Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.
In honor of Global Astronomy Month, we’re exploring the science of space. Learn how astronomy connects us through curiosity, discovery, and a shared wonder for what lies beyond.
Latest News Releases
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Oct-2025 06:11 ET (29-Oct-2025 10:11 GMT/UTC)
Astronomers find mystery dark object in distant universe
University of California - DavisPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Nature Astronomy
- Funder
- European Research Council, Italian Ministry of University and Research, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, National Research Foundation of South Africa
Discovery of binary stars the first step in creating "movie of the universe"
Australian National UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
A world-first discovery of binary stars could be the first step in building a more complete picture of how our galaxy formed, according to astronomers from The Australian National University (ANU).
The discovery is part of an ambitious 10-year program to scan the entire southern sky every few nights.
- Journal
- Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
- Funder
- Australian Research Council
Frozen clues: Mars’ crater deposits reveal a history of shrinking ice volumes through ages
Okayama UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Mars has experienced multiple ice ages, with each one leaving less ice than the last. By studying craters that serve as “ice archives,” researchers traced how the red planet stored and lost its water over hundreds of millions of years. These frozen records not only reveal Mars’ long-term climate history but also identify hidden resources beneath the surface that could provide drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel for future astronauts.
- Journal
- Geology
- Funder
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship for Young Scientists
Earth’s oxygen boom: a fresh perspective for a billion-year-old problem
Okayama UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
A new study examines nickel and urea in early microbial habitats, showing how ancient cyanobacteria adapted to their chemical surroundings. By recreating Archean conditions in the lab, researchers uncovered clues about the delicate balances that shaped early cyanobacterial life. These findings hint at the unseen factors that may have set the stage for Earth’s first oxygen surge, providing a fresh perspective on the environmental and chemical conditions that allowed oxygen to accumulate in the atmosphere.
- Journal
- Communications Earth & Environment
- Funder
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI, JST SPRING grants
Scientists capture an image of two black holes circling each other for the first time
University of TurkuPeer-Reviewed Publication
For the first time, astronomers have managed to capture a radio image showing two black holes orbiting each other. The observation confirmed the existence of black hole pairs. In the past, astronomers have only managed to image individual black holes.
- Journal
- The Astrophysical Journal