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Voyager 2 shows first signs of entering interstellar space

Michael Irving October 7, 2018

After 40 years of zipping through the solar system, Voyager 2 appears to be close to leaving the neighborhood. The probe’s instruments have begun picking up radiation signals that suggest it is breaking out of the Sun’s protective bubble, and will soon join its sibling in interstellar space.

Space

Interstellar object 'Oumuamua's home narrowed down to four stars

David Szondy September 25, 2018

A team of scientists have identified four stars, one of which could be the home of 'Oumuamua, the first interstellar object known to visit the solar system. Based on data from ESA's Gaia stellar surveyor satellite, the four stars match the back-projected trajectory of 'Oumuamua.

Space

Scientists conclude 'Oumuamua came from another solar system similar to our own

David Szondy December 18, 2017

An international team of researchers led by Queen's University Belfast has confirmed that the interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua is a rocky object coated with organic-rich substances that came from a planetary system similar to ours and has been floating through space for millions of years.

'Oumuamua may have come from a planetary system similar to our own

Space

From the sublime to the stunning: The best space photos of 2017

Rich Haridy December 13, 2017

In 2017 we witnessed a solar eclipse cross the US, welcomed an interstellar visitor, and discovered some exciting Earth-sized exoplanets. Some astonishing images of the farthest reaches of our universe were also captured. Here we collect some of the most awe-inspiring space images of 2017.

This remarkable composite image of the Crab Nebula brings together data from five separate observatories

Space

How do you catch an interstellar asteroid? Go fast ... really, really fast

David Szondy November 26, 2017

A team from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies (i4is) has put forward a proposal for Project Lyra, a mission to launch a probe to chase and intercept the interstellar asteroid ’Oumuamua, which passed close to the Sun in September 2017.

Space

Magnetic sails could put the brakes on interstellar space probes

Michael Irving November 21, 2017

With our current technology, the journey to Alpha Centauri would take millennia, but there are plans for tiny probes that could do it in as little as 20 years. Now, a physicist has detailed a method to use magnetic sails as a braking system to slow craft down to a cruising speed once they get there.

The Breakthrough Starshot program plans to send tiny probes to Alpha Centauri, and a German physicist ...

Space

First interstellar asteroid reveals its strange secrets

David Szondy November 20, 2017

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has confirmed that the object provisionally designated A/2017 U1 is, in fact, an asteroid that came from outside the Solar System. "`Oumuamua," is different from any object seen before and has been roaming between the stars for hundreds of millions of years.

Artist’s impression of the first interstellar asteroid, `Oumuamua

Space Feature

Voyager 40th anniversary: Tracing an epic journey of discovery

Rich Haridy August 15, 2017

Forty years ago, two explorers set out to shed light on the mysteries of the Solar System, getting up close and personal with our distant neighbors. Today both pioneers are still operating and heading out of our solar system to explore further than any spacecraft ever launched.

Space

Cassini detects alien dust particles

Anthony Wood April 15, 2016

NASA's Cassini orbiter has become the first spacecraft to determine the composition of dust particles originating outside of our solar system. The discovery grants a rare insight regarding the processes that may be occurring in the interstellar medium.

Artist's impression of Cassini sampling dust particles

Space

Breakthrough Listen Initiative starts sharing "search for ET" data

Eric Mack April 13, 2016

The first batch of data from a $100 million effort to find signs of intelligent life beyond Earth has been released for public access.

The Green Bank radio telescope is being used in the project