Robert Lea
Robert Lea is a science journalist in the U.K. whose articles have been published in Physics World, New Scientist, Astronomy Magazine, All About Space, Newsweek and ZME Science. He also writes about science communication for Elsevier and the European Journal of Physics. Rob holds a bachelor of science degree in physics and astronomy from the U.K.’s Open University. Follow him on Twitter @sciencef1rst.
Latest articles by Robert Lea
Large Hadron Collider finds first evidence of important exotic heavy antimatter particle
By Robert Lea published
Using the Large Hadron Collider and the ALICE detector scientists have found the heavist antimatter particle yet, generated in Big Bang like conditions.
Hubble space telescope sees 'weird things' around supermassive black hole-powered quasar
By Robert Lea published
The Hubble Space Telescope has peered deeper than ever before into the heart of the supermassive black hole-powered quasar 3C, 273 spotting "weird" structures.
Not all stars with black hole companions die gruesome deaths, scientists say
By Robert Lea published
Stars in binaries with black holes usually suffer gruesome fates, but two systems discovered by Gaia hint at a survival mechanism.
'Our understanding of the universe may be incomplete': James Webb Space Telescope data suggests we need a 'new cosmic feature' to explain it all
By Robert Lea published
'Hubble was right!' The largest cosmic survey from the James Webb Space Telescope indicates scientists may need another ingredient in their cosmic recipe.
How did the universe's most monstrous giant galaxies grow? Scientists may finally know
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers have discovered that large flows of cold gas created by collisions between galaxies in the early universe may have forged some of the most monstrous star systems.
How big can black holes get? Scientists may have the answer
By Robert Lea published
If they are right, we may have already discovered the largest possible ultramassive black hole! Scientists may have discovered a limit to how massive black holes can grow. If they're right, we may have already discovered the largest possible ultramassive black hole!
Hidden black holes could be revealed by gravitational wave map of the cosmos
By Robert Lea published
A map of the universe in gravitational waves could reveal "hidden" black holes, supermassive black hole collisions, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos.
Dwarf planet Ceres could be rich in organics, defunct spacecraft data reveals
By Robert Lea published
Data from a now defunct NASA spacecraft has revealed a massive internal reservior of organic material within the second wettest solar system body, Ceres.
Over 10,000 exploding stars catalogued by groundbreaking Zwicky Transient Facility
By Robert Lea published
The Zwicky Transient Facility has reached an incredible milestone, classifying over 10,000 supernovas, cosmic explosions that mark the death of massive stars.
Spiderweb protocluster is filled with baby galaxies, James Webb Space Telescope reveals (image)
By Robert Lea published
Using the JWST astronomers have dived deeper into a cosmic spiderweb called the Spiderweb protocluster located 10 billion light-years away than ever before.
James Webb Space Telescope discovers 4th exoplanet in sweet triple 'super puff' star system
By Robert Lea published
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered a fourth planet in Kepler-51, a sweet system of cotton candy super puff planets.
Are planet-killing black holes hiding inside your cat?
By Robert Lea published
New research suggests that tiny primordial black holes could be hollowing out planets and passing through everyday objects, maybe even you and your cat!
Mysterious fast radio bursts could be caused by asteroids slamming into dead stars
By Robert Lea published
An asteroid hitting a neutron star could release enough energy to power humanity for 100 million years, more than enough to explain fast radio bursts!
Could dark matter have been forged in a second 'Dark Big Bang?'
By Robert Lea published
The Big Bang may not have been the origin of the universe's most mysterious matter. Instead, dark matter could have been created in a second creation event, a "Dark Big Bang."
Did Venus ever have oceans to support life, or was it 'born hot'?
By Robert Lea published
New research suggests that Venus may never have possessed liquid water oceans. That would mean "Earth's evil twin" was always hostile to life.
Destroyed observatory helped SETI unlock the secrets of 'cosmic lighthouses' powered by dead stars
By Robert Lea published
Years after the collapse of the Arecebo telescope data from the radio observatory has helped SETI scientists probe the characteristics of pulsars, cosmic lighthouses powered by dead stars.
Mysterious, record-breaking energy burst connected to dead star and red dwarf
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers have tracked a mysterious, record-breaking blast of energy to a binary star system containing a red dwarf star and a white dwarf — solving a two-decade-long puzzle.
Dead stars within supernova explosions could solve the dark matter mystery in 10 seconds
By Robert Lea published
If astronomers could catch bursts of gamma rays from supernova explosions that create neutron stars near the Milky Way, the mystery of dark matter could be wrapped up in 10 seconds.
James Webb Space Telescope explores monster star supercluster Westerlund 1 (image)
By Robert Lea published
The James Webb Space Telescope has taken a detailed look at the Milky Way's monstrous young supercluster Westerlund 1.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope mission — Live updates
By Robert Lea last updated
Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Japan's priceless asteroid Ryugu sample got 'rapidly colonized' by Earth bacteria
By Robert Lea published
A sample of the asteroid Ryugu returned to Earth by the Hayabusa2 mission was rapidly colonized by terrestrial microorganisms, new research has revealed.
Goodnight moon! Astronomers snap photo of Earth's departing mini-moon
By Robert Lea published
Astronomers used the Two-meter Twin Telescope to catch a "see-you-soon" image of the asteroid 2024 PT5 as it ended its stint as Earth's second moon on Monday (Nov. 25).
Earth's mini-moon has finally departed. Will it ever return as a 'second moon?'
By Robert Lea published
Departing on Monday (Nov. 25), Earth's recent "mini-moon" asteroid 2024 PT5 didn't stick around for Thanksgiving, but don't be sad. It will be back... but will it ever be a second moon again?
'Hidden black hole' devouring curious star exposed by new X-ray space telescope
By Robert Lea published
In a "rite of passage," the JAXA/NASA X-ray telescope XRISM has mapped in detail Cygnus X-3, a curious binary system with a potential black hole feasting stellar winds blowing from a massive star.
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