The universe dresses up for Halloween as Hubble captures skull-like galaxy
Just in time for Halloween, scientists from the European Space Agency have released an image captured by the Hubble Space Telescope showing a system which looks like a ghostly face peering out from the dark depths of space. The system has an unusual shape formed by two galaxies which are colliding.
Tiny dwarf planet discovered in our solar system is one-fifth the size of Pluto
In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, numerous small bodies orbit around our sun. Only one of them, Ceres, is considered a dwarf planet. But now, astronomers have looked more closely at one of Ceres' little brothers, Hygiea, and determined that it may be our solar system's smallest dwarf planet.
Astronomers propose comets could carry microscopic life to other solar systems
Interstellar comets like 'Oumuamua raise the possibility that they could bring materials and even lifeforms from other solar systems to our own. But a new paper argues that the opposite process could be happening as well: We could be exporting life from our solar system to others via comets.
Astronomers discover a cosmic Yeti: A massive galaxy from the early universe
Astronomers have spotted evidence of a massive and ancient galaxy, so old and so large that they compared finding it to spotting a cosmic Yeti. They saw glowing dust in a signal that took 12.5 billion years to reach Earth, meaning they were looking back at an event from the very early universe.
Could the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy harbor a wormhole?
Researchers have come up with a technique that could allow the detection of traversable wormholes -- theoretical tunnels in space-time which would let objects travel across the galaxy or even the universe. They even wonder if the black hole at the center of our galaxy could harbor such a wormhole.
Two exoplanets smashed together, pulverizing each other into fine dust
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has seen evidence of a dusty graveyard of two exoplanets in the BD +20 307 binary star system. Experts believe the dusty debris disk they have spotted is the result of two exoplanets colliding and smashing into tiny particles.
SpaceX will test its Crew Dragon capsule next week, following explosion in April
SpaceX is set to perform an important test on its Crew Dragon capsule, which will eventually carry astronauts to the International Space Station, following an explosive setback earlier this year. As reported by CNBC, SpaceX will conduct a static fire test of its Crew Dragon capsule next week.
See a photo of the strange gel-like substance found on the far side of the moon
Earlier this year, China's space program announced it had discovered an oddly-colored gel-like substance of unknown origin on the far side of the moon. Now, the China Lunar Exploration Program has released a photo of its strange find which shows more details about what the substance could be.
NASA’s James Webb Telescope deploys its tennis court-sized sunshield in test
NASA's troubled James Webb Space Telescope is coming closer to completion, having recently passed the important test of deploying its massive five-layered sunshield. The sunshield is the size of a tennis court and is necessary to protect the telescope's delicate machinery from the heat of the sun.
SpaceX aims to send a Starship to the moon within three years
When SpaceX unveiled its gorgeous next-generation Starship rocket last month, CEO Elon Musk announced an ambitious timeline of tests for the new vehicle. Now, more details about SpaceX's plans have been announced by President and COO Gwynne Shotwell at the 2019 International Astronautical Congress.
Mars 2020 rover stands on its own wheels for the first time
Progress continues for NASA's Mars 2020 rover, set to begin its journey to the red planet next year. The rover was recently lowered onto the ground, with the rover taking its full weight on its wheels and legs for the first time. The legs are made of titanium, while the wheels are aluminum.
Will drive for Froot Loops. Rats cruise around in tiny cars in name of science
In this year's most delightful behavioral neuroscience experience, scientists have taught rats how to drive tiny cars in exchange for pieces of breakfast cereal. When rats were placed inside a robot car, they were able to learn to drive by pressing bars and could navigate around a tiny rat arena.
Multitalented Curiosity rover snaps a selfie, performs a chemistry experiment
Everyone's favorite Martian resident, the Curiosity rover, has proudly snapped a selfie while performing an unusual experiment. The team controlling the rover wanted to image the ground to perform a chemistry experiment in which it analyzed the chemical composition of two samples of Martian rock.
NASA plans to cut cost of space exploration by commercializing low-earth orbit
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has spoken about the Artemis mission to the moon and a manned mission to Mars after that. And he laid out how NASA plans for pay for this new era of manned space exploration -- by encouraging the commercialization of low -arth orbit in order to cut costs for the agency.
Meet VIPER, the rover that’s going to hunt for water on the moon
As part of its Artemis mission to return to the moon by 2024, NASA is recruiting a new robotic helper: The VIPER rover, which will sniff out lunar water ice. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover will be sent to the moon's south pole, where frozen water has been detected.
Collisions of neutron stars create element that makes fireworks sparkle
When neutron stars collide, they don't only produce dazzling light, bursts of gamma rays, and magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than the field on Earth. Scientists have found they also create heavy elements like strontium, finally answering a puzzle about the origin of elements found on Earth.
Report calls for changes to rules about contamination of other worlds
A new report has called for NASA to update its rules governing contamination of other planets in the course of space exploration. It points out that many of the guidelines for planetary protection were written at the beginnings of human space exploration and are in serious need of updating.
