Sharmila Kuthunur

Sharmila Kuthunur

Live Science contributor

Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur

Articles by: Sharmila Kuthunur

An artistic representation of the spiral barred galaxy ceers-2112, observed in the early universe. The Earth is reflected on an illusive bubble surrounding the galaxy, recalling the connection between the Milky Way and ceers-2112.

James Webb telescope uncovers mysterious Milky Way 'twin' in the early universe

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A Milky Way doppleganger discovered in the early universe suggests some key physical ingredient is missing from cosmological models.

Star explosion in a galaxy of an unknown universe.

Largest-ever simulation of the universe reveals 'shortcomings' in standard model of cosmology

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Scientists made a twin version of our universe, showing the evolution of all forms of matter and energy, in the biggest cosmological computer simulation to date.

An artist's conception of the pair of supermassive black holes at the center of the galaxy 0402+379, 750 million light-years from Earth.

Scientists found a way for two black holes to orbit each other forever without colliding

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Contrary to conventional wisdom, a pair of black holes could exist in perfect pairs without leading to a cataclysmic merger, new research suggests. All it takes is a dose of cosmic expansion.

This artist's concept depicts NASA's InSight lander after it has deployed its instruments on the Martian surface.

Scientists finally solve mystery of strongest Marsquake ever detected

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The strongest recorded Marsquake, which rattled for six hours in May 2022, left no visible traces on the Red Planet surface. Now, scientists think they know what caused it.

Illustration of a rocky asteroid belt with a bright sun in the distance

Nearby asteroid may contain elements 'beyond the periodic table', new study suggests

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Naturally occurring superheavy elements beyond those listed in the periodic table could potentially explain why asteroid 33 Polyhymnia is so dense, new research suggests.

Antimatter illustration.

Major CERN experiment proves antigravity doesn't exist — at least when it comes to antimatter

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

New research showing that elusive antimatter falls downward toward the Earth proves Albert Einstein right yet again.

Venus.

Mysterious flashes on Venus may be a rain of meteors, new study suggests

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Bright flashes in the clouds of Venus once thought to be lightning strikes may have a cosmic origin.

A false color image of the lunar south pole, showing areas of lower gravity in purple and higher gravity in red

Humanity's future on the moon: Why Russia, India and other countries are racing to the lunar south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Half a century after the first humans landed on the moon, global interest is once again rising to visit our celestial neighbor. This time, nations have their sights set on the lunar south pole. Why?

Tracks from India's lunar rover appear on the grey, dusty surface of the moon's south pole

India's lunar rover finds 1st evidence of sulfur near the moon's south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The six-wheeled Pragyan rover just notched another milestone while exploring the lunar south pole.

A close-up of the fiery sun in space

India's 1st mission to study the sun launches Sept. 2

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The Aditya-1 solar mission launches hot on the heels of India's first moon landing.

India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft snapped this photo while entering orbit around the moon on Aug. 5, 2023.

India lands on moon! Chandrayaan-3 becomes world's 1st spacecraft to land near lunar south pole

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

India landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the moon's south pole today (Aug. 23), making history for the nation and for lunar exploration in general.