Latest articles by Sharmila Kuthunur
It came from outer space: Scientists solve decades-long mystery of the Silverpit Crater
Scientists have confirmed that the Silverpit Crater in the North Sea was caused by an asteroid impact over 40 million years ago, ending years of controversy over its origin.
JWST finds 'dark beads' and wonky star patterns in Saturn's sky: 'These features were completely unexpected'
New JWST observations show Saturn's auroras dotted with dark beads and a star pattern missing two arms, puzzling astronomers.
Is our dream of finding ocean-covered exoplanets drying up?
New simulations suggest sub-Neptune planets may be drier than thought, challenging the "water world" hypothesis and reshaping the search for life beyond Earth.
Could a Mars crater have once hosted life? NASA's Perseverance rover finds more evidence it's possible
Fresh analysis of Perseverance rover data reveals Jezero Crater experienced repeated episodes of water activity, strengthening the case for habitability and raising the stakes for Mars Sample Return.
Astronomers discover rare 'runaway' dwarf galaxy hiding a violent past
The discovery of a rare runaway galaxy suggests some isolated systems were shaped by past group interactions before being flung into solitude.
We can finally predict when Mars' skies will glow green with auroras, scientists say
"The fact that we captured the aurora again demonstrates that our method for predicting aurorae on Mars and capturing them works."
Is there life on Saturn's moon Enceladus? New study complicates the search
"Although this doesn't rule out the possibility that Enceladus' ocean may be habitable, it does mean we need to be cautious in making that assumption just because of the composition of the plumes."
108 million degrees! Solar flares are far hotter than thought, study suggests
New research shows that solar flares are six times hotter than thought and calls for updated sun models that could improve space weather forecasting.
'It shouldn't survive': Astronomers discover dust on an epic journey far beyond its galaxy
"Webb was the key that made it happen."
India tests parachutes for 1st-ever human spaceflight mission in 2027 (photos)
India successfully tested the parachute system for its Gaganyaan crew module ahead of its planned first-ever astronaut launch in 2027.
Asteroid Bennu contains stardust that's older than the solar system
"Bennu is a time capsule of the material that was throughout the solar system."
1st Indian astronaut to visit ISS welcomed home as a hero
"Since I landed in Lucknow around 7:30 this morning, I must have clicked about 2,000 selfies."
Galactic cannonballs: The mystery of hypervelocity white dwarfs may just have been solved
Astronomers may have solved the mystery of how hypervelocity white dwarfs rocket out of the Milky Way at breakneck speeds.
Perseverance Mars rover stumbles upon wind-carved 'megaripples' on the Red Planet
NASA's Perseverance rover captured a striking new image of massive, wind-carved sand formations known as "megaripples" during its latest exploration stop on the Red Planet.
Dwarf planet Ceres may have once been suitable for life, new study suggests
Even if life never took hold on Ceres, the discovery could help broaden the range of environments that could potentially be habitable.
'Alien auroras' on Jupiter reveal a new kind of plasma wave, scientists say
Scientists using NASA's Juno spacecraft have discovered a new plasma wave in Jupiter's auroras, offering fresh insight into space weather and magnetism.
Reining in the sun: Venus, Earth and Jupiter may work together to reduce the risk of extreme solar storms
Tidal forces from Earth, Venus and Jupiter may help keep the sun calm, reducing the risk of powerful solar storms that threaten Earth, a new study suggests.
Hubble telescope uncovers rare star born from cosmic collision: 'A very different history from what we would have guessed'
"It's a discovery that underlines things may be different from what they appear to us at first glance."
This baby star's big explosion fired back: 'Nature is far more complex than humans think'
Astronomers discovered a star-triggered explosion shaping its dusty disk, revealing a far more chaotic and intense environment than previously thought.
AI helps astronomers make a potentially major find — an exploding star being attacked by a black hole
Artificial intelligence helps astronomers observe what may be the first known case of a star exploding while interacting with a black hole.
Scientists capture bridge of stray stars being sucked from one galaxy to another
Astronomers spot a rare stellar bridge in Abell 3667, revealing an aggressive galaxy merger and new clues about dark matter.
Scientists find oldest-known black hole in the universe: 'This is about as far back as you can practically go'
A newfound supermassive black hole from the dawn of the universe challenges how early cosmic giants formed.
A laser-propelled mini spacecraft could travel to a nearby black hole, astrophysicist says
A bold new proposal envisions launching laser-propelled nanocraft to a nearby black hole to test Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.
