Space
Learn about the latest astronomy news and discoveries around humanity’s endeavor beyond the final frontier.
Here's the best place on earth for a telescope, according to astronomers
Summer is the season for stargazing. Whether you’re just laying out on a picnic blanket in your backyard or have invested in a high-tech telescope, the twinkling vastness of space above can captivate our attention for hours. Now, astronomers have identified the most ideal place on earth for a Read More...
NASA calls on young scientists to solve the problem of sticky lunar dust
This week on The Optimist Daily Update, our CEO Summers and Editor in Chief Kristy discussed the undervalued role that ingenious teens play in our society. Whether it’s coming up with coloring books to teach kids about the pandemic or donating to climate action, the next generation is a real Read More...
These are the closest images ever taken of the Sun
This week, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) released the closest images ever taken of the Sun. Close, however is a relative term. The new photos were taken by the Solar Orbiter at 48 million miles from the Sun. The Orbiter was launched in February, and the photos captured were taken in Read More...
Readers in Africa and Asia can see a “ring of fire” eclipse this Sunday
This weekend kicks off the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, and this year features an additional special solar event: a "ring of fire" new moon and solar eclipse. Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth sits between the sun and a full moon, while solar eclipses happen when the new moon Read More...
Mysterious spots on one of Saturn’s moons found to be dry lake beds
In the early 2000s, astronomers noticed mysterious bright spots on Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. A new study has determined that the spots, which are more than 3,000 miles wide, are remnants of dried-up lakes. “Titan is still currently the only other place in the universe that we know to Read More...
Anyone out there? Our galaxy may host more alien life than we thought
For astronauts and E.T. fans alike, the big question has always been, is there alien life out there? Now, science may be able to offer an answer to that question. Although nobody has received communication from any alien civilizations, researchers estimate that there are 36 viable sites for life in Read More...
New sedimentary evidence shows large rivers once flowed on Mars
The potential presence of water on Mars has fascinated scientists and citizens since we first began exploring its surface. Now, researchers have discovered new evidence that rivers once flowed on the red planet. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers outlined how Read More...
Happy International Dark Sky Week! Here’s how to celebrate virtually
This week is International Dark Sky Week. Although astronomers and stargazers are not meeting up in-person this year to gaze up at our marvelous night sky, enthusiasts are still celebrating online and from the comfort of their homes. International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has put together a Read More...
Scientists discover brightest supernova ever recorded
A supernova is the bright and powerful explosion of a star that is at least five times larger than our sun. This week, scientists at the Center for Astrophysics discovered a supernova larger and brighter than any on record. These enormous stars burn large amounts of nuclear energy at their Read More...
An astronaut’s guide to surviving isolation
If you’re struggling to remain positive while social distancing, consider watching a space film to put your quarantine in perspective. All jokes aside, many astronauts are used to spending extended periods of time in isolation, sometimes up to a year. A few astronauts have weighed in on Read More...