The ocean is probably the first thing that comes to mind when the topic of waves is brought up. Yes, the sound as they crash on the shore is relaxing and satisfying to listen to, but that sound is also delivered in the form of vibrational waves through the air! We are able to talk […]
The cosmic symphony of gravitational waves Read More »
Have you ever pondered the possibility of extraterrestrial life? This question has plagued scientists and intellectuals for years, even centuries. Amid the numerous research endeavors directed toward space exploration and discovering signs of life beyond the bounds of our planet, breakthrough results were recently reported about organic material recovered from the Bennu asteroid, which orbits
The precursors to life found on asteroid Bennu Read More »
Since the beginning of time, humans have tried to make sense of the cosmic chaos above, ranging from our immediate solar system to the edges of the known universe. So far, astronomers have discovered and confirmed the existence of seven planets orbiting the Sun alongside Earth: three terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) and four gas
X marks the spot: The hunt for Planet Nine Read More »
The universe’s expansion is one of the most profound and mysterious phenomena in the realm of cosmology, physics, and mathematics. Since roughly a century ago, scientists have been questioning the rate of expansion, its underlying causes, and the ultimate fate. Recent findings from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope have proven
The mystery of the fate of the universe Read More »
It was a simple question, asked offhandedly over a casual meal, but it has spurred decades of research far beyond the confines of our Earth. In 1950, physicists Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, Emil Konopinski, and Herbert York shared a meal and let their imaginations run wild. The conversation dipped into topics like aliens, flying saucers,
The interior world of a mysterious moon: A search for life in our solar system Read More »
How did we get here? This question is not just an existential dilemma, but a driving force behind the life’s work of particle physicists. 13.8 billion years ago, the Big Bang occurred. In a matter of milliseconds, all the matter that would create our universe and life as we know it was formed. However, this
The answer to life, the universe, and everything could be neutrinos Read More »
Imagine an entire city in space — a sprawling metropolis of hundreds or thousands of galaxies, each containing billions of stars, planets, and black holes. These cosmic cities are known as galaxy clusters, the largest gravitationally bound structures in the universe. To help unravel the mysteries of these enormous entities, NU Sci spoke with Professor
Galaxy clusters: Unveiling cosmic cities with Professor Jacqueline McCleary Read More »
The Mayans saw it as a forecast for the welfare of their homeland. The Greeks personified it with the myth of the Seven Sisters. The Chinese called them “guest stars.” And what is the modern world’s take on one of the oldest mysteries known to humankind? Put simply, we’re split between verifying the existence of
Why stars have been mysteriously disappearing Read More »
From September 29 until November 25, 2024, Earth’s moon is going to have its own fun-sized replica. This little guy, with a diameter of only 33 feet, is expected to orbit around the Earth for the next two months before departing and continuing its journey through space. “Mini-moons” are near Earth objects (NEOs) that are
Earth’s new friend: A visiting mini-moon Read More »