Leah Crane
Leah Crane is a Chicago-based physics and space reporter for New Scientist, covering topics ranging from private space flight and cosmology to quantum mechanics. She joined the publication in 2016 after working at outlets including SpaceNews, Eos, Smithsonian and Symmetry Magazine. Leah writes New Scientist's space newsletter, Launchpad.
70%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
86%
Examples:
- The author occasionally uses sensationalist language and relies on quotes from one researcher without providing critical analysis or comparison with other studies.
- The author sometimes fails to provide enough context or background information for their readers.
Conflicts of Interest
75%
Examples:
- There is no clear evidence of conflicts of interest in the articles provided.
Contradictions
85%
Examples:
- Contradictions in the articles include instances where the exact launch date of a SpaceX rocket wasn't announced until after the US government's Federal Aviation Administration finished investigating why the last launch failed to reach orbit, and claims that SpaceX has had to build a new rocket after each failed launch when in fact they have only built one rocket so far.
- The author claims that SpaceX's Starship rocket has failed to reach orbit twice but fails to mention that it was not actually launched for both of those attempts.
Deceptions
46%
Examples:
- The author presents information about Mira variables without providing any context or background on what they are or how they differ from other types of stars.
- The author uses emotive language such as “smoke”, “dusty smoke”, and ‗prolonged dimming‘ for a phenomenon without providing enough context or explanation.
- The author uses sensationalist language such as “never-before-seen” and “challenge our ideas” to exaggerate the significance and novelty of their discovery.
Recent Articles
Newly Discovered 'Little Red Dots': Challenging Our Understanding of Early Galaxy Formation and Black Hole Evolution with the James Webb Space Telescope
Broke On: Saturday, 22 June 2024The James Webb Space Telescope reveals intriguing 'little red dots' in the early universe, challenging our understanding of cosmic evolution. These small, reddish galaxies experienced intense star formation around 600 million years after the Big Bang but exhibit no detectable x-ray emission despite containing supermassive black holes. 
Unraveling the Mystery of Dark Matter: New Evidence and Upcoming Discoveries
Broke On: Monday, 17 June 2024Scientists have confirmed the existence of dark matter through observations of galaxy rotation rates and gravitational influence. The upcoming Roman Space Telescope may reveal new insights into this invisible substance, while physicists search for next-generation detectors to solve the mystery. Simulations and telescopes are used to understand dark matter and dark energy, but its nature remains elusive. 
New Discovery Confirms Existence of Plunging Regions Around Black Holes, Supporting Einstein's Theory
Broke On: Friday, 17 May 2024Scientists have confirmed the existence of a 'plunging region' around black holes, where matter falls directly towards the center at near light speed, based on observations of X-rays and additional light from the binary system MAXI J1820+070. This discovery supports Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity and could provide insights into black hole formation and evolution. 
Astronomers Discover Galaxy Without Stars for 13 Billion Years Using James Webb Space Telescope
Broke On: Wednesday, 06 March 2024Astronomers have discovered a galaxy that has not formed any stars for 13 billion years using the James Webb Space Telescope. The discovery could help unravel why galaxies sometimes shut off their star factories. Additionally, the JWST revealed an ancient dead galaxy and a bizarre young dying galaxy in the early universe. 
SpaceX's Starship: The Most Powerful Rocket Ever Built Set for Launch in February 2024
Broke On: Saturday, 03 February 2024SpaceX is planning to launch its Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, with four Super Heavy boosters at its Starbase Megabay facility in South Texas. The CEO of SpaceX announced that they expect to launch their third flight of the Starship rocket in February 2024 pending approval from regulatory bodies such as NASA and FAA. The Super Heavy boosters will be used for all three flights, and the Starship is designed to carry astronauts to Mars. 
Unprecedented Detail: JWST Reveals Structure and Evolution of Nearby Spiral Galaxies
Broke On: Wednesday, 31 January 2024The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has released 19 images of nearby spiral galaxies, providing unprecedented detail on their structure and evolution. The JWST's advanced technology, including its Near-Infrared Camera (NICAM), allows for the detection of faint objects at high magnitudes. 
Old Smokers: A New Type of Star Discovered at the Heart of Milky Way Galaxy Challenges Our Understanding
Broke On: Wednesday, 31 January 2024Scientists have discovered a new type of star at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, nicknamed 'old smokers'. These stars emit solar system-sized clouds of dust and gas after sitting quietly for many years before suddenly puffing out vast clouds of smoke. This behavior is almost completely unheard of in red giant stars, which are formed during the dying stages of medium sized stars like our Sun. The discovery challenges our understanding of what happens at the end of giant star's lives and could have wider significance for the spread of heavy elements in other galaxies.