Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
NASA to light biggest man-made fire ever in space
NASA hopes to learn more about how to protect astronauts from one of their biggest fears: a fire aboard a spacecraft
Donald Trump's son targeted with substance found in mail to his home
Eric DuVallNEW YORK, March 18 (UPI) -- Eric Trump, son of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, received a package containing white powder, though investigators said it was harmless.
Earth's Magnetism Saved It From Solar Sterilization
Astronomers have studied a violent young sun-like star, revealing that life on Earth is lucky to have such a strong global magnetic field.
NASA examines powerful Tropical Cyclone Emeraude's winds, clouds
Tropical Cyclone Emeraude continued to strengthen in the Southern Indian Ocean as NASA captured infrared temperature data of the storm's clouds and measured its surface wind speed.
A source accelerating Galactic cosmic rays to unprecedented energy discovered at the center of the Milky Way
For more than ten years the H.E.S.S. observatory in Namibia, run by an international collaboration of 42 institutions in 12 countries, has been mapping the center of our galaxy in...
Space Shuttle Prototype Closer to Finding New Home in Georgia
A quarter-scale prototype of a NASA Space Shuttle is headed for permanent display at Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center in downtown Columbus, Ga. NASA recently gave Columbus State...
'Flight, We Are Docked!' Gemini 8 Achieved 1st Space Docking 50 Years Ago
Before Neil Armstrong and Dave Scott made history walking on the moon, the astronauts set another record on one of NASA's most dramatic space missions 50 years ago. They flew...
The Gravitational Wave Crests: Big Discoveries are Worth the Wait (Op-Ed)
The greatest discoveries require more than knowledge, they demand persistence.
Arctic fox laughs on command
Daniel UriaBATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 16 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman showed off her arctic fox's unique ability to laugh on command.
Post-boost propulsion system for ICBMs under study
Richard TomkinsDULLES, Va., March 16 (UPI) -- Research on advanced propulsion technology for U.S. intercontinental ballistic missiles is to be performed by Orbital ATK, the company announced.
Computer simulations may help golfers tame the sport's 'scariest 155 yards'
Engineers have devised a computer model to unravel the wicked wind conditions that plague the world's greatest golfers at the course that hosts one of the sport's most storied tournaments,...
Students map Milky Way with dwarf stars
Two astronomy students have mapped the entire Milky Way Galaxy in dwarf stars for the first time. They show that there are a total of 58 billion dwarf stars, of...
Couple searches through tons of trash to find lost $400,000 wedding ring
Daniel UriaST. LOUIS, March 16 (UPI) -- A couple from Missouri searched through piles of garbage bags after accidentally throwing their 12.5 karat diamond wedding ring in the garbage.
Jason-3, a new U.S.-European satellite with NASA participation, has prod...
Jason-3, a new U.S.-European satellite with NASA participation, has produced its first complete science map of global sea surface height, capturing the current El Niño.
Unexpected changes of bright spots on dwarf planet Ceres
Observations made at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile have revealed unexpected changes in the bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres. Very careful study of its light shows not...
Chaotic Comet Flyby Blew Away Some of Mars' Atmosphere
The magnetic field of Mars merged with and was overwhelmed by the magnetic field of a passing comet in October 2014. The interaction likely triggered the loss of a chunk...
Mars Radiation Risk: How Would 'The Martian' Hero Fare?
"The Martian" hero Mark Watney survived all that the Red Planet threw at him, including frigid temperatures, unbreathable air and relatively high radiation levels. Here's a look at the radiation...
Sun Writhes with Magnetic Field Lines in New Vizualization (Photo)
A new image depicts the sun's many magnetic field lines, which snake all around Earth's star but are densest near sunspots — dark regions on the surface from which solar...
All-in-one, 3D-printed space antenna
A prototype 3D-printed antenna being put to work in ESA's Compact Antenna Test Facility, a shielded chamber for antenna and radio-frequency testing.
Astronomers discover the most metal-poor galaxy in the local universe
(Phys.org)—Galaxies with low metallicity are of special importance for astronomers as they could provide crucial insights about chemical evolution of stars and astrophysical processes occurring in the early universe. Now,...
Vipers found to not have the fastest strike after all
(Phys.org)—A trio of researchers with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has found that contrary to folklore, vipers are not the clear champions when it comes to how fast they...
All we are is dust in the interstellar wind
Cosmic dust is not simply something to sweep under the rug and forget about. Instead, National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded astronomers are studying and even mapping it to learn more about...
Aurorasaurus Proves the Crowd Knows Best About Northern Lights
A new project combines social media and citizen scientists to improve predictions about where auroras are visible in the night sky.
Spring Is Here! Check Out the Equinox's Quirky Math
As the Earth makes its annual trek around the sun, certain events are of special importance, both to astronomers and to the public at large. Arguably the most important of...
Image: ESA's International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM)
A close-up of the engineering model of ESA's International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) that will mate spacecraft with an airtight seal. Whereas present docking systems are passive and rely...
Buzz Aldrin talks March Madness and Mars exploration
The Apollo 11 astronaut shares his thoughts on the future of space travel, college basketball and more
Bubba Watson travels to tell Arnold Palmer why he's skipping Bay Hill
The Sports Xchange Bubba Watson is not in the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week due to a back injury.
Chicago White Sox DH Adam LaRoche intends to retire
The Sports Xchange Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche informed the club on Tuesday that he intends to retire.