Scientists call for environmental protections for space
Scientists are calling for environmental protections of space to be put in place to account for the increasing number of satellite launches.
How engineers will calibrate James Webb’s 4 instruments
With its mirrors and instruments all fully aligned, Webb is undertaking the next big step in getting ready for science: Commissioning the instruments.
Time spent in space changes the structure of astronauts’ brains
Researchers have found changes to the brains of astronauts who visited the ISS, with parts of the brain called perivascular spaces expanding.
Dust threatens the future of Mars helicopter Ingenuity
The helicopter has re-established a link with the rover after communications were lost this week. But for how long can the plucky helicopter keep going?
See the ‘grand design’ of spiral galaxy M99 in this Hubble image
The swirling spiral of the elegant galaxy M99 is on display in this week's image from the Hubble Space Telescope.
NASA won’t try testing its Space Launch System rocket again until June
NASA will attempt another test of its new Space Launch System rocket next month, officials from the agency confirmed this week.
Could the earliest building blocks of life have come from space?
Recent research has shown that all five of the basic building blocks of DNA have been found in meteorites.
James Webb Space Telescope fully aligned and capturing crisp images
NASA has shared an image showing the sharpness check of all of Webb's instruments, showing that they are all crisp and properly focused.
Watch NASA drop capsule from 1,200 feet to test Mars Sample Return system
NASA has an ambitious plan to bring a piece of Mars back to Earth for study. And that requires new hardware -- which requires serious testing.
NASA’s observatory on a plane, SOFIA, will fly no more
NASA has announced it will end operations of its observatory on a plane, SOFIA or the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.
FAA review of SpaceX Starship launch delayed by another month
SpaceX won't be able to test its Starship rocket for some time, as the company will have to wait for clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Hubble spies on 25 hot Jupiters to learn about their atmospheres
The Hubble Space Telescope have investigated 25 exoplanets to find out about how the composition of their atmospheres.
Hubble Space Telescope images exceptionally fluffy galaxy
In this week's image from the Hubble Space Telescope, you can see an unusual type of galaxy called an ultra-diffuse galaxy.
Perseverance rover begins exploration of ancient river delta on Mars
The Perseverance rover has begun exploring one of the most exciting areas of Mars: The delta in the Jezero crater.
Saturn’s moon Titan may be more Earth-like than we thought
New research suggests that Titan's seasonal cycle could be responsible for forming features like sand dunes and plains.
Crew-3 astronauts splash down safely following 6-month ISS mission
The four astronauts of the Crew-3 mission have returned safely to Earth from the International Space Station, splashing down in their SpaceX Crew Dragon.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft almost ready for launch to weird metal asteroid
To learn more about an unusual metal asteroid, NASA will be launching the Psyche mission to visit it later this summer.
See two galaxies in the process of merging in this Dark Energy Camera image
A beautiful image showing two interacting galaxies has been captured by a camera originally designed to study dark energy.
From the moon to mass production: 10 pieces of modern tech indebted to Apollo
Illustrations by Chris DeGraw This article is part of , a multi-part series that explores the technological advances behind Apollo 11, their influence on modern day, and what’s next for the moon. You may have heard that freeze-dried food was invented to feed astronauts on the Apollo missions, and although “astronaut ice cream” was never […]
Hubble Telescope functioning again after activation of backup gyro
NASA has announced that the Hubble telescope has been fixed. On October 5, the telescope suffered a failure of one of six gyros on board -- instruments which measure the rotation of the craft. After the activation of a backup gyro and a series of maneuvers, the telescope will return to normal operations.
Mission to Mercury successfully launched by Japanese and European space agencies
A spacecraft with a mission to explore Mercury has been launched in a combined effort by the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The aim of the mission is to study Mercury's inner core and perhaps even to discover information about the formation of our solar system.
First images of the Bennu asteroid sent by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft
The first images of the Bennu asteroid have been shared by NASA, which has collected them from its OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft. The mission aims to touch down on the surface of the asteroid and collect a sample to be brought back to Earth, where it will be studied to learn about the origin of the solar system.
