Tags: Astronomy

Buzz Aldrin Sends Message on Mars to NASA

SPACE Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin tweeted a photo of himself in a Mars-themed t-shirt at Stonehenge that spells out clearly what he believes NASA's next mission should be.

New NASA Maps Reveal Secrets of Mercury

The planet closest to the sun has continued to be shrouded in mystery for many years. Now, NASA has unveiled never before seen formations on the surface with two maps created from data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft that has been orbiting the planet since 2004.

Researchers Fly Kites on Earth to Study Mars

Using an unconventional research method, scientists are seeking to learn more about about Mars by flying a kite here on Earth. The method allows researchers to get a new look at geological features here at home that learn what they could reveal with the hopes of being able to identity similarities with what they see when examining the surface of Mars and potentially other planets and moons as well.

Scientists Shed Light on Beaming Solar Power from Space

While there might be limits to the amount of solar power we can collect here on Earth, scientists have long been studying the notion of harnessing solar power from the endless supply that can be found in space. Now, what was once just a notion in the mind of researchers has taken a huge step towards becoming a reality.

Curiosity Rover Once Again Has Arms

A short circuit in the arm of the Curiosity rover halted its work on February 27. Since that time the rover team has worked hard to discover the source of this short in the hopes of repairing it and getting Curiosity back to work. Now, mission controllers have traced the short circuit to the drill on its robotic arm.

Astronauts Return to Earth After Six Months Aboard the ISS

There is nothing like coming home after a long day at work or even after a nice long trip. What this means for most of us is a car ride or plane trip home. While these journeys may seem long and sometimes even tedious, it is nothing compared to the return home of an astronaut from space.

Is the Galaxy Bigger Than We Thought?

The Milky Way Galaxy is huge with our small solar system acting as just a grain of sand of the giant beach that is the galaxy. NASA previously estimated that the galaxy spans approximately 100,000 light years across. With each light year representing about 6 trillion miles, we are talking about an almost unimaginable distance. If you think that's large, new research now suggests that the Milky Way could be 50,000 light years larger than previously thought.

NASA Seeks Talent with Space Apps Challenge

NASA has organized a new three-day event that will allow participants to develop mobile applications, software, hardware, data visualization and platform solutions that could contribute to the space exploration missions and improve life on Earth.

Opportunity Rover Finds Strange Rocks on Mars

For those of you that follow the movement of Opportunity, one of NASA's Mars rovers studying the surface of the Red planet, you may have noticed that it has stopped to smell the roses or, in this case, rocks. The rover has taken a break from its other investigative activities to closely examine some oddly shaped rocks that have never before been seen on the surface.

Star Sets Galactic Speed Record

While most stars hang out in the Milky Way for millions or even billions of years in orbit of the center of the galaxy, the star known as US 708 is marching to its own drum.

Curiosity Rover Set to Begin Using Its Arm Again

According to NASA researchers in charge of Curiosity, the rover is set to most likely resume the use of its arm movements next week although investigations into the cause of the sporadic short-circuit are still ongoing.

How ‘Gravitational Lensing’ Made One Supernova into Four—‘Einstein Cross’

Nicknamed the “Einstein Cross” after the famous physicist who predicted the possibility of the phenomenon as a result of his theory of relativity more than a century ago, the formation was made possible by a strange occurrence known as gravitational lensing. When a galaxy or cluster is large enough, they can often bend light that passes through it. And when they are rather perfectly aligned with Earth, even small events too far to be seen can be magnified so that researchers are able to detect them.

What's Next for Dawn at the Dwarf Planet Ceres

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has completed its eight-year journey to the dwarf planet Ceres, but what lies ahead for the history making spacecraft while it orbits the planet that was never meant to be?

Mars Once Had More Water Than the Arctic Ocean

Scientists believe that the Red planet once had more water on its surface than is found today in Earth's Arctic Ocean. However, over time Mars has lost 87% of this water to space.

Dawn Spacecraft Arrives to Ceres—Hear What NASA Has to Say About the Mission

After more than seven years of drifting in space, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft has finally achieved its primary mission of entering orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres. Becoming the first ever mission to achieve orbit around a dwarf planet, mission controllers with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory received confirmation this morning that the small orbiter had finally reached its destination.

Military Satellite Explodes in Space

An aging United States military weather satellite dubbed Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 13 (DMSP-F13) exploded in orbit on February 3. The explosion occurred after the 20-year-old satellite experienced a sudden spike in temperature, producing at least 43 pieces of debris.

Short Circuit Leaves Curiosity with One Arm

NASA has announced that the Mars Curiosity Rover now just has one arm, due to a short circuit that happened while the rover was attempting to retrieve a sample.

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