Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Human Activities Are Drying Out the Amazon: NASA Study
Using ground and satellite data, scientists found that human activity is causing a significant increase in dry air over the Amazon rainforest.
A Third of California Methane Traced to a Few Super-Emitters
NASA scientists flew over thousands of facilities in California to detect sources of concentrated methane plumes. Their findings could help the state lower emissions.
Screening Soon: 'The Pathfinders' Trains Lens on Mars
With the Mars 2020 mission ramping up, the documentary - the first of four about past JPL missions to the Red Planet to be shown at Caltech - tells a...
NASA's Mars 2020 Heads Into the Test Chamber
In this time-lapse video taken at JPL, engineers move the Mars 2020 rover into a large vacuum chamber for testing in Mars-like environmental conditions.
NASA Instrument to Probe Planet Clouds on European Mission
The mission will study clouds and hazes in the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, something that has only been done on a handful of exoplanets so far.
NASA Finds Neptune Moons Locked in 'Dance of Avoidance'
Naiad and Thalassa race around the ice giant in odd orbits seemingly to avoid each other.
Mars Scientists Investigate Ancient Life in Australia
Teams with NASA's Mars 2020 and ESA's ExoMars practiced hunting for fossilized microbial life in the Australian Outback in preparation for their Red Planet missions.
The First Global Geologic Map of Titan Completed
NASA scientists used data from different instruments to detail the array of geologic features across the giant moon of Saturn.
Aquatic Rover Goes for a Drive Under the Ice
A two-wheeled robot that can roll beneath sea ice will test its ability in the Antarctic Ocean. BRUIE is being developed by JPL for possible future missions to icy moons.
NASA Soil Data Joins the Air Force
SMAP satellite soil moisture measurements now increase the accuracy of Army and Air Force weather forecasts and advisories.
Two of a Space Kind: Apollo 12 and Mars 2020
Apollo 12 and the upcoming Mars 2020 mission may be separated by half a century, but they share several goals unique in the annals of space exploration.
Global Storms on Mars Launch Dust Towers Into the Sky
Newly documented behavior seen during global dust storms on the Red Planet may play a role in how the planet's water escapes into space.
NASA's Briefcase-Size MarCO Satellite Picks Up Honors
The twin spacecraft, the first of their kind to fly into deep space, earn a Laureate from Aviation Week & Space Technology.
Brazil's Amazon deforestation highest since 2008, space agency says
The rainforest loses 9,762 sq km in 12 months, an increase of nearly 30%, Brazil's space agency says.
Supernova 1987A: 'Blob' hides long-sought remnant from star blast
A three-decades-long search may finally have located the hot object left behind by a famous supernova.
SpaceX Starship prototype blows its top
The US company's new rocket prototype experiences a major failure during pressurisation testing.
Antarctica: Metal meteorite quest set to get under way
A UK team arrives in Antarctica to test its theory for why so few iron meteorites are found there.
Losing the night: Astronomers concerned about too many satellites lighting up the sky
SpaceX has sought approval to launch more than 30,000 satellites in an effort to provide worldwide internet service. But astronomers are concerned about how this could impact not only the...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes executive action on vaping and e-cigarettes
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a crackdown on e-cigarettes and plans to launch a vaping awareness campaign amid U.S. lung illness outbreak.
Mercury Transit Observed at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory
About 13 times per century, fleeting Mercury can be seen passing directly in front of the Sun in what is called a transit. The most recent Mercury transit occurred on...
When space travel is a blur
Working with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, two Quebec-based researchers are keeping an eye on astronauts' ocular health.
Black Hole Eats Star
Join Melissa Hoffman of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory for a tour of one of the most disruptive events in Universe.
China launches high-res satellite able to provide stereo imagery - CCTV
China launched a new high-resolution remote sensing satellite capable of providing stereoscopic imagery on Sunday, state-run media said, marking another important step as Beijing seeks to reduce reliance on foreign...
Boeing tests space taxi, one of three parachutes does not open
Boeing Co said on Monday that one of three parachutes failed to deploy during an otherwise successful safety test of its unmanned CST-100 Starliner crew capsule, being developed to ferry...
NASA probe provides insight on solar system's border with interstellar space
(The Nov 4 story corrects speed of cosmic rays in paragraph 10.)
China completes crucial landing test for first Mars mission in 2020
China on Thursday successfully completed a crucial landing test in northern Hebei province ahead of a historic unmanned exploration mission to Mars next year.
Boeing received 'unnecessary' contract boost for astronaut capsule, watchdog says
Boeing's multibillion dollar contract to build U.S. astronaut capsules received an "unnecessary" extension from NASA, a watchdog report said on Thursday, the latest management blunders in the agency's program to...
Japan space probe on its way back after asteroid mission
A Japanese space probe is heading home from an asteroid 250 million km (155 million miles) from Earth after collecting sub-surface samples that could help scientists seeking the origins of...