Space

Explore the vast reaches of space and mankind’s continuing efforts to conquer the stars, including theories such as the Big Bang, the International Space Station, plus what the future holds for space travel and exploration.

Topics to Explore

Asgardia Wants to Be a New Nation — in Space

10 Ways Space Is Trying to Kill You

How do I become an astronaut?

This Is a First: An Image of the Sun's North Pole

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Neptune: An Ice Giant With Supersonic Winds

Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun, and one of the coldest. It also has supersonic winds that are the fastest in the solar system.

By Mark Mancini Astronomy / The Solar System

How to See the Spectacular Geminid Meteor Shower

Prepare to be dazzled!

By Christopher Hassiotis Dec 9, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

How the International Space Station Works

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan had a vision for a permanently inhabited space station. Today that vision is a reality we know as the International Space Station.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. & Mark Mancini Space / Space Transportation Systems

Why Is the North Star So Stellarly Important?

Polaris, also known as the North Star, is almost exactly over the celestial North Pole, making it extremely useful for navigation (and for making wishes on, as well).

By Patrick J. Kiger Nov 20, 2019 Astronomy / Stars Channel

Leonid Meteor Shower: What You Need to Know

The annual Leonid meteor shower is back, and peaks in the early-morning hours of November 18. It's made up of tiny bits of debris from the comet Tempel-Tuttle. Here's how to see it.

By Patrick J. Kiger Nov 15, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

The Orionid Meteor Shower Is Back — Here's What You Need to Know

Every autumn, Earth passes through a stream of debris left by Halley's comet, resulting in nighttime meteor showers in mid-October. Best time this year is Oct. 21-22.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 21, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Venus: Earth's Blazing-hot and Bizarre Twin

The atmospheric pressure is crushingly extreme on Venus, and lead would melt into a puddle on its surface. But as hellish as this place sounds, it actually has a lot in common with Earth.

By Mark Mancini Astronomy / The Solar System

3-D Printed Space Meat: It's What's for Dinner, Astronauts

A Russian cosmonaut printed some steak in space, and now we're one step closer to sending humans to Mars.

By Jesslyn Shields Oct 17, 2019 Space / Future Space

Jupiter: Anatomy of a Gas Giant

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Big as it is though, next to the sun, Jupiter looks puny.

By Mark Mancini Astronomy / The Solar System

Is Planet Nine Actually a Primordial Black Hole?

As the search for Planet Nine wears on, and astronomers have yet to get so much as a glimpse of it, researchers are pondering what else the object might be.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Oct 1, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Confirmed: Comet Borisov Is Another Interstellar Visitor

The galaxy has sent another tumbling chunk of frozen interstellar material our way.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 25, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Apollo 11 Put the First Men on the Moon. What About Missions 12-17?

You know Apollo 11. But what did the other Apollo missions accomplish after Neil Armstrong made his giant leap for mankind?

By Mark Mancini Aug 30, 2019 Space / Space Exploration

It's Only a Rolling Rock on Mars (But I Like It)

NASA just named a rolling rock on Mars after — who else — the Rolling Stones.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Aug 23, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Here's the Buzz on Alcohol in Space

While alcohol consumption is not completely alien to the space program, not much is known about its effects on the body outside our atmosphere.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 30, 2019 Space / Space Exploration

Ploonets: When Moons Become Planets

Did you know that a moon can leave its orbit around a large planet and go out on its own?

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 23, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

NASA's Dragonfly Rotorcraft to Explore Saturn's Giant Moon Titan

Titan is the only moon in the solar system with much of an atmosphere, and the only one known to have liquid rivers, lakes and seas on its surface.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 17, 2019 Space / Space Transportation Systems

How Area 51 Works

Less than 100 miles from Las Vegas, is the most famous secret military installation on the planet: Area 51. For decades, the U.S. government refused to acknowledge it existed. But now, the secret is out.

By Jonathan Strickland & Patrick J. Kiger Space / Aliens & UFOs

Apollo 11 One Giant Leap For Mankind

We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s historic journey to the moon.

Space / Spaceflight

LISA: Detecting Exoplanets Using Gravitational Waves

The planned Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, or LISA, will be able to detect the gravitational waves generated by massive collisions in the deep cosmos.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Jul 10, 2019 Space / Space Exploration

Quiz: Apollo 11, the First Moon Landing

Let's see how much you know about Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and the adventure that immortalized them.

By Mark Mancini Space / Space Exploration

Rare Asteroid Discovered With Fastest Orbit Around the Sun

Researchers at the Zwicky Transient Facility have found an asteroid in Earth's orbit. And this one has the shortest year yet.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Jul 8, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Something Produced a Surprising Spike of Methane on Mars

But what?

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Jun 28, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System

Can a Helicopter Fly on Mars? NASA Says Yes

NASA has built a lightweight robotic helicopter capable of flying in the thin atmosphere of Mars.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 27, 2019 Space / Space Transportation Systems

Why Does Jupiter Have 79 Moons When Earth Just Has One?

Scientists recently found 12 more moons revolving around Jupiter, bringing its total to 79. Why does Jupiter have so many darn moons? Is there any advantage to that?

By Mark Mancini Jun 25, 2019 Astronomy / The Solar System