Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Tianjin Explosions Seen from Space (Photo)
After two giant explosions in Tianjin, a black plume of smoke snaked over China's Bohai Sea.
Top stories: A new planet for the early solar system, the ecological impact of meat-eaters, and sounds that may have universal meaning
This week's top science news
Khloe Kardashian jets to Houston after run-in with Lamar Odom
Marilyn MalaraHOUSTON, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Khloe Kardashian arrived in Houston on a private jet Thursday to visit her newest rumored beau after a scary run-in with ex Lamar Odom.
Gecko Feet Inspire Climbing Space Robots
Scientists at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, are developing a "gecko gripper" system that could help robots inspect and repair the International Space Station.
Cassini to make last close flyby of Saturn moon Dione
NASA's Cassini spacecraft will zip past Saturn's moon Dione on Monday, Aug. 17—the final close flyby of this icy satellite during the spacecraft's long mission.
Medical helicopter has close call with drone in California
Flight nurse says the remote-controlled drone came within about 15 to 20 feet of colliding with the helicopter
Supernovae discovered in 'wrong place at wrong time'
Several exploding stars have been found outside the cozy confines of galaxies, where most stars reside. These wayward supernovae are also weird because they exploded billions of years before their...
US Military's Top-Secret X-37B Space Plane Mission Nears 3-Month Mark
The X-37B spacecraft launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 20, kicking off a mission dubbed OTV-4 (short for...
What's coming after Hubble and James Webb? The High-Definition Space Telescope
Decades after its momentous launch, the ever popular Hubble Space Telescope merrily continues its trajectory in low-earth orbit, and it still enables cutting-edge science. Astronomers utilized Hubble and its instruments...
MicroBooNE Experiment Sees First Cosmic Muons
A school bus-sized detector packed with 170 tons of liquid argon has seen its first particle footprints. On Aug. 6, MicroBooNE, a liquid-argon time projection chamber recorded images of the...
See Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams for 'I Saw the Light'
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Tom Hiddleston recreated an iconic 1948 photo of late country star Hank Williams for new biopic "I Saw the Light" co-starring Elizabeth Olsen...
Big data algorithms can discriminate, and it's not clear what to do about it
"This program had absolutely nothing to do with race…but multi-variable equations."
Astronomer creates music using star oscillations
(Phys.org)—Astronomer Burak Ulaş, with the Izmir Turk College Planetarium in Turkey has taken his work into a musical dimension, using star oscillations as a source for a musical composition. He...
Cosmic mystery deepens with discovery of new ultra-high-energy neutrino
Evidence of a fourth ultra-high energy neutrino—the highest-energy neutrino yet—has been detected by the South Pole-based IceCube experiment, a project that Berkeley Lab researchers helped build and to which they...
Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux enjoy group yoga in Bora Bora
Marilyn MalaraBORA BORA, French Polynesia, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Newlyweds Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux reportedly practiced some early-bird yoga with their guests Wednesday morning.
NASA selects proposals to build better batteries for space exploration
NASA's Game Changing Development (GCD) program has selected two proposals for Phase II awards targeted toward developing new energy storage technologies to replace the battery systems currently used by America's...
Elysium Space Gets Into the Moon Burial Business
San Francisco-based company Elysium Space announced Wednesday (Aug. 12) that it has signed a contract with Astrobotic Technology to deliver people's ashes to the surface of the moon aboard Astrobotic's...
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Releasing 'Space Sessions' Album Recorded in Orbit
In the first single off of Chris Hadfield's new music album, the first album to be primarily recorded in outer space, the astronaut sings "Can't stand on my own two...
Launch Date Set for Space Center Houston Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Attraction
The countdown is on to the launch of a new eight-story-tall attraction dedicated to telling the history of NASA's space shuttle and the jumbo jet that was used to ferry...
Tampa Bay Rays rally past Atlanta Braves
By Greg Auman, The Sports Xchange ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Down 6-3, the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for six runs in the seventh inning.
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, Theo Epstein share karaoke stage
Alex ButlerCHICAGO, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- When Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo isn't covering fly balls by climbing tarps, he's covering AC/DC.
Markieff Morris demands trade from Phoenix Suns
Alex ButlerPHOENIX, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Breaking apart the Morris twins has caused some problems in Phoenix.
Webb sunshield gives an 'open wide' for inspection
The sunshield on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is the largest part of the observatory—five layers of thin, silvery membrane that must unfurl reliably in space. The precision in which...
Maisie Williams stars in new 'Doctor Who' trailer
Annie MartinLONDON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman return as the Doctor and Clara Oswald in a "Doctor Who" season 9 trailer featuring "Game of Thrones" actress...
Annabeth Gish to return on 'The X-Files'
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Annabeth Gish will reprise Agent Monica Reyes on "The X-Files" revival starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.
Lucy's new neighbor, downloading New Horizon's data and more reader feedback
Readers discuss why Pluto's data will take so long to get to Earth, the role the cerebellum plays in creative thinking and more.
Southwest airlines plane skids off runway at Orlando International Airport
Tomas MonzonORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A Southwest airlines plane that was due for maintenance skid off a runway late Tuesday night as it taxied into a maintenance hangar.
Bethenny Frankel says Donald Trump makes for 'exciting election'
Marilyn MalaraNEW YORK, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel explained why she occasionally supports Donald Trump's comments.