Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
SpaceX Landed a Rocket. Why Is That a Big Deal?
For fans of "Star Wars" and other science-fiction movies, landing a rocket seems like no big deal. But it's much more difficult in real life.
Oakland Athletics, RHP Henderson Alvarez agree to one-year deal
The Sports Xchange The Oakland A's signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Henderson Alvarez to a one-year, $4.25 million contract, multiple media outlets reported Friday.
China launches probe to hunt for dark matter
Brooks HaysSHANGHAI, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- China is joining the hunt for dark matter. On Friday, the nation announced it had successfully launched its Dark Matter Particle Explorer into orbit.
Dark Universe Mission Ready to Take Shape
The Euclid mission has passed its preliminary design review, clearing the way to start construction.
ESA confirms James Webb telescope Ariane launch
The next great space observatory took a step closer this week when ESA signed the contract with Arianespace that will see the James Webb Space Telescope launched on an Ariane...
Sanders lands major union endorsement
Ann Marie AwadWASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., picked up a major endorsement from the Communication Workers of America union, which may be his most powerful union...
NASA Spinoff 2016: Space Technologies Used on Earth
NASA technology is all around us, turning trash into oil, saving women from a deadly complication of childbirth, and putting the bubbles in beer.
Austrian university strips Nobel Prize winner of honors
An Austrian university has posthumously stripped Nobel Prize-winning scientist Konrad Lorenz of his honorary doctorate due to his fervent embrace of Nazism.
Mysterious sharp symmetric features detected around young double star
(Phys.org)—An international team of astronomers, led by Markus Janson of Stockholm University in Sweden, has discovered mysterious sharp symmetric features around young double star, named AK Sco. The discovery is...
An unlikely pair of satellites
Space research and exploration reaches across Earth's borders and boundaries, relying on collaboration between nations, disciplines and institutions.
365 days: The best science images of 2015
From Pluto to viral structures, this year produced an array of dazzling pictures.Nature 528 452 doi: 10.1038/528452a
Kaley Cuoco reportedly dating Paul Blackthorne
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- "The Big Bang Theory" star Kaley Cuoco is being linked to "Arrow" actor Paul Blackthorne three months after her split from husband Ryan...
Norwegian F-35 flies under Norwegian command for first time
Ryan MaassLUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A Lockheed Martin-built F-35 Lightning II fighter took flight under the command of a Norwegian pilot for the first time...
Shifting ice
ESA’s CryoSat mission has provided the best maps yet of the changing height of Earth’s largest ice sheets
Physicists solve 40-year mystery, proving that the elusive "spin liquid" does exist
Takashi Imai has managed to crack a mystery of matter that has eluded other top physicists, even Nobel winners, for decades.
Hurdle cleared for offshore Israeli gas development
Daniel J. GraeberTEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Leviathan gas field, one of the largest in the world, is open to market access following an Israeli regulatory decision,...
Michael Jackson's 1982 album 'Thriller' is still setting records
Karen ButlerNEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The late Michael Jackson's landmark 1982 "Thriller" album has reached another milestone in music history.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has already made $100 million in pre-sales
Shawn PriceLOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The new Star Wars sequel has already made more than $100 million at the box office through ticket pre-orders, easily breaking previous records.
UPI Almanac for Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015
By United Press International On Dec. 17, 1989, The Simpsons made its primetime television debut. It has gone on to become the longest-running sitcom in American television history.
Dwyane Wade leaves sick bed, guides Miami Heat past Brooklyn Nets
By Jim Hague, The Sports Xchange NEW YORK -- When Dwyane Wade awoke in his New York hotel room Wednesday morning, he couldn't swallow due to a sore and swollen...
Crews remove equipment from contested Hawaii telescope site
(Reuters) - Construction crews for what would be one of the world's largest telescopes have removed equipment from the dormant volcano in Hawaii where it was set to be built...
Do the Robot! NASA's Valkyrie Gets Down in New Video
Maybe it's time to rethink the stiff, mechanical movements of the popular "robot" dance: A new NASA video features the agency's humanoid R5 robot breaking it down on the dance...
Bell Helicopter receives EASA certification for Arrius 2R engine
Ryan MaassBORDES, France, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Turbomeca has received EASA engine type certification for its Arrius 2R engine, which supports the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X.
NASA to launch FORTIS to study extra-galactic dust
This month, the NASA-funded FORTIS sounding rocket—short for Far-ultraviolet Off Rowland-circle Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy—will launch from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to investigate the properties...
'Wheel of Fortune' star Vanna White laughs off G-rated wardrobe malfunction
Marilyn MalaraCULVER CITY, Calif., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- During a recent episode of "Wheel of Fortune," television personality Vanna White's flowing evening gown made a new on-stage friend.
Yolanda Foster moves into new apartment amid divorce
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- "Real Housewives" star Yolanda Foster is reportedly seeking "clean, happy, positive energy" in a new apartment following her split from husband David Foster.
Soyuz Arrives at Station 50 Years After 1st Space Rendezvous by Gemini
Fifty years ago, two spacecraft met in orbit, achieving the first-ever rendezvous between piloted vehicles. On Dec. 15, two more craft met above Earth, but as a matter of routine,...
Reindeer deliver beer to UK pubs
Daniel UriaWILTSHIRE, England, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A British brewery is taking a page out of Santa's book by delivering beer to local pubs using reindeer.