It is a question that has vexed mankind for centuries: Are we alone in the universe? And according to a survey, it still tops the list of mysteries we are most desperate to see solved. In second place was a curiosity for when a cure for cancer will be found, followed by ... Continue Reading

Is Earth really a sort of giant living organism as the Gaia hypothesis predicts? A new discovery may provide a key to answering this question. This key of sulfur could allow scientists to unlock heretofore hidden interactions between ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land — interactions that might provide evidence supporting ... Continue Reading

The moon is set to get a lot bigger this weekend - at least from our perspective on Earth. And the 'Supermoon' - the nickname for a perigee full moon, closer to the Earth than usual - could cause tides to rise around the world as the moon's close 'fly past' ... Continue Reading

Stargazers around the world are helping scientists to try and detect signals from an advanced civilisation on another planet. In February, Nasa announced that its Kepler space telescope had identified 1,235 possible planets, some of them 'habitable zones', during its first four months in orbit. Now astronomers at the University of California, ... Continue Reading

Space junk or a tiny asteroid? A mystery object is slated to make a close transit of the Earth tonight. WASHINGTON -- A mystery object from space is about to whizz close by Earth on Wednesday. It won't hit our planet, but scientists are stumped by what exactly it is. Astronomers ... Continue Reading