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

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How NASA Works

When most people think of NASA, they probably think of astronauts and the Kennedy Space Center. But there's a whole lot more to this 60-year-old organization.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. & Patrick J. Kiger Space / Spaceflight

Two Moon Craters Named for Apollo 8 Astronauts

Anders' Earthrise and 8 Homeward are the two moon craters recently named in honor of the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, the first NASA mission to orbit the moon.

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 11, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

'The Goblin' May Reveal the Phantom of Planet X Lurking in Deep Space

It's a small world with an astonishingly long orbit around our sun. And it could lead us to the fabled Planet X.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Oct 10, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

Where's That Funky-shaped Comet 'Oumuamua From?

It dashed through our solar system like a cigar-shaped signal from another star system. But which one? Astronomers are on the case.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Oct 1, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

What Are Days and Nights Like on the Moon?

Do they even look different?

By Mark Mancini Sep 28, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

SpaceX Books Its First Private Passenger to the Moon

A Japanese billionaire art collector is the lucky ticket holder and he plans to invite a few artists to tag along — for free.

By Mark Mancini Sep 24, 2018 Space / Spaceflight

Nuclear Pasta Is the Super-Macaroni of the Universe

This stellar noodle is the strongest material in the cosmos!

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 20, 2018 Astronomy / Stars Channel

Just Four Dimensions in the Universe, if You Believe Gravitational Waves

Maybe there aren't more dimensions beyond the four that we know and love so well.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 19, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

The Great Red Spot May Expose Jupiter's Watery Secret

Jupiter has been notoriously bad about revealing any water deep in its thick atmosphere. That's changing though.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 7, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

Heads Up Stargazers! Two Comets Passing Close to Earth in September

Comet 21P and comet 46P will swing past our planet during the month of September — and you won't need a telescope to see either.

By Mark Mancini Sep 4, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 27, 2018 Space / Space Transportation Systems

Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts Are Starting to Pile Up

Fast radio bursts are over in less time than it takes to blink your eye. They come from way beyond the Milky Way. And astronomers can't say with certainty what causes these enigmatic bursts.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 14, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

Tiny Satellite to Search Universe for Missing Matter

The tiny HaloSat probe will investigate a galactic halo of hot gas that may account for missing matter from the early universe.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 13, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

How Close Can We Get to the Sun?

NASA is launching its new Parker Solar Probe and it will get closer to the sun than any other spacecraft in history. But could we actually touch the sun some day?

By Mark Mancini Aug 9, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

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. At night.

By Christopher Hassiotis Aug 9, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

Mars Has an Actual Lake

But don't buy your lakefront property just yet.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 7, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

New NASA Satellite Is Hunting for Distant Planets

The last satellite — Kepler — discovered more than 2,300 confirmed planets. This one is expected to find even more.

By Mark Mancini Aug 2, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

Russia Sending Humanoid FEDOR Robot into Space

The Russian anthropomorphic robot can fire a handgun, do push-ups and even drive a car. Now it's going off into space.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 31, 2018 Space / Future Space

Why Do Stars Twinkle?

And while we're at it, why don't the other planets in our solar system seem to twinkle?

By Mark Mancini Jul 25, 2018 Astronomy / Stars Channel

Could a Galactic Civilization Survive the End of the Universe?

It's never too early to start planning!

By Robert Lamb Jul 18, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century Is Coming

It's the second lunar eclipse of 2018, but it will last longer than any other during the 21st century.

By Mark Mancini Jul 16, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

Mars Moves Closest to Earth Since 2003

Mars Close Approach is July 31, 2018. That is the point in Mars' orbit when it is nearest to Earth.

By Laurie L. Dove Jul 10, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

The Moon Is Causing Longer Days on Earth

The days are getting longer, but don't worry about changing your clocks.

By Chris Opfer Jul 3, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System

Did the Apollo Missions Cause Warming on the Moon?

Scientists have used long-lost data tapes to show that Apollo astronauts probably caused the lunar surface to warm slightly during moon missions in the 1970s.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 26, 2018 Space / Space Exploration

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.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 13, 2018 Astronomy / The Solar System