Space

Astronaut Scott Kelly's Latest Mission: A Book

1:02pm October 17, 2017

by Rachel Martin

After a year in space, Kelly says, writing a book was harder than he thought — but still, he adds, "If I write a bad sentence people are only going to get angry with me. They're not going to die."

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The collision of two neutron stars, seen in an artist's rendering, created both gravitational waves and gamma rays. Researchers used those signals to locate the event with optical telescopes.

Astronomers Strike Gravitational Gold In Colliding Neutron Stars

4:44pm October 16, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

In an astonishing discovery, astronomers used gravitational waves to locate two neutron stars smashing together. The collision created 200 Earth masses of pure gold, along with other elements.

The night sky as seen from Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado.

Science

Would Aliens Look Like Us?

2:19pm October 04, 2017

by Jonathan Losos

Though natural selection might have sculpted a well-adapted species on another planet, they wouldn't look like us, says guest blogger Jonathan Losos.

The Voyager Golden Record remained mostly unavailable and unheard, until a Kickstarter campaign finally brought the sounds to human ears.

The Voyager Golden Record Finally Finds An Earthly Audience

4:04pm October 01, 2017

by Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi

For 40 years, the record's interstellar message to extraterrestrials remained mostly unheard by human audiences — until a Kickstarter campaign brought a new vinyl box set to the public.

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Science

Elon Musk Lays Out His Mars Colony Plans

8:09am October 01, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Billionaire inventor Elon Musk said his company SpaceX is developing a Mars rocket that will be ready to launch in 2022. We look at how realistic that plan is.

Science

What Would Aliens Make Of NASA's Voyager?

8:08am September 30, 2017

Forty years ago, NASA sent two spacecraft into space with images and recordings from Earth. To test whether aliens would be able to hear them, scientists ran the messages by animals, as proxies.

Science

Gravitational Wave Detector In Italy Saw Wave Pass Through Earth In August

4:39pm September 27, 2017

by Joe Palca

The wave was generated by the merging of two spinning black holes, and took nearly 2 billion years to reach Earth. It is the fourth gravitational wave detection announced so far.

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, as seen in this image from an artist's simulation, will aim to detect gravitational waves in space.

Science

When 2 Black Holes Dance, Space Quivers

1:03pm September 27, 2017

by Marcelo Gleiser

Just as two kids jumping on a trampoline around each other send waves rippling outwards on the fabric, black holes distort space as they orbit around each other, says astrophysicist Marcelo Gleiser.

Australia as seen from a satellite image shot by Japan Meteorological Agency.

Australia Says It Is Launching Its Own Space Agency

1:44pm September 26, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Scientists and opposition politicians say Australia is lagging behind in the space industry. The country has been involved in the field for decades and was one of the first to launch a satellite.

An artist's depiction of Planet Nine. The object is thought to be gaseous, similar to Uranus and Neptune. Hypothetical lightning lights up the night side.

Science

Astronomers Search For Giant Planet On Outer Edges Of Solar System

11:12am September 26, 2017

by Joe Palca

Astronomers are continuing their search for a giant planet they believe is lurking at the outer reaches of the solar system.

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