Space
-
PlanetsCool Jobs: Exploring the solar system
Meet three scientists who explore the solar system. Their jobs range from steering a spacecraft to chasing solar eclipses around the world.
By Ilima Loomis -
AnimalsScientists identify plankton from space
Plankton are often too tiny for our eyes to see. But when huge numbers bloom at once, they now can be ID’d from space, a new study shows.
-
SpacePollution may give ‘first’ stars a youthful look
The oldest stars should be made of only light elements. But these suns may have sucked up heavier elements, giving them a more youthful appearance, a new study finds.
-
ChemistryPicture This: Evidence of liquid water on Mars
Mars hosts surface salt deposits. They appear to come from seasonal water flows on the Red Planet, a new study concludes.
-
PlanetsLike Tatooine in ‘Star Wars,’ this planet has two suns
Scientists have found the tenth planet with two suns. Such planets might be more common than single-sun planets, like our own, a new survey suggests.
By Ilima Loomis -
PhysicsStephen Hawking says his group has solved a black hole puzzle
Physicist Stephen Hawking says light sliding along the outside of a black hole holds the key to understanding what’s inside.
By Andrew Grant -
PhysicsFade to black? The universe is in decline
One of the largest sky surveys ever made has found that the universe is in decline. And after losing even more energy over the next 100 billion years, it will be dark, empty and boring.
By Ilima Loomis -
PlanetsScientists Say: Exoplanet
Eight planets orbit our sun. We give a slightly different name to the millions of similar bodies orbiting other stars.
-
PlanetsNews Brief: Venus may have active volcanoes
The Venus Express spacecraft detected flashes of infrared light that may be from hot lava erupting from active volcanoes.
-
PhysicsProfile: Looking for life beyond the solar system
Planetary scientist and astrophysicist Sara Seager is a leader in the search for signs of life on planets beyond our solar system.
By Ron Cowen -
PlanetsPluto hosts ice mountains, data suggest
Geologic activity appears to have been reshaping Pluto, erasing craters and more.
-
PlanetsPicture This: Pluto hearts us
As a little spacecraft flies by Pluto, it is snapping up high resolution images and collecting unparalleled data.