Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
NASA releases images, maps of moon
WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- NASA has released the final data from its orbiting lunar mission's exploration phase along with the first measurements from its new life as a...
NASA Scientist Explains Science Behind 'Supermoon' Phenomenon
NASA scientist Jim Garvin explains the significance of the 'supermoon' coming on March 19.
Mount Sinai researcher finds unexpected temperature sensation for a light detector
New research from Mount Sinai School of Medicine has discovered that rhodopsin, a pigment of the retina that is responsible for the first events in the perception of light, may...
Color view from orbit shows Mars rover beside crater
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has nearly completed its three-month examination of a crater informally named "Santa Maria," but before the rover resumes its overland trek, an orbiting camera has...
Dawn mission gets Vesta asteroid target practice
In the lead-up to orbiting the second most massive body in the asteroid belt this coming July, planners of NASA's Dawn mission to the giant asteroid Vesta and scientists have...
Half-time for Mars500: Simulated mission to the Red Planet
The Mars500 mission -- a simulated mission to the Red Planet -- has reached its half-way mark: After a 250-day virtual flight, the crew members recently landed on a virtual...
If Aliens Attack: Visitors to Earth Will Likely Be Robots
Don't expect cuddly, squishy E.T.s to come calling someday; instead, picture robots descending from the sky.
The Crescent Moon Visits Star Cluster Tonight
The slim crescent moon will pass the Pleiades star cluster tonight.
At Solar System's Edge, Old Voyager 1 Probe Performs New 'Acrobatics'
NASA's 34-year-old Voyager 1 probe is performing new tricks at the solar system's edge.
Major Solar Flare Erupts, May Make Auroras Visible in Northern U.S.
A powerful X1.5-class solar flare could make auroras visible in northern U.S. and Canada.
NASA Programs to Fight Space Junk Threat Under Review
Hundreds of thousands of pieces of space junk clog the corridors of orbit around Earth.
Can bees color maps better than ants?
In mathematics, you need at most only four different colors to produce a map in which no two adjacent regions have the same color. Utah and Arizona are considered adjacent,...
Amazing New Sun Photos from Space
See recent images of the sun taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the two STEREO spacecraft.
Surprise! Ancient Galaxy Cluster Still Looks Young
Astronomers have spotted an ancient galaxy cluster that appears surprisingly young. The galaxy cluster formed nearly 3 billion years after the birth of the universe, but is surprisingly mature, scientists...
Earth-Size "Lone Wolf" Planets May Host Life
Rocky planets ejected from their star systems may still have enough internal heat to support liquid water—and thus life, a new study says.
New data shows Earth-like planet is uninhabitable
A planet identified last month as possibly able to support human habitation has been reclassified to uninhabitable after new findings revealed the original diagnosis was based on an error.
Dying Star Caught Belching Toxic Gas Brew
A dying star has been caught brewing up a toxic mix of gases in deep space. A new Hubble Space Telescope photo shows the star, which is creating the Westbrook...
Vast areas of low latitude subsurface ice found on Mars
There could be more subsurface ice on Mars than previously thought, and vast stretches of it may lie just south of the equator. Indeed, one of the proposed landing sites...
Baby stars born to 'napping' parents
Cardiff University astronomers believe that a young star's long 'napping' could trigger the formation of a second generation of smaller stars and planets orbiting around it...
NASA and other satellites keeping busy with this week’s severe weather
Satellites have been busy this week covering severe weather across the U.S. Today, the GOES-13 satellite and NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the huge stretch of clouds associated...
Satellite measures gravity's effect on climate change
After nearly two years in space, the European satellite GOCE has collected the raw data needed to map variations in Earth's gravity field, the European Space Agency has said.
Dead seals mystery not solved by scientists' tests
Scientists say they've been unable to solve the mystery of dead seals that washed ashore in Labrador between December and January.
A Bittersweet Finale for Discovery’s Last Mission
Back from the International Space Station, the shuttle crew spoke of the spacecraft’s success record: 39 flights covering nearly 150 million miles.
Backyard Astronomer Nabs Stupendous Sun Photo
Boiling Sun Alan Friedman Winter doldrums getting you down? Let this amazing photo of the sun brighten your day. The smoky puff on the left is a remnant of a...
Voyager still dancing for science
The most distant spacecraft from Earth, Voyager 1, is executing a series of roll manoeuvres, proving the 33-year-old explorer is in great shape.
Dot Earth: 'Ground Truthing' Satellite Views of Violence in Sudan
Video provides closeup confirmation after satellites pinpoint deadly attacks in Sudan.
60 Years Ago: The World's 1st Televised Solar Eclipse
We may take the solar eclipses for granted, but until 60 years they weren't accessible to everyone.
Stephen Hawking and Buzz Aldrin Join Forces for Space Exploration
Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin have teamed up to advance humanity's future beyond Earth. Hawking and Aldrin hope to support future exploration.