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.

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What is a solar sail? How can you use sunlight to move a spacecraft in outer space? In this article, HowStuffWorks will show you how solar sail technology works, take an in-depth look at the Cosmos-1 mission and find out what solar-sails mean for future space travel.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

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

After Viking 1 captured images of what looked like a face on Mars, the public began to speculate. Had Martians carved a colossus, or was there another answer?

By Stephanie Watson

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Foo fighters have been reported by fighter pilots since World War II. Were they with the Axis or Allies, or maybe from another planet? Read more about reports of foo fighters and censorship of foo fighter sightings.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The RB-47 UFO incident of 1957 was classified for years after it happened. Read how an RB-47 planed encountered two UFOs over Mississippi and Texas.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

In 1964, police officer Lonnie Zamora saw an egg-shaped UFO in Socorro, New Mexico -- and the pilots. The encounter was so incredible that government nvestigators from the secret Project Blue Book even came to investigate.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Astronomer and defense researcher J. Allen Hynek is behind the UFO sighting classification system based on "close encounters." So what is a close encounter and have you had one?

By Suzie Dundas

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Many people have reported alien abduction stories. Most of the abductees have shared their stories through hypnosis -- which causes wide disagreement about their validity. Read more about alien abductions.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. & Desiree Bowie

The Ronald Reagan UFO sighting occurred in 1974 while Reagan was flying to Bakersfield, California. Reagan told a reporter afterwards, but hasn't discussed the event since. Learn more about the Ronald Reagan UFO sighting.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

In 1952, angel hair came drifting from the sky, falling over the French towns of Oloron and Gaillac. The short life of angel hair makes it difficult to analyze. Learn more about the history of angel hair UFOs.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The North Hudson Park UFO appeared as George O'Barski was driving. The ship landed and 10 figures appeared, exited the craft, dug holes in the ground, and took off again. Read more about the North Hudson Park UFO.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

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The 1979 Minnesota UFO severely damaged the car of Sheriff Val Johnson while he was investigating a plane crash. What happened, and why did all the clocks start running 14 minutes behind?

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The 1973 Missouri UFO brought James Richard out of bed and to his window, where he saw the UFO hovering in the trees outside. Learn about the 1973 Missouri UFO sighting.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Space food has come a long way from Project Mercury's paste-filled tubes. Today's astronauts select menus that include everything from macaroni and cheese to brownies. So do astronauts really eat space ice cream?

By Stephanie Watson

In 1965, the Valensole UFO landed near Maurice Masse's workplace, and two figures exited the ship. One of them pointed a device at Masse and paralyzed him. Learn more about the Valensole UFO encounter.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

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The Cash-Landrum UFO incident left Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum with severe illness and lifelong injuries. The effects of the incident were very similar to radiation poisoning. Read about the Cash-Landrum UFO incident.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The Jackie Gleason UFO tale begins with President Nixon inviting him to see aliens at an Air Force Base. He wasn't told any details and was sworn to keep the secret. Check out the Jackie Gleason UFO story.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

In the Rendlesham Forest incident, triangular UFOs appeared in England and landed on multiple nights. Several groups of witness and investigators observed the glowing objects flying about. Learn more about the Rendlesham Forest incident.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The history of the Roswell UFO incident has a long, complicated legacy of truth and conspiracy. From the crash site to the recovered alien bodies, there is a lot of speculation -- how much is believable? Learn more history of the Roswell UFO incident.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

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Does good UFO evidence exist? Can we find proof of UFOs? And if we did, would it matter? Scientists and laymen have searched for years. Read more about their hunt and how they try to solve the problem of UFO evidence.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

If the Earth is struck by calamity, will survivors find salvation in the proposed Doomsday Ark? The lunar-based vault will contain information that could help jumpstart a new civilization.

By Julia Layton

Internet king turned rocketman? After making his fortune on the Web, Elon Musk entered the commercial space race. Will this businessman and his SpaceX company make space tourism affordable?

By Jane McGrath

The only thing that's lurking in the shadows during a lunar eclipse is the moon. When Earth's shadow blocks sunlight from directly illuminating a full moon, you're witnessing a lunar eclipse.

By Jessika Toothman

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If your idea of photographing the stars has nothing to do with Hollywood, you might be interested in astrophotography -- the sky's literally the limit.

By Jessika Toothman

Although other planets have rings, none are as spectacular as Saturn's. What makes the planet's stratified rings, and how did they get there in the first place?

By Stephanie Watson