astrophysics

As 2016 winds down, we take a moment to contemplate the billions of years that led to 2017 and the billions more yet to come.

Blobs in space emitting eerie, unexplained light have been puzzling astronomers for more than 15 years. Now, they think they are on to the cause of the mysterious glow.

Scientists were studying the properties of the light coming from a quasar — one of the brightest objects in the universe — when the light just seemed to wink out. Now they think they know why.

A U.S.-led team says it has seen waves in space-time from two black holes merging together. It is the first time humanity has directly detected such waves.

You don't have to ride a rocket ship into the cosmos to have the chance to help name a planet. The names of stars and planets are up for grabs right now — and you can get in on the action.