Michael Schirber is a freelance writer based in Lyons, France who began writing for Space.com and Live Science in 2004 . He's covered a wide range of topics for Space.com and Live Science, from the origin of life to the physics of NASCAR driving. He also authored a long series of articles about environmental technology. Michael earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Ohio State University while studying quasars and the ultraviolet background. Over the years, Michael has also written for Science, Physics World, and New Scientist, most recently as a corresponding editor for Physics.
Latest articles by Michael Schirber

By Michael Schirber Published
The places astronomers see are getting stranger every year.

By Michael Schirber Published
Controversy ends over magnification of quasars.

By Michael Schirber Published
An earlier estimate of a young star’s mass is called into question, throwing the question of massive star formation wide open again.

By Michael Schirber Published
There may be indirect evidence for the relatively small building blocks of black holes in the re-warming of the early universe.

By Michael Schirber Published
Droplets from asteroid impact formed in giant Earth-circling vapor plume, leaving clues to the dinosaur-killing catastrophe.

By Michael Schirber Published
Old school physics may solve puzzle of primordial matter.

By Michael Schirber Published
A plethora of galaxy types populated the early universe, including many that were starved of star-formation material.

By Michael Schirber Published
Hubble observations of massive cluster finds no stars greater than 130 solar masses.

By Michael Schirber Published
Planets may form in stable rings that develop in the swirling, turbulent gas disks around young stars.

By Michael Schirber Published
If a magnetar flew past Earth within 100,000 miles, the intense magnetic field the exotic object would destroy the data on every credit card on the planet.

By Michael Schirber Published
The rings of Saturn are part of a young and evolving system, according to the latest observations that suggest a snowball fight is going on around the giant planet.

By Michael Schirber Published

By Michael Schirber Published
An unknown source of gamma rays lurks in the center of the galaxy. It could be from an exploded star, or possibly it is a signature of mysterious dark matter.

By Michael Schirber Published
An international team of scientists has tested their life-detection equipment on an Arctic island, which is geologically similar to Mars.

By Michael Schirber Published
Morbid, for sure, yet still prudent. But where to put this valuable backup so that it is both safe and handy? And what form should it take?
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!





