To date, astronomers have confirmed 5,272 exoplanets in 3,943 systems using a variety of detection methods. Of these, 1,834 are Neptune-like, 1,636 are gas giants (Jupiter-sized or larger), 1,602 are rocky planets several times the size and mass of Earth (Super-Earths), and 195 have been Earth-like. With so many exoplanets available for study (and next-generation instruments optimized for the task), the process is shifting from discovery to characterization. And discoveries, which are happening regularly, are providing teasers of what astronomers will likely see in the near future.
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Boeing's Starliner on track to launch its 1st astronaut flight this spring, NASA says
Mission managers for the first crewed Starliner flight are confident the spacecraft will launch in a 60-day window that opens in April.
59 New Planets Discovered in Our Neighborhood
The hunt for habitable extrasolar planets continues! Thanks to dedicated missions like Kepler, TESS, and Hubble, the number of confirmed extrasolar planets has exploded in the past fifteen years (with 5,272 confirmed and counting!). At the same time, next-generation telescopes, spectrometers, and advanced imaging techniques are allowing astronomers to study exoplanet atmospheres more closely. In short, the field is shifting from the process of discovery to characterization, allowing astronomers to more tightly constraint habitability.
Europa Could be Covered in Salty Ice
Jupiter’s second Galilean moon, Europa, is one of the most fascinating planetary objects in our Solar System with its massive subsurface ocean that’s hypothesized to contain almost three times the volume of water as the entire Earth, which opens the possibility for life to potentially exist on this small moon. But while Europa’s interior ocean could potentially be habitable for life, its unique surface features equally draw intrigue from scientists, specifically the large red streaks that crisscross its cracked surface.
Everything we know about Loki season 2: release window, plot, cast & more
Phase 5 of the MCU is here, and that means some Disney Plus series are getting second seasons. Here’s what we know about Loki season 2 so far.
SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts will answer 'burning questions' with space station science
NASA SpaceX Crew-6 mission continues at the end of this month when a team of astronauts head to International Space Station to conduct cutting-edge science.
Use the moon to find Uranus in the night sky tonight
The moon will make a close approach to Uranus, the distant ice giant on Saturday (Feb. 25), serving as an excellent guide to spot the seventh planet from the sun.
Watch Russia's replacement Soyuz capsule arrive at space station tonight in this livestream
If Russia succeeds with the docking on Saturday (Feb. 25), three Expedition 69 crew members will have a secure ride home for the first time since an older Soyuz sprung a coolant leak in December.
Recreating the Extreme Forces of an Asteroid Impact in the Lab
About 50,000 years ago, a nickel-iron meteorite some 50 meters across plowed into the Pleistocene-era grasslands of what is now Northern Arizona. It was traveling fast—about 13 kilometers per second. In just a few seconds, an impact dug out a crater just over a kilometer wide and spread rocks from the site for miles around.
Faulty power supply scuttled debut launch of Japan's new H3 rocket
Japan's space agency says it has identified the issue that caused the first launch of the H3 rocket to be aborted last week.
Static fire test, dress rehearsal complete for Crew-6 launch
NASA commander Steve Bowen, pilot Woody Hoburg, and mission specialists Sultan Alneyadi and Andrey Fedyaev inside the crew access arm at Launch Complex 39A during a countdown rehearsal early Friday. Credit: SpaceX
Led by a three-time space shuttle flier and former Navy submarine officer, the four-man team set to ride into orbit Monday on SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft rode to the launch pad in Florida in new black Tesla Model Xs and took their seats inside the commercial crew capsule Thursday night for a countdown dress rehearsal.
The largest 2D map of the sky over Earth just got even bigger
The largest two-dimensional map of the sky over Earth ever created just got even larger now covering almost half the sky over Earth.
Scientists find meteorite in Texas from fireball that exploded with the force of 8 tons of TNT
The meteoroid was traveling about 27,000 mph (43,452 kph) when it struck the atmosphere, exploding into smaller pieces — some of which hit the ground.
Scientists find meteorite in Texas from fireball that exploded with the force of 8 tons of TNT
The meteoroid was traveling about 27,000 mph (43,452 kph) when it struck the atmosphere, exploding into smaller pieces — some of which hit the ground.
Kerbal Space Program 2 is here! Spark joy with exploding rockets today
Kerbal Space Program 2, released today (Feb. 24), brings a new set of opportunities to blow up rockets and break things while building a fictional space program for your Kerbonauts.
Generations of Stars Shape Their Galaxies, Webb Images Reveal
James Webb Space Telescope images reveal an intricate network in nearby galaxies, influenced by generations of star formation.
SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of Crew-6 astronaut launch for NASA (photos)
SpaceX's rocket ride fired up its engines today (Feb. 24) ahead of launching its next NASA astronaut mission from Florida.
NASA's Artemis moon program receives salute from Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin (video)
Buzz Aldrin, the second person on the moon, paid tribute to people carrying the "torch of deep space exploration" with NASA's Artemis that may put humans on the lunar surface in 2025.
It Should be Possible to Farm on the Moon
An astronaut’s gotta eat, right? Especially if they are on a long-duration mission to places like the Moon. Scientists have been looking into how the lunar regolith could possibly support growing food for humans, as growing plants for food and oxygen will be critical for future long-term lunar missions.
Massive 'forbidden planet' orbits a strangely tiny star only 4 times its size
A newly discovered "forbidden" Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a tiny star only four times its size could challenge theories of how gas giants are born.
