Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Space Photos This Week: Virgin Galactic Flight, More
Virgin Galactic's commercial spaceship gets its first test flight, stars paint a cosmic rosebud, and more in the week's best space pictures.
A cracked comet
(PhysOrg.com) -- A leading amateur astronomer has made a major astronomical discovery thanks to a sophisticated educational telescope project led by Cardiff University astronomers.
Jupiter's lack of atmospheric neon studied
BERKELEY, Calif., March 24 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists hypothesize Jupiter's interior conditions cause helium to condense into droplets, explaining the scarcity of neon in the plant's atmosphere.
Buzz Aldrin App Brings Space Program Down to Earth
Buzz Aldrin has done things vastly more important than competing on "Dancing with the Stars." Now a new iPhone app can tell you what they are.
NASA's Constellation moon plans are up in the air
With members of Congress objecting to President Obama's call for an end to the program, the agency presses ahead in some areas but declines to contract out more work. ...
Scientists ready for Mars-500 simulation
MOSCOW, March 23 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says a crew of six, including two Europeans, will soon begin a 520-day simulated mission to Mars in a special...
Not All Moon Water Alike, Says Scientist
Different Chemical Compounds Detected in Water, Ice Discovered on Lunar Surface, Suggesting Different Origins
Noninvasive diagnostic imaging utilisation rates for the Medicare population vary geographically
The utilisation rates of noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) for the Medicare population vary substantially from...
Discovery launch preparations updated
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 22 (UPI) -- Space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 astronauts spent Monday at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, reviewing aspects of their upcoming mission.
New Light Shed on North Pole Ice Trends
As the sun rises for the long North Pole summer, new research points to a big role for winds in shaping ice patterns there.
German firm to build SE Asia's top commercial solar park
A German solar energy firm said Monday it would build South-East Asia's largest commercial solar power plant, based around 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of Thailand's capital Bangkok.
Finding may affect the study of cosmology
NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 22 (UPI) -- A U.S.-led team of cosmologists has used a type of supernova to reach a finding that might affect the way scientists measure...
Proton Rocket Launches New DISH Network Satellite
A new direct broadcasting satellite for DISH Network was launched into orbit Saturday by a Proton rocket.
Privately Owned Soviet Moon Rover Sparks Space Law Talks
New photos of the Soviet-era, but privately owned, Lunokhod 2 rover on the moon is causing a legal stir over lunar ownership.
ESA sets new launch date for CryoSat-2
PARIS, March 22 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says a problem that delayed the launch of its Earth Explorer CryoSat-2 satellite in February has been resolved.
Mapping Venus: Extreme makeover or plate tectonics?
(PhysOrg.com) -- Venus and Earth have long been thought of as sister planets. Given its similar size and proximity to Earth in the inner Solar System, Venus might seem like...
Abstract and affecting, the new Mars pictures are a confrontation with the sublime | Sam Leith
One of the greatest reports the spoof newspaper the Onion ever produced was about the moon landings. "Holy shit," the headline screamed. "Man Walks On Fucking Moon". Underneath, the story informed us that...
Detecting fake wine vintages: It's an (atomic) blast
SAN FRANCISCO, March 21, 2010 -- Two decades of atomic bomb testing in the atmosphere are yielding an unexpected bonus for consumers, scientists reported here today at the...
In pictures: Breathtaking new images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Breathtaking new images from Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, taken as part of its ongoing study of the planet
Cosmic telephoto lens shows intense, early star formation
Recently discovered galaxy gives detailed view of stellar birth in the young universe
Air engine helps space travel
Researchers are working on a way to lower the cost of reaching space by using scramjets – superfast air-breathing engines.
Exploring ecosystems at science center
"Whoa! That's so cool!" Julian Guzman shrieked as he spotted an image of wingless midge larvae.
Mysterious cosmic 'dark flow' tracked deeper into universe
Distant galaxy clusters mysteriously stream at a million miles per hour along a path roughly centred on the southern constellations Centaurus and Hydra. A new study led by Alexander Kashlinsky...
Escape Rocket Motor for NASA Moon Ship Passes Test
The motor for the planned Orion crew module's abort system just passed its second ground test.
GAO Probes NASA Plans to Shut Down Moon Program
More than a dozen members of the U.S. House of Representatives have asked congressional investigators to scrutinize NASA's plans to shut down its Constellation program and determine whether or not...
Crippled Mars Rover is Chilled, But Still Alive
NASA's Mars rover Spirit still has power, but temperatures are getting cold.
Room for Debate: Where, If Anywhere, Is NASA Headed?
On complex issues, as is often said, it is possible for intelligent people to disagree. That was certainly the case March 15 at the American Museum of Natural History in...
First-time cosmonauts set to blast off with toy duck
Russian cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov brandished a small toy duck Friday as he and his crewmates prepared to blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) in April.