Starman and his Tesla Roadster continue lonely journey out beyond Mars
Elon Musk's SpaceX company has confirmed that its space-faring Tesla Roadster and its driver Starman have passed beyond Mars and will soon reach their point furthest from the Sun. In a few days, the car will swing around and head back towards the Sun and will eventually pass closest to Earth in 2020.
Astronomers discover two rogue planets that do not orbit a star
Astronomers from Warsaw University, Poland have identified two rogue planets in our galaxy which do not orbit around a star. Unlike the vast majority of discovered planets, these rogue planets drift through space alone with no sun to shine on them. Some researchers predict many more could exist in our galaxy.
Curiosity rover active and drilling again after computer issue
The Curiosity rover exploring Mars has succeeded in drilling a hole into the tough bedrock that previously defeated it, allowing imaging and collection of samples from the planet's surface. The rover had been incapacitated for a few weeks due to problems with its computer, but is now moving once more.
Pairs of supermassive black holes spotted in colliding galaxies
Astronomers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have discovered several pairs of supermassive black holes in galaxies that are colliding with each other. These pairs of black holes will spiral closer and closer together and eventually merge into one enormous supermassive black hole.
OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully tests its asteroid-sampling arm
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, launched in September 2016, is closing in on its target of the Bennu asteroid. And on October 16 NASA confirmed that an important step had been taken: the craft unfurled its robotic arm, called the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), and tested it.
Hope it doesn’t melt! Rocket to ISS carries vital supplies — including ice cream
A rocket has launched over Virginia's eastern shore, carrying supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket used was an Antares developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Inside the spacecraft are supplies for the ISS itself and the crew onboard, such as scientific equipment and food.
Here’s how the InSight mission to Mars will confirm its landing to NASA
NASA's InSight mission has sent a lander to Mars which is now nearly at its destination and will soon be touching down on the surface of Mars. NASA has now shared details on how they will monitor the touching down of the lander at the end of its 91 million mile journey.
Ghostly galaxy discovered lurking on the edge of the Milky Way
A team of astronomers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a strange galaxy next door to the Milky Way. The dwarf galaxy, named Antlia 2, is much larger than other dwarf galaxies. But it is dark and dim and gives out much less light than expected, hence being described as ghostly.
Two asteroids pass close to Earth today — one the size of the Statue of Liberty
Today will be a busy day in the skies above our planet: not one but two asteroids will be passing close enough to Earth to be considered a near-Earth object (NEO). The larger NEO, known as 2009 WB105, is a monster measuring between 170 feet and 400 feet across, bigger than the Statue of Liberty.
Astronomers find water in atmosphere of nearby planet in Pegasus constellation
Astronomers from the Keck Observatory have discovered water on a nearby planet known as HR 8799 c. HR 8799 c is only 179 light-years away from Earth, making it a relatively close neighbor to us, and is a large planet seven times more massive than Jupiter which orbits around its star every 200 years.
Kepler telescope data sheds brilliant new light on dying star
Using data from the now retired Kepler Telescope, researchers have examined a supernova called SN 2018oh and have gathered the most detailed information ever about the death of a star. Astronomers are examining the data to learn about how at the end of their lives, stars explode in a huge burst of light.
Gases around black holes form dynamic fountains, not rigid donuts
Research is shedding light on the nature of black holes. The rings of gas that surround black holes were previously thought to be donut-shaped, with the black hole in the middle. But now it seems that the gases around the black hole are in constant circulation, forming a shape like a water fountain.
‘Oumuamua isn’t alone: More interstellar objects found in our solar system
The 'Oumuamua space object made headlines when it was revealed to originate from outside of our Solar System, and now a new paper argues that there could be hundreds of 'Oumuamua-sized interstellar objects in our Solar System, some of which could be identifiable by the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.
Say cheese: InSight lander posts a selfie from the surface of Mars
NASA's InSight mission to Mars has commemorated its arrival by posting a selfie. The selfie is a composite of 11 different images which were taken by one of its instruments, the Instrument Deployment Camera. The individual images were stitched together to show the lander in its full glory.
Parker Solar Probe captures first image from within the atmosphere of the sun
NASA has shared the first image from inside the atmosphere of the sun taken by the Parker Solar Probe. The probe made the closest ever approach to a star, gathering data which scientists have been interpreting and released this week. The probe reached a record-breaking speed of 213,200 miles per hour.