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This illustration shows the system around the star CD-35 2722, with the newly found moon-like object at the centre. The star –– the point source to the left –– has about half the mass of our Sun, and it is orbited by a brown dwarf, the reddish-brown object seen here in the foreground (right). The brown dwarf has about 37 times the mass of Jupiter: too massive to be a planet, but not massive enough to have sustained nuclear fusion like stars. This brown dwarf is, in turn, orbited by a newly discovered object at least as massive as Jupiter, seen at the centre of this image. This new object, found with ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), is difficult to label. It behaves like a moon in the sense that it orbits an object that orbits a star. But this ‘moon’ is massive enough to be a planet, and the object it orbits, a brown dwarf, is neither a planet nor a star.
Moons

‘Super weird’ object may be space’s first confirmed exomoon

The object about 72 light-years away from Earth could be the first satellite discovered outside our solar system.

By Andrew Paul

The projection room at a Sony Theater showing the 3D IMax Movie "Wings Of Courage" (Photo by James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images)
Engineering

Why 1960s technology makes seeing ‘The Odyssey’ in 70mm IMAX so difficult

Christopher Nolan’s new movie uses cutting-edge special effects, but the film tech is practically ancient.

By Andrew Paul

avocados growing on a tree
Archaeology

Humans packed avocados before migrating across the Americas 5,000 years ago

Those same ancient avocado lineages could help protect the popular fruit today.

By Laura Baisas

a sperm whale swimming in clear blue waters with its mouth open
Ocean

Sperm whales change how they communicate when ships are nearby

Sailing by a sperm whale? They may be talking about you.

By Laura Baisas

GunaiKurnai Elder Uncle Russell Mullett at the cave entrance of Cloggs Cave
Archaeology

Australian cave home to 25,000 years of healing—and curses

Ancient burnt grass reveals millennia of spiritual rituals inside Cloggs Cave.

By Andrew Paul

Baby raccoon with short spine walks across lawn.
Ask Us Anything

Jimothy the raccoon has a rare spinal condition. Here’s what that means.

The internet's favorite raccoon has become a symbol of resilience in Seattle. Here's what his condition might mean for his future in the wild.

By Jennifer Byrne

Demon cavefish photo from scientific study
Endangered Species

New eyeless ‘demon cavefish’ discovered in Alabama named after mythological Demogorgon

The tiny and translucent fish is one of the rarest species in the United States.

By Andrew Paul

an adult bald eagle stands on a perch in front of a green wall
Birds

Bald eagle believed to be Jackie healing in Ojai

Adult Bald Eagle 26-519 is perching and eating with assistance.

By Laura Baisas

Photo of two Iron Age grass sandal soles next to their side profiles
Archaeology

2,000-year-old grass sandals discovered in Iron Age ash heap

The rare footwear discovered in Spain predates the Roman Empire's arrival.

By Andrew Paul

a woman wearing a costume to look like an adult crane feeds a baby crane
Land

Costumed ‘Ugly Mom’ helps orphaned sandhill cranes

Puppets, mirrors, and elaborate costumes all help keep orphaned birds from getting attached to humans.

By Laura Baisas

A Sapphire Blue Tenways Wayfarer commuter ebike in front of red tulips at the Lady Bird Johnson Memorial
Outdoor Gear

I rode this powerful ebike for hours and my butt wasn’t mad at it

The Tenways Wayfarer is a plush suspension-equipped cruiser that smooths out rough pavement, gravel shortcuts, and everyday errands with ease.

By Heather Kuldell-Ware

Mother and little daughter using knife to preparing a healthy fruit snack in kitchen at home.
Mental Health

How to empower kids to make safer choices

Beyond car seats and childproof pill bottles.

By David C. Schwebel / The Conversation

A setting sun casts warm light on over a dog, an Italian Spinone, kicking its leg back on a walk in the woods.
Dogs

Why do dogs kick their back legs after pooping and peeing?

It's about sending a message.

By Niranjana Rajalakshmi

Screenshot from the time-lapse video shows the approach, close approach, and departure of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft at Mars as it used the planet’s gravity for a boost on its way to the asteroid Psyche.
Mars

Mars’ desolate desert landscape captured by asteroid-bound NASA spacecraft

Watch a time-lapse video of the recent 'Psyche' Red Planet flyby.

By Andrew Paul

a bald eagle
Birds

Bald eagle Jackie rescued after fight with other birds

The internet-famous eagle mom is recovering at a California rehabilitation facility.

By Laura Baisas

Pair of Olive Baboons (Papio Anubis) in Serengeti, Tanzania. (photo by: Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Evolution

Monkeys are surprisingly good at geometry

They may understand shapes as well as your toddler.

By Andrew Paul

Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds shown against a grass background
Audio

Bose’s QuietComfort headphones are $130 off, just in time for back-to-school

The summer sale takes up to $130 off Bose's award-winning noise-cancelling headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers.

By Tony Ware

Deep sea mesophotic coral seen off coast of Benin
Ocean

‘Dead’ coral reef found alive and thriving off West Africa

The long-lost mesophotic ecosystem near Benin may be part of an even bigger formation.

By Andrew Paul

Healthy food selection with fruits, vegetables, seeds, superfood, cereals on gray background
Nutrition

How much fiber do you need in a day? We asked a gastroenterologist.

Is the high-fiber trend all it’s crapped up to be? We consulted the gut gurus on fibermaxxing.

By Jordan Burchette

a koala holding on to a tree
Endangered Species

Koala nicknamed ‘teddy bear’ receives first chlamydia vaccine implant

The implant delivers the vaccine’s second dose without having to recapture the koala.

By Margherita Bassi