Saturn’s Titan Was Likely Sculpted by Rogue Winds Gusting on the Moon

Medicine & Technology Dec 11, 2014

While researchers have long known of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, and its sandy surface, new research presented this week in two separate studies published in the journal Nature reveals that the 300 foot sand dunes on the moon’s surface may have originated from very different circumstances than those on Earth. Titan, which is much like the Earth, is one of the most intriguing moons our solar system has come to offer. But while it is the only other celestial body that has standing reservoirs of liquid on its surface and fields of dunes like those of the Sahara desert, astronomers are now finding that the events leading to Titan’s surface are far unlike what happened here on Earth.

NASA Finds Mars Craters May Have Once Been Seasonal Lakes

Dec 10, 2014

Ever imagine that the red planet’s surface may once have had a different appearance? Well while researchers at NASA have had rovers scoping out Mars’ surface for years, new information received from NASA’s Curiosity Rover suggests that the planet’s craters may once have served a different purpose, and that the arid red planet may once have had long-lasting above ground lakes. Though new evidence challenges the popular theory that water on the planet only existed in the liquid form underground in aquifers, evidence of above ground lakes would undoubtedly mean that the planet was much more likely to sustain life some time ago.

Up and Ready for Business—NASA’s New Horizons Probe Wakes 2.9 Billion Miles Away

Dec 09, 2014

It was a message from 2.9 billion miles away, yet NASA researchers heard it loud and clear. Early this Saturday, Dec. 6, researchers from NASA confirmed that the New Horizons Orbiter spacecraft had awakened from its hibernation state, and was ready begin the climax of its nine-year trip to Pluto.

Next Stop for Curiosity Rover? Lava Mound May Hold Answers to Ancient Martian Lava Flows

Dec 09, 2014

While NASA’s Curiosity Rover revealed a possible location for reoccurring lakes on the surface of the red planet last week, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is finding even larger discoveries from its vantage point in the sky. Capturing new images with its HiRISE camera, one of six onboard instruments used by the orbiter, Reconnaissance has found evidence of one of the largest lava mounds found to date. And while it looks like a crispy pie pulled right from the oven, researchers say that the 1.2-mile wide circle of Martian crust is composed of iron-rich metamorphic rock, created thousands of years ago in a series of lava flows.

Dwindling Ice in Antarctica Spurs Questions Over Climate Change and The Point of No Return

Dec 06, 2014

As impending threats of “climate change” and “ecological disaster” have loomed over international affairs this year, to the point that even the United Nations spearheaded a campaign and led a summit to discuss future changes that may amend for some of humanity’s grave mistakes, new research published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters looks to a place much colder than our metropolises for evidence of a rapidly shifting climate.

Turkey Day In Space—ISS Astronauts Float Through Thanksgiving

Nov 27, 2014

Despite having an international crew, and orbiting in a laboratory 260 miles above the surface of the Earth, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are celebrating today’s turkey day with a few of their zero-g versions of traditional Thanksgiving classics—and they’re even sharing what their thankful for with the rest of the world.

Turkey Day In Space—ISS Astronauts Float Through Thanksgiving

Nov 27, 2014

Despite having an international crew, and orbiting in a laboratory 260 miles above the surface of the Earth, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are celebrating today’s turkey day with a few of their zero-g versions of traditional Thanksgiving classics—and they’re even sharing what their thankful for with the rest of the world.

New Astronauts Bring Taste of Italy to ISS—ISSpresso An Instant Hit

Nov 25, 2014

Late Sunday morning, Nov. 23, three new replacements for Expedition 42 boarded the International Space Station, bringing the orbiting space lab’s population back to full strength. But, aside from bringing some fresh blood to the research conducted on the orbiting spacecraft, and new perspectives for how life in space should be conducted on the space station, the three new astronauts brought a bit of home back with them. And it’s Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti’s 44-pound carry-on that has the International Space Station salivating at the taste of Italy she brought aboard.

International Space Station Crewmembers Arrive, and Some Start With Tweets

Nov 24, 2014

Rounding out the crew of six, who have been short-staffed since the return of three members earlier this summer, three new replacements for Expedition 42 aboard the International Space Station arrived late Sunday, Nov. 23, bringing the orbiting space lab’s population back to full strength.

Comet Siding Spring Captured by ISRO’s Mars Orbiter

Nov 13, 2014

In a week when all eyes are set to space, and all questions in the social sphere revolve around the topic of comets, India’s Space Agency ISRO doesn’t want to be counted out of the mix. And while they may not be putting a lander on a speeding comet, or orbiting one like Europe’s space agency (the ESA), ISRO was able to catch its own glimpse of one last month and has taken to the web with a new view of a cosmic passerby.

Siding Springs Comet Came in Close For a Martian Meteor Shower

Nov 11, 2014

Earlier last month, on Oct. 19, researchers from the world’s top space agencies were able to catch a glimpse at one of the rarest sights in space. Coming from the outer Oort Cloud, at the very edge of our solar system, young comet Siding Spring passed by Mars rather closely on its first orbit around the sun; giving Mars orbiters a show and quite a scare. But as it turns out new data collected from NASA’s satellites on the night of the event show that the best view may have in fact been from the red planet itself.

Explaining How Rare ‘Fallstreak Hole’ Appeared Down Under

Nov 05, 2014

People may not be too observant to what’s happening around them, or what strange things are happening above them in the cloudy skies, but when a “hole punch” cloud filled with rainbows appears just overhead it can definitely be a viral phenomenon.

‘G2’ Gas Ball Survives Black Hole, and Researchers Say They Now Know Why

Nov 04, 2014

For years, astronomers have pondered the origins and the contents of the mysterious G2 object floating in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Drifting towards the galaxy’s supermassive black hole, the passing cloud was thought to be composed entirely of hydrogen gas, giving it the nickname “G2”. But earlier this past summer researchers found that G2 had come in close contact with the black hole, and it survived—leading them on a new theory as to what the mysterious object could be.

Watch the Antares Rocket Launch Tonight: Start Time, Live Stream Info

Oct 27, 2014

Orbital Sciences will launch a rocket containing supplies for the International Space Station from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia tonight, and if you live on the East Coast, you just might be able to view it with the naked eye.

From California to New York—Where To Catch A Glimpse of an Eclipsing Sky

Oct 23, 2014

For those of you in the states enjoying a welcomed break from the summer sun, today you may just get more than you bargained for. As the moon passes this afternoon across the northern hemisphere, the usually invisible transition will make its mark in daylight as it eclipses part of the sun. And so long as the clouds stay clear of the view, you may just have an interesting afternoon show to look out for.