Explained: Transiting exoplanets
How astronomers learn whether a planet is habitable by observing slight changes in light emanating from its parent star.
And then there was light
Astronomers probe ancient radio waves for clues about the universe’s first light.
Earth’s final growth spurt
NASA team suggests that massive projectiles added mass to Earth, Mars and the Moon during final phase of planet formation
The final frontier
Now that an Earthlike planet has been discovered, the key to confirming that it can host life will be to study its atmosphere in detail
Learning from hot Jupiters
By studying how massive planets may have formed, MIT astrophysicist sets the stage for studying smaller, more Earthlike planets.
Building a list of Earth candidates
MIT researchers increase their odds of detecting an Earthlike planet by working on a combination of satellite missions.
Astronomers detect first carbon-rich exoplanet
Discovery opens door to new class of exoplanets, including rocky planets rich in diamond and graphite.
Growing Earth’s oceans
Study suggests that trace amounts of water created oceans on Earth and other terrestrial planets, including those outside the solar system.
3 Questions: Sara Seager on the discovery of a ‘new’ form of life
The MIT planetary scientist discusses what the finding means for life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.
Lending a hand
MIT researchers may be closer to understanding why spacesuit gloves hurt astronauts’ hands.
Telling time on the moon
New map of lunar craters sheds light on early solar-system activity and points to oldest parts of the moon’s surface.
Robert J. Butler, former design research engineer at MIT, dies at 89
An MIT engineer for 25 years, he helped design instruments for NASA’s Voyager spacecraft.
Personal cushion of air
Inspired by seeds, proposed air-bag system would surround astronauts and protect them during bumpy landings
A hop, skip and a jump on the moon — and beyond
Team envisions robotic spacecraft that can explore hard-to-reach areas on the moon and other planetary bodies by hopping.
Explained: the Doppler effect
The same phenomenon behind changes in the pitch of a moving ambulance’s siren is helping astronomers locate and study distant planets.