If detecting exoplanets was easy, then we should have a complete understanding of the planetary system around our nearest stellar neighbour, Alpha Centauri. But we don't, because it's not easy. Alpha Centauri is a triple star system about 4.25 light-years away. The primary star is called Alpha Centauri A, a Sun-like star, and it's in a binary relationship with Alpha Centauri B, another Sun-like star. The third star is a red dwarf named Proxima Centauri, and it's the closest one to us.
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The Martian Landscape Reveals Climate Secrets
Mars is a world marked by dramatic landscapes and few regions showcase this better than Acheron Fossae, a spectacular network of deep cracks and valleys that slice through the red planet's surface like ancient scars. Recent images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft reveal the western edge of this fascinating geological formation, offering new insights into Mars's violent past and changing climate.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 8 – 17
Set an alarm and take a peek east in early dawn to follow Venus and Jupiter through their spectacular conjunction this week.
Human minds, robotic hands
Video: 00:05:33
Last July, a team of robots explored a simulated martian landscape in Germany, guided by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. This was the final session of the Surface Avatar experiment, a joint initiative between ESA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to investigate how astronauts can remotely control robotic teams.
The biggest black hole ever seen? Scientists find one with mass of 36 billion suns
Scientists have tapped into gravitational lensing and stellar dynamics to confirm the existence of a black hole with 36 billion solar masses.
A laser-propelled mini spacecraft could travel to a nearby black hole, astrophysicist says
A bold new proposal envisions launching laser-propelled nanocraft to a nearby black hole to test Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.
ULA’s Tory Bruno lays out plans for ramping up launch cadence
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists the USSF-106 mission payload atop the Vulcan rocket in the Government Vertical Integration Facility (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This will be Vulcan’s first national security mission for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC). Image: United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is on the cusp of a significant milestone for its Vulcan rocket. The 202-foot-tall (61 m) launch vehicle is poised to take flight on its first national security mission as soon as Tuesday, August 12.
China's lunar lander aces touchdown and takeoff tests ahead of planned 2030 crewed moon mission (video)
China conducted takeoff and touchdown tests with its "Lanyue" moon lander on Aug. 6, 2025, as it prepares to launch a crewed lunar mission by 2030.
'Star Wars: A New Hope' will return to theaters to celebrate its 50th anniversary, but Disney didn't say which version
No, it's probably not the de-specialized edition, but Disney could surprise the 'Star Wars' faithful when the rerelease drops in theaters in 2027.
Who's a good robot dog? Bert and Spot explore Mars-like surface with help from AI and astronaut in space
Four robots recently took to Mars-like terrain, including a cave system, during an epic experiment involving a NASA astronaut in space.
SpaceX signs deal to fly Italian experiments to Mars on Starship's 1st commercial Red Planet flights
SpaceX has signed a deal with the Italian Space Agency to fly Italian experiments on the first commercial Starship missions to Mars.
Unistellar eQuinox 2 is over $700 cheaper — perfect for nebula and galaxy hunting in the summer skies
Explore the wonders of the cosmos and save over $700 on this Unistellar eQuinox 2 bundle, including an official backpack for taking it to dark sky sites.
Jupiter and its 4 largest moons will line up in the sky on Aug. 8. Here's how to see the 'parade'
Jupiter's four Galilean moons will line up in front of Jupiter in the early morning sky on Aug. 8.
The Universe's First Stars Unveiled in Turbulent Simulations
Understanding the early Universe is a foundational goal in space science. We're driven to understand Nature and how it evolved from a super-heated plasma after the Big Bang to the structured cosmos we see around us today. One critical moment in time was when the first stars, called Population 3 stars, ignited with fusion and lit up their surroundings.
Alpha Centauri Might Have a Planet, Webb Telescope Finds
Direct images from the James Webb Space Telescope show what could be a Saturn-mass planet around Alpha Centauri.
Astronomers use starlight to measure greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere
Scientists have developed an algorithm called Astroclimes, which transforms stargazing instruments into climate sensors that measure greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere.
James Webb Space Telescope spots a potential new exoplanet just 4 light-years away from Earth
Astronomers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence for a new exoplanet — one orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the nearest sun-like star to Earth.
Webb finds new hints for planet around closest solar twin
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have found strong evidence of a giant planet orbiting a star in the stellar system closest to our own Sun. At just 4 light-years away from Earth, the Alpha Centauri triple star system has long been a compelling target in the search for worlds beyond our solar system.
August full moon 2025 rises this weekend: Here's how to see the stunning 'Sturgeon Moon'
August's full Sturgeon Moon rises this weekend, days before the Perseid meteor shower hits its peak.
Science Can Solar System Planetary Projector review
A solar system model with a small projector built in, the Science Can Solar System Planetary Projector is a great educational tool for kids.
Hubble sizes up rare interstellar comet
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A team of astronomers has taken the sharpest-ever picture of the unexpected interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, using the crisp vision of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
