On Nov. 16th, 1974, the most powerful signal ever beamed into space was broadcast from the Arecibo Radio Telescope in Peurto Rico. Designed by famed SETI researcher Frank Drake (creator of the Drake Equation) and famed science communicator Carl Sagan, the broadcast was intended to demonstrate humanity’s level of technological achievement. Forty-eight years later, the Arecibo Message remains the most well-known attempt to Message Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI).
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Russian cosmonaut hands over space station command as NASA astronaut bids farewell
Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov handed over "the keys" to the International Space Station today (March 29) as NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei said goodbye to the international space crew.
Where Did the Ice Giant Planets Form?
Conventional planet formation scenarios have Neptune and Uranus forming closer to the Sun. But a new study shows that the ice giant planets could have formed right where they are now.
Part of the Milky Way Is Much Older Than Previously Believed
The Milky Way is older than astronomers thought, or part of it is. A newly-published study shows that part of the disk is two billion years older than we thought. The region, called the thick disk, started forming only 0.8 billion years after the Big Bang.
Supermassive Black Holes Could Have Formed Directly in the Early Universe
There are a lot of amazing things in our Universe and a black hole is one of the most unknown. We don’t know for certain what happens inside a black hole and even the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe is still being worked out. A group of physicists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have tackled this question and have come up with a possible solution to the mystery. The nature of dark matter may be resolved by their theory as well.
Microscopic particles from first Apollo 11 lunar sample head to auction
Microscopic pieces of the moon that were found inside a bag used to protect the first astronaut-collected lunar soil sample are heading for auction after being released from NASA property.
Ukrainian aerospace student leaves lab to keep military tech in top shape
Keeping technical systems in top shape helps Ukraine's defense forces stay ahead of Russian aggressors. But with a lack of in-house experts, the military has to rely on capable volunteers.
The lithosphere: Facts about Earth's outer shell
The lithosphere is Earth's outermost layer, composed of the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The layer is divided into chunks called tectonic plates.
Best locations for astrophotography and skywatching 2022
Highlights of the best locations for astrophotography and skywatching worldwide including practical information to make your stargazing trip a success.
Ice volcanoes on Pluto may still be erupting
An area of Pluto that researchers think was formed from the eruption of ice volcanoes is unique on the dwarf planet and in the solar system, a new study suggests.
Ariane 6, Vega-C, microlaunchers: ESA looks to full range of launch options for European institutional missions
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher today underscored the Agency’s determination to ensure that ESA’s work in space is not derailed by the tragic events in Ukraine. Mr Aschbacher stresses that work continues to assess the impact on each ongoing programme, including on missions affected by Roscosmos' withdrawal of Soyuz launch operations from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
ESA supports Indian lunar and solar missions
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is launching two pioneering scientific spacecraft this year, one to study the Sun, and one to land on the Moon – the nation’s first soft landing on another celestial body.
Juice’s journey and Jupiter system tour
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ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, Juice, is set to embark on an eight-year cruise to Jupiter starting April 2023. The mission will investigate the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants and the Jupiter system as an archetype for the numerous giant planets now known to orbit other stars.
NASA's SOFIA flying observatory would get the ax (again) in 2023 budget request
The White House's 2023 federal budget request allocates no money to NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a modified Boeing 747 jet equipped with a telescope.
Next China moon mission will need precision landing to target ice at south pole
The mission is planned to launch around 2024.
NASA's new telescope will be able to sniff out methane. Here's how to tell if it's a sign of life.
The first whiff that humans catch of life beyond Earth might be methane, but scientists will need to tread carefully before declaring a discovery based on the chemical.
Satellites around the Moon come another step closer
ESA is going to the Moon – in collaboration with its international partners – and seeks to build a lasting lunar link to enable sustainable space exploration.
Starship Could be Ready for an Orbital Flight in May
SpaceX has enjoyed a lot of wins in the past few years. In addition to successfully glide-testing and landing multiple Starship prototypes, they’ve rolled out its first Super Heavy boosters, test-fired the new Raptor Vacuum engines, and assembled the “Mechazilla” launch tower at Boca Chica, Texas. They also unveiled the first fully-furbished orbital test vehicle (SN20) that was stacked with a first stage booster for the first time on its launch pad.
SpaceX's Ax-1 astronaut mission to the space station delayed to April 6
The Ax-1 mission has been pushed from April 3 to April 6 to accommodate the "wet dress rehearsal" of NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission, which is taking place this weekend on Florida's Space Coast.
White House requests $26 billion for NASA in ’23, adds funds for second moon lander
The waning gibbous moon as viewed from the International Space Station on Jan. 21. Credit: NASA
The White House’s fiscal year 2023 budget request for NASA totals $26 billion, including $7.5 billion for the agency’s Artemis moon program, a boost over this year’s budget to help pay for development of a second human-rated lander to ferry astronauts to the lunar surface.
Blue Origin delays next crewed launch to Thursday due to high winds
Blue Origin has delayed the fourth crewed launch of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle from Tuesday (March 29) to Thursday (March 31), citing predicted high winds over the next couple of days.
