Space & PhysicsJanuary 24, 2018
EX-PRIZE: Google's $30-Million Moon Race Ends with No Winner
After more than a decade of activity, the Google Lunar XPRIZE is concluding—but the race to the moon continues
Stories by Mike Wall
Mike Wall has been writing for Space.com since 2010. His book about the search for alien life, “Out There,” was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Space & PhysicsJanuary 9, 2018
Fate of Secret "Zuma" Satellite Unknown after SpaceX Launch
Rumors swirl around whether or not a mysterious spacecraft successfully entered and began operations in low Earth orbit
Space & PhysicsJanuary 9, 2018
Weird “Tubes” on Mars Are Probably Not Signs of Life
Crystalline growth, rather than biotic processes, are the likely explanation for strange Martian minerals glimpsed by NASA’s Curiosity rover
Space & PhysicsJanuary 3, 2018
Dust, Not Aliens, Is Likely Cause of Star’s Weird Dimming
Even so, the strange saga of Tabby’s Star is far from over
Space & PhysicsDecember 26, 2017
To Find Life on Mars, Look Underground
Ancient, buried hydrothermal systems are ideal sites to search for Martian fossils
Space & PhysicsDecember 25, 2017
Weird World: Evaporating Exoplanet’s Orbit Is Askew
The Neptune-mass planet GJ 436b has a comet-like tail and a bizarre orbit that takes it over the poles of its star
Space & PhysicsDecember 14, 2017
Interstellar Visitor Stays Silent--for Now, No Signs of Aliens on 'Oumuamua
The bizarre object is emitting no obvious radio signals, but observations and analyses have just begun
Space & PhysicsDecember 7, 2017
ESPRESSO Gives Planet Hunting a Jolt
New high-performance instrument could reveal hidden habitable worlds around nearby stars
Space & PhysicsDecember 3, 2017
“Equator Trap” May Hinder Search for Alien Life
Bizarre atmospheric circulation patterns could obscure signs of life on some nearby exoplanets
Space & PhysicsNovember 29, 2017
SpaceX’s Planned Giant Rocket Could Chase Down Interstellar Asteroid
A new study charts potential courses for missions to ‘Oumuamua, an oddly-shaped space rock from another star
Space & PhysicsNovember 16, 2017
Interstellar Message Beamed to Nearby Exoplanet
The radio signal directed at a world 12 light-years away included music and math lessons from Earth
Space & PhysicsNovember 16, 2017
Meet ‘Oumuamua, the First-Ever Asteroid from Another Star
An interstellar space rock seen hurtling through the solar system now has a name
Space & PhysicsNovember 15, 2017
New Planet on the Block May Be Habitable
The Earth-mass world orbits a dim, quiet star just 11 light-years away
Space & PhysicsOctober 27, 2017
NASA “Twins Study” Shows How Spaceflight Changes Gene Expression
A nearly year-long stay on the International Space Station revealed boosts in gene methylation
Space & PhysicsOctober 26, 2017
Curiosity Mars Rover Tests Drill after Long Delay
Dormant since late 2016, the rover’s rock-boring drill could soon come back online
The SciencesOctober 25, 2017
Demand for Stephen Hawking's Thesis Crashes Web Site
Downloads of the physicist’s 1966 doctoral thesis overwhelm University of Cambridge servers
Space & PhysicsOctober 6, 2017
U.S. Will Return to the Moon, Pence Says
The Trump administration set NASA on a new course at the first meeting of the National Space Council
Space & PhysicsOctober 5, 2017
New Observations Deepen Mystery of “Alien Megastructure” Star
Orbiting dust could explain some—but not all—of the star’s bizarre behavior
Space & PhysicsOctober 4, 2017
Construction of Thirty Meter Telescope Gets Go-Ahead
The ruling could allow the project to move forward after years of delays and opposition
Space & PhysicsOctober 4, 2017
Sputnik Moments: Trio of Spaceflight Events Shook U.S. in 1957
The Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite 60 years ago
Space & PhysicsSeptember 29, 2017
NASA Postpones Launch of James Webb Space Telescope
The multibillion-dollar observatory is now scheduled to launch in spring of 2019
Space & PhysicsSeptember 26, 2017
Fast Radio Bursts Flash throughout the Cosmos
The mysterious and powerful cosmic outbursts could occur as often as once per second in the observable universe
Space & PhysicsSeptember 21, 2017
Binary Giant Black Holes Spotted at Galaxy's Core
The objects are separated by less than one light year—the most compact pairing of supermassive black holes ever seen
Space & PhysicsSeptember 19, 2017
After Cassini’s End at Saturn, Outer Planets Exploration Shifts to Jupiter
NASA and the European Space Agency may soon launch new missions to the solar system’s largest planet