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 09:11 ET (29-Oct-2025 13:11 GMT/UTC)
SwRI collects first ultraviolet data from NASA’s Europa Clipper mission
Southwest Research InstituteBusiness Announcement
Stretched in a cross pattern: Our neighboring galaxy is pulled in two axes
Nagoya UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have discovered that Cepheid variable stars in our neighboring galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud, are moving in opposing directions along two distinct axes. They found that stars closer to Earth move towards the northeast, while more distant stars move southwest. This newly discovered movement pattern exists alongside a northwest-southeast opposing movement that the scientists previously observed in massive stars.
- Journal
- The Astrophysical Journal Letters
The most extreme solar storm hit Earth in 12350 BC, scientists identify
University of Oulu, FinlandPeer-Reviewed Publication
New research uncovers the strongest solar event ever detected — rewriting our understanding of space weather and radiocarbon dating.
- Journal
- Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Realization of a cold atom gyroscope in space
Science China PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
This work demonstrates the first realization of an in-orbit cold atom gyroscope using the China Space Station Atom Interferometer, representing the emergence of a space quantum inertial sensing epoch.This work demonstrates the first realization of an in-orbit cold atom gyroscope using the China Space Station Atom Interferometer, representing the emergence of a space quantum inertial sensing epoch.
- Journal
- National Science Review
A multitude of protoplanetary discs detected in the galactic centre
University of ColognePeer-Reviewed Publication
Using new observations with the ALMA telescope array in Chile, researchers have compiled the most precise map of three regions in the Milky Way’s Central Molecular Zone to date, providing valuable information on how stars from in that region / publication in ‘Astronomy & Astrophysics’
- Journal
- Astronomy and Astrophysics