Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
'Barren' seafloor teeming with microbial life
Once considered a barren plain with the odd hydrothermal vent, the seafloor appears to be teeming with microbial life, according to a paper being published May 29 in Nature. “A...
U of A device to measure wind on Mars
University of Alberta scientist Carlos Lange is thrilled that an instrument he invented, a wind sensor called the Telltale, has successfully landed on Mars.
Russia Launches Military, Science Satellites
A Russian rocket launched several military and science satellites Friday.
Lunar GRAIL
Meet MIT professor of physics Maria Zuber. She's dynamic, intelligent, intense, and she's on a quest for the Grail. No, not that Grail.
PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Jupiter Gains New Red Spot
Three's a cloud—actually, many clouds, all churning Jupiter's new storm spot into existence. But look fast; this baby may be gone before you know it.
OLPC debuts 'new and improved' XO laptop
The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative has launched a new version of their XO laptop, which will host Windows and use less power.
Earth from Space: Salty plain
This Envisat image features salt flats in the Department of Potosi in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes Mountains.
The Crow: A Striking Star Pattern
Corvus is probably the most striking star pattern in spring's southern sky.
Lab complex proposed for Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 23 (UPI) -- A California developer said it wants to build a $1 billion life science laboratory complex in Cambridge, Mass.
Martian Canyons by a Trickle or a Gush?
Geologists are re-evaluating valleys long interpreted as signs of a warm and wet early Mars
Satellite Catches a Star Going 'Kaboom!'
When a gigantic star blows up, astronomers call it a "supernova." Over the past 100 years, astronomers have observed thousands of these explosions. But in every case, they were seeing...
Early Mars Had Floods, Yellowstone-Like Hot Springs
The formation of an Idaho canyon thousands of years ago, along with recent discoveries of ancient hot springs and geysers on Mars, has formed a portrait of a wetter, more...
Foot-dragging Mars Rover Finds Yellowstone-like Hot Spring Deposits
An ancient Martian hydrothermal system like those in Yellowstone National Park has been discovered on Mars. Deposits of nearly pure silica discovered by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in Gusev...
COROT's exoplanet hunt update
Two new exoplanets and an unknown celestial object are the latest findings of the COROT mission. These discoveries mean that the mission has now found a total of four new...
Four New Teams Join Moon Rover Race
Four new teams look to win $30 million by launching rovers to the moon.
A Test of the Copernican Principle
The Copernican principle states that the Earth is not the center of the universe, and that, as observers, we don`t occupy a special place. First stated by Copernicus in the...
Flawed Soyuz Landing Stemmed from Module Separation Glitch
A flawed Soyuz spacecraft's landing was tied to separation issues between its modules.
How sustainable is your suburb?
A new website has been launched that allows users to enter their postcode and discover the impact their suburb has on the environment.
Cosmic Supermagnet Spreads Mysterious 'Morse Code'
Astronomers have discovered mysterious pulses that are being emitted by an extremely magnetic star. The magnetic star, a magnetar, emits the pulses as very high energy X-rays. Sometimes observations confirm...
Solar eclipse-chasers booking seats on North Pole flight
Eager skywatchers are sparing no expense to get the best views of this summer's total eclipse of the sun, with some booking flights around the High Arctic to watch the...
Atmospheric aerosol measurements improved
RICHLAND, Wash., May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have developed a technique that dramatically improves the accuracy of atmospheric aerosol measurements taken on cloudy days.
Twinkle, twinkle, any star - Sun not so special
ANU astronomers have found there is nothing special about the Sun after conducting the most comprehensive comparison of it with other stars - adding weight to the idea that...
No star left behind
An open-source software project could help unify every existing astronomical image into a single data set.
Exploding star caught in the act
Astronomers have been able to capture and record the moment when a massive star begins to blow itself apart.
Why Do Astronauts Suffer From Space Sickness?
Centrifuging astronauts for a lengthy period provided Dutch researcher Suzanne Nooij with better insight into how space sickness develops, the nausea and disorientation experienced by many astronauts.
Energy crops take a roasting
A process used to roast coffee beans could give Britain's biomass a power boost, increasing the energy content of some of the UK`s leading energy crops by up to 20...
See the ISS over Europe
Spaceflight enthusiasts are in for a treat for the next few days as the International Space Station will be clearly visible in the night sky above Europe and North America from...
ESA and space tourism
The general public's interest in suborbital flying is now substantial. Such flights could offer a realistic opportunity to 'touch' space by experiencing weightlessness and seeing the curvature of the...