ScienceDaily: Space & Time News


Trace gas phosphine points to volcanic activity on Venus, scientists say

Posted: 12 Jul 2021 12:19 PM PDT

Last autumn, researchers reported finding the gas phosphine in trace amounts in Venus' upper atmosphere, raising the slim possibility of a biological signature. Now scientists say that the phosphine's chemical fingerprints support a different find: evidence of explosive volcanoes.

Teardrop star reveals hidden supernova doom

Posted: 12 Jul 2021 09:22 AM PDT

Astronomers have made the rare sighting of two stars spiralling to their doom by spotting the tell-tale signs of a teardrop-shaped star.

Haziness of exoplanet atmospheres depends on properties of aerosol particles

Posted: 12 Jul 2021 09:21 AM PDT

Many exoplanets have opaque atmospheres, obscured by clouds or hazes that make it hard for astronomers to characterize their chemical compositions. A new study shows that haze particles produced under different conditions have a wide range of properties that can determine how clear or hazy a planet's atmosphere is likely to be.

How the universe is reflected near black holes

Posted: 12 Jul 2021 09:21 AM PDT

In the vicinity of black holes, space is so warped that even light rays may curve around them several times. This phenomenon may enable us to see multiple versions of the same thing. While this has been known for decades, only now do we have an exact, mathematical expression.