Space & Physics
If We Found Life on Mars, How Would We Know?
Despite decades of Red Planet exploration, the protocols for confirming evidence of life there are still quite hazy
Stories by SPACE.com
Space & Physics
Did We Just Find Exoplanets in Another Galaxy?
New observations of a supermassive black hole in a faraway galaxy hint that planets are plentiful throughout the universe
Space & Physics
After Launching the World’s Most Powerful Rocket, What’s Next for SpaceX?
Crewed flights of the Dragon spacecraft and preparations for the Big Falcon Rocket are on the agenda
Space & Physics
Watch Live as SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket Launches Today
Whether a success or a failure, the first test flight of the world's current most powerful rocket guarantees fireworks
Space & Physics
SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket Will Attempt a Triple Landing
If successful, the rocket’s first test flight will include three boosters flying back to Earth
Space & Physics
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
Space & Physics
NASA Pushes for Nuclear-Powered Space Missions
The space agency’s Kilopower project could end a half-century hiatus for U.S. reactors in space
Space & Physics
In the Search for Alien Life, “Everyone Is an Astrobiologist”
Scientists are plotting new directions in the quest for cosmic company
Space & Physics
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 & Physics
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 & Physics
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 & Physics
Beyond Pluto, New Horizons’ Next Target May Have a Moon
The probe’s 2019 encounter with the icy object 2014 MU69 could reveal multiple lunar companions
Space & Physics
King Tut’s Dagger Is Out of This World
New study shows that meteorites rather than terrestrial ore were the sources of Bronze-Age iron
Space & Physics
To Find Life on Mars, Look Underground
Ancient, buried hydrothermal systems are ideal sites to search for Martian fossils
Space & Physics
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 & Physics
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 & Physics
ESPRESSO Gives Planet Hunting a Jolt
New high-performance instrument could reveal hidden habitable worlds around nearby stars
Space & Physics
Oldest Supermassive Black Hole Found from Universe’s Infancy
The object grew to more than 800 million times the mass of the sun when the cosmos was only 5 percent its present age
Space & Physics
“Equator Trap” May Hinder Search for Alien Life
Bizarre atmospheric circulation patterns could obscure signs of life on some nearby exoplanets
Space & Physics
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
