Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Rare full moon on Christmas Day
Not since 1977 has a full moon dawned in the skies on Christmas. But this year, a bright full moon will be an added gift for the holidays. December's full...
SyFy's 'The Expanse' Launches High-Flying Space Adventure Tonight
The new space-based adventure series "The Expanse" debuts on Syfy tonight, and it's packed with high-flying action, interplanetary politics and intriguing locations.
SpaceX Shooting for a Dec. 19 Falcon Return-to-Flight Launch
Thursday's briefing begins with word from Elon Musk that SpaceX is tracking toward a Dec. 19 liftoff of Falcon 9 on its first mission since June's failure.
Justin Theroux's 'Leftovers' is renewed for a third and final season
Karen ButlerLOS ANGELES, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- HBO says it has renewed "The Leftovers," a cerebral, science-fiction drama starring Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Liv Tyler, for a third...
Did 'dark matter' or a star called Nemesis kill the dinosaurs?
The dinosaur extinction 66m years ago was most likely caused by a comet or big asteroid hitting the Earth. But given that asteroids don't actually hit our planet very often,...
Principia live
Watch ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s voyage to the International Space Station, including launch, docking and hatch opening on 15 December
Historic UN climate pact 'extremely close': French host
The French host of UN talks aimed at saving mankind from climate catastrophe said Thursday a historic accord was "extremely close", but called for unprecedented compromises during a second night...
A ‘ghost from the past’ recalls the infancy of the Milky Way
When our galaxy was born, around 13,000 million years ago, a plethora of clusters containing millions of stars emerged. But over time, they have been disappearing. However, hidden behind younger...
Lady Gaga, Alicia Vikander respond to Golden Globe noms
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Lady Gaga and Alicia Vikander were shocked and overwhelmed to be nominated for "American Horror Story: Hotel" and "The Danish Girl" at the...
Aqua satellite sees birth of Tropical Cyclone 5S in Southern Indian Ocean
NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Tropical Cyclone 05S and captured a visible and infrared image of the depression as it formed in the Southern Indian Ocean.
Michael Douglas celebrates dad Kirk's 99th birthday
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones wished the actor's dad, film star Kirk Douglas, a happy 99th birthday with sweet posts on Facebook.
Kim Richards 'confident and strong' after return to sobriety
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Kyle Richards shared her hopes for sister Kim Richards' continued sobriety amid news the troubled star will appear on a new reality series...
Skywatcher Snaps Mesmerizing View of Spider Nebula (Photo)
Astrophotographer Ron Brecher took this image of IC 417, known as the spider nebula, from Guelph, Ontario.
French Sensor for NASA Mars Lander Should Be Fixed in Time for Launch
The Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument, which developed a leak in its vacuum container, is expected to be ready for shipment to the United States in early January.
When We Dodged A Solar Bullet: Halloween 2003 Sun-Storm | Time-Lapse Video
Imagery captured in the days leading up and following the Sun erupting with an X-28 class solar flare in October 2003. According to NASA, the coronal mass ejections "saturated the...
Saab completes upgrades for Swedish Gotland-class submarine
Ryan MaassWASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Saab has redelivered one of the Swedish Navy's Gotland-class submarines following overhaul and upgrades.
These Pictures Made Photographic History
From a close-up of a spider to the first underwater color photos, these pioneering pictures capture the spirit of exploration.
Darkness is disappearing and that's bad news for astronomy
Astronomers have much to celebrate in the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL). Until the 1930s, every scrap of information about the universe came to us in the...
Understanding the impact of snow's reflectance
To help improve the accuracy of climate models, an international team involving the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has measured the reflectance of rough, snow-covered surfaces at large solar zenith angles.
Could molecular oxygen be common on comets?
(Phys.org)—A team of researchers, encouraged by the latest discovery of ESA's Rosetta spacecraft of molecular oxygen (O2) on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, are going over comet 1P/Halley (known as Halley's Comet)...
Kasich may not support GOP candidate
Ann Marie AwadNEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Gov. John Kasich may be changing his mind about supporting the eventual GOP candidate, whoever it may...
Nicki Minaj displays large diamond ring from boyfriend Meek Mill
Marilyn MalaraNEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Nicki Minaj stirred engagement rumors once more when she shared photos of a large diamond ring gifted by boyfriend Meek Mill Wednesday.
High school student helps discover new planet, calculates frequency of Jupiter-like planets
High school senior Dominick Rowan of Armonk, New York, is making discoveries about other worlds. Working with University of Texas at Austin astronomer Stefano Meschiari, Rowan has helped to find...
Cloudy with a chance of warming
Clouds can increase warming in the changing Arctic region more than scientists expected, by delivering an unexpected double-whammy to the climate system, according to a new study by researchers at...
UPI Almanac for Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015
By United Press International On Dec. 10, 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson.
Jack Del Rio cites "Dumb and Dumber" on Oakland Raiders playoff chances
The Sports Xchange ALAMEDA, Calif. -- There were no Jim Mora-style "playoffs!" rants from Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio when he addressed his team's chances. Instead, only a reference...
Karl Towns helps Minnesota Timberwolves tip Los Angeles Lakers in OT
By Dan Myers, The Sports Xchange MINNEAPOLIS -- On a night that was all about the final meeting of Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, the next generation of young stars...
Obama meets with Israel's Rivlin in Oval Office
Shawn PriceWASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- President Obama met with Israel's President Rivlin to emphasize the importance of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.