A new Phys.org report explores research showing that large exomoons rarely survive around planets orbiting red dwarf stars. Using advanced simulations, scientists found that strong tidal forces often tear these moons apart within a billion years.

While a few may persist around early-type M-dwarfs, most are too unstable to last—highlighting the fragile nature of exomoons in these environments. Future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory could help confirm these predictions.

A new study from Yonsei University challenges the long-accepted view that the universe’s expansion is accelerating. Researchers found that biases in type Ia supernova data—linked to the age of their progenitor stars—may have led scientists to overestimate dark energy’s effect.

When corrected, the data suggests the universe’s expansion is slowing, not speeding up, marking a potential paradigm shift in cosmology.

A new Phys.org feature explores the future of fuel-free propulsion, from proven gravity assists to emerging tech like solar, magnetic, and electric sails.

As rockets reach their fuel limits, these propellantless methods could unlock the path to deep-space and interstellar exploration.

Cosmic voids aren’t truly empty — they hold a faint mix of dwarf galaxies, thin gas, and dark matter, at just one-fifth the universe’s average density.

In this episode, we explore what these vast “cosmic deserts” are made of and what it might mean if life or intelligence emerged in such isolated regions of space.

A new study by Dr. Robin Corbet explores the idea of “radical mundanity” — the notion that extraterrestrial civilizations might simply be few and technologically modest, explaining why we haven’t detected them yet.

Instead of vast megastructures or powerful beacons, these civilizations could be only slightly more advanced than us, awaiting discovery by the next generation of radio telescopes.

A new proposal could supercharge NASA’s future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) with an ultra-precise astrometer capable of detecting the tiny “wobbles” of nearby stars caused by Earth-sized exoplanets.

This upgrade could greatly expand the hunt for habitable worlds and even help test theories about dark matter distribution in galaxies — all before the HWO’s expected launch in the 2040s.

A new study introduces the “Solitude Zone,” a statistical model that gauges when a single intelligent species—like humanity—is most likely to exist. Merging ideas from the Fermi paradox, Drake equation, and Kardashev Scale, researcher Antal Veres found that Earth’s odds of being in this zone are only about 30%, suggesting we’re either one of many civilizations—or none at all.

The concept offers a fresh perspective on the age-old question: Are we truly alone?

Astronomers have discovered GJ 251 c, a “super-Earth” nearly four times our planet’s mass, orbiting in its star’s habitable zone — the sweet spot for liquid water and possibly life. Using 20 years of data and tools like the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder, researchers from Penn State tracked the star’s subtle wobble to confirm the planet’s presence.

While we can’t yet study its atmosphere, future telescopes may reveal whether GJ 251 c holds signs of alien life.

A new study reveals that the biggest barrier to space-based solar power isn’t in orbit—it’s on Earth. Researchers found that while thousands of satellites could technically beam solar energy from geostationary orbit, real-world factors like limited land for rectennas near the equator sharply reduce that number.

Even so, the analysis shows SBSP could still provide up to 3% of global power, underscoring its potential as a future clean energy source.

In this episode, we explore new research from the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society revealing how cosmic dust may have carried the building blocks of life to early Earth.

Scientists simulated space conditions and found that amino acids like glycine and alanine could survive by clinging to silicate dust grains—tiny interstellar travelers that may have seeded our planet with the precursors for life.

Tune in to uncover how these microscopic particles might have shaped Earth’s first chemistry.