The total number of exoplanets discovered to date totals 5,288. Among them are a host of rocky, Earth-like exoplanets but none of them seem to have atmospheres. It’s a fairly challenging observation to make but a team of researchers think they’ve come up with a new, simpler technique. It involves measuring the combined temperature of a star and the exoplanet just before the planet passes behind. If it’s lower than expected, the planet is likely to have an atmosphere regulating its temperature!
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We have the satellite data to show climate change is real. Now what?
Free, open source climate data can help bridge the gap between information and environmental action.
How Did Mars Become Uninhabitable?
Mars has captured our imagination for centuries. Ever since the invention of the telescope our imagination has often drifted toward the possibility of life on Mars. Exploration of the red planet has often revealed that Mars once had plenty of water on its surface but it’s no longer there. Now NASA’s Curiosity rover has found deposits of carbon-rich minerals that could give us a much needed clue.
Sound of Earth’s magnetic flip 41 000 years ago
Video: 00:01:20
Approximately 41 000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field briefly reversed during what is known as the Laschamp event. During this time, Earth’s magnetic field weakened significantly—dropping to a minimum of 5% of its current strength—which allowed more cosmic rays to reach Earth’s atmosphere.
First all-new MetOp complete and sibling in testing
With all instruments integrated, the first MetOp Second Generation-A, MetOp-SG-A1, weather satellite is now fully assembled and on schedule for liftoff next year. Meanwhile, its sibling, MetOp-SG-B1, is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure that it will withstand the vacuum and extreme temperature swings of space.
Severe solar storm could supercharge auroras across US, impact power grids, NOAA warns
A powerful X-class solar flare that erupted on Tuesday (Oct. 8) could generate a strong geomagnetic storm Thursday (Oct. 10) and Friday (Oct. 11), possibly leading to supercharged auroras.
Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS photobombs SOHO spacecraft during powerful solar flare (video)
The SOHO spacecraft captured amazing imagery of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) zooming near the sun as the star unleashed a powerful X flare.
Official 'Star Trek' magazine ends an impressive 30-year run in December
Titan Publications' 'Star Trek Explorer' launches one last issue into the final frontier.
Astronauts could mine asteroids for food someday, scientists say
Material harvested from asteroids could be used to sustain astronauts during long-duration space missions.
Dominican Republic signs Artemis Accords for peaceful moon exploration
The Dominican Republic has signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the 44th nation to join the United States' moon-exploration coalition.
Last-minute Prime Day lightsaber deal: 40% off Yoda Force FX
A last-minute Prime Day lightsaber deal, you need? 40% off The Black Series Yoda's Force FX, we recommend.
Prime Day final hours: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ still 31% off
It's your last chance to grab a Prime Day telescope deal and the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is still 31% off, ideal for beginners.
James Webb Space Telescope watches a frozen, comet-like object shooting jets of gas
Jets of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gas were seen coming from a centaur, but what drives them is a big mystery.
Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida with Category 5 strength in new ISS footage (video)
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida as soon as Wednesday (Oct. 9), with Category 5 force. NASA's Kennedy Space Center and several space missions will be affected.
Gateway gift: Northrop Grumman delivers lunar-orbit hab for Space Center Houston display
A full-scale mockup of the astronaut accommodations for a small space station orbiting the moon has arrived at Space Center Houston. Northrop Grumman has donated its prototype for the Gateway HALO.
This incredible Lego NASA set is reduced for Amazon's Prime Day in the UK — but you'll need to move fast
Run, don't walk, to pick up this incredible LEGO NASA discount.
Save almost $300 on my favorite MacBook Air for Prime Day 2024
This deal could have you walking on air.
Good News. Comet Encke Only Threw a Handful of Giant Space Rocks in our Direction
As comets travel along their orbit they dump material along the way. A stream of debris known as the Taurid swarm has been keeping astronomers attention. It’s thought the debris is the remains of comet Encke which has also been fuelling the Taurid meteor shower. The swarm is believed to be composed of mostly harmless, tiny objects but there has been concern that there may be some larger, kilometre size chunks. Thankfully, new observations reveal there are of the order of 9-14 of these 1km rocks.
NASA Announces a New Class of Space Missions: Probe Explorers
NASA has sent a whole host of spacecraft across the Solar System and even beyond. They range from crewed ships to orbit and to the Moon to robotic explorers. Among them are a range of mission classes from Flagships to Discovery Class programs. Now a new category has been announced: Probe Explorers. This new category will fill the gap between Flagship and smaller missions. Among them are two proposed missions; the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite and the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics.
Luke Skywalker Force FX Elite Lightsaber is now at its lowest-ever price for Prime Day
If you're looking for an early Christmas present for the Star Wars fan in your life this is an unbeatable Prime Day Star Wars deal on this feature-packed lightsaber.
Cryptic Mars, a land shaped by ice
ESA’s Mars Express has captured an astonishing array of landforms emerging from a thick winter blanket of frost as spring arrives in the south polar region of Mars. Some of these features are surprisingly dark compared with their icy surroundings, earning their nickname of ‘cryptic terrain’.
