Space

News

Asia Research News Editors Choice
18 Jun 2026
Asia Research News
Sweet power nanogenerator, Cosmic fossil, Dopamine and Alzheimer's link, Sustainable 3D printing, Quantum dots for brain diseases, Smart trolley and Bamboo and bone. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus SciCom Coffee talk: Inside a University Merger.
A look into the deep past of our Universe
15 Jun 2026
Hiroshima University
Astronomical observations provide new insights into how galaxies formed and grew during the Universe's first billion years
12 Jun 2026
Ehime University
High-pressure experiments show that majorite can store moderate amounts of ferric iron.
11 Jun 2026
Hiroshima University
NSF VLA and ALMA observations detect enormous cold molecular gas reserves in a distant galaxy seen 13 billion years ago, a study involving Hiroshima University reports.
Gravitational Wave Transient Catalogue-5.0 (GWTC-5) Spectrograms
28 May 2026
The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration published today a new catalog of gravitational wave events. A total of 161 events, detected between April 2024 and the end of January 2025, have been added to the collection, bringing the total number of gravitational wave signals detected to date to 390. Among the most significant findings are: evidence for the existence of second-generation black holes, the most precise sky localization ever achieved for a gravitational wave source, and the first measurement of three vibrational modes of a black hole. A wealth of results that marks the coming of age of gravitational astronomy.
Fig1
14 May 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Researchers have cracked the mystery behind billions of supernova explosions around the Perseus constellation using new stellar and supernova models.
A researcher working on one of the Virgo detector's mirrors
14 May 2026
The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) detector network has a new trick up its sleeve to improve the instruments’ sensitivity to gravitational waves: it’s called Astrophysical Calibration and it plays a role similar to auto-tune in music production.
Asia Research News Editors Choice
12 May 2026
Asia Research News
Dolphin secrets, Iron-rich Moon, Squeezing diamonds, Sweat the small stuff, Muonic molecules. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus: SciCom Coffee speaker.
05 May 2026
Springer Nature
Observations of a distant object beyond Pluto suggest that it is surrounded by a thin atmosphere, potentially fuelled by ice volcanoes or produced by the impact of a comet-like body.
fig1
17 Apr 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Researchers including Kavli IPMU's Tadayuki Takahashi have achieved the world's first direct observation of muonic molecules in resonance states using a high-resolution x-ray detector.
Prof Leng Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Chair Professor of Operations and Risk Management at Lingnan University, has published a new study proposing a unified product tracing system across the food supply chain. The system would improve traceability efficiency and food safety management, and the findings have been published in the flagship journal IISE Transactions of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.
16 Apr 2026
Lingnan University
The Hong Kong SAR imports over 90 per cent of its food, and it can be very difficult when food safety incidents occur to trace the source across a complex supply chain. Prof Leng Mingming, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Chair Professor of Operations and Risk Management at Lingnan University, has published a new study proposing the introduction of a unified product tracing system across the food supply chain. The study confirms that such a system would improve overall traceability efficiency, and analysis shows that cooperative mechanisms across supply chain tiers help reduce the entry of problematic food into the market, improving both food safety and consumer confidence. The research findings have been published in the internationally respected flagship journal IISE Transactions of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.
Fig1
14 Apr 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
A team of researchers have shown torsion-balance experiments — precision instruments originally built to test the equivalence principle — could double as detectors for very light dark matter.
14 Apr 2026
Tohoku University
A mysterious layer of particles that occupies the lower regions of Venus’s atmosphere has long puzzled astronomers. However, a research team has finally solved the mystery of the “lower haze,” discovering that the haze comes from cosmic dust left by shooting stars that constantly rain down on Venus.
fig1
23 Mar 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
A team of researchers led by the University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI) Project Assistant Professor Elisa Ferreira has shown that a discrepancy in a key cosmic measurement in the early universe originates from a subtle statistical interplay between measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO).
23 Mar 2026
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), convened the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) Seminar-Workshop on 12-13 March 2026 in Manila.
Asteroid Ryugu
17 Mar 2026
Springer Nature
The complete set of nucleobases found in terrestrial DNA and RNA have been detected in samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu, offering insights into the early Solar System's chemistry.
10 Mar 2026
Observations of the Rimae Bode region on the Moon reveal five distinct types of terrain and identify several potential landing sites for China’s first crewed mission, according to research published in Nature Astronomy.
The opening reception of Fleeting, Fleeting Light—Imagery of Time in Chinese Art at the Chamber of Young Snow Art Exhibition Hall, Lingnan University.
05 Mar 2026
Lingnan University
In the fast pace of urban life, time slips quietly away amid daily routines. From 6 March to 4 September, the Chamber of Young Snow Art Exhibition Hall at Lingnan University presents Fleeting, Fleeting Light—Imagery of Time in Chinese Art, featuring 24 rare ink paintings, porcelain, lacquerware, and jade dating from the late Yuan dynasty to the modern era. The exhibition highlights the internationally acclaimed Space Series by Liu Kuo-sung, revered as the father of modern ink painting. The seasons, landscapes, immortal realms, and cosmos shown here invite visitors to think anew about the meaning of time.
04 Feb 2026
Tohoku University
We may be closer to unravelling the mystery of how the dry, arid Mars used to be covered in water from new research that focuses on an unexpected event (a powerful dust storm) at an unexpected time (Northern Hemisphere summer).
Fig1
02 Feb 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Researchers have found duality can reveal hidden non-invertible symmetry protected topological phases, unlocking new quantum phases.
Asia Research News Editors Choice
29 Jan 2026
Asia Research News
Sticky life beginnings. Precarious pitcher plant, Breaking the cobalt "cage", Toxic algae killer & “Pure-bred” stem cell medium. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice. Plus Asia Research News 2026 is out now and SciCom Coffee talk by Rachael Smith at Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Fig1
28 Jan 2026
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Researchers have developed a method to reduce uncertainties in observational measurements of cosmic birefringence, which might help explain the Universe’s symmetry.
Asia Research News Editors Choice
09 Dec 2025
Asia Research News
Brain atlas, From perfume to plastic, Stable solar power, Plant aging switch, Anti-cancer droplets, Greener gold, Extreme star factory and How research shapes sustainability policy. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.
New “prebiotic gel-first” theory suggests life may have begun in sticky, surface-bound gels
01 Dec 2025
Hiroshima University
Surface-bound gels may have provided the structure and chemistry for life to take root on Earth, and perhaps beyond
Glowing deep red from the distant past
19 Nov 2025
Hiroshima University
Astronomers have uncovered a previously unknown, extreme kind of star factory by taking the temperature of a distant galaxy using the ALMA telescope. The galaxy is glowing intensely in superheated cosmic dust while forming stars 180 times faster than our own Milky Way. The discovery indicates how galaxies could have grown quickly when the universe was very young, solving a long-standing puzzle for astronomers.
Asia Research News Editor's Choice banner
14 Nov 2025
Asia Research News
Untangling cosmic knots, Samurai jellyfish, Controlling rogue antibodies, Search for anti-ulcer vaccine & Metal-recovering yeast. Plus next SciCom coffee talk on experiences in science journalism in the AI era and WHO guide to reporting on non communicable diseases. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.
22 Oct 2025
Hiroshima University
In 1867, Lord Kelvin imagined atoms as knots in the aether. It was soon disproven. But a new study suggests his discarded idea may yet hold the key to why the universe exists.
Asia Research News Editors Choice
07 Oct 2025
Asia Research News
Ancient black holes, How good cholesterol is made, Self-healing plastic, Dengue’s genetic imprint, Korean mussel power & Space clean-up. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Events

