Science Alert

Subscribe to Science Alert feed Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 37 min 1 sec ago

November Supermoon: When you can see it in New York, Washington, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities

02/11/2025
Earth witnesses its closest lunar rendezvous of 2025 on November 5-6, a supermoon appearing larger and brighter. This 'Beaver Moon' offers a spectacular, free celestial event. While astronomers explain its elliptical orbit, poets find inspiration. Best viewed around moonrise or moonset, it's a reminder of our place in the cosmos.

Scientists have finally solved the 'tiny' T-Rex mystery

02/11/2025
A groundbreaking study has settled a 40-year debate: the 'tiny tyrant' fossil is not a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex but a distinct species, Nanotyrannus lancensis. Researchers analyzed the 'dueling dinosaurs' specimen, revealing it was a 20-year-old adult with unique skull and limb features, suggesting a more complex Cretaceous ecosystem than previously believed.

Scientists discover 42,000-year-old ‘crayon’ — colouring a new picture of early humans

01/11/2025
Archaeologists have discovered a 42,000-year-old yellow ochre stick in Crimea and Ukraine, suggesting Neanderthals possessed artistic capabilities. This ancient tool, meticulously shaped and reused, indicates symbolic behavior and creativity, challenging the long-held perception of Neanderthals as less sophisticated than early humans. The find suggests a rich Neanderthal art scene predating Homo sapiens.

What does 3I/ATLAS stand for? Where is it from? Everything you need to know to geek out about our interstellar guest

31/10/2025
A rare cosmic visitor, 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar object, was discovered in July 2025. This object, on a hyperbolic orbit, originated from beyond our solar system and will depart permanently. Visible only through powerful telescopes as a faint blue-green dot, it offers a unique opportunity to study material from another star system.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX unveils bold ‘simplified’ Starship plan to accelerate Artemis 3 Moon mission and ensure astronaut safety

31/10/2025
SpaceX has submitted a simplified Starship mission plan to NASA, aiming for a faster and safer lunar landing. This comes amid NASA's concerns about the rocket's readiness for Artemis III, with the agency reportedly facing internal pressures. SpaceX highlighted its development milestones and upcoming tests, including crucial in-space refuelling demonstrations.

How to watch interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS passing through the solar system: When, where and tips to spot this rare cosmic visitor

31/10/2025
A rare interstellar visitor, comet 3I/ATLAS, is currently traversing our solar system, offering scientists a unique chance to study an object from another star. This comet, unlike those orbiting our Sun, follows a one-time hyperbolic path. Best viewing opportunities are in the eastern predawn sky mid-to-late November 2025, requiring at least an eight-inch telescope.

NASA reimagines space junk as an economic equation: How a new cost lens could save the future of orbit

31/10/2025
NASA's new research reframes orbital debris as a financial risk, quantifying the economic impact of collisions and mission losses. This cost-benefit analysis prioritizes efficient mitigation strategies like rapid deorbiting. Furthermore, studies reveal space debris holds latent resource potential, suggesting a dual approach of removal and in-space recycling for metals like aluminum and titanium.

3I/ATLAS may be the oldest comet ever seen in 7 billion years, carrying secrets from before the solar system began

31/10/2025
Astronomers have identified 3I/ATLAS, an ancient, ice-rich interstellar comet potentially older than our solar system. Discovered by the University of Oxford, its origin in the Milky Way's thick disk offers a unique glimpse into early galactic processes. Scientists anticipate studying its composition as it nears the Sun, providing vital clues about the formation of stars and planetary systems.

NASA spacecraft record interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reaching peak brightness near the Sun

31/10/2025
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captivated astronomers with its dramatic passage near the Sun, brightening significantly due to active gas emissions. Tracked by NASA and international spacecraft, this ancient, fast-moving object offers a unique glimpse into material from beyond our solar system, potentially revealing clues about the origins and evolution of comets from distant star systems.

3I/ATLAS sending mysterious Fibonacci-pattern pulse signal 8 • 13 • 8 • 5 • 13 • 8 at 1420 MHz; could it be a message from deep space

31/10/2025
Scientists are investigating a mysterious pulse signal from interstellar object 3I/ATLAS. The signal reportedly follows a Fibonacci pattern and is detected at a frequency linked to interstellar communication. Researchers are cautiously exploring the possibility of an intelligent transmission. This discovery has sparked global curiosity about extraterrestrial life and potential signals from space.

The Amazing Spider-Decorator: Why arachnids are nature's best interior decorators

30/10/2025
Sardinian spiders are decorating their webs with elaborate patterns, baffling scientists for years. New research suggests these 'stabilimenta' aren't just for show but act as acoustic architecture, redirecting vibrations to help spiders detect prey faster. This discovery could inspire advanced vibration sensors for human technology.

6-million-year-old Antarctic ice reveals how Earth once heated; know what it warns about tomorrow

30/10/2025
Scientists have discovered the oldest directly dated ice and air on Earth in East Antarctica, dating back six million years. This ancient ice, found near the surface, offers unprecedented insights into Earth's past climate, revealing significantly warmer temperatures and higher sea levels. The findings provide crucial context for understanding modern global warming by showcasing natural climate fluctuations.

Hidden life beneath our feet: How deep-Earth microbes might be colonising the surface

30/10/2025
Microscopic life thrives kilometers beneath Earth's surface, surviving on chemical reactions in rock and water. These deep-Earth microbes, once thought impossible to exist, are now believed to migrate to the surface, influencing ecosystems and potentially holding clues to the origins of life. Their discovery revolutionizes our understanding of Earth's interconnected biosphere.

First ‘mummified’ hooved dinosaur in Wyoming Badlands discovered, redefining prehistoric evolution

30/10/2025
Wyoming's badlands have yielded two mummified duck-billed dinosaur fossils, revealing the first-ever evidence of hooves in dinosaurs. These 66-million-year-old Edmontosaurus specimens, preserved with remarkable detail including skin texture and limb structure, offer unprecedented insights into their anatomy and how they navigated their environment, significantly advancing our understanding of prehistoric life and adaptation.

Is 3I/ATLAS more than a comet? This rare interstellar visitor might become Earth’s silent protector from asteroid threats

30/10/2025
A rare visitor from deep space, comet 3I/ATLAS, is now in our solar system. Scientists worldwide are observing this interstellar comet. It offers a unique chance to study material from other star systems. This observation will help improve our ability to detect and track potential threats from space. Lessons learned will strengthen Earth's planetary defence.

NASA just flew a jet at 925 mph without sonic boom noise: Breakthrough could cut travel time by half

29/10/2025
NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft has successfully completed its first flight, demonstrating the ability to break the sound barrier with a quiet "thump" instead of a sonic boom. This breakthrough, developed with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, could pave the way for silent supersonic passenger travel, potentially revolutionizing long-haul flights within the next decade.

‘Seeds of life’ discovered in deep space ice far beyond our galaxy

29/10/2025
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected complex organic molecules, the building blocks of life, in ice around a young star outside our galaxy. This groundbreaking discovery suggests that the chemistry necessary for life may be universal, forming even in harsh cosmic environments. Scientists are now investigating other star-forming regions to understand the prevalence of these "seeds of life."

Pages