Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
SOHO discovers its 1,500th comet
GREENBELT, Md., June 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. and European space agencies say the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, known as SOHO, has discovered its 1,500th comet.
Satellites Pinpoint Earth's Auroral Radio Chatter [News]
A study of radio chirps and whistles blasting from Earth's magnetic field--sounding a bit like the famous Star Wars droid R2-D2--may help astronomers devise new ways of searching for planets...
A Quark Star? Super-luminous Stellar Explosion Observed
Astronomers recently announced that they have found a novel explanation for a rare type of super-luminous stellar explosion that may have produced a new type of object known as a...
This summer may see first ice-free North Pole
(AP) -- There's a 50-50 chance that the North Pole will be ice-free this summer, which would be a first in recorded history, a leading ice scientist says.
Mineral nutrients found on Mars
MEDFORD, Mass., June 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists said soil on Mars appears to be alkaline enough to support plant life.
Will NASA Ever Find Life on Mars?
Step by step, Mars missions uncover possibilities for extraterrestrial life.
Asteroid-hunting Satellite A World First
Canada is building the world's first space telescope designed to detect and track asteroids as well as satellites. Called NEOSSat, this spacecraft will provide a significant improvement in surveillance of...
Global Melt: Sea Ice Seen From Orbit
Environmental monitoring satellites track warming by watching polar ice. Credit: ESA
WEEK IN PHOTOS: Fire Leaper, Sleeping Cops, More
Flames licked at leaping Spaniards, twin galaxies came to light, riot police slept in the streets, a typhoon whipped up a stunning tableau, and more.
Senate Committee Approves Bill for Extra Shuttle Mission
The Senate has approved a bill calling for at least one extra space shuttle flight.
Disney's Buzz Lightyear, Wall-E Explore Space For NASA
Disney's toy space ranger and NASA's real astronauts get together.
Scientists Hunt for Astrobiology at Carl Sagan Center
The Carl Sagan Center is home to more almost 90 scientists.
Minerals Needed for Life Found on Mars
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander found evidence of minerals essential to life.
Shuttle Launch Pad Repairs to Begin
Launch pad repairs pose no threat to shuttle launch schedule.
Mars lander finds salty environment in taste test
(AP) -- The Phoenix lander's first taste test of soil near Mars' north pole reveals a briny environment similar to what can be found in backyards on Earth, scientists...
NASA to Attempt Historic Solar Sail Deployment
This summer, NASA engineers will try to realize a dream older than the Space Age itself: the deployment of a working solar sail in Earth orbit. The name of...
Cosmic Log: X Prize extends its reach
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: The X Prize Foundation and BT (a.k.a. British Telecom) strike a deal that will give the foundation $7 million for operating expenses, plus access to...
Mars OK for Life, So Far
"You could grow asparagus," says scientist, but signs of past inhabitants are still lacking
NASA Spacecraft Reveal Largest Crater in Solar System
New analysis of Mars' terrain using NASA spacecraft observations reveals what appears to be by far the largest impact crater ever found in the solar system
Cataclysmic impact created north-south divide on Mars
A massive collision with an asteroid up to two thirds the size of the moon blasted the crust off half the Red Planet's surface
Astronomers Explain Mars’s Lopsided Shape
The lopsided shape of Mars may well be the result of a cataclysmic impact of a Pluto-size meteor billions of years ago, three teams of scientists are reporting.
NASA beefs up next-generation moon rocket
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- NASA unveiled a beefed-up redesign of a proposed moon rocket Wednesday, saying the Ares V spacecraft that is to carry astronauts to the lunar surface in...
Grad Students Set to Meet Nobel Laureates
Two Michigan State University nuclear science graduate students, Jill Pinter and David Miller, are among the U.S. delegation to the 58th meeting of Nobel Laureates and Students, to be held...
Planetary science: Tunguska at 100
The most dramatic cosmic impact in recent history has gathered up almost as many weird explanations as it knocked down trees, writes Duncan Steel.
Asteroid smash turned Mars into 'takeaway pizza' planet
Legacy of ancient impact means Mars now comes with either thick or thin crust.
Giant Asteroid Flattened Half of Mars, Studies Suggest [News]
The Phoenix Lander may have dominated Mars news in recent weeks, but a new study performed here on Earth has turned up a whopper of a finding: The Red Planet...
Gallery feature: All craters great and small
From a 5-millimetre dent on a satellite to a 3-kilometre pit in the surface of Mars, the scars of impact events can be seen at every scale. We present a...
Evidence of galactic 'cannibalism' studied
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., June 25 (UPI) -- U.S. and Taiwanese astronomers say they've used radio-telescope images to reveal suspected, but previously unseen, "galactic cannibalism" by black holes.