Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
The Sun Steals Comets from Other Stars
Many of the comets in our Solar System might have come from other stars, say NASA supported researchers. Studying these 'alien' comets could reveal new information about stellar systems far,...
Alien Planet No. 500 Found, With Hundreds More to Come
The 500th alien planet appears to have been discovered, extrasolar planet trackers say. Less than 20 years after confirming the first exoplanet, astronomers have bagged No. 500.
Hubble captures new star birth in an ancient galaxy
Elliptical galaxies were once thought to be aging star cities whose star-making heyday was billions of years ago. But new observations with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope are helping to show...
Meteosat Third Generation development to start
Marking a significant milestone for Europe's next fleet of meteorological satellites, ESA has given the go-ahead to Thales Alenia Space in France to start work on developing the Meteosat Third...
Baku, Tehran move closer on energy
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Iran will deepen under the terms of a memorandum of understanding for energy signed in Baku, the Iranian...
Pushing black-hole mergers to the extreme: RIT scientists achieve 100:1 mass ratio
Scientists have simulated, for the first time, the merger of two black holes of vastly different sizes, with one mass 100 times larger than the other. This extreme mass ratio...
The enigma of the missing stars in space may be solved
New stars are born in the Universe around the clock - on the Milky Way, currently about ten per year. From the birth rate in the past, we can generally...
New breed of space vehicle: Researchers developing conceptual design for a Mars 'hopper'
Scientists and engineers in the UK are developing a conceptual motor design for a Mars 'hopping' vehicle which should lead to a greater understanding of the Red Planet.
Earth at Night: Astronaut Shares Dazzling Photos From Space Station
Regular Earth-bound folks can enjoy spectacular views of Earth from space, thanks to a NASA astronaut who's been sharing his photos from the International Space Station via Twitter.
Explorer of the 'Cool Universe'
(PhysOrg.com) -- Emory astrochemist Susanna Widicus Weaver will soon begin one of the first broad spectral surveys of small organic molecules in deep space. Her lab's research proposal - to...
WISE image reveals strange specimen in starry sea: Dying star surrounded by fluorescing gas, unusual rings
A new image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer shows what looks like a glowing jellyfish floating at the bottom of a dark, speckled sea. In reality, this critter belongs...
Pitt physicist wins 2011 Einstein Prize for lifetime unraveling, reshaping general relativity theory
During his 60 years in general relativity, the field of physics established by Albert Einstein, University of Pittsburgh Professor Emeritus of physics and astronomy Ezra T. Newman not only worked...
Ikeya-Murakami: The new comet on the cosmic block (w/ Video)
The animation below shows the motion of Comet Ikeya-Murakami on Nov. 13, 2010, captured with a New Mexico-based telescope operated remotely by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.
Huge Magnetic Plasma 'Snake' Spotted on the Sun
A huge snake-like tendril of magnetic plasma has appeared on the sun, extending hundreds of thousands of miles across the surface of our nearest star.
Full Moons Get Electrified by Earth's Magnetic "Tail"
Passing through the charged particles in Earth's magnetic field causes the full moon to build up an electrostatic charge, scientists say.
Strike a pose: Research uncovers what's behind image in the modeling industry
The casting sessions aren't just for movie stars, but what is involved in casting decisions that can launch fashion models to fame or at the very least to...
Historic hydro pact signed between N.L., N.S.
The premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have announced a $6.2-billion deal to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric megaproject, bypassing a historical roadblock at the Quebec border.
Eyes, ears of US military take shape in high-tech labs
A Global Hawk robotic plane, hovering more than 11 miles above Afghanistan, can snap images of Taliban hide-outs so crystal clear that U.S. intelligence officials can make out the pickup...
NASA Drill Team Breaking the Antarctic Ice
A team of NASA scientists is headed to Antarctica to test new tools and methods for the next mission to the Martian arctic.
Radioactivity Could Power Hopping Mars Robots
Hopping rockets powered by radioactive material could help robots leap across the surface of Mars, scientists now suggest.
NASA Has a Ball on Set of TV's 'Big Bang Theory'
A NASA team recently dropped in on the set of a popular sitcom about geeky astrophysicists. But the NASA reps didn't go to check up on the show's scientific accuracy...
Image: To the rescue
This unique, close-up view of the X-38 under the wing of NASA's B-52 mothership prior to launch of the lifting-body research vehicle was taken from the observation window of the...
Cosmic rays detect soil moisture
(PhysOrg.com) -- An instrument that uses cosmic rays to measure the moisture content in soil ultimately could prompt major improvements in weather forecasting and irrigation practices, and provide a...
Researchers Helping K-12 Teachers Bring Science Down to Earth
When it comes to teaching space and Earth sciences, there's a world of information out there, and two Florida State University researchers are helping K-12 teachers to bring it into...
Slideshow: Life's small wonders
Click through the top 10 pictures of the 2010 Olympus BioScapes International Digital Imaging Competition.
Dissolving star systems creates a mess in Orion
For young stars, stellar outflows are the rule. T Tauri stars and other young stars eject matter in generally collimated jets. However, a region in Orions giant molecular cloud known...
Nuclear jump idea for Mars hopper
Future missions to Mars could benefit from a "hopper" engine that uses nuclear decay and the Martian atmosphere to hop a kilometre or more.
The new sexy: Science
Barbie has become a computer engineer, with pink sensible shoes and a pink laptop. One of the most-watched sitcoms on network TV tells the story of three physicists and one...