Astronomy and Astrophysics

Many planets could have atmospheres rich in helium, study finds Illustration of a large grayish planet with several bands of clouds to left of frame with a distant sun visible to the right

Many planets could have atmospheres rich in helium, study finds

James Webb Space telescope reveals a faraway planet’s band of clouds Exoplanet

James Webb Space telescope reveals a faraway planet’s band of clouds

Student uses NASA data to reveal new details on planets in other solar systems UChicago undergraduate Jared Siegel spent six months finding a way to tease new information out of data that was taken by the NASA space telescope Kepler, which searched for planets around faraway stars.

Student uses NASA data to reveal new details on planets in other solar systems

Surprise finding suggests ‘water worlds’ are more common than we thought Europa's Stunning Surface

Surprise finding suggests ‘water worlds’ are more common than we thought

Scientists prepare to send a balloon to search for ‘messengers from outer space’ A group of scientists outdoors in front of a large square metal apparatus

Scientists prepare to send a balloon to search for ‘messengers from outer space’

Donald G. York honored for ‘exceptional vision’ in helping to found the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Prof. Emeritus Don York stands in front of a chalkboard with arms folded

Donald G. York honored for ‘exceptional vision’ in helping to found the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

The quest to take a picture of the black hole at the center of our own galaxy Milky Way

The quest to take a picture of the black hole at the center of our own galaxy

Supernova forensics: Eight years later, an explosion far out in space is still revealing secrets about the lives of stars Telescope image of large galaxy with small spot circled

Supernova forensics: Eight years later, an explosion far out in space is still revealing secrets about the lives of stars

James W. Truran, pioneer in nuclear astrophysics and beloved colleague, 1940-2022 James Truran

James W. Truran, pioneer in nuclear astrophysics and beloved colleague, 1940-2022

196 lasers help scientists recreate the conditions inside gigantic galaxy clusters National Ignition Facility technician

196 lasers help scientists recreate the conditions inside gigantic galaxy clusters