Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Pterodactyl-inspired Robot To Master Air, Ground And Sea
Scientists have reached back in time 115 million years to one of the most successful flying creatures in Earth's history -- the pterodactyl -- to conjure a robotic spy plane...
Snow is the surprising forecast for Mars
NASA's Phoenix lander discovers ice crystals in clouds about two miles above the planet. 'Nothing like this has ever been seen on Mars,' says one scientist. ...
Mercury probe going back for an encore
A space probe is headed for a second swing past Mercury to pick up a gravitational boost and eventually become the first spacecraft to orbit the closest planet to our...
Virgin Galactic Rejects Million-Dollar Offer to Film Sex Video
Virgin Galactic has rejected a $1 million offer to film a sex video in space.
Software billionaire books 2nd trip to space
Software billionaire Charles Simonyi, the fifth private traveller or "space tourist" to visit the International Space Station, is poised to become the first to make a return trip.
Cosmic Log: Why space is expanding
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Fifty years ago, NASA and the Soviets were the only players in the spaceflight game. In the next half-century, it could become a game open...
NASA-TV to cover ISS crew exchange
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency said it will televise the launch of the next International Space Station crew and the return of the current...
Mars Weather Forecast: Snow
The latest findings from the Martian Arctic offer more hints of a wet past but paint a very arid present, scientists reported Monday.
Cloud Radar: Predicting The Weather More Accurately
The weather. It's the one topic of conversation that unites Britain -- umbrella or sun cream? Now scientists at the Science and Technology Facilities Council have developed a system that...
Spotless Sun: Blankest Year of the Space Age
Astronomers who count sunspots have announced that 2008 has become the "blankest year" of the Space Age. Sunspot counts are at a 50-year low, signifying a deep minimum in...
NASA Chief: Moon Base Must Precede Mars Mission
NASA chief defends decision to go to moon before Mars.
A Star That Bursts, Blinks and Disappears
(PhysOrg.com) -- "Twinkle, twinkle little star" goes the nursery rhyme. Now, astronomers are reporting on a strange case where one of the littlest of stars "twinkled" with gamma rays, X-rays,...
The 'Magnificent Seven' Of European Astroparticle Physics Unveiled To The World
Today Europeans presented to the world their strategy for the future of astroparticle physics. What is dark matter? What is the origin of cosmic rays? What is the role of...
Students to design tools for moon rovers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency is asking college students to design tools or instrument packages that could be used on the next generation of...
When It Comes to Galaxies, Diversity Is Everywhere
(PhysOrg.com) -- There's an old saying in astronomy: "Galaxies are like people. They're only normal until you get to know them." That view is supported by a group of astronomers...
Space Smash-Up Turned Planets to Dust
A dust cloud surrounding a nearby star 300 light-years from Earth may be all that remains from the collision of two Earth-size planets, researchers say.
Top-secret spy pics found on eBay-bought camera
A digital camera containing secret images and information about terrorism suspects from the British spy service MI6 was accidentally sold on eBay.
Top young U.S. scientist to be named
GREENBELT, Md., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency will host the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge to pick "America's Top Young Scientist."
ESA at space forum in Glasgow
The 59th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2008, is taking place between 29 September and 3 October in Glasgow, Scotland. HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, visited IAC 2008 and...
Do We Live in a Giant Cosmic Bubble?
There could be an explanation for the accelerating expansion of the universe even weirder than dark energy.
Evidence For Rain On Mars?
There is evidence that lake deposits once formed inside impact craters on Mars. About four billion years ago, there were lakes on Mars which may have been fed by short-lived...
Successful launch for fledgling rocket company
SpaceX could pioneer a cheaper future for space flight.
Astronaut vs. Earthlings chess game begins
BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- A unique chess match began Monday with an astronaut challenging Earthlings.
China's First Spacewalk Team Feted With Parade
The three Shenzhou 7 astronauts arrived Monday in Beijing to a homecoming parade.
Wind and Snow Do Strange Things on Mars
Martian weather is to blame for a lopsided polar cap.
Starwatch: October diary
Alan Pickup: The Summer Triangle still looms high in the S at nightfall but moves into the W by our star map times
Pedal-power Channel pioneer is beaten by a breeze
After FusionMan's jet wing, a homemade airship pedalled by Frenchman attempts crossing but fails
Solar water heaters growing in power-hungry Burkina Faso
A solar panel lies on the roof of Pierre Guissou's home in Burkina Faso, feeding power to his water heater and allowing his family to take precious hot showers in...