Astrophysicists may have solved the mystery of disappearing stars

Instead of dying dramatically in a massive supernova explosion, some big stars can die quietly and without fanfare. This could explain the mysterious and sudden disappearance of certain stars from the night sky that astronomers have observed over the years, according to a new paper in the journal Physical Review Letters. These massive stars can … Read more

The mystery of circular depressions on the coast of California has been partially solved

Circular depressions about 150 meters (500 feet) wide off the coast of central California are quite ancient and owe their longevity to sediment flows, new research reveals. However, their root cause has yet to be discovered. The Sur Pockmark field has puzzled oceanographers since its discovery in 1998. More than 5,000 shallow circular depressions are … Read more