For the first time, astronomers have directly measured the distance to a spot clear across the galaxy. The established but challenging technique promises a new way to map the structure of the Milky ...
An interstellar comet called 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1) will soon reach its nearest point to the sun. The rare visitor, spotted by ...
Have you ever thought to yourself, boy, I sure do wish the Starfield HUD displayed interstellar distances in light years instead of astronomical units? If your answer to this question is "yes," then ...
Scientific debates can be as passionate and high-profile as political ones. Learn about an epic battle waged between the Castle and Morgan laboratories over the organization of genes. Sturtevant's ...
A research team has discovered a surprising phenomenon that could revolutionize how we think about signal amplification. Just two tiny vibrating units can, when connected with a delay, amplify their ...
The light-year is an indispensable unit of measurement for anyone trying to understand outer space. Get a group of astronomers talking, and you’ll hear them say “light-years” about as often as you ...
The metric system is great, but sometimes it simply doesn't do justice to what you're trying to describe. These highly-specialized units of measurement might be of use! Sagan. Inspired by and in ...