25 Aug 2021
The development of the ASTI Virtual Reality Simulation (ASTI VRS) App – an incorporation of the three Ground Receiving Stations and satellites, all in an android app – is one of DOST-ASTI's attempts to bring the space closer to the Filipino people. The application, available in Google Playstore free of charge, features a comprehensive computer-generated simulation of the ASTI-GRS in Metro Manila, the Davao GRS in Davao City and the Iloilo GRS in Iloilo that users can explore. The application also includes a satellite showcase where users can learn about the Filipino-made Diwata and Maya satellites as well as the different commercial satellites the PEDRO Center subscribes to.
09 Sep 2021
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) will launch a new Master-PhD course on origin-of-life science and astrobiology at Tokyo Institute of Technology. The five-year ELSI course is open for domestic and international students who wish to tackle fundamental questions in natural science such as the origin and evolution of living planets. ELSI will provide financial support (as salary of a research assistant) for all the students, except for ones who are going to be supported by JSPS DC fellowships (Japan) or equivalent fellowships.
The Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) acknowledges the efforts made by researchers, innovators and inventors from across the globe and to appreciate their high quality research work and contributions to different fields of science and technology.

Researchers

Dr. Abu Syed, C4RE (Centre for Research on Environment and People)
Dr. Syed is accomplished environmental and climate scientists. He supervised PhD and Post-Doc researches on climate, environment, water, remote sensing (optical & RADAR, hyperspectral, LiDAR) atmospheric modeling.
Dr. Farman Ali is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in UAV communications, free space optics, nonlinear optical systems, and AI-integrated communication technologies. He is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China, where he is engaged in cutting-edge research in UAV-to-ground/ship communication modeling, AI-driven optical systems, and channel modeling under urban and maritime conditions. Previously, Dr. Ali held the position of Associate Professor and ORIC In-charge at Qurtuba University of Science and IT, Pakistan, where he also convened the Occupational Safety and Health Committee within the Faculty of Engineering. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Iqra National University (2019), an M.S. from Sarhad University (2014), and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering (2011), his educational foundation underpins his prolific research output. Dr. Ali has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals including IEEE Transactions, Optics & Laser Technology, and Fiber and Integrated Optics, amassing over 645 citations, with an h-index of 15 and an i10-index of 24. His work has contributed to major projects funded by the Chinese National Key Research Program, European Union Horizon 2020, and multiple Middle Eastern and European academic grants. In addition to his research, he has also contributed to innovation through patents, notably in UAV-based maritime communication models. Dr. Ali’s interdisciplinary expertise bridges optical networks, machine learning, and wireless communications, making him a key contributor to the future of 5G+ and next-generation aerial communication systems.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdul Basit
Dr. Muhammad Abdul Basit is an established academician who is concomitantly working in science and arts, accomplishing the publications of multiple books as well as more than 100 international research publications in the field of nanomaterials, thin-film techniques, and photoenergy applications. Dr. completed did his PhD & Post-Doc. from Hanyang University, south Korea and currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan where he is leading the Nanomaterials for Advanced Energy Applications research group and lab. Dr. Basit has won multiple intellectual capability awards from various agencies such as HEC Pakistan, PCK Korea and DAAD-Germany.
Dr. Mariyappan Shanmugam is a Professor of Physics at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, India. He carries out research in the areas of Materials for Energy related applications. He completed his PhD at South Dakota State University, USA in 2011. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, State University of New York and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA during 2011-2015. He established a research and development division in a Silicon Valley-based start-up company, Macromolecular Inc., to develop photovoltaic materials and devices for space PV applications. Semiconductor Nanomaterials, Thin films, 2D-Layered Materials, Graphene, h-BN for Optoelectronics are his primary research interests.
Andrei Popescu
Angel Investor and a Vision-driven entrepreneur/executive with career-long record of business growth and innovation.
Ken’ichi Nomoto
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Ken’ichi Nomoto is a visiting senior scientist at Kavli IPMU and Professor Emeritus at The University of Tokyo. He is one of the best experts in the world in astronomy and astrophysics, particularly on stellar evolution and supernovae. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese government in 2020.
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Miho Katsuragawa is a specially appointed project researcher at Kavli IPMU. Her areas of expertise include experimental physics, detector/instrument development, medical application of gamma-ray imaging, and high energy astrophysics.
