Space
Learn about the latest astronomy news and discoveries around humanity’s endeavor beyond the final frontier.
Citizen scientists discover two new exoplanets
More than 29,000 people around the world are involved in NASA’s Planet Hunters TESS project. Available through the Zooniverse website, the project enlists citizen scientists to search for new exoplanets by scanning data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). After diligently Read More...
NASA schedules first missions to Venus since 1990
We’ve been closely following NASA’s recent excursions to Mars, but the space agency announced this week that it’s getting even more ambitious with its exploration and will be launching two missions to Venus between 2028 and 2030. The last US probe to visit the planet was the Magellan Read More...
NASA image shows the spectacular beauty of the Milky Way’s ‘downtown’
If you ever wondered what the center of our galaxy looks like, you can now satiate your curiosity by checking out a new image from NASA that depicts it in unprecedented detail. The marvelous picture of our galaxy’s violent, super-energized “downtown” (which you can see above) is a composite Read More...
Astronauts arrive on the ISS on board a reused SpaceX capsule
On what was a historic day for spaceflight last Saturday, four astronauts arrived at the International Space Station in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Endeavour” spacecraft — marking the first time a rocket booster has been reused for a space mission with a crew on board. Dubbed Crew-2, the mission Read More...
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter makes history with its first flight on Mars
In an incredible space exploration feat, NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter successfully completed its first flight on Mars this week. The historic event took place on Monday, 3:34 a.m. ET, and marked the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. The small hopper, weighing no more than four Read More...
It’s International Dark Sky Week. Here’s how to celebrate
International Dark Sky week was established in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow. It aims to reduce light pollution and encourage people all around the world to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. This year, Dark Sky Week runs from April 5th through the 12th. We’re already part way Read More...
Scientists test new technology to clean up space junk from Earth’s orbit
From large rocket parts to tiny shards of metal from accidental collisions and explosions, space junk is becoming increasingly problematic. As these pieces of debris fly around at about 18,000 mph, they pose a real safety risk to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station and could cause Read More...
DC NASA headquarters renamed after agency’s first Black female engineer
Mary Jackson, NASA’s first Black female engineer, was one of the scientists featured in the film Hidden Figures. Now, the pioneering engineer will be honored as NASA renames their DC headquarters the Mary W Jackson Headquarters Building. The new name became official with a virtual ceremony Read More...
Mentorship program leads two students to discover new exoplanets
The Student Research Mentoring Program at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian trains local high school students for a month before pairing them with a scientist for a year-long research project. The program is a great opportunity to give students hands-on experience in the field Read More...
29-year-old cancer survivor to become youngest American to go to space
SpaceX is getting ready to send four civilians into orbit aboard its Crew Dragon capsule, and not a single professional astronaut will be on board (say what!?). The trip will happen courtesy of billionaire Jared Isaacman, who purchased the debut commercial astronaut rocket launch from Space X. Read More...