It’s finally time to name the Mars 2020 rover, and NASA wants suggestions
NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will officially kick off in July of next year, and there’s still plenty to do before that can happen. The spacecraft …
Science
NASA’s solar-powered helicopter is getting ready for its journey to Mars
With less than a year to go before NASA’s Mars 2020 mission is scheduled to launch, it’s an “all hands on deck” affair at the …
Jessi Combs, speed champion and former Mythbuster, killed while attempting record-breaking jet car run
Jessi Combs, the current women’s record-holder for fastest speed in a 4-wheeled vehicle, was killed in a jet car crash while attempting to best her …
Pair of asteroids make early-morning passes of Earth
If you’re reading this, the Earth is intact. That’s good news, since a pair of asteroids made some reasonably close approaches to our planet this …
Astronomers spot distant gas giant on a bizarre journey around its star
In our solar system, each planet has a reasonably well-defined and mostly circular path that it follows around the Sun. This, astronomers think, is true …
NASA celebrates Spitzer Space Telescope’s 16th birthday with 16 jaw-dropping images
NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in the agency’s arsenal for over a decade and a half, …
Two halves of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope finally meet
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is a cautionary tale of what happens when you place too much trust in (and shell out too much money …
SpaceX launches Starhopper after earlier failed attempt
SpaceX’s Starhopper has had an interesting week. It was initially supposed to take off from the company’s Texas launch facility on Monday evening, performing what …
NASA telescopes reveal secrets of the dark sides of ‘hot Jupiter’ exoplanets
Of all the types of exoplanets researchers have discovered in recent years with ever more powerful telescope technology, the so-called “hot Jupiters” might be the …
SpaceX’s Starhopper launch scrubbed at the last possible second
SpaceX was scheduled to launch its scaled-down Starship test vehicle, Starhopper, on Monday evening. Things were looking good right up until the moment the spacecraft …
NASA boss weighs in on Pluto’s planet status
One of the internet’s favorite topics of debate, at least when it comes to astronomy, is whether or not Pluto should be considered a planet. …
Watch SpaceX’s Starhopper launch for the last time live right here
Things didn’t exactly go as planned during SpaceX’s most recent attempt to launch its Starhopper test vehicle. The launch was planned for Monday but was …
NASA just flipped the switch on its new atomic clock
When you imagine all the incredible hurdles mankind will have to eventually overcome if we plan on sending humans to other planets or, even better, …
Colossal mass of volcanic material is drifting toward the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is in bad shape, and humans are to blame. Warming seas due to climate change have led to extreme “bleaching” of …
Locals warned that SpaceX Starhopper test could shatter windows
SpaceX’s Starship project is one if its most ambitious efforts yet. The company envisions various versions of the spacecraft eventually traveling to the Moon, Mars, …
New gene-editing technique shows promise in negating bad mutations
We’ve all heard a lot about genetic modification this year, thanks in large part to one Chinese scientist taking it upon himself to edited the …
NFL head trauma linked to decreased testosterone and erectile dysfunction
Studies in recent years have revealed that chronic head trauma often suffered by professional football players can have long-lasting effects, but it’s safe to say …
NASA astronaut accused of hacking her wife’s bank account from space
Astronauts who travel to the International Space Station have a lot on their plate. They’re put to the test both physically and mentally, and conducting …
Feast your eyes on the Earth-like, rocky debris covering the surface of asteroid Ryugu
Japan’s space agency JAXA has had a busy year, but that’s par for the course when you’re controlling an asteroid probe orbiting a distant space …
When aliens spot Earth, what will they see?
Researchers have made incredible advancements in the detection and study of exoplanets in recent years, spotting literally thousands of new planets and learning tantalizing details …
Watch NASA scientists pretend the Australian Outback is Mars
Next year is going to be a pretty big deal for scientists studying Mars, with both NASA’s Mars 2020 mission and the ExoMars rover mission …
Deadly ‘super’ Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican cheese, US beef
Coming down with a nasty Salmonella infection can easily sideline even the healthiest of people, but it’s when the bacteria show resistance to common treatments …
Earth might not be the best place for life after all
In the ongoing search for worlds outside of our solar system, scientists often compare newly-discovered planets with our own as they offer educated guesses about …
Russia launches test of new rocket booster, sends humanoid robot into space
All eyes were on the International Space Station yesterday as NASA astronauts performed a spacewalk to install a new docking port that will allow commercial …
This inflatable space habitat was built for comfort, and could travel to Mars
Humans are headed back to the Moon and, eventually, Mars, and for space-faring astronauts, luxury is often the last thing on their mind. Still, orbiting …
India’s Moon lander just snapped its first photo of the lunar surface
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has had a big week already. The group’s Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft successfully entered orbit around the Moon a few days …
Air pollution can kill you, even when it’s considered ‘safe’
The air quality in many major cities around the world falls well below acceptable limits, and the death toll is rising. However, a new study …
A red-hot alien world was found orbiting three stars
NASA’s TESS exoplanet-hunting satellite has already made some incredible discoveries in its first couple of years in service, but its latest find will definitely look …
Experts say wisdom teeth removal is leading to opioid addiction
If you’ve ever had your wisdom teeth removed you know how painful the days immediately following the surgery can be. Over-the-counter painkillers are often not …
Elon Musk walks back ‘Nuke Mars’ idea, says maybe satellites will work better
It’s only been a few days since SpaceX boss Elon Musk fired off a tweet reminding everyone that he wants to “nuke Mars,” but he’s …
