Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
Europe Delays Launch of Two Space Telescopes
Europe has delayed the launch of two space telescopes, the Herschel and Planck observatories.
A Hitch in Plans for "Sunshade Earth"
Dusting the skies could help with global warming but harm solar power
NASA Launches 'Eyes on the Earth 3-D'
(PhysOrg.com) -- New interactive features on NASA's Global Climate Change Web site give the public the opportunity to "fly along" with NASA's fleet of Earth science missions and observe Earth...
A lighter Higgs makes particle hunt harder
Longer search promised after physicists exclude heavy masses for the 'God particle'.
Some fear Navy sonar may harm Fla.'s right whales
(AP) -- In the blue-green surf, 11 endangered North Atlantic right whales surface, jump and shoot mist high into the air through their blow holes.
King Albert II to visit European Astronaut Centre
ESA PR 05-2009. Their Majesties Albert II King of the Belgians and Queen Paola will be visiting the European Astronaut Centre of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Cologne, Germany,...
Test Flights Ahead for SpaceShipTwo Mothership
More test flights are ahead for SpaceShipTwo's WhiteKnightTwo mothership.
New Video - Magic in the Mojave
A fascinating mix of start-ups and success-stories are flying out of the Mojave Air And Space Port. Credit: Mojave Air & Space Port.
Planck launch campaign update
Preparations for Planck’s launch continue at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. During the past two weeks tests to verify the functionality of the spacecraft have begun, and the external...
'Supermodel' satellite set to fly
Goce has been described as the most beautiful satellite ever built. Now, after three years' delay, its opportunity to launch has finally arrived.
Galactic Dust Bunnies Found to Contain Carbon After All
Using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, researchers have found evidence suggesting that stars rich in carbon complex molecules may form at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. This discovery is significant...
Students Launch Cockroaches and Cameras Into Space
(PhysOrg.com) -- A group of cockroaches recently took a ride on a high-altitude balloon launched into space by freshmen aerospace engineering students from the University of California, San Diego. ...
Cassini Swaps Thrusters
(PhysOrg.com) -- Early this morning the Cassini spacecraft relayed information that it had successfully swapped to a backup set of propulsion thrusters late Wednesday.
Adventures in the 'Goldilocks zone'
When NASA's Kepler telescope rocketed into the night sky last week, two Berkeley astronomers watching its fading contrail were hoping that the telescope will reveal Earth's - and humanity's...
Sikorsky S-92
Sikorsky's S-92 helicopter design 'evolved' from that of the S-70 Black Hawk and Seahawk aircraft
Five facts about Friday the 13th
If Friday the 13th is unlucky, then 2009 is an unusually unlucky year. This week's Friday the 13th is one of three to endure this year.
Slurrrrrrp!
Doesn't it always happen like this? You're parched, haven't had a drink in two days, and then you come to a stagnant waterhole full of scummy water. Enter: the trunk!...
Hubble Provides New Evidence For Dark Matter Around Small Galaxies
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered a strong new line of evidence that galaxies are embedded in halos of dark matter.
New aerosol observing technique turns gray skies to blue (w/Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Tiny, ubiquitous particles in the atmosphere may play a profound role in regulating global climate. But the scientists who study these particles -- called aerosols -- have long...
North Pole may belong to Denmark, early mapping data suggests: scientist
Preliminary results from scientific mapping of the Arctic seabed indicate that the North Pole likely falls within Denmark's boundaries, a Canadian scientist says.
Human Guinea Pig to Blast Off With Space Shuttle
Aboard the International Space Station, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata will down pills, wire himself with sensors, and record how smelly his underwear gets—all in the name of science.
SPACE PHOTOS THIS WEEK: Kepler Launch, Mars Moon, More
See a close-up of Deimos, a defrosting Martian volcano, a new gravity-field spacecraft, and more in the space pictures from this week.
Pluto a Planet Again -- On Friday the 13th, in Illinois
State officials voted to re-establish Pluto as a planet for a day to honor a homegrown hero, inadvertently flaring up the ongoing discussion over the icy body's status in the...
Space missions focus on salmonella
HOUSTON, March 12 (UPI) -- National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists say two recent U.S. space missions have produced discoveries concerning salmonella bacteria.
Recipe for the perfect James Webb Space Telescope mirror
Mirrors are a critical part of any space telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors are made of a special element that will enable it to withstand the rigors...
Cometary Life Limit
Large debris disks around certain stars may imply a high rate of killer comets that wipe out any chance of life forming.
'Sense of drift' ails NASA, Obama says
The agency needs a mission suitable for the 21st century, the president says. The shuttle launch is delayed until Sunday. ...
A Black Hole in Medusa's Hair
This composite image of the Medusa galaxy (also known as NGC 4194) shows X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in blue and optical light from the Hubble Space Telescope...