Hubble discovers a distant plant that may have gained a second atmosphere through volcanic activity 

A small gas exoplanet may have lost its atmosphere billions of years ago, but then gained a second one through volcanic activity, according to astronomers.  The planet, GJ 1132 b, is thought to have begun as a gaseous world, similar to Jupiter or Saturn but smaller than Neptune, with a thick hydrogen blanket of atmosphere.  … Read more

Scientists discover the most distant radio blast EVER known from a quasar

Astronomers have seen the most distant radio blast from a quasar ever discovered, and it took the light from the energy source 13 billion years to reach the Earth.  The source is what scientists call a radio-loud quasar – a bright object with powerful jets – and it was emitted when the universe was just … Read more

18th century priest who is a distant uncle of Prince William and Harry is step closer to sainthood

A priest related to Princes William and Harry has been moved a step closer to sainthood by the Pope. A decree issued by Pope Francis said Father Ignatius Spencer lived a life of ‘heroic virtue’. Englishman Father Spencer, who was born George Spencer in 1799, now needs two miracles attributed to him if he is … Read more

House of Hanover goes to war with itself as distant cousin of the Queen sues his own son over estate

House of Hanover goes to war with itself as distant cousin of the Queen sues his own son over estate Ernst August, prince of Hanover (66) is suing his son, also Ernst August (37) The father gave his son Marienburg castle, a mansion and the nearby estate But after struggling with the upkeep, the son all … Read more

Meet ‘Farfarout’: Astronomers confirm our solar system’s most distant planetoid

Astronomers have confirmed our solar system’s most distant planetary object, nicknamed Farfarout, is almost four times farther from the Sun than Pluto is. Pluto, the dwarf planet, resides around 3.1 billion miles from the Sun, while Farfarout is an incredible 12.2 billion miles from the Sun. Officially called 2018 AG37 but affectionately referred to as Farfarout, the … Read more

Astronomers detect most distant supermassive black hole known of

Most distant supermassive black hole known to science is detected by astronomers more than 13 BILLION light years from Earth Researchers used the ALMA telescope array in Chile to discover the quasar A quasar is a type of supermassive black hole that is releasing a lot of energy This object was discovered when the universe … Read more

Most distant supermassive black hole known to science is detected by astronomers

Most distant supermassive black hole known to science is detected by astronomers more than 13 BILLION light years from Earth Researchers used the ALMA telescope array in Chile to discover the quasar A quasar is a type of supermassive black hole that is releasing a lot of energy This object was discovered when the universe … Read more

Hayabusa2 capsule carrying samples from distant asteroid lands in Australia

A capsule released by Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft containing samples from a distant asteroid has landed in southern Australia after travelling three billion miles on a six year voyage.  The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) said the Hayabusa2 craft had successfully released the small capsule on Saturday and sent it towards Earth to deliver samples from … Read more

Neanderthals: our distant relatives could grasp a hammer but would have struggled to pick up a coin

Neanderthals could grasp a hammer but would have struggled to pick up a coin because the joints in their thumbs made precision grips more challenging than ‘power squeezes’  By Ian Randall For Mailonline Published: 16:29 GMT, 26 November 2020 | Updated: 16:29 GMT, 26 November 2020 The thumbs of Neanderthals would have meant they could … Read more

Ed Balls brands Great British Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry as ‘stiff and distant’

Ed Balls brands Great British Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry as ‘stiff and distant’ and claims ‘disdain hung in the air’ when he recorded episode By Imogen Horton For The Daily Mail Published: 00:32 GMT, 7 November 2020 | Updated: 00:32 GMT, 7 November 2020 A staple of easy-watching telly, Great British Bake … Read more