When considering the implications of thawing permafrost, our initial worries are likely to turn to the major issue of methane being released into the atmosphere and exacerbating global warming or issues for local communities as the ground and infrastructure become unstable. While this is bad enough, new research reveals that the potential effects of permafrost thaw could also pose serious health threats.
Space News & Blog Articles
Challenge for astronomy: Megaconstellations becoming the new light pollution
Satellite megaconstellations are becoming a serious problem to 21st century astronomy akin to urban light pollution, and speedy action is needed to mitigate, a new report finds.
China, space junk and more: Senators voice spaceflight concerns
The risk of collisions in space, the fate of the United States in orbit after the space station retires and continuing debates over NASA's path back to the moon dominated a two-hour hearing.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope will face '29 days on the edge' after launch (video)
NASA's newest space telescope will face 29 'harrowing' days after launch as it makes its way to a deep-space destination nearly 1 million miles (1.6 million km) from Earth.
NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge awards $450,000 to first-round winners
NASA and the Canadian Space Agency just announced 18 winners in Phase 1 of the Deep Space Food Challenge, which aims to spur the development of potentially game-changing food tech.
Mini Earth-observer Proba-1's 20 years in orbit
Image: Mini Earth-observer Proba-1's 20 years in orbit
Nerf gun deals
Lock and load with these awesome Nerf gun deals, with savings on Star wars, Halo, Fortnite blasters.
Nikon binoculars: The best deals and discounts
Here are all of the best prices on our favorite Nikon binoculars.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 22 – 30
As fall proceeds, Jupiter and Saturn shift westward and tilt ever more steeply. Venus gets a little higher and brighter. The waning Moon passes the Pleiades. And as Halloween approaches, Arcturus becomes the Ghost of Summer Suns.
Earth from Space: Perth, Australia
Perth, Western Australia’s capital and largest city, is featured in this true-colour image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
A map of River Beds on Titan for Dragonfly to Explore
Explorers either have the benefit of having maps or the burden of creating them. Similarly, space explorers have been building maps as they go, using all available tools. Those tools might not always be up to the task, but at least something is better than nothing. Now, a new map of an exploration destination has emerged – a map of the river valleys of Titan.
SpaceX's SN20 Starship prototype roars to life in 1st static fire tests (video)
SpaceX fired up its SN20 Starship prototype in earnest for the first time Thursday night (Oct. 21), notching a big milestone on the vehicle's planned path to orbit.
NASA stacks Orion capsule atop SLS megarocket for Artemis 1 moon mission (video)
NASA stacked its Orion capsule atop a Space Launch System megarocket yesterday (Oct. 20), notching a major milestone for the agency and its Artemis program of crewed lunar exploration.
I Could Look at James Webb Unboxing Pictures all Day
On Oct. 12th, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) arrived safely at Port de Pariacabo in French Guiana after spending 16 days traveling between California and South America. Since then, the observatory was transported from California to French Guiana and brought to a cleanroom in the Guyanese Space Center (GSC). Here, crews “unboxed” the observatory from its protective cargo container in preparation for launch – now targetted for Dec. 18th.
October's full 'Hunter's moon' of 2021 wows skywatchers (photos)
The full moon of Wednesday (Oct. 21), known by many as the "Hunter's Moon," provided a celestial treat for skywatchers around the world.
Meet Starlab: Private space station planned to fly in 2027
Nanoracks, Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin announced today (Oct. 21) that they plan to get a free-flying private space station called Starlab up and running in low Earth orbit by 2027.
Jupiter hit by another space rock in rare views captured by Japanese skywatchers
It's tough to be the biggest planet in the solar system, and this fall Jupiter is taking a beating.
Lego Star Wars The Child review
The LEGO Star Wars The Child set is an adorable, if repetitive build.
In 'Back to Earth,' NASA astronaut brings the space station mindset home
Astronaut Nicole Stott's new book "Back to Earth" chronicles her experience on the International Space Station and how lessons there could help people on Earth.
Book excerpt: 'Back to Earth'
How can going to space change the way we live on Earth? Sure, spaceflight leads to new technologies, but it also offers new philosophies.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope looks squeaky clean at spaceport for December launch (photos)
These are some of the last good looks we'll get at NASA's huge James Webb Space Telescope before it leaves this world forever.