Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
NASA: Change of heart on new rocket that would reuse shuttle parts?
Dozens of Kennedy Space Center engineers and more at other NASA centers have been working quietly behind the scenes since August to design a new rocket made from parts of...
Halley's Comet Was Spotted By Ancient Greeks
The ancient Greeks likely saw Halley's Comet streak past Earth in 466 B.C., pushing the earliest documented observation of the comet back by more than 200 years, a new study...
Mars Life Building Blocks Possibly Seen By Viking Probes
NASA's Viking Mars landers may actually have detected carbon-based chemicals — the building blocks of life as we know it — in the 1970s.
Russian cargo vessel docks at International Space Station
A Russian cargo vessel docked Sunday at the International Space Station with 2.5 tonnes of supplies and material, a spokesman for the Russian space flight control centre said.
Caught in the act: Fireballs light up Jupiter
Amateur astronomers working with professional astronomers have spotted two fireballs lighting up Jupiter's atmosphere this summer, marking the first time Earth-based telescopes have captured relatively small objects burning up in...
Tally-ho! Deep Impact spacecraft eyes comet target
On Sunday, Sept. 5, NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft beamed down the first of more than 64,000 images it's expected to take of Comet Hartley 2. The spacecraft, now on an...
Supernova Shrapnel Discovered Inside Meteorite
Microscopic shrapnel from a star that exploded around when our solar system was born was recently found in a meteorite that landed on Earth.
First James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror segment to achieve final step
A bit of gold made its way into the Rocket City last week in the form of a gold-coated James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror segment. It is the first...
Rosette Nebula Sparkles In New Photo
The Rosette Nebula, a hotbed of star formation, is photographed in a stunning new image from the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Opportunity Rover reaches halfway point of long trek to Mars crater
When NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity left Victoria Crater two years ago this month, the rover science team chose Endeavour Crater as the rover's next long-term destination. With a drive...
Satellite 'formation flying' simulated
PARIS, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Scientists getting ready for planned multi-satellite missions are getting in some "practice" thanks to sophisticated simulators, European space officials said. ...
Pictures: Hubble Spies Oddly "Perfect" Celestial Spiral
A new Hubble picture has revealed an oddly "perfect" cosmic spiral likely being created as a dying star orbits a stellar twin, astronomers say. ...
When Worlds Collide, Chances for Alien Life Dwindle
Tight double-star systems may not be the best places to look for extraterrestrial life, a new study has found.
Soil Science Society of America Announces the Class of 2010 Fellows
The Soil Science Society of America will present the 2010 Fellows class at their Annual Meetings Oct. 31 to Nov 3, in Long Beach, CA.
Origin of magnetic fields may lie in special relativity's spacetime distortions
(PhysOrg.com) -- Magnetic fields play an important role on scales ranging from the sub-atomic to the cosmic, from particle spins to galaxy clusters. Although scientists know how to create and...
First UK cameras to scan the night skies
An astronomy graduate has set up the first UK camera which can continuously scan the night sky and dictates the best conditions for surveys.
Extreme X-ray source supports new class of black hole
A group of international astronomers in the UK, France and the USA, led by the University of Leicester, have found proof to confirm the distance and brightness of the most...
Abengoa Mojave Solar Project cleared for construction
State regulators unanimously approve the 250-megawatt project, to be set up in San Bernardino County. The go-ahead brings the state closer to approving 4,300 megawatts of solar power by the...
Turtle egg rescue at space center billed success
The unprecedented turtle rescue effort at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is winding down. Kennedy Space Center - NASA - Space - Technology - Sea turtle
Student-built satellite scheduled for launch
(PhysOrg.com) -- A 6.5-pound satellite is scheduled to become the first stand-alone spacecraft built by Michigan students to go into orbit and perform a science mission.
International Year of Astronomy Claims Record Numbers of Citizen Stargazers
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009 is the biggest public science outreach event...
Rockot Hauls Three Russian Satellites Into Space
A Rockot launcher lifted off Tuesday from northern Russia carrying three small communications satellites into orbit.
To Go Where Compact Fluorescents Cannot
The area in which LED's will best replace compact fluorescent bulbs, an executive suggests, is in directional lighting.
Stanford land-use expert brings satellite data down to Earth
By integrating remote satellite imagery with revelations from door-to-door interviews, Stanford University geographer Eric Lambin and his colleagues are exploring the complex conditions that give...
First Flight of European Soyuz Delayed Again
The European version of Russia's Soyuz rocket will not make its inaugural flight until the spring of 2011.
2010 Kavli Prize Laureates Honored in Oslo
The 2010 Kavli Prize laureates were presented their awards Tuesday by His Majesty King Harald of Norway during a ceremony at the Oslo Concert Hall.
NASA panel weighs asteroid danger
Telescopes in space could help pin down the risk of a deadly impact.
Samsung launches Galaxy S smartphone in China
South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it has launched its Galaxy S smartphone in China to catch up with global leader Nokia in the world's biggest market.