search
astronomers
Trends
- 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.
- 2Cosmic 'fart' seen driving zombie star's repeated flashes●A giant cosmic 'fart' is making a wobbling zombie star repeatedly flash us, 'groundbreaking' observations reveal
Astronomers report groundbreaking observations of a dead, or 'zombie', star that flashes toward Earth repeatedly because a vast cloud of ejected gas — likened to a cosmic 'fart' — makes it wobble on its axis. The study offers a rare look at how material thrown off by a dying star can alter its rotation and orientation, producing the regular flashing pattern detected from our planet.
- 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.
- 4James Webb telescope releases one of its biggest images yet●James Webb telescope shares one of its biggest images ever, with record-breaking stars hiding in the dust — Space photo of the week
The James Webb Space Telescope has released one of the largest images of its mission, capturing record-breaking stars concealed within clouds of cosmic dust. The observation, featured as a space photo of the week by Live Science, highlights the telescope's ability to peer through dust that blocks other instruments, revealing stellar details previously hidden from astronomers.
- 5Environmental 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.
- 6Hubble 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.
- 7Astronomer 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.
- 8Astronomers 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.
- 9First 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.
- 10Harvard 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.
- 11
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.
- 12Scientists 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.
- 13PRIMA: 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.
- 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.
- 15
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.
- 16
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.