Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 59 min 18 sec ago
Stonehenge just got stranger: Archaeologists confirm massive man-made ring of pits underground
New research has confirmed that a vast ring of Neolithic pits, more than a mile wide and over 4,000 years old, was deliberately engineered near Stonehenge, not formed by nature. Using cutting-edge dating and soil-analysis techniques, researchers argue it reflects an ancient belief system inscribed into the land itself. The discovery suggests Stonehenge’s builders shaped not only monuments of stone, but also monuments of earth.
Professor’s radical theory claims consciousness doesn’t come from the brain and may continue after death
A radical new theory from Professor Maria Strømme suggests that consciousness may not originate in the brain but instead exist as a universal field, with individual minds acting like temporary waves returning to an ocean after death. Her model attempts to bridge physics, ancient philosophy and reports of near-death experiences, inviting science to rigorously test phenomena long dismissed as mystical or imaginary.
NASA lets you send your name to the Moon: Simple steps to sign up for Artemis II 2026
NASA's Artemis II mission offers a unique chance for global citizens to send their names on a digital memory card circling the Moon in 2026. This historic, free initiative connects humanity to a new era of space exploration, paving the way for lunar landings and Mars travel. Registering is simple, providing a symbolic boarding pass and a lasting keepsake.
Why did a minor sunspot erupt while a huge one rotated toward Earth’s side
Solar activity surged on December 1, 2025, with a powerful flare from a small sunspot. This event disrupted radio communications over Australia. A massive sunspot complex, 4294-96, is also facing Earth. Experts expect more strong flares this week. These events could affect satellites and power grids. Space weather forecasting is now a key focus.
‘Nuclear shield’: Chernobyl fungus blocks radiation and could be a breakthrough for Mars missions
A peculiar black fungus discovered in Chernobyl's reactor ruins exhibits an astonishing ability to survive and potentially thrive on extreme radiation. Scientists are exploring its potential as a natural radiation shield for future Mars missions, as experiments show it can block cosmic rays. This discovery offers a novel approach to protecting astronauts from harmful radiation.
Full Moon December 2025: Final supermoon of the year to be visible December 4; know when, where and how to watch
The December 2025 Cold Moon, a supermoon, will be exceptionally large and bright, reaching a high point in the Northern Hemisphere sky. This celestial event, also known as the Long Nights Moon, occurs when the full moon coincides with perigee, its closest approach to Earth. Observers can best witness its impressive size and brightness at moonrise on December 5th.
ESA prepares to land on Enceladus: The hidden ocean world that may hold the first evidence of alien life
The European Space Agency is planning an ambitious mission to Saturn's moon Enceladus, launching in the 2040s. Utilizing an orbiter and lander, the mission will directly sample material from the moon's subsurface ocean via its geysers. Scientists aim to analyze these plumes for clues to extraterrestrial life, making Enceladus a prime target in the search for life beyond Earth.
Mind-bending theory claims we’re actually in the year 1726 and that 300 years of history never happened
A fringe historical theory claims we’re actually living in the 1700s, arguing that nearly 300 years of early medieval history were fabricated by medieval rulers. But historians point to recorded astronomy, tree-ring dating and extensive global archives as solid evidence those centuries really occurred. The Phantom Time Hypothesis remains a fascinating idea, but not one supported by serious scholarship.
How Africa may become Earth’s next ocean basin in 5 to 10 million years giving birth to a new ocean
Scientists are observing a new ocean forming in Africa's Afar region, a unique geological hotspot. Early magnetic surveys from 1968, combined with recent data from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, reveal how continental crust is breaking apart and transforming into oceanic crust. These findings offer a rare, real-time glimpse into the birth of a new ocean basin.
