Molecular Nitrogen on Comet 67P Reveals a Frigid Start to Our Solar System

Medicine & Technology Mar 20, 2015

For the past several months the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Rosetta spacecraft mission has been tailing the famous Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with many answers at the core of its research. While in orbit the mission has been able to gather an immense amount of data, creating a never-before-seen view of comets as the first spacecraft to ever successfully orbit one in our history. Yet, many molecular ingredients that are thought to have given rise to comets have not been found.

Total Solar Eclipse 2015—Were You Underwhelmed?

Mar 20, 2015

It’s the start to the spring today, and with the vernal equinox came a celestial event unlike those in common occurrence. But while flocks of sky-watchers and astronomers ventured north into the Arctic, where a total solar eclipse would be visible for the last time until 2026 in continental Europe, many were left disappointed at the less than “thrilling” display.

Scientists Believe Ceres Might Have A Volcano

Mar 19, 2015

Since the arrival of the Dawn spacecraft, scientists have been hard at work beginning their studies of the planet that was never meant to be. When it first started its approach, the scientific community was abuzz as the first pictures showed bright spots on the surface. Now, scientists believe that these bright spots could possibly be volcanoes of ice.

NASA Orbiter Detects Ultraviolet Auroras on Mars

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.