Space

  1. Space

    Explainer: All about orbits

    A handful of rules can describe the route some object repeatedly takes around another in space. Calculating that path, however, can be quite complex.

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  2. Earth

    Scientists Say: Atmosphere

    An atmosphere is an envelope of gas around a planet, dwarf planet or moon.

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  3. Space

    Scientists Say: Constellation

    Constellations are clusters of related things, especially the stars that form patterns in the night sky — some of which date back to ancient times.

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  4. Planets

    Mercury’s surface may be studded with diamonds

    Billions of years of meteorite impacts may have transformed much of Mercury's graphite crust into precious gemstones.

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  5. Planets

    Let’s learn about Pluto

    Once known as a pipsqueak planet, Pluto is now the solar system’s best known dwarf planet.

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  6. Tech

    Space trash could kill satellites, space stations — and astronauts

    As private companies prepare to sprinkle space with tens of thousands of satellites, experts worry about the mushrooming threat of space junk.

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  7. Physics

    Scientists Say: Dark Energy

    Dark energy is the unknown force causing the universe to expand faster and faster.

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  8. Space

    Wild art? No, it’s a radio image of the heart of our Milky Way

    Eyelash-like radio filaments accent the brightest feature in this image — a supermassive black hole.

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  9. Planets

    No, organic molecules alone don’t point to life on Mars

    These carbon-based molecules, found in a meteorite, may reflect merely a mixing of water and minerals on the Red Planet over billions of years.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Here’s how a new sleeping bag could protect astronauts’ eyesight

    A new sleeping bag could avoid vision problems on long space flights due to microgravity. It counters a fluid buildup behind astronauts’ eyes.

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  11. Physics

    Explainer: Gravity and microgravity

    The force of gravity holds us on the ground, keeps planets in orbit and extends throughout space. A very weak gravitational pull is called microgravity.

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  12. Space

    Explainer: Telescopes see light — and sometimes ancient history

    Different kinds of telescopes on Earth and in space help us to see all wavelengths of light. Some can even peer billions of years back in time.

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