universe
Quasars: how to feed a supermassive black hole
A new model addresses a longstanding problem: where do quasars get the fuel they need to outshine entire galaxies?
To the very beginning: going back in time with Steven Weinberg (Part 2)
What was the universe like one-trillionth of a second after the Big Bang? Science has an answer.
Earth’s solid metal inner core is growing more on one side than the other
The eastern inner core located beneath Indonesia's Banda Sea is growing faster than the western side beneath Brazil.
The first three minutes: going backward to the beginning of time with Steven Weinberg (Part 1)
The great theoretical physicist Steven Weinberg passed away on July 23. This is our tribute.
Why so gassy? Mysterious methane detected on Saturn’s moon
Scientists do not know what is causing the overabundance of the gas.
Astronomers train AI to reveal the true shape of galaxies
A new artificial intelligence method removes the effect of gravity on cosmic images, showing the real shapes of distant galaxies.
MIT researchers probe why antimatter violates the fundamental symmetry of physics
If the laws of physics are symmetrical as we think they are, then the Big Bang should have created matter and antimatter in the same amount.
Discovery of new type of supernova explains ancient mystery
Astronomers find a third type of supernova and explain a mystery from 1054 AD.
Stephen Hawking’s black hole theory proved right
New study analyzes gravitational waves to confirm the late Stephen Hawking's black hole area theorem.
Galactic wind from early universe detected
Researchers discovered a galactic wind from a supermassive black hole that sheds light on the evolution of galaxies.
Astronomers find more than 100,000 “stellar nurseries”
Every star we can see, including our sun, was born in one of these violent clouds.
What happened before the Big Bang?
Asking science to determine what happened before time began is like asking, "Who were you before you were born?"
Mystery of the gigantic Oort cloud from deep space explained
Astronomers possibly solve the mystery of how the enormous Oort cloud, with over 100 billion comet-like objects, was formed.
Is the universe infinite?
Determining if the universe is infinite pushes the limits of our knowledge.
Humanity’s most distant space probe captures a strange sound
A new paper reveals that the Voyager 1 spacecraft detected a constant hum coming from outside our Solar System.
New galaxy clusters found hiding in plain sight
The research suggests that roughly 1 percent of galaxy clusters look atypical and can be easily misidentified.
The universe has a Hubble constant problem
Differences in the way that the Hubble constant—which measures the rate of cosmic expansion—are measured have profound implications for the future of cosmology.
A rogue ‘pristine’ comet reveals clues about the origins of our Solar System
New studies find the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov is the most "pristine" ever discovered.
‘Smoking gun’ dark matter signature possibly identified
Researchers propose a new method that could definitively prove the existence of dark matter.
‘Spacekime theory’ could speed up research and heal the rift in physics
Can spacekime help us make headway on some of the most pernicious inconsistencies in physics?
New particle experiment goes against standard physics
Results from an experiment using the Large Hadron Collider challenges the accepted model of physics.
Can humans travel through wormholes in space?
Two new studies examine ways we could engineer human wormhole travel.
Is the Earth’s “heartbeat” of 7.83 Hz influencing human behavior?
Some scientists believe the lightning-produced frequencies may be connected to our brain waves, meditation, and hypnosis.
Did Einstein believe in God?
Here's what Einstein meant when he spoke of cosmic dice and the "secrets of the Ancient One".
Got a question for Michelle Thaller? Ask it here!
NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller is coming back to Big Think's studio soon to answer YOUR questions! Here's all you need to know to submit your science-related inquiries.
The universe is expanding faster than estimated, finds new study
The controversy over the universe's expansion rate continues with a new, faster estimate.
Meteorite older than Earth likely came from a “protoplanet”
The rock, found in the Sahara, likely comes from a long-lost baby protoplanet.
Physicist creates AI algorithm that may prove reality is a simulation
A physicist creates an AI algorithm that predicts natural events and may prove the simulation hypothesis.
Astrophysicists find rare star spinning backwards
A unique star system where exoplanets orbit their star backwards located by researchers.
Astronomers detect signs of “galactic cannibalism”
One galaxy may have eaten one of its slightly smaller, more primitive neighbors.