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Universe Today • Mark Thompson

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed an optical starlight‑suppression system that tackles the central obstacle to imaging Earth‑like worlds — stellar glare that outshines planets by roughly 10 billion times. Engineers say the prototype is approaching the contrast performance needed to detect Sun‑analog exoplanets.

2026-03-28T16:59:52.546514-07:00

Universe Today

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

2026-03-28T16:40:16.737795-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA member states push to cancel Earth Return Orbiter; agency to salvage elements

2026-03-28T03:30:26.228357-07:00

Associated Press

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

2026-03-27T10:40:17.440596-07:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed an optical starlight‑suppression system that tackles the central obstacle to imaging Earth‑like worlds — stellar glare that outshines planets by roughly 10 billion times. Engineers say the prototype is approaching the contrast performance needed to detect Sun‑analog exoplanets.

2026-03-28T16:59:52.546514-07:00

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

Universe Today

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft found that Bennu's unexpectedly rugged, boulder-strewn surface is the result of deep internal fractures within the asteroid, explaining why in situ observations from 2018 diverged from 2007 Earth-based predictions. Bennu remains a preserved time capsule of the early solar system.

2026-03-28T16:40:16.737795-07:00

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

European Spaceflight

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ESA member states push to cancel Earth Return Orbiter; agency to salvage elements ESA member states have called for cancellation of the Earth Return Orbiter, prompting the agency to halt full development of the mission. ESA says it will examine how to salvage and reuse flight hardware, spacecraft elements and engineering work from the programme for other projects.

2026-03-28T03:30:26.228357-07:00

ESA member states push to cancel Earth Return Orbiter; agency to salvage elements

SpaceNews.com

ESA to decide by June on Europe's contributions to lunar Gateway The European Space Agency will decide by June on Europe's contributions to the Gateway, determining the scope, funding and industrial roles European partners will take for the lunar-orbit platform. The decision will set near-term commitments that influence contractor workshare, schedule and Europe's standing in Artemis-era lunar operations.

2026-03-27T12:05:35.649196-07:00

ESA to decide by June on Europe's contributions to lunar Gateway

Associated Press

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Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a sudden loss of speech during dinner aboard the International Space Station that lasted about 20 minutes; he reported feeling fine afterward. The unexplained neurological episode prompted NASA’s first in‑flight medical evacuation and remains under investigation.

2026-03-27T10:40:17.440596-07:00

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

Universe Today

NASA sending neutron detector to sniff lunar south pole ice up to 3 ft deep NASA is deploying an instrument that uses neutrons — the behaviour of subatomic particles — to locate usable water ice near the Moon’s south pole without drilling. The detector can sense buried ice deposits up to three feet underground, a capability tied to plans for a lasting lunar presence.

2026-03-27T09:35:00.897235-07:00

NASA sending neutron detector to sniff lunar south pole ice up to 3 ft deep

Universe Today

LIGO detects sub-solar gravitational-wave source — potential first primordial black hole LIGO recorded on 12 November 2025 a gravitational-wave signal from an object smaller than the Sun, a mass inconsistent with known stellar black holes. Two astrophysicists now offer an explanation; if confirmed, the event would be the first direct detection of a primordial black hole from the universe’s earliest moments.

2026-03-27T09:35:00.785636-07:00

LIGO detects sub-solar gravitational-wave source — potential first primordial black hole

New York Times

Underwater observatory records an unusually energetic neutrino that may signal an 'exploding' black hole An underwater neutrino observatory detected an unusually energetic cosmic neutrino that researchers say could originate from an 'exploding' black hole — a phenomenon so far only predicted in theory. Confirmation would identify a new class of high-energy transient and highlight neutrino detectors' role in multimessenger astronomy.

2026-03-27T07:18:32.659666-07:00

Underwater observatory records an unusually energetic neutrino that may signal an 'exploding' black hole

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

JPL optical system suppresses stellar glare, bringing direct imaging of Earth-like exoplanets within reach

Deep internal cracks explain Bennu’s rugged surface

ESA member states push to cancel Earth Return Orbiter; agency to salvage elements

Mike Fincke suffers sudden 20‑minute loss of speech aboard ISS; cause unknown after medevac

News Timeline