Latest articles by Robert Lea
LIGO Legacy: 10 incredible gravitational wave breakthroughs to celebrate observatory's landmark 2015 find
The first-ever detection of gravitational waves was made 10 years ago today (Sept. 14). In celebration, Space.com takes you through the most significant gravitational wave discoveries to date.
Scientists measure 'kick' that sent baby black hole flying away from its home for 1st time
Everything about the Infinity Galaxy, recently discovered by the JWST, is strange. One odd feature could be the first evidence of a "direct collapse" black hole.
Astronomers discover rogue black hole speeding through distant dwarf galaxy
Astronomers have discovered a rogue intermediate mass black hole blasting out jets over 3,000 light-years from the heart of its home galaxy, where it would usually lurk.
Scientists say there's a 90% chance we could spot an exploding black hole in the next decade
New research suggests that if primordial black holes exist, there is a 90% chance our telescopes could detect one exploding in the next 10 years.
Astronomers finally find elusive, dust-shrouded supermassive black holes at ‘Cosmic Dawn’
Using the James Webb Space Telescope and the Subaru Telescope in powerful tandem, scientists have discovered the first shrouded supermassive black holes at Cosmic Dawn.
James Webb Space Telescope studies a 'failed star' named 'The Accident' to solve an old mystery of Jupiter and Saturn
A study of the "failed star" brown dwarf known as "The Accident," conducted by the James Webb Space Telescope, may reveal a solution to an old mystery of Jupiter and Saturn.
Scientists find evidence of flowing water on Ryugu’s ancient parent asteroid. 'It was a genuine surprise!'
Water may have flowed on the asteroid that birthed the space rock Ryugu a billion years after it formed, much later than previously thought, changing our perception of the early solar system.
Gravitational wave detector confirms theories of Einstein and Hawking: 'This is the clearest view yet of the nature of black holes'
Celebrating 10 years since the first detection of gravitational waves coming from colliding black holes, LIGO has confirmed the predictions of the greatest minds in physics.
Astronomers discover repeating gamma-ray burst 'unlike anything we have ever witnessed before' (video)
A newly discovered gamma-ray burst is unlike any seen before, repeating over the course of a day rather than erupting in milliseconds, leaving astronomers perplexed by its origins.
Small black holes are surprisingly messy eaters, Japanese spacecraft discovers: 'Being surprised is good'
It isn't just supermassive black holes that are messy eaters. Using a Japanese space telescope called XRISM, scientists have found that small black holes are a "hot mess," too.
Does the nearby exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e support life? New James Webb Space Telescope data could help us find out
The James Webb Space Telescope has investigated the "Goldilocks zone" planet TRAPPIST-1e to search for a potential atmosphere and hints of habitability.
A new particle detector is ready to probe 'ashes' of the Big Bang after passing its 'standard candle' test
"You never see the Quark Gluon Plasma itself — you just see its ashes."
How the James Webb, Euclid and Roman space telescopes could team up to hunt supermassive black holes from the dawn of time
Three powerful space telescopes, Euclid, Roman, and the James Webb Space Telescope, could team up to detect black holes as early as 250 million years after the Big Bang.
Scientists capture interstellar invader comet 3I/ATLAS growing a tail: 'This image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder' (photo, video)
Astronomers have captured a stunning new image of the interstellar intruder 3I/ATLAS, seeing its growing tail and glowing coma.
Radical new Big Bang theory says gravitational waves created galaxies, stars and planets
A new Big Bang model does away with speculative elements, putting gravitational waves at the forefront of the creation of galaxies, stars, and planets.
Astronomers discover a 'forbidden' pulsar fleeing a supernova in a seemingly empty region of the Milky Way
A neutron star-powered pulsar is fleeing a supernova explosion in the outskirts of the Milky Way, a low-density region where such events are "forbidden."
Interstellar invader comet 3I/ATLAS could be investigated by these spacecraft as it races past the sun: 'This could be literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'
Excitement is building regarding the interstellar invader 3I/ATLAS, with new research suggesting which spacecraft from Earth could get a close-up view of the comet.
Scientists discover explosive origins of superspeed electrons streaming from the sun
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft has tracked near-light-speed electrons back to the sun, finding two distinct families generated by solar flares and CMEs.
James Webb Space Telescope spots odd planet-forming disk around infant star
The James Webb Space Telescope has observed a planet-birthing disk of gas and dust around a young star, uncovering some strange and unexpected chemistry.
'We need to broaden our search, and now we can.' Scientists are set to unleash a powerful new weapon in the hunt for dark matter
Scientists have retreated to deep beneath the French Alps to broaden the hunt for dark matter particles that could be "WIMPier than WIMPS."
'A remarkable discovery': Astronomers find 1st exoplanet in multi-ring disk around star
Astronomers are amazed to have discovered a baby exoplanet gobbling up matter around an infant star like a planetary Pac-Man.
Nobel prize winner and gravitational wave pioneer Rainer Weiss dies at 92
MIT professor, Nobel prize winner, and renowned astrophysicist Rainer Weiss has passed away at the age of 92.
How scientists are using exoplanets to map out 'polka dots' on stars
Scientists have developed a new technique that could help them understand "polka dot" stars using the transits of exoplanets.
