Science & Astronomy

This view shows the thin crescent Moon setting over ESO’s Paranal Observatory in Chile. As well as the bright crescent the rest of the disc of the Moon can be faintly seen. This phenomenon is called earthshine. It is due to sunlight reflecting off the Earth and illuminating the lunar surface. By observing earthshine astronomers can study the properties of light reflected from Earth as if it were an exoplanet and search for signs of life. This picture was taken on 27 October 2011 and also records the planets Mercury and Venus.

Did Covid lockdowns really cause temperatures on the moon to drop?

By Nola Taylor Tillman published

Scientists have been arguing about a curious topic recently: Did temperatures on the moon dip due to the world's Covid-19 lockdown?

The moon
ALMA observations of the protoplanetary disk around HD 142527. The white bars show the directions of the magnetic field revealed by the orientation of the dust grains.

Scientists 'dust for fingerprints' around a young star as it births exoplanets

By Robert Lea published

How do you dust a star for prints? Scientists have the answer to this strange question: by reconstructing the magnetic field of an infant star from the planet-forming disk of gas and dust around it.

Stars
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Entertainment

Three cartoon superheroes ready for battle

'Every episode this season feels like it could be a season finale' boasts 'Invincible' creator as Season 3 debuts (interview)

By Jeff Spry published

"Invincible" Creator Robert Kirkman and Writer Simon Racioppa talk about taking Mark Grayson to 'dark places' in the third season of Prime Video's adult animated series.

Entertainment
Split image showing Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17, the cast of Marvel's Thunderbolts, and Eiza González in Ash.

Upcoming sci-fi movies for 2025: Mickey 17, Superman, Predator & more

By Grace Dean last updated

2024 is primed and ready to present sci-fi movie fans with a batch of epic releases. Here's what else we can look forward to this year.

Space Movies & Shows
a somewhat heart-shaped white splotch on an otherwise dark planet

'This idea that it takes like 250 years for Pluto to orbit the sun, I think that's just bizarre.' Star Trek scion Adam Nimoy talks our favorite (dwarf) planet for 'I Heart Pluto' festival

By Jeff Spry published

Filmmaker Adam Nimoy helps celebrate the 95th anniversary of Pluto's discovery this month at the 6th annual 'I Heart Pluto' festival from Feb. 13-17.

Entertainment
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