LPL Spotlight Stories

Mysteries Behind Interstellar Buckyballs Finally Answered

Mimicking conditions thought to exist around dying stars, researchers discovered a mechanism that could explain why planetary nebulae are teeming with complex carbon molecules.

The Origins of Buckyballs in Space

The spectroscopic fingerprints of buckyballs have been observed in space, but questions remain about how these large molecules form. Laboratory experiments have revealed a possible mechanism.

Space Science, Research Reputation Shine in Best Global Ranking

The University of Arizona ranked No. 21 among U.S. public universities and No. 85 overall in the sixth annual "Best Global Universities" ranking, published by U.S. News & World Report.

Beyond Jupiter, Researchers Discovered a 'Cradle of Comets'

Researchers have discovered a region just beyond Jupiter that acts as a "comet gateway," funneling icy bodies from deep space into the inner solar system, where they can become regular visitors of Earth's neighborhood.

Iron Magma Could Explain Psyche’s Density Puzzle

Volcanism has always intrigued humanity. Less than 50 years ago, scientists discovered cryovolcanism – ice volcanoes on other worlds. Now, researchers may have identified volcanoes of molten metal.

Today’s Students are Tomorrow’s Space Explorers

Ten students from Japan and Arizona gathered for the first official Space Camp at Biosphere 2, where they designed Biosphere 3 to sustain life on Mars.

Best of Both Worlds: Asteroids and Massive Mergers

LPL researchers are using the Catalina Sky Survey’s near-Earth object telescopes to locate the optical counterparts to gravitational waves triggered by massive mergers.

NASA Mission Selects Final Four Site Candidates for Asteroid Sample Return

Four locations on the asteroid Bennu have been selected as potential sample sites for the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft.

A New Lens for Life-Searching Space Telescopes

UA researchers have designed a new kind of telescope that is a cheaper, lighter and more powerful option than creating telescopes using ever-larger mirrors. With a fleet of the newly designed space telescopes, they aim to scour a thousand worlds for the chemical signatures of life.

Travel to Alien Moons with UA Expert Guides

Humans first explored the Earth’s moon 50 years ago, an impressive feat for sure. But if you are interested in venturing a little off the beaten path, here are some other extraordinary moons to visit in the future.