astronomy

A team led by a Spanish researcher has identified, near the centre of the Milky Way, a type of sugar composed of four carbon atoms, known as erythrulose, which on Earth is found in raspberries and self-tanning products. This would suggest that complex and biologically relevant molecules can form in space. Ribose and glucose had previously been discovered in samples from meteorites and asteroids, but until now no sugar had been directly detected in the interstellar medium. The finding is published in Nature Astronomy.

To fully experience the astronomical phenomenon of a total eclipse, you need to prepare in advance. The main concern is eye safety, but there are other health risks that can easily be avoided. We explain the main personal precautions to bear in mind.

Why do eclipses occur? Is the Earth’s shadow responsible for the phases of the Moon? Is the Moon full during a solar eclipse? These are by no means obvious questions, yet they are extremely useful in teaching astronomy for identifying the obstacles we encounter when thinking about celestial mechanics, regardless of age or educational background. Here are several suggestions for untangling the most common misconceptions and understanding the cosmic dance of the stars as seen from Earth.

A Japanese research team has identified the five nucleic bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil)—which form the building blocks of DNA and RNA—in samples from the asteroid Ryugu, according to a study published in Nature Astronomy, which compares the composition of these samples with those from the asteroids Bennu and Orgueil. “The detection of various nucleic bases in asteroid and meteorite materials demonstrates their widespread presence throughout the solar system and reinforces the hypothesis that carbonaceous asteroids contributed to the prebiotic chemical inventory of the early Earth,” the authors write.

Research into the reactions of people who have witnessed total eclipses reveals that they are transformative experiences. All accounts speak of the amazement of seeing something that should not happen, but does. When the stars play hide-and-seek for a few minutes, what happens to the spectators is much more than the sum of orbits and analytical mechanics; it is emotion.

For months, Spain has been preparing to host an astronomical milestone: a trio of solar eclipses that will be visible mainly from the peninsula, Ceuta, and Melilla. In addition to explaining what they are and why they are important, this article will tell you where to find expert sources to answer your questions about this fascinating phenomenon.

The claim that one type of tree—Picea abies—can anticipate a solar eclipse through electrical signals is based ‘on speculative interpretations and unsupported evolutionary assumptions,’ according to an opinion piece published in the journal Trends in Plant Science. The paper refutes another from 2025 that claimed these trees synchronised their bioelectrical behaviour hours before a solar eclipse in Italy's Dolomite region. According to the authors of the new article, this electrical activity can be explained by temperature changes and atmospheric electrical discharges.

The rapid growth of satellite constellations threatens the operation of space telescopes, according to a study published in Nature. If the planned launches are completed, the Hubble Space Telescope could see more than a third of its images affected by light pollution from these satellites, as they share the same orbital space, while other telescopes would have more than 96% of their images damaged, the authors estimate.

Previous studies had confirmed the presence of liquid in Mars' core. However, there was conflicting information about the possible existence of a solid component. Now, data from NASA's InSight mission show that there is indeed a solid component in the planet's core, whose radius is estimated at about 600 kilometers. The data, published in the journal Nature, may increase our understanding of the formation and evolution of Mars, as well as its potential habitability.