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: 29-Jul-2025 11:11 ET (29-Jul-2025 15:11 GMT/UTC)

Major achievement for LMU Munich: seven Clusters of Excellence approved

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Grant and Award Announcement

LMU Munich has reached a hugely significant milestone in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments: All seven proposed Clusters of Excellence have successfully passed the review process and will be funded for seven years as of 2026.

Great success: The University of Cologne is granted five Clusters of Excellence

University of Cologne
Grant and Award Announcement

Five proposals for Clusters of Excellence win funding in the German federal competition / Clusters in the fields of aging research, astrophysics, plant sciences, quantum research and economics will receive funding

SwRI’s Robin Canup receives 2025 AAS DDA Dirk Brouwer Career Award

Southwest Research Institute
Grant and Award Announcement

SAN ANTONIO — May 22, 2025 — Southwest Research Institute’s Dr. Robin Canup has received the 2025 Dirk Brouwer Career Award from the American Astronomical Society’s Division on Dynamical Astronomy (AAS DDA). As the vice president of SwRI’s Solar System Science and Exploration Division in Boulder, Colorado, Canup leads a team of about 120 contributing to a wide variety of space programs.

An extreme cousin for Pluto? Possible dwarf planet discovered at solar system’s edge

Institute for Advanced Study

A small team led by Sihao Cheng, Martin A. and Helen Chooljian Member in the School of Natural Sciences, has discovered an extraordinary trans-Neptunian object (TNO) at the edge of our solar system. The TNO is potentially large enough to qualify as a dwarf planet, the same category as the much more well-known Pluto. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Kuiper Belt and hypotheses that surround the existence of Planet Nine.

Unravelling the origin of mysterious radiation

Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Cosmic radiation occasionally contains enormous amounts of energy, but we don’t know why or where this radiation comes from. New research may have found the answer.

Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Breakthrough AI model could transform how we prepare for natural disasters

Universiteit van Amsterdam
Peer-Reviewed Publication

From deadly floods in Europe to intensifying tropical cyclones around the world, the climate crisis has made timely and precise forecasting more essential than ever. Yet traditional forecasting methods rely on highly complex numerical models developed over decades, requiring powerful supercomputers and large teams of experts. According to its developers, Aurora offers a powerful and efficient alternative using artificial intelligence.

Journal: Nature

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