Europe’s Solar Orbiter has completed testing and is ready to explore the sun
An upcoming mission will travel within a few million miles of the sun to collect data on how our star affects the whole solar system. Testing of the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter is now complete, and the craft is being packed up and shipped to Cape Canaveral ready for its launch next year.
Rocky exoplanets are more like Earth inside than we thought
When looking for exoplanets similar to Earth, astronomers look at planets orbiting red dwarf stars which are similar to our Sun. However, new research shows that rocky exoplanets in orbit around a different type of star, a white dwarf, can have interiors that are surprisingly similar to our planet.
Feeding off-world colonies: Leeks and tomatoes can be grown in Martian soil
In a move that takes us one step closer to creating a permanent colony on another planet, scientists have demonstrated that it is possible to grow edible food crops in soil like that found on Mars and the moon. Nine edible plant species were able to grow in simulated Martian and lunar soil.
NASA will work with Japanese space agency on lunar landing projects
The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has confirmed it will work with NASA on the upcoming Artemis mission to send humans back to the moon by 2024. NASA Administrator James Bridenstine and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa met recently in Tokyo to affirm their commitment to a joint lunar exploration project.
Ikea’s smart blinds finally go on sale in the U.S., but only in certain stores
Smart home enthusiasts in the U.S. who have been waiting impatiently for Ikea to release its affordable Fyrtur smart blinds need wait no longer. Despite a series of delays, the blinds are now available to purchase in the U.S., but they cannot be ordered online -- they're only available in selected stores.
Hubble images galactic visitor, interstellar comet 2I/Borisov
Hubble has captured an image of the comet which is believed to have traveled to our solar system from a different planetary system somewhere else in the galaxy. The comet, named 2I/Borisov, was first spotted by amateur astronomer Gennady Borisov and now Hubble has captured the clearest image of it yet.
NASA’s InSight lander is drilling on Mars again, after being stuck for 6 months
Finally, some good news for NASA's InSight lander, which has been stuck on Mars due to a part of its drill called the mole becoming wedged in the soil. The mole has dug nearly 2 centimeters in the past week after six months of being stuck, giving hope InSight can get back to being fully operational.
U.S. senator introduces radical bill to protect people’s private data
A U.S. Senator has called for a radical new approach to consumer privacy to be adopted following revelations about the sale and misuse of data by various technology companies. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has introduced a new bill as an even stronger update to his privacy legislation proposed last year.
See both of NASA’s explorers, Curiosity and InSight, on the surface of Mars
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is currently in orbit around the red planet and is snapping photos of its surface using an instrument called the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE). Recently, HiRISE imaged not just one but both of NASA's missions which are on the planet now.
Make a wish upon a star: Here’s how to watch this week’s Orionid meteor shower
Turn your eyes to the skies this week, because it's the time of year to observe the annual Orionid meteor shower. It will begin on October 18 and continue for several days, peaking between October 20 and 22. The meteors are the remnants of one of the most famous astronomical objects, Halley's Comet.
Watch NASA astronauts conduct the first-ever all-woman spacewalk
NASA astronauts and International Space Station residents Christina Koch and Jessica Meir are making history by performing the first-ever all-woman spacewalk. Starting at 7:50 a.m. ET, the pair ventured outside the International Space Station in order to perform repairs to the station's power system.
Scientists want to implant mini human brains in animals
It sounds like something out of a 1980s horror movie, but medical researchers are now able to transplant human mini-brains, aka brain organoids, into animals like rats. We spoke to lead researcher Dr. Isaac Chen about the ethical issues involved in this research, as well as its potential benefits.
NASA shows off the new spacesuits that astronauts will wear to the moon
NASA is pushing ahead with its plans to go back to the moon by 2024, and today showed off its new spacesuit for the first time. The Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit is designed to protect astronauts against temperatures ranging from minus 250 degrees to plus 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Google Doodle animation honors physicist Joseph Antoine Ferdinand Plateau
Google is celebrating the 218th birthday of Belgian physicist Joseph Plateau with a Google Doodle recalling the earliest animation device. Starting on Sunday, October 13 at 9 p.m. PT, Google will swap out its regular header for an animated Doodle inspired by his work inventing the phenakistiscope.
Remains of shallow, briny pools provide further evidence of liquid water on Mars
As the Curiosity rover explores Mars' Gale Crater, the data it collects tells us more about the history of the planet and whether liquid water once existed there. A new study has examined the geology of the crater to learn more about the briny ponds which once dotted the planet's surface.
New evidence questions whether Venus ever had oceans on its surface
Recently new research surprised astronomers and the public by suggesting that millions of years ago, Venus could have been a hospitable planet with lower temperatures allowing water to exist on its surface. However, a new study of lava flows on the surface of Venus suggests these ideas are mistaken.