Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Scientists say Mars soil similar to Chile desert
(AP) -- Scientists operating the Phoenix spacecraft say the Martian soil near the north pole landing site is similar to what can be found in the Chile desert on...
Solar Eclipse Wows Airborne Skywatchers Over Arctic Circle
The Aug. 1, 2008 total solar eclipse as seen from a unique vantage.
Young Galaxies Have Surprisingly Strong Magnetic Fields: Contradicts Popular Theories
The origin of magnetic fields in galaxies is still a mystery to astronomers. Popular theories suggest continual strengthening over billions of years. New research, however, contradicts this assumption and reveals...
Exoplanet Orbiting Sun-like Star Discovered
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting a star slightly more massive than the Sun. After just 555 days in orbit, the COROT mission has now observed more than 50 000...
Does Too Much Sun Cause Melanoma?
We are continuously bombarded with messages about the dangers of too much sun and the increased risk of melanoma, but are these dangers real, or is staying out of the...
GOCE prepares for shipment to Russia
Launching in just two months' time, GOCE - now fully reconfigured for launch in September, is currently being prepared for shipment on 29 July 2008 from ESA's test facilities...
Intense preparations for Rosetta's asteroid visit
Engineers at ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Germany are working to a tight deadline as ESA's comet-chasing spacecraft Rosetta swings steadily closer to a spectacular asteroid fly-by on 5...
Shielding for ambitious neutron experiment
In science fiction stories it is either the inexhaustible energy source of the future or a superweapon of galactic magnitude: antimaterial. In fact, antimaterial can neither be found on Earth...
NYT: McCain focuses on Arizona
Presidential candidates are usually able to count on their home state, but Senator John McCain’s chances in Arizona are somewhat less assured.
Astronomers See Disks Surrounding Black Holes, Strengthened Evidence For Current Explanation Of Quasars
For the first time, researchers have found a way to view the accretion disks surrounding black holes and verify that their true electromagnetic spectra match what astronomers have long predicted...
New Dwarf Planet Makemake Marks Shift in Naming Trend
With most Greek and Roman god monikers already taken, astronomers are tapping into other cultures' mythologies to christen new cosmic bodies.
Phoenix Completes Longest Work Shift
(PhysOrg.com) -- Phoenix early Tuesday finished its longest work shift of the mission. The lander stayed awake for 33 hours, completing tasks that included rasping and scraping by the robotic...
SPACE PHOTOS THIS WEEK: Mars Mounds, Fausto Rages, More
A colorful "pinwheel," an engine test for future moon trips, and mystery Martian features are part of this week's roundup of cosmic events.
Bubble-fusion scientist to appeal over misconduct charge
Rusi Taleyarkhan plans to fight back against findings of Purde University investigation
European Probe Swings Close by Martian Moon
A European spacecraft made its closest pass by the Mars moon Phobos Wednesday.
NASA Hopes to Move Up Shuttle Launch Dates
NASA wants to move up launch dates for its next two shuttle missions.
Toronto close to setting rainfall record
Rain is forecast to sweep across the Toronto area again on Wednesday - and Environment Canada said the city is just a few millimetres away from setting a June-July precipitation...
Small Satellite Designed to Spot Big Bad Asteroids
A tiny Canadian satellite will track space rocks near Earth.
After 60 years, black officers rare
Sixty years after President Truman desegregated the military, senior black officers are still rare, particularly among the highest ranks.
Observatory: On Jupiter, a Battle of the Red Spots, With the Baby Losing
Images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope show that Jupiter’s small red spot has moved.
Lyall Watson, 69, Adventurer and Explorer of the ‘Soft Edges of Science,’ Dies
Mr. Watson was a maverick scientific polymath and explorer who wrote the best-selling book “Supernature” and introduced the “hundredth monkey” theory.
China set to unveil high-speed train for Games
With its swivel seats, spacious, plush interiors and the largest railway station in Asia, China has high hopes for a new express link from Beijing to nearby Tianjin, the fastest...
Russia unveils new spacecraft design
MOSCOW, July 23 (UPI) -- The next generation of Russian manned spacecraft will use thrusters to provide a soft landing on Earth, the first official images of the...
Wolf pups spotted in Oregon
LA GRANDE, Ore., July 22 (UPI) -- Oregon wildlife officials say a wolf pack with pups was detected in northeastern Oregon for the first time since the mid-1940s.
Space focus shifts back toward moon
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., July 22 (UPI) -- Hundreds of scientists are meeting this week in California as part of the celebration of the 39th anniversary of the Apollo...
Texas Oilman: Clear Path For Wind Power
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens asked Congress to "clear the path" for his plan to boost use of wind and natural gas in the U.S.
NASA debuts fire-tracking Web site
WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency Tuesday unveiled a Web site that provides information about the impact of fires and smoke on Earth's climate and...
NASA's JPL, Ames Win 2007 NASA Software of Year Award
NASA has selected JPL as one of two winners of the agency's 2007 Software of the Year Award for software to help detect planets outside our solar system.