Astronomers studying an exoplanet over 400 light years away have found that it has a system of rings similar to those around Saturn.  The planet was discovered when two separate survey projects noticed the light from a star in the Scorpius-Centaurus association (the nearest region of recent massive star formation to the Sun) dimming slightly at regular intervals.  After eliminating other possible explanations, they concluded that the star must have a planet, and that it’s orbit was aligned with the … Continue reading →

Using a precision formation-flying technique, the twin GRAIL spacecraft will map the moon’s gravity field, as depicted in this artist’s rendering. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The two spacecraft of the Gravity Recovery And Internal Laboratory (GRAIL) mission recently settled into orbit around the Moon after their launch in September last year.  They will spend the next few months gently maneuvering into formation on a circular orbit passing over the Moon’s poles, at an altitude of only 55km above the lunar surface, … Continue reading →

Some time between 15 and 20 November 2011, farmers in the Omusati region of northern Namibia were startled by what sounded like an explosion.  When the police came to investigate, they found no evidence of explosives but instead discovered a large metal sphere lying about 18 meters away from a shallow impact crater.  Unable to identify it themselves, they handed it over to the National Forensic Science Institute for further study. According to the institute’s director, Paul Ludik, the sphere, … Continue reading →