astronomy

Eta Aquarid meteor shower

Meteor Shower Rains Bits of Halley’s Comet Down on Earth

When asked to name a comet, chances are people will name Halley's and, in most cases, won't remember any others. Tonight, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will rain bits of the solar system's most famous comet down on Earth as part of the yearly demonstration to remind us that even though we may not be able to see Halley's comet, it is still above streaking through the heavens.

SpaceX Preps for Test of Dragon Capsule

The Dragon Capsule, a commercial spacecraft designed by SpaceX to ferry U.S. astronauts into orbit by 2017 is set for a major test on Wednesday, when the private space company plans to blast the capsule away from the launch mount at Cape Canaveral on a mile-high demo flight designed to test the craft's ability to protect occupants in the event of a catastrophic rocket failure on the pad.
NASA's New Space Launching System

New Name for Space Launching System Could Be On The Way

We can all admit that NASA's new system for launching craft into space currently known as the Space Launching System, isn't very catchy. Now, there is a push to give this system a new name and has gained support from lawmakers who have written in the provisions that would order NASA to rename this system from a competition among schoolchildren.

Will Russia Dismantle the ISS?

Since 1998, the International Space Station has stood has a symbol of global cooperation even at times when the participating countries weren't seeing eye to eye. It's 15 modules have been inhabited continuously since 2000 and over the years it has played host to almost 200 astronauts and cosmonauts from 15 different nations. However, despite countries extending support until 2024, this could all still come to an end.
Images of Mercury from Messenger

A Fond Farewell to NASA’s MESSENGER

More than 10 years ago NASA launched it’s MESSENGER spacecraft with a one-year long orbit mission in mind. But over the course of its 4.9 billion-mile-journey NASA came to find that the decade-long mission would exceed expectations far past their mark.
MESSENGER's Last View

A Final Scene from Mercury—MESSENGER’s Last View

Before its crash-landing into the surface of its long-studied host planet, NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft sent back its final view of the surface of Mercury. And now NASA is sharing it with you. Exceeding all expectations and lasting more than 4 times its original mission timeline, the spacecraft has been instrumental to NASA’s vast studies of the other planets within our solar system, so with this image and a fiery display to end its mission with flair, the space agency is paying homage to MESSENGER and its long life in orbit.
Mission to Mars

Signed Up to Go to Mars? Better Think Again, While You Have the Chance

We understand the drive and the passion to explore the new and unknown frontiers of space, but when it comes to the loss of cognitive function or serious IQ points, we know where to draw the line. While humans as a species, and space agencies now, have been speaking about traveling to other planets for as long as anyone can remembers, now knowing what awaits us in space may change a few of your minds—literally.
Ceres' Two Spots

Are Ceres' Bright Spots Signs of Alien Life? NASA Wants You to Weigh In

From the moment they were discovered by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, the two bright spots on Ceres have fascinated scientists and amateur astronomers across the world. What are they and why are they there? Scientists believed that once Dawn reached orbit they would be able to learn more about these two mysterious spots, but even now they remain a mystery. NASA has made an unusual move by inviting the public to weigh in on what they believe is the nature of these two bright spots.
Mission on Mars

Cosmic Radiation Reveals Devastating Affects on the Brain—What Plans Will This Change for NASA?

When it comes to life on Earth, we’re one of the most fragile species there is. But thanks to the rather perfect confluence of circumstances and cosmic events, we’re mostly shielded from the dangers of space. Strong ultraviolet rays are kept out, our vital oxygen and water are kept in, and life continues blissfully. But what happens when we leave our own little planet in search of others? What protection do we have then?
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