Matt Williams

British Columbia, Canada, Victoria

Writer and Curator at Universe Today

Content Writer at Interesting Engineering

Author and Freelance Writer at Freelance

Articles

Using gamma-ray bursts to probe large-scale structures

1 week ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most energetic events ever observed in the universe. These powerful outbursts can shine a quintillion (1018) times brighter than the sun. Since they were first detected in 1967 by the Vela 3 and 4 satellites, which were designed to detect nuclear detonations, astronomers have been searching for the origin of these events.
Pushing Webb to Its Limits May Have Revealed Earliest Galaxies

1 week ago | sciencealert.com | Matt Williams

Since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) began science operations, astronomers have observed galaxies that existed more than 13 billion years ago. It was during this period, known as the "Cosmic Dark Ages," that the first stars and galaxies formed between 200 million and 1 billion years after the Big Bang.
An all-sky infrared camera named Dalek continues the search for alien technosignatures

2 weeks ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a report detailing recently-declassified information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Since then, the Department of Defense has released annual reports on UAP through the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Nevertheless, there is still a lack of publicly available scientific data.
Infrared AI Camera Proposed to Scan Earth's Skies For Signs of Alien Visitors

2 weeks ago | sciencealert.com | Matt Williams

In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a report detailing recently declassified information onUnidentified Aerial Phenomena(UAP). Since then, the Department of Defense has releasedannual reportson UAP through the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Nevertheless, there is still a lack of publicly available scientific data.
Want to know how to survive in space? Ask a tardigrade

2 weeks ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

The 2025 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, which took place from March 10–14 in The Woodlands, Texas, witnessed some very interesting proposals for space exploration and science. In addition to bold mission concepts, scientists presented exciting opportunities for potential research that addresses major questions. Not the least of which was "How can humans survive in space and extraterrestrial environments"?
Here's how we could quickly raise temperatures on Mars

2 weeks ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

Multiple plans exist to explore Mars in the coming decades using robotic and crewed missions. The ultimate goal of these missions is to determine whether human beings could actually live there someday. This requires access to building materials, water, cutting-edge manufacturing technology, and closed-loop habitation systems with bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS).
How can we find cryovolcanoes on Europa?

3 weeks ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

In the 1970s, NASA's Voyager probes passed through Jupiter's system and snapped pictures of its largest moons, also known as the Galilean moons. These pictures and the data they gathered offered the first hints that a global ocean may be beneath Europa's icy crust. Moreover, planetary models indicated that Europa's interactions with Jupiter's powerful gravity could lead to tidal flexing in the moon's interior.
How can we find Cryovolcanoes on Europa

3 weeks ago | knowridge.com | Matt Williams

In the 1970s, NASA’s Voyager probes passed through Jupiter’s system and snapped pictures of its largest moons, also known as the Galilean Moons. These pictures and the data they gathered offered the first hints that a global ocean may be beneath Europa’s icy crust. Moreover, planetary models indicated that Europa’s interactions with Jupiter’s powerful gravity could lead to tidal flexing in the moon’s interior.
When glaciers roamed Mars

3 weeks ago | phys.org | Matt Williams

The surface of Mars is known for being an extremely cold, desiccated, and irradiated place. But as its many surface features attest, the red planet was once a warmer, wetter place with flowing water and glaciers. Today, most of the remaining water on the surface is largely confined to its polar regions in the form of ice caps, permafrost, and subsurface glaciers.
Toxic Mars Dust Could Pose Major Health Risks For Future Astronauts

4 weeks ago | sciencealert.com | Matt Williams

Martian dust storms can potentially cause respiratory issues and elevated risk of disease, making them yet another health hazard space agencies need to prepare for, according to new research by the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). These storms are a serious hazard for robotic missions, causing electrostatic storms that can mess with electronics and cause dust to build up on solar panels. But what about crewed missions?