
Why weird star systems are where we'll find alien life
18 July 2018
In the hunt for life beyond Earth, we've been looking for planets and stars like our own. But that is flawed – and a new plan promises answers in our lifetimes

18 July 2018
In the hunt for life beyond Earth, we've been looking for planets and stars like our own. But that is flawed – and a new plan promises answers in our lifetimes

27 March 2018
The Parker Solar Probe is about to unlock the secrets of our star by flying into its fiery atmosphere – a mission that will push technology to the limit

7 February 2018
A chemical comparison of 22 stars has revealed their common origins. Download this incredible poster to see the extended families of these stars

31 January 2018
Unexplained phenomena from Martian canals to genomic patterns have been ascribed to alien intelligence – but mainly that's turned out to be wishful thinking

13 December 2017
Evidence for a new body perhaps the size of Neptune way out in the shadows is building – but if there is a ninth planet, it’s unlike any we have seen

25 October 2017
A rebel monk's challenge to the Catholic church's teaching 500 years ago fired Europe with radical thinking. Did it spark the scientific revolution?

18 October 2017
A mass equivalent to 1500 Earths has vanished from the sun. Tracking it down could transform how we see the stars

13 September 2017
Michele Dougherty's team rode its luck to make eye-opening discoveries around Saturn and its moons. She reveals the project's pleasures and pains

13 September 2017
From magical rings to loony moons to giant polar hurricanes, in 13 years orbiting Saturn the Cassini probe has exposed many wonders. Here's our pick
12 September 2017
Besides Cassini, eight missions have passed the asteroid belt – and several are still broadcasting from the furthest solar system and beyond