Space

Space and science coverage including asteroids, galaxies, planets, NASA and SpaceX launches.

Scientists took a closer look at Uranus to figure out why Neptune is bluer

May 31st, 2022

For years, scientists have wracked their brains trying to figure out why Neptune is bluer than Uranus. In fact, the two planets are similar in so many regards that many refer to them as twins. Despite those similarities, though, Uranus has always looked a bit bleached out compared to its fellow blue planet. Now scientists …

Science

Hubble just captured an image of a galaxy hiding behind our own

May 30th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

The Hubble space telescope continues to showcase intriguing parts of our universe. Earlier this month, NASA shared an image of a hidden galaxy tucked behind the Milky Way. IC 342, also known as Caldwell 5, would be one of the brightest galaxies we’ve observed so far. But, instead, the galaxy is hidden by the thick …

Science

Fascinating ‘dragon of death’ fossils were discovered in Argentina

May 29th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

Scientists discovered fossils of a giant flying reptile they’re calling The Dragon of Death. They discovered the fossils during an excavation back in 2021. Professor Leonardo Ortiz, who was part of the expedition, named it Thanatosdrakon amaru. The name is a combination of the Greek words for death and dragon.

Science

How sound travels on Mars can change based on the time of year

May 28th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

NASA first shared what Mars sounds like last year, using microphones placed on the Perseverance rover. Since then, though, scientists have been studying the recordings, and have even created a playlist of the best recordings of Mars. But, what’s most interesting about these recordings, aside from how eerily quiet the planet is, is that they …

illustration of super-earth planet 55 Cancri e

Science

James Webb telescope will soon study two Super-Earths in the Milky Way

May 27th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

NASA’s James Webb space telescope is almost ready to get to work. The telescope’s mirrors are perfectly aligned. The team is currently finishing up the final calibrations of the spacecraft’s various instruments. Once that is done, Webb will be ready to get to work. One of the first things NASA plans to do with it …

Science

Hubble telescope discovered a new galaxy with mysterious surroundings

May 26th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

Most elliptical galaxies can usually be found within galaxy clusters. However, a new picture of galaxy NGC 474 captured by Hubble shows an interesting image. Instead of being surrounded by galaxy clusters, NGC 474 is in relatively empty space. Further, the galaxy is surrounded by shells. NASA says could be the result of NGC 474 …

Science

NASA releases stunning Hubble photo of two galaxies locked in a dance

May 26th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

Despite the James Webb being in place and set to start observations this summer, Hubble is still going strong. The nearly 30-year-old space telescope recently captured two galaxies locked in a dance. NASA shared the image this week, and space enthusiasts will want to see it for themselves.

Science

NASA shares plans for its most exciting and ambitious Mars mission

May 26th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

NASA is planning to send astronauts on a 30-day mission to Mars. The space agency shared some of its plans for the mission earlier this week. It’s all just a concept at the moment, but NASA is looking for feedback on the idea.

Science

How and when to watch the Tau Herculids meteor shower

May 26th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

These past few months have already proven to be spectacular for skywatchers and space enthusiasts. But, the end of May could bring a spectacular “all or nothing” meteor shower visible across much of the continental United States called the Tau Herculids.

Science

This is the last selfie NASA’s InSight Lander will ever take

May 24th, 2022

Joshua Hawkins

NASA’s Mars InSight Lander is counting down its final moments as dust continues to cover its solar panels. This week, the team behind InSight took the opportunity to capture one last InSight selfie. The resulting image is a stark contrast to the first or even second selfies that the lander took throughout its mission.