NASA Orbiter Detects Ultraviolet Auroras on Mars

Medicine & Technology Mar 19, 2015

It's only been a day since skywatchers around the world were treated to a particularly energetic display of auroras because of an intense geomagnetic storm, but researchers have announced that NASA's MAVEN mission has observed auroras on Mars as well, only they are in energetic ultraviolet wavelengths instead of visible light.

Striking It Rich in Supernovae Dust at the Center of the Milky Way Galaxy

Mar 19, 2015

It’s a tough job sifting through the data and the haze of the center of the Milky Way galaxy, but some astronomers have to do it. The time-consuming job often means having to peer into the center with aid of multiple telescopes, all giving you a different perspective at a different wavelength. It can be job of countless hours, with little to no reward, but when researchers find even cosmic dust, their studies can strike it rich.

Solar Eclipse Guide March 2015—How To Watch it Tonight From Anywhere on Earth

Mar 19, 2015

A rather rare occurrence, happening once every year or two, a total eclipse of the sun is a pretty big deal in the sky-watching community. Not only is it special because the sun’s disk entirely covered by the moon, but also because it’s a cosmic occurrence right in our back yard. But for those not living in the Arctic or on the Faroe Islands archipelago between Norway and Iceland, tonights events may be a little hard to see.

Buzz Aldrin Sends Message on Mars to NASA

Mar 18, 2015

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

Mar 18, 2015

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

Mar 17, 2015

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

Mar 15, 2015

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.

China's Lunar Rover Reveals Moon's Complex Geological History

Mar 13, 2015

Preliminary results from China's first lunar rover, Yutu, has suggested that the moon's geological history is much more complex than previously thought.

Curiosity Rover Once Again Has Arms

Mar 13, 2015

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

Mar 12, 2015

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.

Moon of Saturn Could Provide Answers to the Search for Life Beyond Earth

Mar 12, 2015

If life can exist in these types of conditions here on Earth, the possibility that it also exists elsewhere in our solar system increases dramatically. For instance, what could lie beneath the ice of Jupiter's moon Europa or perhaps Saturn's moon Enceladus?

Is the Galaxy Bigger Than We Thought?

Mar 11, 2015

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.

Opportunity Rover Finds Strange Rocks on Mars

Mar 11, 2015

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

Mar 10, 2015

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

Mar 08, 2015

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.