiting mirrors to sell sunlight is drawing sharp criticism from astronomers. A company representative said it aims to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035, which experts warn would be catastrophic for astronomy by flooding the night sky with artificial light. The plan's pursuit of US regulatory approval is fueling renewed debate over who controls commercial use of orbit.
- 2Webb telescope releases huge image hiding record-breaking stars▼James Webb telescope shares one of its biggest images ever, with record-breaking stars hiding in the dust — Space photo of the week
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has released one of the largest images of its mission, capturing a vast field of dust in which record-breaking stars are embedded. The observation showcases the telescope's ability to peer through obscuring dust and spot stellar objects previously hidden from view, underlining its role in pushing the boundaries of astronomy.
- 3First direct radio signal detected from planet beyond solar system▼Reseachers detect a direct radio signal from planet beyond solar system for the first time
Researchers have reported detecting a direct radio signal from a planet outside the solar system for the first time. The announcement is being widely shared as a potential milestone in the study of exoplanets, since radio emissions have previously been observed mainly from stars and other cosmic objects rather than from planets themselves. Details about which planet was involved and how the signal was confirmed have not yet been widely reported.
- 4Environmental groups challenge FCC approval of space sunlight project●"Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday asking the Federal Communications Commission to reverse appr
Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency failed to consider the project's potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy, raising concerns about a growing commercial trend of using orbiting reflectors to illuminate areas on the ground at night.
- 5Wobbling 'zombie star' flashes Earth in groundbreaking observations▼A giant cosmic 'fart' is making a wobbling zombie star repeatedly flash us, 'groundbreaking' observations reveal
Astronomers report 'groundbreaking' observations of a dead, collapsed star that repeatedly flashes toward Earth as it wobbles, with the pulsing apparently driven by a huge outflow of gas — described colorfully as a giant cosmic 'fart'. The findings offer a rare look at the behavior of a stellar remnant and the material it expels.
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Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, has drawn attention from NASA and space watchers worldwide after early calculations suggested a small but nonzero chance it could hit Earth in December 2032. The roughly 40-metre-wide rock briefly topped impact-risk monitoring lists, and astronomers have been refining its orbit as it moves away from view.
- 7Hubble spots spiral galaxy spinning two ways at once▼NASA's Hubble sees an exotic spiral galaxy spinning two ways at once
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has observed an exotic spiral galaxy that appears to be rotating in two opposite directions at the same time. The rare finding, reported by NASA and covered by outlets including Mashable, offers astronomers an unusual case study in galactic dynamics and may prompt further research into how such counter-rotating structures form.
- 8First radio waves detected from an exoplanet hint at alien auroras●First radio waves seen from an exoplanet hint at otherworldly auroras # science # astronomy https://www. sciencenews.org
Astronomers have picked up radio waves from an exoplanet for the first time, a signal that could indicate auroras similar to those seen on Earth and the solar system's giant planets. The detection opens a new way to study magnetic fields and atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars, and scientists say future observations could reveal more about potentially habitable worlds far beyond our solar system.
- 9Astronomer turns sinking Starlink satellites into planetary barometer▼Astronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'
An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites to measure density variations in the upper atmosphere, effectively turning the satellite constellation into a global 'planetary barometer'. The approach exploits how satellites sink faster when the thermosphere thickens, offering dense atmospheric data from thousands of spacecraft. Readers are debating the ingenuity of repurposing satellites many astronomers consider a nuisance for observational science.
- 10Astronomers say AST SpaceMobile satellites far exceed brightness limits●"Our measurements reveal an average brightness seven times brighter than mitigation targets cited in FCC filings and pea
Astronomers report new measurements showing BlueBird satellites averaging seven times the brightness of mitigation targets cited in FCC filings, with peak brightness over 200 times the International Astronomical Union's recommended limit of magnitude 7. The findings raise concerns as AST SpaceMobile prepares further deployments of its large commercial satellites, intensifying debate over protecting night-sky observations.
- 11Scientists spot unexpected dark matter clue in Milky Way●Scientists found unexpected visual clue of dark matter inside our own Milky Way
Scientists report finding an unexpected visual clue suggesting the presence of dark matter inside our own Milky Way galaxy. The observation offers a rare chance to study dark matter close to home, since most evidence so far has come from distant galaxies and galaxy clusters. Astronomers say further observations will be needed to confirm the signal and rule out more ordinary explanations.
- 12Harvard Team Detects Radio Signal From Exoplanet▼Harvard Scientists Detect Radio Signal Coming Directly From Planet Outside the Solar System
Harvard scientists report detecting a radio signal apparently coming directly from a planet outside the solar system. If confirmed, it would be a rare example of a radio emission traced to an exoplanet, possibly generated by the planet's magnetic field interacting with its star. Astronomers say such detections could open a new way to study distant planets, though further observations are needed to verify the signal's origin.
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The James Webb Space Telescope has detected a black hole hidden inside a dense cocoon of gas, according to a report by Gadget Review. The finding offers a rare glimpse of an object normally obscured from view and could shed light on how black holes grow in the early universe. Astronomers and space enthusiasts are sharing the discovery widely.
- 14Oman opens first robotic observatory at Jabal Shams▼Oman’s first robotic observatory opens at Jabal Shams
Oman has inaugurated its first robotic observatory, located at Jabal Shams, the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula. The facility can operate without on-site staff, taking advantage of the mountain's clear skies and high altitude for astronomical observation. The opening marks a step forward for Omani scientific infrastructure and its ambitions in space and astronomy research.
- 15PRIMA: French far-infrared expertise backs international science●# PRIMA : # expertise # française # infrarouge # lointain au # service # science # internationale . # PRIMA : # French #
PRIMA, a far-infrared space mission, is drawing on French expertise to serve the international scientific community, according to CNES. The French space agency highlights the country's role in far-infrared observation technology, which will enable astronomers to study cold objects in the universe, from distant planets to star-forming regions, in cooperation with international partners.
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This term refers to the full moon of September 2026, which Swedish readers are searching for. Evidence is thin: the only visible post is an Expressen horoscope for the full moon of 26 September 2026, offering astrological guidance tied to the lunar event. No posts explain a broader news event or unusual astronomical occurrence behind the searches, so interest appears to be driven by readers looking up dates and horoscope readings for the September full moon rather than any breaking story.