a foreground star shining in front of the galaxy NGC 7250

Astrobites reports on how to determine the ages of stars by measuring their uranium reserves as they slowly tick away.

simulations of neutron stars merging

Researchers use complex fluid dynamics models to understand what happens when neutron stars — the ultra-dense remnants of massive stars — meet in a catastrophic collision.

A photograph of a galaxy which appears in the foreground as a diagonal line because of the edge-on viewing geometry.

Modern machine learning algorithms, paired with the most cutting edge JWST data, are uncovering previously hidden young disk galaxies.

JWST image of the galaxy cluster SMACS 0723

Five recent research articles examine the first JWST image, demystifying dark matter distributions, cataloging chemical abundances, and glimpsing globular clusters.

Backlit Saturn as seen in an image mosaic from the Cassini spacecraft

Astrobites reports on K2-33b: a potentially puffy planet that might be a Saturn-like satellite instead.

a representation of the Sun's spectrum

Scientists have taken stock of the Sun’s many spectral lines to find the best way to measure its magnetic field — key to understanding a wide range of explosive phenomena.

artist's impression of a kilonova explosion

When gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars rumbled through our detectors in 2017, astronomers raced to track down the light emitted in the collision — but caught critical wavelengths too late to distinguish between competing theories.

simulation of the formation of the first stars

Researchers use simulations to explore the possible masses of the first stars in the universe — which may determine whether those stars are still present in the universe today.