Astronomy News

• Fundamental constant might change across space September 7, 2010
  Research results currently under peer review imply that the fine-structure constant, which characterizes the strength of the electromagnetic force, might have different values depending on which direction scientists are looking in the sky.
• Missing piece inspires new look at Mars puzzle September 7, 2010
  New experiments suggest that chlorine compounds from NASA's Viking landers then thought to be contaminants from cleaning fluids might indeed have contained carbon-based chemicals, the building blocks of life.
• New Hubble observations of Supernova 1987A reveal composition of "star guts" pouring out September 3, 2010
  The new observations of the "String of Pearls" surrounding the remnant tell scientists not only what elements are being recycled into the Large Magellanic Cloud, but also how the dwarf galaxy changes its environment on human timescales.
• Spitzer finds a flavorful mix of asteroids September 3, 2010
  Near-Earth objects seem to be more varied in color and composition than previously thought.
• NASA selects investigations for first mission to encounter the Sun September 3, 2010
  The Solar Probe Plus will plunge directly into the Sun's atmosphere to learn why it's so much hotter than our star's visible surface and what propels the solar wind.