Space & Physics: A quantum reversal of time's arrow

Top stories in space and physics news                    

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April 23—This week, our top stories include a quantum reversal of time’s arrow, a postmortem on the problematic space toilet from Artemis II, musings on the solar system’s “weirdest” planet and a long-awaited date with destiny for NASA’s flagship Roman Space Telescope. All that and more is below. Enjoy! Thoughts? Questions? Let me know via e-mail (lbillings@sciam.com), X or Bluesky. —Lee Billings, Senior Editor, Physical Sciences

Top Stories

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will begin its revolutionary mission in September Ahead of schedule and under budget, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will launch in early September. The mission aims to map the universe in unprecedented detail Dan Vergano

What’s the weirdest planet in the solar system? All the sun’s planets are oddballs. But some are more so than others Phil Plait

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What if time were reversed? Physicists show how time could flow backward on a quantum scale Researchers have developed a way to flip time to move backward in a quantum system. This level of control could lead to bizarre real-world applications Stephanie Pappas

Why is it so hard to make a working toilet fit for space travel? The space environment—microgravity, extreme temperatures and more—make it near-impossible to truly test a space toilet like Artemis II's ahead of launch, experts say Jackie Flynn Mogensen

Astronauts’ brains don’t fully adapt to moving in microgravity, new study finds New research shows astronauts tend to grip objects in microgravity as if they felt as heavy as or heavier than they would on Earth, a finding that could help future space exploration Claire Cameron

Earth Day in the Artemis era: Can NASA’s moon missions spur a new environmental movement? Fresh takes on Apollo’s famous “Earthrise” and “Blue Marble” images showed off our planet’s beauty just weeks before Earth Day Meghan Bartels

The solar system’s first solids formed in a rush Rather than slowly condensing over millions of years, the first building blocks of Earth and other planets may have formed rapidly in a chaotic disk at the dawn of the solar system Javier Barbuzano

Former NASA astronauts launch new group to promote U.S. constitutional values More than 100 NASA astronauts have signed on to a nonpartisan effort to promote “the principles that have propelled our nation for 250 years” Adam Kovac

Magnetic muon measurements and gene-therapy advances win $3 million Breakthrough prizes This year’s winners include hundreds of physicists across more than 30 institutions Zeeya Merali, Nature magazine

NASA’s 2028 moonshot may be delayed because of lack of space suits, watchdog report warns NASA needs new space suits to land astronauts on the moon by 2028, but development is behind and in danger of slipping further, according to a report from the agency’s Office of Inspector General Claire Cameron

What’s this fast-moving wave of darkness creeping across Mars? Observations by the Mars Express orbiter reveal rapid changes on the Red Planet’s surface from windblown volcanic ash Joseph Howlett

NASA shuts down one of Voyager 1’s instruments to try keep the spacecraft alive This iconic spacecraft launched nearly 49 years ago and is running perilously low on power Meghan Bartels

Behold! This is the largest, sharpest 3D map of the universe yet A new map of the cosmos, including more than 47 million galaxies and other cosmic objects, represents one of the most extensive surveys of our universe ever conducted Claire Cameron

What We're Reading

Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans | The New York Times You want your Moon landings in HD? So does NASA—here’s how it’s happening. | Ars Technica House Science Committee pans NASA budget request | Space News

From the Archive

In the Quantum Realm, Time’s Arrow Might Fly in Two Directions Scientists studying a centuries-old mystery of physics suggest two “arrows of time” control the evolution of quantum systems Gayoung Lee

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NASA EXPRESS -- Your STEM Connection for April 23, 2026

Check out NASA's latest STEM opportunities and learning resources.

