Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Researchers pinpoint origin of photons in mysterious gamma-ray bursts
Scientists from the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research and collaborators have used simulations to show that the photons emitted by long gamma-ray bursts, among the most energetic events to take...
Two-armed 3-D printing
Twin robotic arms work together as part of a project to construct what will be the largest, most complex object ever 3-D printed in titanium: a test version of the...
Journalists offered ‘big break’ mentoring opportunity from Radio Nigeria
Scheme gives journalists an opportunity to break into the science broadcasting field in Africa
Here's What Elon Musk Had to Say to NASA's Chief Before SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Test Flight (Video)
Hear from the future riders of Crew Dragon, the reusable vehicle developed by SpaceX through a partnership with NASA.
These Simulations Reveal What Happened During India's Anti-Satellite Missile Test (Videos)
A U.S. space and defense software company created two new simulation videos, revealing how the anti-satellite weapon recently launched by India might have looked hitting a satellite in space.
More than a carbon copy: OCO-3 on the space station
NASA is ready to launch a new space instrument that will use the vantage point of the International Space Station to monitor Earth's carbon cycle. A follow-on to the still-active...
This New Barbie Doll Launches Real-Life Astronaut's Face Into a Toy World
Space enthusiasts may recognize the face of a new Barbie doll touring at special events around the world; she looks just like European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
Tiny pumpkin toadlets have glowing bony plates on their backs
Pumpkin toadlets are the first frogs found to have fluorescent bony plates that are visible through their skin under ultraviolet light.
"Toffee Planets" Hint at Earth's Cosmic Rarity
Exoplanets with stretchy, flowing rock may be bereft of plate tectonics—and of complex life -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Scientists seek ways to grow plants for food in space during Mars voyage
NASA's plans to send astronauts back to the moon in 2024 -- and then on to Mars in the 2030s -- has spawned renewed fervor among the nation's astro-botanists to...
Space antenna
Human and robotic exploration image of the week: the steps to installing a new communications antenna for Columbus space laboratory
Two-armed 3D printing
Technology image of the week: twin robotic arms work together to 3D print and mill a test version of the optical heart of ESA’s Athena X-ray observatory
The Lunar South Pole Is a Rich Target for NASA's 2024 Moon Goal
Pence's five-year lunar challenge targets the moon's south pole, an area rich in water and science.
NASA Won't Have 2 Medium-Size Spacesuits Ready Any Time Soon Despite Criticism
NASA isn't planning to change the International Space Station's current spacesuit configuration, which drew criticism after size constraints stymied the first spacewalk of all female astronauts.
Mars 2020 Rover Instrument Survives Termination Review
The partial government shutdown earlier this year that delayed elements of other NASA missions may have provided a reprieve of sorts for a troubled instrument on the agency’s next Mars...
More Than a Carbon Copy: OCO-3 on the Space Station
OCO-3 will bring a new vantage point, new techniques and new technologies to NASA's carbon dioxide observations.
Curiosity rover confirms source of seasonal methane spikes on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover and the European Space Agency's Mars Express have confirmed the presence of methane in the air above Gale Crater.
After the Moon in 2024, NASA wants to reach Mars by 2033
NASA has made it clear they want astronauts back on the Moon in 2024, and now, they are zeroing in on the Red Planet—the US space agency confirmed that it...
VLA makes first direct image of key feature of powerful radio galaxies
Astronomers used the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to make the first direct image of a dusty, doughnut-shaped feature surrounding the supermassive black hole at...
Ten years before the detection of gravitational waves, two KITP postdocs at UC Santa Barbara had a novel idea
The history of science is filled with stories of enthusiastic researchers slowly winning over skeptical colleagues to their point of view. Astrophysicist Scott Hughes can relate to these tales.
Running a marathon in space made me finally appreciate gravity
Space Weightless cardio. NASA astronaut Sunita Williams happened to qualify for that year’s Boston Marathon when she was scheduled to travel in space. So,...
Mars methane surge spotted from space
A European spacecraft has confirmed a report of methane being released from the surface of Mars.
Dark matter is not made up of tiny black holes
An international team of researchers has put a theory speculated by the late Stephen Hawking to its most rigorous test to date, and their results have ruled out the possibility...
SwRI to conduct largest-ever Hubble survey of the Kuiper Belt
NASA's Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) recently awarded Southwest Research Institute the largest Hubble Space Telescope (HST) solar system program ever, with 206 of Hubble's orbits around the Earth allocated...
Low-bandwidth radar technology provides improved detection of objects
Radar technologies were originally designed to identify and track airborne military targets. Today they're more often used to detect motor vehicles, weather formations and geological terrain.
ColKa
Human and robotic exploration image of the week: the steps to installing a new communications antenna for Columbus space laboratory
Space Debris from India's Anti-Satellite Test Is a 'Terrible, Terrible Thing,' NASA Chief Says
India's recent anti-satellite test created 60 pieces of orbital debris big enough to track, 24 of which rise higher than the International Space Station's orbit around Earth.
Researcher takes moon's internal teperatures, gains insights into inner structures
Rhode Island researcher Ananya Mallik has managed to more precisely estimate the moon's internal temperature.