Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This May brings a rare celestial treat, two full moons in one month! We’re exploring the science of space and how astronomy connects us through curiosity, discovery, and a shared wonder for what lies beyond.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 9-May-2026 03:16 ET (9-May-2026 07:16 GMT/UTC)

3-Mar-2026

 

A 690-million-kilometre journey through space ends for Australia’s SpIRIT mission

University of Melbourne

After more than 25 months of successful operations in space, the SpIRIT mission has ended, marking a major milestone for Australia’s growing space capability.

Funder

Australian Space Agency

3-Mar-2026

Microbe survives the pressures of impact-induced ejection from Mars

PNAS Nexus
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The extremophile bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans can survive the pressures developed during ejection from Mars as a result of massive asteroid impact. According to the authors, microorganisms can survive more extreme conditions than previously thought, including launch across space after major impacts, and life may be able to move between planets.

Journal

PNAS Nexus

3-Mar-2026

 

Asteroid samples offer new insights into conditions when the solar system formed

Tokyo University of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Samples from Ryugu, a small, near-Earth asteroid, preserve natural remanent magnetization (NRM) from the early history of the solar system. However, despite multiple studies, there is currently no consensus on the interpretation of results from Ryugu particles due to the limited number of samples examined. Now, researchers have conducted NRM measurement of 28 Ryugu particles, clarifying the differing observations of previous studies, offering new insights into their magnetic characteristics and evolution of the solar system.

Journal

Journal of Geophysical Research Planets

Funder

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Hypervelocity Impact Facility, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

2-Mar-2026

 

Building on the far side: AI analysis suggests sturdier foundation for future lunar bases

Research
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Now, a research team led by Beihang University has unveiled the first high-throughput, non-destructive characterization of these precious materials, revealing that the "soil" on the lunar far side possesses unique physical properties which are vital for future lunar bases.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program by China Association for Science and Technology, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Key Research Program of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2-Mar-2026

 

Study reveals cosmic tug-of-war behind the Crab Pulsar’s zebra stripes

University of Kansas
Reports and Proceedings

Study reveals cosmic tug-of-war behind the Crab Pulsar’s zebra stripes.

Meeting

Global Physics Summit 2026

27-Feb-2026

 

Lightning-generated waves detected at Mars

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

N/A

Journal

Science Advances