Dark matter does not interact with electromagnetic force and does not absorb, emit or reflect light, making it difficult to observe directly. The presence of dark matter has only been inferred through observations of galaxies and galaxy clusters moving at higher rates of speed than should be possible based on their mass. A researcher has detected gamma rays from the central region of the Milky Way galaxy that are consistent with the energy and intensity that would be emitted by the annihilation of two weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, that are proposed to make up dark matter. If the anaylsis is correct, this could signify the first time that dark matter has been directly observed since it was first proposed in 1933.

It is rare for satellites to return to Earth intact after their mission in space – one example is the European satellite EURECA. Empa researchers have studied the satellite using various non-destructive X-ray methods. These could be used in future in the development of reusable space technologies, as well as in aviation and the automotive industry.

The star’s “alpha-rich” makeup, packed with heavier elements typically found in ancient stars, was the biggest surprise for UH researchers.

The outer planets of the Solar System are swarmed by ice-wrapped moons. Some of these, such as Saturn’s moon Enceladus, are known to have oceans of liquid water between the ice shell and the rocky core and could be the best places in our solar system to look for extraterrestrial life. A new study sheds light on what could be going on beneath the surface of these worlds.

Researchers at Texas A&M University model extreme conditions using 3D bioprinting, revealing insights that could make flight and space travel protocols safer while driving new breakthroughs in respiratory disease research and drug discoveries.