ScienceDaily: Top Science News


A solar illusion: Coronal loops may not be what they seem

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST

Many coronal loops -- ropey strands of plasma that scientists have long thought existed in the sun's atmosphere -- may actually be optical illusions, according to a new paper that challenges prevailing assumptions of what we know, and don't know, about the sun.

'Closest black hole' system found to contain no black hole

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST

In 2020, astronomers reported the closest black hole to Earth, located just 1000 light-years away in the HR 6819 system. But the results of their study were contested by other researchers. In a new paper, these two teams have united to report that there is in fact no black hole in HR 6819, which is instead a 'vampire' two-star system in a rare and short-lived stage of its evolution.

Tyrannosaurus remains hint at three possible distinct species

Posted: 28 Feb 2022 07:02 PM PST

A new analysis of Tyrannosaurus skeletal remains reveals physical differences in the femur, other bones and dental structures across specimens that could suggest Tyrannosaurus rex specimens need to be re-categorized into three distinct groups or species, reports a new study.