Space & Physics
First Water Clouds Reported outside the Solar System
Signs seen on brown dwarf, an object bigger than a planet and smaller than a star
Stories by Elizabeth Howell
Space & Physics
Juno’s Mission to Jupiter May Also Reveal Clues about Exoplanets
NASA’s interplanetary probe is cruising toward an encounter with our local gas giant this summer. As the data starts flowing in, we may also learn about Jupiter’s many cousins across the galaxy...
Space & Physics
Mystery of Martian Methane Deepens
After two years on the Red Planet, NASA's Curiosity rover rules out a seasonal explanation for an observed methane spike
Space & Physics
"Halloween Asteroid" Will Fly Near Earth Saturday
Asteroid TB145 will make a near pass of our planet, offering astronomers a chance for an up-close radar view of its surface
Space & Physics
Comet and Rosetta Spacecraft Make Closest Approach to the Sun
After more than a year in orbit around a comet, the European Rosetta spacecraft and its icy dance partner are hitting a huge milestone: their closest approach to the sun
Space & Physics
The 6 Most Earth-Like Alien Planets
Discovering the first true “alien Earth” is a long-held dream of astronomers. Recent exoplanet discoveries suggest that their dream will come true in the not-too-distant future...
Space & Physics
Signs of Water Ice Detected on Comet Surface
The Rosetta spacecraft, currently orbiting Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, has spotted 120 bright, reflective spots on the surface of the comet, for which water ice is a plausible explanation...
Space & Physics
50 Years On, NASA's First Spacewalk Still Resonates
Ed White’s first foray into the vacuum of space on June 3, 1965, set the stage for future spacewalks to assemble stations and repair telescopes
Space & Physics
Weightlessness Tackled in New Research Journal
Called npj Microgravity, the open-access journal will highlight scientific advances in various fields that are facilitated by spaceflight
Environment
Tornado Alert in Central U.S.: The Science of Severe Storms
Severe weather is forecast for today in two regions of the Midwest and Plains states, and more damaging winds could blow tomorrow
Space & Physics
36-Year-Old NASA Probe's Engines Successfully Fired Up by Private Team
The team intends to rescue the International Sun-Earth Explorer 3 and then focus on what to use the spacecraft for
Space & Physics
Mysterious "Magnetar" Likely Formed with Help from Runaway Star
The detection of a runaway star may explain how a massive object turned into a dense, magnetic magnetar instead of collapsing into a black hole
Biology
Cacophony of Shipping Noise Found in Humpback, Killer Whale Habitat
Researchers guess that the whales' acoustic spaces are being reduced by 50 percent or 80 percent
Environment
How Clean Air Act Made Atlanta Rains Rebound
Legislation enacted in 1970 may have drastically improved Atlanta's rainfall values
The Sciences
How Cherry Blossoms Came into U.S. Popularity
The first attempt to send 2,000 cherry trees to the U.S. did not go well. The trees were infested with pests. Diplomacy resolved the issue
The Sciences
"New" Antarctica Bacteria Now Said to Only Be Contaminant
The episode underscores the role that scientific peer review should play in vetting discovery claims
Space & Physics
Apollo Moon Rocks Challenge Lunar Water Theory
Water on the moon was there as the moon formed, not delivered later by solar wind and comets
Space & Physics
Closest "Alien Earth" May Be 13 Light-Years Away
Astronomers estimate 4.5 billion Earth-like planets are spread throughout the Galaxy