Jia Liu
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Jia Liu is the Director of the Center for Data-Driven Discovery and associate professor at CMB Group at Kavli IPMU. Her research integrates data science techniques in the study of large-scale structures of the universe (dark matter, halos, filaments, voids).
Elisa Ferreira
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Elisa Ferreira is Assistant Professor at the Kavli IPMU and at the Institute of Physics of the University of São Paulo. Her research deals with the interface between cosmology, astrophysics, and high energy physics, focusing mostly on dark energy and dark matter.
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)
Prof. Yang Yong's primary research interest is in the development and mechanical behavior of advanced structural materials, such as metallic glasses and high entropy alloys. His recent research also extends to mechanics of flexible electronics and hydrogels.
Nanyang Technological University
Dr. Arun works as a Research Assistant Professor (RAP) at the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Through cutting-edge technology development and commercialization, he contributes to the Singapore 2030 Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) and Jurong Innovation District (JID) initiatives. He also acts as an IPT-Lead of the Manufacturing Technologies programme at Rolls-Royce@NTU and leads several projects, researchers, and students.
Since September 2023, I am a researcher at Mainz University, Germany. Before that, I was an Assistant Professor of the Physics Department at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Science (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran since Dec. 2015. However, in September 2012, I resigned from my faculty position in support of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest in Iran and now I am an exiled scholar. I have been a Junior Associate of the International Center of Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy since January 2017 and a TWAS Young Affiliate member since 2018. I was a visiting researcher at ICTP-SAIFR, São Paulo, Brazil (June - Nov. 2015) under the TWAS fellowship, and also a Post-Doctoral fellow of the School of Physics in the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM) Tehran, Iran (Oct. 2012 - May 2015). I finished my Ph.D. in the Physics Department of Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany in Aug. 2012. I did also a one-year Postgraduate Diploma Programme of ICTP (2007-2008) in High Energy Physics.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Dr. Connie Cassy Ompok is an early childhood education expert and a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology and Education, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. She Started her career in Early Childhood Education as a preschool teacher (2004-2007), a lecturer in early childhood education at the Malaysian Institute of Teacher Education (2008-2016) before serving as a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at UMS (2016 until now).
Hitoshi Gomi is an Earth scientist at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tony Z. Jia is a researcher at Japan’s Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. His research focuses on astrobiology, prebiotic chemistry, and origins of life.
Hokkaido University
Takeshi Horinouchi is a professor at the Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.
Picture of Sravya Tekumalla
Nanyang Technological University
Dr. Sravya Tekumalla is currently a Principal Investigator in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, where she works as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow. In addition, she also leads a small team of staff and students working in the domain of metal additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3D printing).
Dr Anisa Qamar is a professor in Physics in the Department of Physics, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. She is also the President of Pakistan Physical Society.
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Dr Heo is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
I am a senior lecturer in the School of the Built Environment. Prior to this I was a post-doctoral researcher at the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, University of Cambridge (2001-2004) and a researcher at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlement (1986-1994). I hold a BSc in Management Studies and MBA from the Univeristy of Ewha, Seoul, Korea and gained my PhD from London School of Economics and Political Science in 2000.
Tohoku University
Department of Earth Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan.
Puvadol Doydee is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry at Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand.
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)
Prof. SU-IL IN has been working at DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology) since 2012. He served as Dean of International and External Affairs 2016 ~ 2017. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of Cambridge in 2008. Subsequently he was a postdoctoral researcher at Technical University of Denmark by 2010. Then he joined the Pennsylvania State University as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry before joining DGIST. Professor In’s current researches include synthesis and analysis of functional nano (bio)-materials for environmentally friendly renewable energy such as photovoltaic, heterogeneous catalysis and biocatalysts. (https://insuil.dgist.ac.kr/)

