Space

Is China Launching Fake Moon a Bright Idea?

The idea behind the "fake" moon is to provide extra illumination to Chengdu, a city in China's Sichuan province. What could possibly go wrong?

NASA's InSight Will Probe Mars' Quakes, Temperature and Wobble to Understand Its Origins

After cruising 300 million miles and spending seven months in space, the InSight spacecraft successfully touched down on Mars' surface. How awesome is that?

Is Earth the Only Planet With Tectonic Plates?

Some scientists think the existence of plate tectonics could be a prerequisite for life. So do they exist on other planets outside of Earth?

An Alien Asteroid's Been Lurking in Our Solar System Since the Beginning

Once upon a time, the sun caught an interstellar orphan and adopted it as its own. It's named 2015 BZ 509.

How Do We Find Things in the Blackness of Space?

To define the location of objects in the sky, astronomers utilize a system of celestial coordinates, which extends latitude and longitude from Earth's surface into space.

Interstellar Asteroid 'Oumuamua Has Loads More to Tell Us

Yep, 'Oumuamua was probably kicked out of its own star system by an overbearing gas giant like Jupiter.

Why Fruit Flies Were the First Animals in Space

The little flies have way more in common with us than you think. And it made them the perfect test animal to send to space.

Only a Black Hole Could Make a Black Hole That Massive!

Take that, stars!

10 Surprising Facts About Astronaut Training

NASA astronauts have to undergo serious training before becoming approved for a trip to space. But some of that training is certainly not what you'd expect.

Orion Nebula Is Scene of Epic Star Battle

In this stellar nursery, firstborn stars are ruthless.

Does the Sun Rotate?

Like Earth, the sun does rotate, but in a different way.

Saturn's Rings Will Exist for Just a Blip in Time

No worries though. Jupiter, Neptune or Uranus could create their own beautiful, bright ring display in the distant future.

Lava Tubes on Earth Could Prepare Us for Life on the Moon and Mars

By studying these geological formations here on Earth, we may be able to learn how to live on other planets.

By Tara Yarlagadda

Hunting for Martians in the Most Extreme Desert on Earth

Rovers are getting some practice hunting for microbes here on Earth before they head to Mars in 2020.

Do Astronauts Need Sunscreen in Space?

We know space is awash in ultraviolet radiation. So how are astronauts protected from all those UV rays?

How Many Moons Does Jupiter Have? We're Losing Count

Scientists are continually discovering more moons orbiting the outer planets, particularly Saturn and Jupiter. Just how many moons does Jupiter have?

By Mark Mancini & Desiree Bowie

Mars Has an Actual Lake

But don't buy your lakefront property just yet.

The Perseid Meteor Shower Is Back. Here's What You Need to Know

It's a celestial gift in the middle of August. Just look up for a spectacular sight.

By Christopher Hassiotis

How Close Can We Get to the Sun?

Since it launched Aug. 12, 2018, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has made 11 of the 24 planned approaches with the sun, analyzing the massive star's solar wind and magnetic fields. But just how close will it get to our solar system's massive star?

Can We Get Into Space Without Big Rockets?

Visionaries have proposed various ways to get into space without using large rockets for propulsion, such as building a space elevator or harnessing magnetic levitation.