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
A lighter Higgs makes particle hunt harder
Longer search promised after physicists exclude heavy masses for the 'God particle'.
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.
NASA reboots the Mars Odyssey orbiter
PASADENA, Calif., March 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency's Mars Odyssey orbiter's computer has been rebooted to clear memory flaws amassed in more than five years since...
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...
Best View Ever of Universe's Most Extreme Energy
Fermi telescope team makes map, list of best gamma ray sources yet found.
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.
Polarisers may enhance remote chemical detection
Chemists can analyse the composition of a suspected bomb - without actually touching and possibly detonating it - using a technique called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, or LIBS. The tool is...
'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...
GOCE gravity satellite moves to launch pad
(PhysOrg.com) -- With liftoff just five days away, ESA's GOCE spacecraft - encased in the protective half-shells of the launcher fairing - has been transported from the cleanroom and installed...
Ares I rocket igniter successfully tested
WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has successfully tested the igniter that will be used to start the Ares I rocket's first stage...
One-eyed filmmaker conceals camera in prosthetic
(AP) -- A one-eyed documentary filmmaker is preparing to work with a video camera concealed inside a prosthetic eye, hoping to secretly record people for a project commenting on...
ISS Expedition 18 Crew Completes Spacewalk
(PhysOrg.com) -- Tuesday's spacewalk with Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov concluded at 5:11 p.m. EDT when the Pirs docking module airlock was closed. The spacewalk...