EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Global Astronomy Month

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: 28-Apr-2026 04:16 ET (28-Apr-2026 08:16 GMT/UTC)

17-Feb-2026

Microbes harvest metals from meteorites aboard space station

Cornell University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, can harvest crucial minerals from rocks and could provide a sustainable alternative to transporting much-needed resources from Earth. Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Edinburgh have now collaborated to study how those microorganisms extract platinum group elements from a meteorite in microgravity, with an experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station.

Journal: npj Microgravity

17-Feb-2026

Smithsonian planetary scientists discover recent tectonic activity on the Moon

Smithsonian
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists have produced the first global map and analysis of small mare ridges (SMRs) on the moon, a characteristic geological feature of tectonic activity. The team’s discovery of how SMRs form introduces a new set of potential moonquake sources that could affect future site selections for lunar landings.

Journal: The Planetary Science Journal

16-Feb-2026

Cosmic predators: How supermassive black holes slow star growth in nearby galaxies

University of Arizona
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study led by University of Arizona astronomers finds that supermassive black holes may slow star formation not only in their own, but nearby galaxies as well. The findings suggest that black holes may have played a much larger role in shaping the growth of galaxies in the early universe than previously thought.

Journal: The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Funder: NASA Headquarters, NASA Headquarters, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations, European Research Council, NASA Headquarters, NASA Office of Space Science

15-Feb-2026

HKU Laboratory for Space Research to host APRIM2026 positioning Hong Kong as an Asia-Pacific astronomy hub

The University of Hong Kong
Meeting Announcement

In a landmark development for the region’s scientific community, Hong Kong has been selected to host the Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM) for the first time. Dubbed the “The Olympics of Astrophysics and Space Science”, this prestigious event will take place from May 4 to 8, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

13-Feb-2026

Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of ASU Knowledge Enterprise, presents a bold and practical framework for moving research from discovery to real-world impact

Arizona State University
Meeting Announcement

In a must-see topical lecture called “From Discovery to Impact: A Framework for Research That Strengthens Communities,” Morton draws on Arizona State University’s pioneering model of use-inspired research — where excellence is measured by the overall economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities ASU serves.

Meeting: 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting

13-Feb-2026

Cosmic curveball: Distant system challenges planet-formation theory

McMaster University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international team of astronomers has discovered a distant planetary system that challenges long-standing theories of how planets form.

Journal: Science