Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Astronomers observe Pluto and its moons
(PhysOrg.com) -- A Williams College team of astronomers, headed by Bryce Babcock and Jay Pasachoff, have been in Hawaii, near Honolulu, to observe a rare double-double event about Pluto. ...
Moon & Jupiter Pair Up Before Dawn Sunday
The planet Jupiter dances with a slender waning crescent moon this weekend in the night sky.
NASA Mission Suggests Sun and Planets Constructed Differently
Researchers analyzing samples returned by NASA's 2004 Genesis mission have discovered that our sun and its inner planets may have formed differently than previously thought.
NASA prepping next Mars spacecraft for fall launch
NASA's next roving spacecraft to the surface of Mars has arrived in Florida after a cross-country flight to undergo final testing.
Static cling? It's not what you think
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Scientists are shocked to discover that the standard explanation for static cling is wrong.
Solar wind samples give insight into birth of solar system
The first oxygen and nitrogen isotopic measurements of the Sun are complete, demonstrating that they are very different from the same elements on Earth. These results were the top two...
NASA samples water spurted from Saturn’s moon
The NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini-Huygens mission has directly sampled the water plumes jetting into space from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The findings from these fly-throughs are the strongest evidence yet for...
Advanced power grid slowly takes shape at NC research hub
It takes up enough space to cover a billiards table, but next year it will fit inside a backpack.
Model helps pinpoint cyanobacterial genes that capture the sun's energy
A new model of the single-celled marine cyanobacterium Cyanothece could help researchers use blue-green algae to make renewable energy by predicting which of its genes are central to capturing energy...
Spacecraft goes from crash landing to mission accomplished
Probe’s wreckage yields bonanza of discoveries about the early solar system
Betelgeuse's stunning rainbow nebula uncovered
Astronomers pore over a dramatic new picture of the nebula which frames the giant star Betelgeuse
Tornado hits stables at Kentucky Derby's home
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A tornado smashed horse stables at the home of the Kentucky Derby but the legendary track will get back to racing Friday...
Space Pictures This Week: Lunar Eclipse, Sun Spurts, More
The moons rests in the Milky Way, opals shine on Mars, a black hole spits gamma rays, and more in the week's best space pictures.
'Frankenstein' Spacecraft Seeks Geological Ghosts of Mars
This robotic space explorer literally draws on the spirit of missions past.
ScienceShot: A Smashing Beauty
Does a heavenly "peace sign" mark the scene of cosmic violence?
Weather costs U.S. economy billions yearly
BOULDER, Colo., June 22 (UPI) -- Weather events such as rain and cooler-than-average days can have a cost effect on the U.S. economy of as much as $485 billion...
Space station missions called 'chaos'
PARIS, June 22 (UPI) -- Missions to the International Space Station are in chaos because of a failure to agree on how to transport supplies and crews, a European...
Spinning Robotic Landers Make Space Exploration a Hop and Skip
A formerly deceased Google Lunar X Prize contender may get its second wind in the new age of space exploration.
Cygnus X-1: Blue supergiant pairs with black hole
Discovered in 1964 during a rocket flight, Cygnus X-1 holds the record for being the strongest X-ray source seen from Earth. The blue supergiant star designated as HDE 226868 is...
How to keep lonely exoplanets snug -- just add dark matter
Dark matter, inferred to exist from its gravitational effects on the universe, is still a mystery to scientists. But a new study says that dark matter could help life evolve...
Is Arctic ice thinning?
Cosmic Log: Scientists have long used satellite imagery to illustrate the shrinking extent of the Arctic sea ice. Now they've got satellite data that will provide regular updates on whether...
Security concerns cast shadow over cloud's bright future
Chances are you've already got your head in the clouds. If Google has its way, you'll trust even more of your life to the digital cumulus.
Does Life Exist on Distant Moons?
Study suggests Earth-like "exomoons" may orbit gas giants
IceHunters website challenges public to find icy worlds in outer solar system
(PhysOrg.com) -- A team at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has developed a new website, IceHunters (http://www.icehunters.org), to challenge the public to discover Kuiper Belt objects in the outer solar system....
Baby star blasts jets of water into space
Astronomers have found a nascent star 750 light years from earth that shoots colossal jets of water -- a cosmic fire hose -- out its poles in bullet-like pulses.
Cyberattack suspect charged in U.K.
British police filed charges Wednesday against a teenager suspected of involvement in cyberattacks on the CIA website.
Astronomers Investigate Galactic Crash
A team of scientists, including Jason Rhodes and Leonidas Moustakas of JPL, has pieced together the violent history of a galactic pile-up.
NASA's robotic lander takes flight (w/ video)
On Monday, June 13, the robotic lander mission team was poised and ready when the lander prototype in the adjacent building lifted itself off the ground and rose -- unrestrained...