science

Webb finds carbon molecule, methyl cation, for the first time.

Webb Spots Crucial Carbon Molecule in Space for the First Time

An international team of scientists has used the James Webb Space Telescope's incredible imaging instruments to detect a new carbon compound in space for the first time. The compound, known as methyl cation (CH3+), is a vital molecule for more complex carbon-based molecules.

NASA 2024 total solar eclipse

NASA Funds 5 Experiments Ahead of 2024’s Total Solar Eclipse

The total solar eclipse that will shroud areas from Texas to Maine in darkness next April will be the last time to catch such an event in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. NASA wants to ensure that researchers are prepared to perform experiments during the event, and has announced funding for five interdisciplinary science experiments.

NASA Curiosity Postcard

The Inside Story Behind Curiosity’s Time-Blended Mars Panorama

Earlier this week, NASA shared an incredible time-blended composite panorama its team captured with Curiosity's navigation camera. PetaPixel spoke with Doug Ellison from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in southern California, the man who planned, captured, and processed the photos to make the "postcard."

Hubble satellite trail reduction software

New Software Reduces Satellite Interference in Hubble Images

As more satellites are sent into space, images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope are more frequently being spoiled. In March, scientists published a study about the adverse impact of satellites on Hubble observations, and now, Hubble scientists have developed new software to mitigate the issue and remove the troublesome satellites from photos.

How to Record Electrical Discharges with a Digital Camera

The recording of the patterns made by static electricity date back to the invention of the technique in 1777 by Georg Lichtenberg. Since he was the first to observe the patterns they are referred to as Lichtenberg figures.

Researchers explain Jupiter's shifting stripes

Researchers Can Now Explain Jupiter’s Mysterious Shifting ‘Stripes’

Much to the chagrin of tigers everywhere, Jupiter can change its stripes, although an explanation of how the gas giant changes its colors and famous "stripes" has long evaded scientists. Researchers at the University of Leeds in England believe they've found the answer and can explain why the bands on Jupiter move and change.

James Webb Space Telescope Comet Read

Webb Finds Water in Rare Main-Belt Comet, Spurring New Mysteries

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has helped scientists achieve another breakthrough. Solar system scientists working to understand the origins of Earth's abundant water have used Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument to confirm water vapor around a comet in the main asteroid belt for the first time.

'Midnight Radiance' by Wenting Zhu

‘Midnight Radiance’ Combines Art and Science With Colorful Crystals

Since its founding in 2016, Beauty of Science has worked alongside artists and scientists to create engaging visual content that inspires interest in science. In 2017, PetaPixel featured the work of Chinese scientific artist Wenting Zhu, who captured mesmerizing chemical reactions on camera. Zhu is back with another stunning project, Midnight Radiance.

How One Astrophotographer Made a New Scientific Discovery

Astrophotographer Bray Falls recently posted a series of striking images on Instagram that instantly caught PetaPixel's eye. Falls' photos aren't just visually stunning; they represent a brand-new discovery, a significant accomplishment for any astrophotographer.

Mars Map Emirates Mars Mission, UAE and NYUAD

Researchers Have Created an Incredibly Detailed Global Map of Mars

A team of scientists led by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Center for Space Science has created a high-resolution map of Mars that holds great potential for researchers aiming to understand the red planet's history, and how its arid, barren landscape came to be.

A Simple Technique to Photograph Standing Waves on Water

By using a simple mechanical oscillator attached to a plastic cup, a number of unique standing wave patterns can be created. The resulting photographs are similar to geometric mandala patterns and thus are popular subjects for photography students.

Steve Mould acustic camera

How Acoustic Cameras Can See Sound

While most photographers are used to capturing what their camera sees, an acoustic camera captures what it hears. Well-known YouTube science personality and educator Steve Mould's newest video explores acoustic cameras and how they can "see sound."