Giants in history

Turkish astrophysicist Dilhan Eryurt (29 November 1926 – 13 September 2012) conducted research on how the sun affects environmental conditions on the moon.
Chinese electron microscopy specialist Li Fanghua (6 January 1932 – 24 January 2020) facilitated the high-resolution imaging of crystal structures by eliminating interference.
Haisako Koyama (1916 – 1997) was a Japanese solar observer whose dedication to recording sunspots – cooler parts of the sun’s surface that appear dark – produced a sunspot record of historic importance.
Angelita Castro Kelly (1942-2015) was the first female Mission Operations Manager (MOM) of NASA. She spearheaded and supervised the Earth Observing System missions during its developmental stage.
Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, Mazlan binti Othman (born 11 December 1951) was instrumental in launching the country’s first microsatellite, and in sending Malaysia’s first astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, into space.
Bibha Chowdhuri (1913 – 2 June 1991) was an Indian physicist who researched on particle physics and cosmic rays. In 1936, she was the only female to complete a M.Sc. degree at the University of Calcutta.
Abdus Suttar Khan (c. 1941 – 31 January 2008) was a Bangladeshi engineer who spent a significant part of his career conducting aerospace research with NASA, United Technology and Alstom.
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (19 October 1910 – 21 August 1995) was an Indian astrophysicist who studied the structure and evolution of stars.
Meghnad Saha (6 October 1893 – 16 February 1956) was an Indian astrophysicist best known for formulating the Saha ionization equation which describes the chemical and physical properties of stars.