Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Apollo scientist dusts off 'lost' lunar data
A fresh look at the sticky problem of Moon dust may help the next generation of lunar explorers.
Cosmic Log: Celebrate Earth and space
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Earth Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our planet, reflect on ways to protect it — and widen your planetary perspective as well.
Online Poll for NASA's Greatest Hits for Earth Begins Today
NASA is inviting the public to vote online for the most important contribution the space agency has made to exploring Earth and improving the way we live on our home...
Orion hides busy star "nursery": astronomers
LONDON (Reuters) - The constellation Orion hides a busy stellar nursery, crowded with young stars blasting jets of gas in all directions, astronomers reported on Sunday.
Herschel and Planck launch postponed
PARIS, April 20 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says it has again postponed the joint launch of its Herschel and Planck spacecraft.
Solar systems around dead Suns?
(PhysOrg.com) -- Using NASA`s Spitzer Space Telescope, an international team of astronomers have found that at least 1 in 100 white dwarf stars show evidence of orbiting asteroids and rocky...
Solar sigmoids explained
(PhysOrg.com) -- 'Sigmoids' are S-shaped structures found in the outer atmosphere of the Sun (the corona), seen with X-ray telescopes and thought to be a crucial part of explosive events...
HARPS-NEF to comb Kepler targets for new Earths
Astronomers have announced plans to build an ultra-stable, high-precision spectrograph for the Science and Technology Facilities Council's 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope (WHT - part of the Isaac Newton Group or...
Could There Be a Planet Hidden on the Opposite Side of our Sun?
The sun might seem like a pretty huge galactic blind spot, but we've already managed to glimpse behind it, and there's nothing there in the way of another Earth, says...
First Component of Adaptive-Optics System Passes Test with Flying Colors
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) marked a major milestone on its way to becoming the world's most advanced and capable optical telescope. A key part of the telescope's adaptive optics...
Safety panel endorses ending shuttle ops
WASHINGTON, April 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel's 2008 report, among other things, endorses NASA's plan to end space shuttle operations.
SKorea clears chipmakers of cartel charges
South Korea's anti-trust watchdog said Monday it has found no evidence that leading chipmakers in South Korea and other countries colluded to fix prices.
How To Deflect Asteroids And Save Earth
You may want to thank David French in advance. Because, in the event that a comet or asteroid comes hurtling toward Earth, he may be the guy responsible for saving...
Switch-on success for superscope
One of the world's most powerful telescope arrays, which will provide a new view of the Universe, gets under way.
Clouds: Lighter Than Air But Laden With Lead
Researchers have shown for the first time a direct relation between lead in the sky and the formation of ice crystals that foster clouds. The results suggest that lead generated...
Earth reflection shows oceans
A researcher has used light bounced from Earth to the moon to ‘see’ Earth’s oceans, a trick that could be used to survey far planets.
Closer Look at Einstein's Brain
A new anatomical study reveals unusual features in the physicist's parietal lobes
Venus Disappears during Meteor Shower
Picture this: It's 4:30 in the morning. You're up and out before the sun. Steam rises from your coffee cup, floating up to the sky where a silent meteor streaks...
Cosmic Log: Celebrity science quiz
Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: What do Leonardo da Vinci, President Obama and Stephen Colbert have in common? They're all part of the celebrity edition of the Sci-Q quiz.
Federal minister wants to rescue famous Quebec observatory
The federal minister of public works said Thursday he will do everything he can to ensure the famous Mont Mégantic Observatory receives funding to remain open.
Lord Drayson to open European Week of Astronomy at Hertfordshire
Lord Drayson, the Government's Minister for Science and Innovation, is to open the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science (EWASS), which will be hosted by the University of Hertfordshire...
How to deflect asteroids and save the Earth
You may want to thank David French in advance. Because, in the event that a comet or asteroid comes hurtling toward Earth, he may be the guy responsible for saving...
Giant Mars Rover Parachute Passes Key Test
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory's parachute passes wind tunnel flight testing.
UH team helps NASA improve navigation systems for lunar exploration
If NASA is going to successfully establish a permanent human presence on the moon, it must be able to accurately track and direct its crew members and exploration vehicles, and...
A step closer to an ultra precise atomic clock
A clock that is so precise that it loses only a second every 300 million years - this is the result of new research in ultra cold atoms. The international...
U.S. Astronauts Might Hitch Rides on Chinese Spacecraft
Chinese spacecraft have not been ruled out to launch future U.S. astronauts, an official says.
Features of early Martian environment and presence of water drive search for life forms
New Rochelle, April 16, 2009-Solar energy and winds, collisions with asteroids and comets, and changing magnetic fields have all altered the environment of Mars, a planet that may have been...