Space & PhysicsOctober 7, 2016
NASA Considers a New Approach to Mars Exploration
With fewer future missions planned, the agency is rethinking how scientists will compete for access
Stories by Alexandra Witze
Alexandra Witze works for Nature magazine.
Space & PhysicsSeptember 20, 2016
U.S. Sharpens Surveillance of Crippling Solar Storms
Next-generation space weather model will map the danger facing power grids
Natural DisastersSeptember 13, 2016
Moon’s Gravity Linked to Big Earthquakes
The geologic strain of tides during full and new moons may increase magnitude
Space & PhysicsSeptember 7, 2016
Fear of Spreading Earth Germs on Could Divert Mars Rover
International rules on microbe contamination may stymie Curiosity's bid to study suspected water in hillside streaks
EvolutionAugust 31, 2016
We May Have Found Earth’s Oldest Fossils
Rocks from Greenland contain structures linked to microbes 3.7 billion years ago
Space & PhysicsAugust 1, 2016
Troubled Japanese Space Agency Seeks Fresh Start
Push to resurrect instrument lost during satellite failure highlights JAXA’s resilience
EarthJuly 28, 2016
The Fiery Birth of Earth's Largest Ocean Exposed
A volatile arrangement of tectonic plates millions of years ago gave us the Pacific
Space & PhysicsJuly 27, 2016
Planet Hunters Seek New Ways to Detect Alien Life
Astrobiologists debate which chemical signatures would hint at life on other worlds
BiologyJuly 18, 2016
Algae May Be Melting the Greenland Ice Sheet
“Black and Bloom” project explores how microorganisms help to determine the pace of Arctic melting
Climate ChangeJuly 12, 2016
Clouds Get High on Climate Change
Changes in cloud patterns match predictions from climate simulations of a warming world
Climate ChangeJuly 1, 2016
Antarctic Ozone Hole Is on the Mend
Global regulation of chlorine compounds is giving the atmosphere time to heal, even as volcanic eruptions interfere
EarthJune 6, 2016
U.S. Ocean-Observing Project Launches at Last
Network of deep-water observatories streams data in real time
EnvironmentJune 6, 2016
"Zombie Volcano" Slowly Grows beneath New Zealand
Molten rock accumulates in a magma chamber outside the North Island’s main volcanoes
Space & PhysicsMay 19, 2016
Giant Tsunamis Washed over Ancient Mars
Meteorite impacts triggered enormous waves in a now-vanished ocean
ComputingApril 29, 2016
Software Error Doomed Japanese Hitomi Spacecraft
Space agency declares the astronomy satellite a loss
Space & PhysicsApril 11, 2016
Kepler Spacecraft in Emergency Mode
NASA engineers work to recover the newly repurposed space telescope on the eve of a new type of planet search
EvolutionApril 1, 2016
Geologists to Drill into the Heart of a Dinosaur-Killing Impact
Quest aims to uncover secrets of big craters across the solar system
Space & PhysicsMarch 28, 2016
Japanese X-Ray Satellite Loses Communication with Earth
Future of the major astronomy probe remains unclear as pieces of space debris are reported
Space & PhysicsMarch 9, 2016
NASA Reschedules Troubled Mars InSight Mission to 2018
Instrument problems prevented the Martian lander from launching in March 2016 as planned
Space & PhysicsMarch 1, 2016
E.T. Search: Look for the Aliens Looking for Earth
Astronomers propose hunting for civilizations on worlds that can see our planet cross the sun
The SciencesFebruary 10, 2016
Obama Makes Risky Bid to Increase Science Spending
Research advocates worry that the president's budget proposal could backfire in the face of political opposition
The SciencesFebruary 9, 2016
Science Funders Struggle to Deal with Sexual Harassers
U.S. science agencies threaten harsh penalties, but many have yet to take action
Space & PhysicsJanuary 8, 2016
Rebooted Kepler Spacecraft Hauls in the Planets
Fresh worlds found by K2 mission push beyond original discoveries
EnvironmentJanuary 5, 2016
Antarctic Clouds Studied for First Time in 5 Decades
The AWARE project will help unravel effects of global warming