An MIT study finds that, for now, the catalog of known black hole binaries does not reveal anything fundamental about how black holes form. More data will be needed to determine whether the invisible giants arose from a quiet galactic disk or a more dynamic cluster of stars.
Astronomers detected a persistent radio signal from a far-off galaxy that appears to flash with surprising regularity. Named FRB 20191221A, this fast radio burst, or FRB, is currently the longest-lasting FRB, with the clearest periodic pattern, detected to date.
MIT scientists developed a low-cost, high-precision fabrication method for thin mirrors and silicon wafers. A novel photolithography technique could be a manufacturing game-changer for optical applications
The Heising-Simons Foundation names Malena Rice and Eva Scheller as two recipients of the 51 Pegasi-b postdoctoral program to be hosted by MIT. Rice will use TESS to look for Planet Nine while Scheller will study water on Mars.