Science News Digest: Mars Probes, Black Holes, and Space Discoveries

Japan Is Launching a Probe to Collect the First-Ever Samples From a Martian Moon

The mission to Phobos, Japan’s first Mars probe launch in 28 years, may reveal new information about our closest planetary neighbor.

Astronomers Discover the Existence of a Black Hole Star

An object observed by the James Webb Space Telescope lends credence to a strange explanation for the mysterious red spots in the early universe.

The Galaxy’s Fastest Star Could Reveal the Secrets of a Supermassive Black Hole

S301 passes close to Sagittarius A*—so close that its orbit could reveal how the black hole’s rotation warps the spacetime around it.

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Has a Hidden Technological Leap

Astronomers will test equipment that, if it’s successful, will one day be crucial for discovering Earthlike planets.

Inside the Experimental Traps Scientists Set for Ghostly Neutrinos

Observatories have been built in mines, deep under the Antarctic ice sheet, and elsewhere in an effort to detect the fleeting particles.

What the Heck? Another Perfect Geometric Shape Has Been Detected on Saturn

The discovery adds to the planet’s history of strange atmospheric phenomena that scientists don’t fully understand.

The Best Photos of the Big Solar Eclipse

It’s been a century since the Iberian Peninsula has been in the full shadow of the moon. Here’s what it looked like in the path of totality.

How and When to View the Perseid Meteor Shower This Week

The Perseids will peak between August 12 and 13. Here’s what time—and where—you can get the best view, and why 2026 will be an exceptional year.

Scientists Have Found the Most Convincing Evidence Yet of a Dark Matter Particle

An underground detector recorded a strange interaction pointing to a particle with some properties that signify dark matter. The detection is small but promising.

Scientists Create the Littlest Big Bang to Study the Universe's Origins

The discovery redefines how large atoms need to be to produce the extreme state of matter found in the early universe.

A One-Two Punch Has Atlantic Hurricane Season on the Ropes

El Niño coupled with Saharan dust is making this year’s hurricane season a dud. But there’s still potential for dangerous storms.