How the Universe Works

Neutron stars are strange and violent phenomena that defy the laws of physics, and new discoveries reveal that these bizarre nightmares are far more deadly than we ever thought, with the power to destroy planets and other stars.

Supernovas are the violent death of giant stars, and new discoveries reveal that these cataclysmic events create the elements that are essential to all life in the universe.

New discoveries reveal that the space between the universe's stars is not empty and unremarkable as previously thought, but filled with weird objects and strange phenomena that might hold the darkest secrets of our cosmos.

Black holes aren't the violent monsters we think they are, and new discoveries reveal that they might have been essential to creating stars, giving light and building the universe itself.

Nebulas are the strange structures of cosmic gas and dust where stars are born and die, and new discoveries reveal the secrets of these mysterious places.

Some astronomers question if the Big Bang really happened, and using the latest science, they investigate if it wasn't just the start of our universe, but many mysterious multiverses.

Dark matter and dark energy are locked in an epic battle for control of the cosmos, and the winner will determine the fate of the universe. New discoveries might reveal which force will emerge victorious.

The latest discoveries suggest that we might be on the verge of discovering life beyond our planet. Scientists are investigating if Earth's life began elsewhere in the universe, and whether we need to evolve to know for sure.

Thousands of exoplanets lie beyond our solar system, and some resemble Earth enough that one could be a new home for humanity. But even with cutting-edge technology, finding the perfect one is the scientific challenge of the age.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft revealed the strange secrets of Saturn until it vaporized in its atmosphere in a blaze of glory. But today its legacy lives on, as fresh data from the probe helps scientists make brand-new discoveries.