Space & PhysicsSeptember 18, 2017
Astronomers Discover Pitch-Black Exoplanet
The hellish world WASP-12b is darker than fresh asphalt in visible light, but glows red-hot in infrared
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 & PhysicsSeptember 18, 2017
Cassini's End Marks New Beginning for Exploration of Saturn
NASA is now considering multiple proposals for a return to the ringed planet
Space & PhysicsSeptember 6, 2017
Hurricane Irma Closes Arecibo Observatory
The threat from the Category 5 storm has shuttered the world’s second-largest radio telescope until further notice
Space & PhysicsAugust 30, 2017
Tropical Storm Harvey Shutters NASA's Johnson Space Center through Labor Day
Essential operations to support the International Space Station will continue, with the center reopening on September 5
Space & PhysicsAugust 17, 2017
Deadline for Google Lunar X Prize Extended to March 2018
The remaining teams in this private space race have more time—and the opportunity for more money—on their way to the Moon
Space & PhysicsAugust 17, 2017
New Group Works to Preserve Apollo Lunar Landing Sites
For All Moonkind is working with space agencies to develop formal protections for space archaeology sites
EngineeringAugust 14, 2017
Space-Based 3-D Printing Reaches Milestone
Successful test suggests “Archinaut” system could soon assemble huge structures in orbit
Space & PhysicsAugust 4, 2017
NASA’s Pluto Probe May See Double During Next Flyby
When New Horizons flies by Kuiper belt object MU69 in 2019, it may find two space rocks rather than one
Space & PhysicsJuly 19, 2017
Stellar Winds Could Be Bad News for Life on TRAPPIST-1 Planets
Two new studies suggest the system’s potentially habitable planets could have lost their atmospheres long ago
Space & PhysicsJuly 19, 2017
No Evidence for Past Martian Civilization, Scientists Tell Congress
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher asks about ancient aliens during a routine hearing
Space & PhysicsJuly 18, 2017
Astronomers Detect Strange Signals from Red Dwarf Star
The radio bursts are tantalizing, but probably not transmissions from talkative aliens
Space & PhysicsJuly 14, 2017
White House Selects Leadership for National Space Council
Scott Pace, the director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, will be the Council’s executive secretary
Space & PhysicsJuly 7, 2017
Toxic Compounds May Sterilize Martian Soil
Microbes could be killed off by perchlorates exposed to ultraviolet radiation on the planet’s surface
Space & PhysicsJune 23, 2017
SpaceX Launches Rocket with "Highest-Ever Reentry Force"
The company has now landed a recycled rocket for the second time
Space & PhysicsJune 16, 2017
Elon Musk Publishes Plans for Colonizing Mars
The billionaire entrepreneur and founder of SpaceX wants to make humanity a "multi-planetary species”
Space & PhysicsJune 9, 2017
What's Next for NASA’s New Astronaut Class?
A dozen new candidates were chosen from more than 18,000 applicants. Now the real work begins
Space & PhysicsMay 23, 2017
Celestial Harmonies Pin Down Orbit of Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 h
Orbital resonances reveal the Earth-size world circles its star every 19 days
Space & PhysicsMay 21, 2017
NASA Calls for Europa Mission Instrument Ideas
Researchers should begin planning instruments to go on a potential life-hunting lander mission to Jupiter's ocean-harboring moon Europa, the space agency said
Space & PhysicsMay 20, 2017
“Snow White” the Dwarf Planet Has Its Own Moon
Astronomers have found a moon orbiting the third-largest dwarf planet in our solar system
Space & PhysicsMay 13, 2017
Astronomers Find Water and Weird Clouds on Extrasolar "Warm Neptune"
Two space telescopes reveal the distant exoplanet HAT-P-26b has an atmosphere rich with hydrogen, helium and water vapor
Space & PhysicsMay 9, 2017
Scientists Push to Orbit Pluto
After New Horizons’ 2015 encounter with the dwarf planet, researchers are hoping to go back—to stay
Space & PhysicsApril 28, 2017
Earth-Mass "Ice Ball" Planet Found 13,000 Light-Years Away
The chilly, distant world is the smallest yet found via the “microlensing” planet-hunting technique
Space & PhysicsApril 12, 2017
NASA Funds 22 Futuristic Ideas for Space Exploration
The research grants provide funding for new studies of spacecraft propulsion, synthetic biology and more
Space & PhysicsApril 4, 2017
Citizen Scientists Spot Candidates for Planet Nine
A crowdsourced science project to find the hypothetical new world has turned up four curious candidates