NASA's first asteroid sample mission has landed at post offices two days before the spacecraft's return capsule is set to land on Earth. The USPS released a stamp celebrating the OSIRIS-REx probe.
Space News & Blog Articles
If You Could See Gravitational Waves, the Universe Would Look Like This
Imagine if you could see gravitational waves.
See Artemis 2 astronauts explore moon-like crater in Canada (photos)
Artemis 2 moon astronauts went to Canada for a geology trip to a crater, similar to what they will see on their lunar trip in 2024. Joining them were other astronauts and top geology experts.
What time is NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return capsule landing on Sept. 24?
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is carrying the first ever asteroid samples recovered by the agency. Now, after a 1.2 billion-mile journey back to Earth, it's about to land.
Autumnal equinox 2023 brings fall to the Northern Hemisphere this weekend
On Saturday (Sept. 23) at 2:50 a.m. EDT (0650 GMT), autumn begins astronomically in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring starts in the South.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 22 – October 1
The bright Moon steps east night by night under Altair, then Saturn, then the Great Square of Pegasus. Meanwhile, Deneb replaces Vega as the zenith star; welcome to fall.
Earth from Space: Scorched Rhodes
Image: This summer, Europe experienced a relentless heatwave, fuelling wildfires in several countries. This Copernicus Sentinel-1 image shows the burn scars left by fires on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Solar Sails Could Reach Mars in Just 26 Days
A recent study submitted to Acta Astronautica explores the potential for using aerographite solar sails for traveling to Mars and interstellar space, which could dramatically reduce both the time and fuel required for such missions. This study comes while ongoing research into the use of solar sails is being conducted by a plethora of organizations along with the successful LightSail2 mission by The Planetary Society, and holds the potential to develop faster and more efficient propulsion systems for long-term space missions.
FAA proposes rule to reduce space junk in Earth orbit
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a rule that would limit the amount of time that rockets' upper stages stay in orbit.
We need a better way to map Earth's magnetic field. Finding it could win 1 of these teams $2 million
Three teams have progressed through to the final round of the MagQuest Challenge to design a better way of measuring the shifts in the geomagnetic field.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover is Setting Records on Mars
NASA’s Perseverance Rover has been exploring Mars for more than 900 sols. It’s the most scientifically advanced rover ever built and has opened our eyes wider to Mars and the possibility that it hosted life. The rover’s crowning achievement is preparing samples for eventual return to Earth, an important next step in understanding Mars.
Chinese launch startup's rocket fails during satellite launch
The Chinese launch company Galactic Energy suffered its first failure on Thursday (Sept. 21), resulting in the loss of a remote-sensing satellite.
This 3D Simulation of a Supernova Needed 5 Million Hours of Supercomputing
When the largest stars in the Universe run out of fuel, they detonate as supernovae, collapsing inward and leaving behind a neutron star, black hole, or just wholly vaporizing. What’s happening inside the unfolding explosion is difficult to understand, and especially so for so-called exotic supernovae, the rarest and brightest types of stellar explosions.
Blink-182's Tom DeLonge directs new UFO conspiracy flick 'Monsters of California' (video)
Screen Media Films has released a new trailer for Tom DeLonge's UFO conspiracy film 'Monsters of California.'
Close call! 2 huge pieces of space debris had a near-miss in Earth orbit
Two big pieces of space junk almost slammed into each other in low Earth orbit, highlighting the need to clear up space close to home.
Don't panic if you see balloons hovering during America's two upcoming solar eclipses
During the two upcoming solar eclipses, the National Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) will be livestreaming and doing science above 99.5% of the atmosphere.
Webb finds carbon source on surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa
Jupiter’s moon Europa is one of a handful of worlds in our Solar System that could potentially harbour conditions suitable for life. Previous research has shown that beneath its water-ice crust lies a salty ocean of liquid water with a rocky seafloor. However, planetary scientists had not confirmed whether or not that ocean contained the chemicals needed for life, particularly carbon.
OSIRIS-REx probe spotted returning asteroid sample to Earth (photo)
A ground-based telescope in the Canary Islands snapped a photo of NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe on Sept. 16, eight days before its asteroid sample lands on Earth.
New Horizon Prize in Physics awarded to scientists chasing mysterious black hole photon spheres
Alexandru Lupsasca and Michael Johnson won the physics prize for their work on photon spheres — weird rings of light around black holes that may reveal a theory of quantum gravity.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return needs an awesome soundtrack. Here's how you can submit your favorite songs
NASA's first asteroid sample will return to Earth next week, and you can help create the soundtrack for the spacecraft's epic touchdown.
Hypothetical 'dark photons' could shed light on mysterious dark matter
These massive particles could shed light on dark matter by revealing how this mysterious substance interacts with "normal" matter.