Latest science news in Astronomy & Space
'Barren' seafloor teeming with microbial life
Once considered a barren plain with the odd hydrothermal vent, the seafloor appears to be teeming with microbial life, according to a paper being published May 29 in Nature. “A...
U of A device to measure wind on Mars
University of Alberta scientist Carlos Lange is thrilled that an instrument he invented, a wind sensor called the Telltale, has successfully landed on Mars.
Tapping The Early Universe For Secrets Of Fundamental Physics
The future of fundamental physics research lies in observing the early universe and developing models that explain the new data obtained. The availability of much higher resolution data from closer...
Arctic Explorer Delivers Unique Snow-depth Data For CryoSat
Following a formidable 106-day trek across the Arctic, which ended with the two Arctic Arc expedition members relying on Envisat images to guide them safely through disintegrating sea-ice, intrepid polar...
Rover II, Going Once, Going Twice ...
California company plans to auction off pet-cloning service; bids start at $100,000
Russia Launches Military, Science Satellites
A Russian rocket launched several military and science satellites Friday.
Radio Telescopes to Keep Sharp Eye on Mars Lander
As NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander descends through the Red Planet's atmosphere toward its landing on May 25, its progress will be scrutinized by radio telescopes from the National Radio Astronomy...
Univ. of Arizona team to call shots for Mars robot
(AP) -- A robotic spacecraft scheduled to land Sunday on Mars will be operated by NASA. But it's scientists at a University of Arizona lab who will be calling...
Lunar GRAIL
Meet MIT professor of physics Maria Zuber. She's dynamic, intelligent, intense, and she's on a quest for the Grail. No, not that Grail.
PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Jupiter Gains New Red Spot
Three's a cloud—actually, many clouds, all churning Jupiter's new storm spot into existence. But look fast; this baby may be gone before you know it.
Solar System Book Dedicated to 'Mr. Oxygen'
Robert Clayton has dedicated his life to the analysis of extraterrestrial material, from lunar rocks to meteorites from Mars and the asteroid belt. Now, the editors of a new book,...
Scientist Who Drew Water from Martian Meteorite Can Discuss Mars' H20 History
On Sunday, NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander is slated to touch down on the Red Planet's to searching for signs that water existed there as a liquid. Texas Tech University researcher...
Earth from Space: Salty plain
This Envisat image features salt flats in the Department of Potosi in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes Mountains.
The Crow: A Striking Star Pattern
Corvus is probably the most striking star pattern in spring's southern sky.
Lab complex proposed for Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 23 (UPI) -- A California developer said it wants to build a $1 billion life science laboratory complex in Cambridge, Mass.
Martian Canyons by a Trickle or a Gush?
Geologists are re-evaluating valleys long interpreted as signs of a warm and wet early Mars
Satellite Catches a Star Going 'Kaboom!'
When a gigantic star blows up, astronomers call it a "supernova." Over the past 100 years, astronomers have observed thousands of these explosions. But in every case, they were seeing...
Early Mars Had Floods, Yellowstone-Like Hot Springs
The formation of an Idaho canyon thousands of years ago, along with recent discoveries of ancient hot springs and geysers on Mars, has formed a portrait of a wetter, more...
Foot-dragging Mars Rover Finds Yellowstone-like Hot Spring Deposits
An ancient Martian hydrothermal system like those in Yellowstone National Park has been discovered on Mars. Deposits of nearly pure silica discovered by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in Gusev...
COROT's exoplanet hunt update
Two new exoplanets and an unknown celestial object are the latest findings of the COROT mission. These discoveries mean that the mission has now found a total of four new...
Four New Teams Join Moon Rover Race
Four new teams look to win $30 million by launching rovers to the moon.
A Test of the Copernican Principle
The Copernican principle states that the Earth is not the center of the universe, and that, as observers, we don`t occupy a special place. First stated by Copernicus in the...
Flawed Soyuz Landing Stemmed from Module Separation Glitch
A flawed Soyuz spacecraft's landing was tied to separation issues between its modules.
How sustainable is your suburb?
A new website has been launched that allows users to enter their postcode and discover the impact their suburb has on the environment.
Cosmic Supermagnet Spreads Mysterious 'Morse Code'
Astronomers have discovered mysterious pulses that are being emitted by an extremely magnetic star. The magnetic star, a magnetar, emits the pulses as very high energy X-rays. Sometimes observations confirm...
Solar eclipse-chasers booking seats on North Pole flight
Eager skywatchers are sparing no expense to get the best views of this summer's total eclipse of the sun, with some booking flights around the High Arctic to watch the...
No star left behind
An open-source software project could help unify every existing astronomical image into a single data set.
Exploding star caught in the act
Astronomers have been able to capture and record the moment when a massive star begins to blow itself apart.