Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
NASA's Dawn spacecraft beams back new photo
(PhysOrg.com) -- Dawn took this image during its current orbit of Vesta, traveling from the day side to the night side.
Most elliptical galaxies are 'like spirals'
The majority of 'elliptical' galaxies are not spherical but disc-shaped, resembling spiral galaxies such as our own Milky Way with the gas and dust removed, new observations suggest.
One Neptune Sun Orbit, 165 Years of Earth History
Over a century and a half of Earthly events have transpired during one Neptune orbit around the sun. Watch where Neptune was located during some of humanity's most important events...
France to fund Morocco's solar energy plan
A French minister said Monday that Paris was allocating 103 million euros (146 million dollars) to help finance Morocco's solar energy plan.
Stunning Flare Seen in Extreme Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet telescopes captured this beautiful coronal mass ejection escaping the sun in wavelengths invisible to the naked eye. Snapped by the Solar Dynamic Observatory on July 9th, 2011.
China eyes lead in international space race
As U.S. shuttle program comes to a close, China sets sights on the moon, its own space station, even Mars
Space shuttle launch: 'I feel the percussive roar on the skin of my face'
Karen James describes the sights and sounds of the final space shuttle launch, witnessed from Nasa's press siteIt begins when the white noise of nervous chatter around me gradually coalesces into a ragged...
Belgium's highways shine into space - but for how long?
When Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne feels homesick when in space, all he needs to do, provided it's night, is look down for the bright spot for even nowadays, Belgium...
Starwatch: Look east for Jupiter and Mars
The two planets, Jupiter and Mars, which will dominate our night sky for the second half of 2011 are now on view in the eastern sky before dawn. Indeed, Jupiter is unmistakable...
Video: Man steals moon rocks for love
Aspiring astronaut Thad Roberts hoped to one day be launched into space - but his robbery of moon rocks from a NASA safe landed him in jail. Mo Rocca reports.
Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week - July 10, 2011
From NASA's last shuttle launch to the true believers behind "planet" Nibiru, vote for your favorite space story this week.
Atlantis crew inspects 'thermal protection system'
The Atlantis crew on Saturday inspected the craft's thermal protection system, the outer barrier that protects it from the searing heat upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere, NASA said.
The Saturday Profile: Bomb Took 3 Limbs, but Not Photographer’s Can-Do Spirit
A hidden bomb in Afghanistan made Giles Duley a triple amputee, but after rehabilitation, he’s ready to go back into the field.
An Appraisal: 3, 2, 1, and the Last Shuttle Leaves an Era Behind
The Atlantis launch was as festive as the 134 that preceded it. But this time, those who care about NASA worried for nothing less than the future of American spaceflight.
Unthinkable? Stopping space travel | Editorial
Visit Mars, by all means – but there is little to be gained by sending astronauts to orbit this planetFewer than 600 people have been admitted an exclusive club: space travel. Now,...
This Week in the Future, July 5-8, 2011
This Week in the Future, July 5-8, 2011 Baarbarian And today we say goodbye to a space program that has captivated us for decades. I can't say it as eloquently...
What Will Astronauts Ride In Next?
While private commercial companies rush to get their spaceship designs done and "human-rated," NASA is forging ahead with its own next generation capsule: the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Here's a...
Video: May 5th, 1961: The first American space flight
Just 23 days after the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarian became the first human to enter space, Mercury astronaut Sam Shepard became the first American launched into space on the Freedom...
Space shuttle's final countdown marks end of an era in Florida
More than a million people watch last launch of AtlantisA silent blast of white smoke shot out from under the colossal main engines, the briefest whimper came from the crowd, and the...
The Shuttle Program May Be Over, But NASA's Mission Is Definitely Not
Before the Final Countdown John MahoneyRebecca Boyle reflects on the passing of one era, and the dawning of another Before I sat down to write this morning, I poured coffee into my shuttle-emblazoned...
Tailgate party to remember for last shuttle launch
TITUSVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- It was a tailgate party for the ages. They came packing tents and camp chairs, coolers and snacks, Sodoku books and laptops,...
UrtheCast to show live HD video of Earth from space (w/ video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- UrtheCast, a Canadian-based company, has announced a new project with a global scale, literally. The system will allow those of us who have not actually been in to...
Composer debuts fanfare honoring final shuttle mission
Emmy-nominated composer Bear McCreary, known for his television scores, has composed a fanfare specifically to commemorate the final space shuttle flight. After composing four seasons of music for a television...
From Gagarin to the space shuttle: A history of human spaceflight - interactive graphic
Since the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth in 1961 more than 1,200 people have travelled in space. This interactive graphic traces the 50-year history of human spaceflightPaddy AllenAmi...
MILA tracks its last launch and landing
(PhysOrg.com) -- With its beginnings rooted deeply in the historic days of Apollo, the MILA Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network Station has played a key role throughout the 30 years...
Video: Shuttle sacrifices leave legacy of inspiration
CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports on the life and legacy of shuttle astronaut, Ronald McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion.
Audio slideshow: Space shuttle astronauts describe the thrill of the ride
Veterans of the space shuttle programme Piers Sellers and Scott Altman relive their experiences on the iconic spaceship
Supernovae seed galaxies with massive amounts of dust
A supernova detected in 1987 may explain why galaxies in the early universe were so dusty.