Phys.org Astronomy News

  • Binary asteroids' puzzling configurations may link to multi-satellite history
    on June 11, 2026 at 2:20 pm

    Binary asteroid systems are widespread throughout our inner solar system. For decades, the standard paradigm held that many of them form when a rapidly spinning primary asteroid casts off material, which then reaccumulates into an elongated moon orbiting near the Roche limit.

  • Cosmic acceleration holds up as new analysis rebuts slowdown claim
    on June 10, 2026 at 11:00 pm

    Our universe's expansion is still accelerating despite recent claims suggesting otherwise, an international team of astrophysicists says.

  • 'Black hole stars'—Webb finds strongest evidence yet
    on June 10, 2026 at 6:40 pm

    The complex puzzle known as little red dots has become more complete since their initial discovery by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in 2022. Now a particular little red dot's spectrum is helping connect many of the pieces.

  • Galaxy-killing wind discovered in the early universe
    on June 10, 2026 at 1:00 pm

    Astronomers have discovered a "galaxy-killing wind" that may explain why there are far more massive "dead" galaxies than expected in the early universe. This wind, powered by cosmic collisions between galaxies, could quickly blow away all the fuel for new stars, leaving a galaxy on the brink of death and helping to solve one of the biggest mysteries in modern astrophysics.

  • JWST reveals dawn-dusk atmosphere split on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-121 b
    on June 10, 2026 at 9:00 am

    Astronomers have revealed distinct differences in atmospheric conditions between the morning and evening transition zones of the ultra-hot gas planet WASP-121 b, which separate day from night, commonly called terminators. This achievement was only possible due to the unmatched sensitivity of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

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