NASA STEM Engagement Applications Open: Fall 2026 NASA Internships Find your place in aeronautics and space with a NASA internship!  NASA offers several opportunities for students to undertake meaningful and challenging projects that prepare them for successful entry into the nation's workforce. NASA interns learn key technical skills and career readiness competencies while contributing to NASA’s mission.   Applications for fall 2026 internships are due Friday, May 22.   Click here to find available opportunities, frequently asked questions, and application details. Virtual Learning Opportunities Night Sky Network Webinar: Dragonfly – NASA’s Mission to Titan Event Date: Tuesday, April 28, at 9 p.m. EDT Contact: info@universe-of-learning.org   Aiming for an arrival to Saturn’s moon Titan in the mid-2030s, Dragonfly is the first-of-its-kind rotorcraft to explore another world. Dragonfly will fly to various locations on Titan and investigate the moon’s habitability.   Join the NASA Night Sky Network for a webinar featuring planetary scientist Dr. Jason W. Barnes. Learn about the mission and its objectives and discover why scientists are interested in Saturn’s moon Titan. Virtual Career Connection: Exploring Careers in Aircraft Maintenance and Operations Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 28 Event Date: Thursday, May 7, at 1 p.m. EDT Contact: hq-virtual-engagements@mail.nasa.gov   Are you curious about the exciting technical career pathways shaping the future of aviation? Join us for a virtual event to connect directly with the aircraft mechanics and technicians supporting NASA’s flight programs.   This event is designed for high school, career technical/trade education, and college/university students. Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the presenter’s career journey.   Click here to register. Launch Your Future: NASA Internship Webinar Registration Deadline: Wednesday, May 6 Event Date: Thursday, May 7, at 3 p.m. EDT Contact: nasa-internships@mail.nasa.gov   Join the NASA internship team for a webinar to explore exciting internship opportunities and better understand eligibility and application requirements. Current NASA interns will discuss their experiences and share advice for prospective interns. Gain valuable insights to strengthen your application and take the first step toward your NASA journey.   U.S. citizenship is required to participate. Opportunities are available for undergraduate and graduate students. Click here to register. Funding Opportunity Call for Proposals: MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) Awards Proposal Deadline: Friday, May 22 Contact: tracey.washington@nasa.gov   NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) is seeking proposals from minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to promote research collaboration with NASA mission directorates. Funding up to $50,000 per award supports teams from universities, colleges, and community colleges designated as MSIs to develop innovative ideas and action plans for commercialization. NASA provides expert guidance and resources throughout the program, enabling these institutions to unlock their full potential and deliver technological innovations that contribute to NASA’s missions and benefit society.   Click here to see full proposal guidelines. More to Explore NASA eClips Newsletter:  Spring 2026 Edition   Explore phytoplankton with the latest NASA eClips newsletter. Discover the importance of phytoplankton with NASA eClips videos. Meet NASA subject matter expert Dr. Ivona Cetinić from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and learn about her work with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission. And check out NASA Spotlite lessons and related partner phytoplankton resources.   Click here to start exploring.  Partner Opportunities Boys and Girls Clubs Invited to Take Virtual Trips to Extreme Environments Applications Open Now Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Application Deadline: Sunday, May 31 NOAA Ocean Guardian School Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 1 Want to subscribe to get this message delivered to your inbox each Thursday? Sign up for the NASA EXPRESS newsletter at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-express. Are you looking for NASA STEM materials? Search hundreds of resources at https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search. Check out the ‘Science for Everyone’ website! Science starts with questions, leading to discoveries. Visit https://science.nasa.gov/for-everyone. To view the site in Spanish, visit https://ciencia.nasa.gov. Are you looking for more NASA prizes, challenges, and crowdsourcing opportunities? Visit https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/ to find ways to contribute to NASA’s work. Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email NASA Office of STEM Engagement We are engaging students in NASA’s exciting missions, broad range of careers, and unique opportunities. Visit nasa.gov/learning-resources/  Follow Us on Social Media The National Aeronautics and Space Administration As explorers, pioneers, and innovators, we boldly expand frontiers in air and space to inspire and serve America and to benefit the quality of life on Earth. Visit nasa.gov Follow NASA

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