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Computer models of the cosmic web indicate it is made up of nodes connected by filmaents, which look strikingly like the structure of the human brain. Image credit: Flickr/ UCL Mathematical and Physical Sciences/ Andrew Pontzen and Fabio Governato
space
10 February 2016

Fibres of the universe may feed galaxies

Galactic filaments – the vast threads that link clusters of galaxies – may feed them with the matter required to make new stars, researchers now believe.

In the science fiction movie The Martian, an astronaut is accidently left on Mars yet manages to survive. Image credit: Aidan Monaghan - TM & © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
space
09 December 2015

Researchers tackle The Martian’s science fiction

Despite Matt Damon’s heroics in The Martian, where he overcomes the odds to survive after being left behind during a mission to the Red Planet, EU-funded researchers reveal that we don’t have the technology yet to get there alive and survive.

The supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies can fire out powerful jets into space. Image credit: ESA/Hubble, L. Calçada (ESO) under CC BY 3.0
space
04 December 2015

Black hole jets could stop stars forming

Galaxies aren’t as massive as computer simulations suggested they should be – and now scientists have one explanation for this.

EU satellites like Metop gives near-real-time pollution data. Credit: ESA/AOES Medialab
environment | space
03 November 2015

EU satellites help China check pollution

Observations from EU satellites are being used to help predict air quality in China as part of a new comprehensive forecast system.

The solar panels for Russia’s MIR space station were damaged due to a collision with space debris, making them less effective. Credit: NASA/Crew of STS-91
space
13 August 2015

Space nets to scoop up orbiting junk

Remember Gravity, the 2013 Sandra Bullock and George Clooney film where a space debris chain reaction destroys the International Space Station?

Growing healthy, nutrient-rich plants in space is essential to provide fresh food to astronauts. Image credit: Thales Alenia Space/Stefano D’Amadio
space
10 August 2015

Plants in space hold the key to deep space exploration

Space farming is difficult business – plants don’t grow well in zero gravity and harsh radiation damages seeds – but if researchers can get it right, it could provide food, clean water, and oxygen for manned missions far from earth.

The lightweight navigation technology being developed by SINPLEX researchers incorporates cameras, laser altimeters, star-tracking equipment, orientation equipment and other sensors in one 'Transformer' head. Image courtesy of SINPLEX
space
06 August 2015

'Transformer head' to slim down space probes

A space sensor unit that bears an uncanny resemblance to the head of a Transformer could cut the cost of interplanetary missions.

The star 51 Pegasi is in the northern constellation of Pegasus, also called The Winged Horse. Image ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2.
space
09 June 2015

First light from far-away planet shines the way to new earths

It isn’t easy to spot planets far away in our galaxy – normally we can only infer their presence, from the effect they have on their host stars. But now a group of astronomers has demonstrated an easier way to study distant worlds, by detecting the first visible light reflected off an exoplanet.

The Milky Way galaxy formed approximately 13.6 billion years ago. Image: NASA/ A. Fujii
space
08 April 2015

Uncovering the Milky Way’s traumatic past

Astrophysicists in Germany are piecing together the final parts of a map that will help tell us whether the Milky Way suffered a massive collision with another galaxy, billions of years ago.

Life in outer space has been found to have profound effects on the body, including muscle and bone loss, and impaired circulation. Image credit: Shutterstock/iurii
space
07 April 2015

How to slow down space-ageing

A human centrifuge is helping turn back the clock on space-ageing – the process by which six months away from earth can make your body seem 20 years older.

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