'Black Hole Blues': Book Chronicles Gravitational Wave Detector
A new book chronicles the 50-year odyssey that culminated in the first direct detection of gravitational waves. The book sets aside the science to focus on the personal passions and sacrifices of the experiment’s champions. “Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space ” (Knopf, 2016), the newest book by astrophysicist and author Janna […]
Jupiter Moon Europa's Ocean May Have Enough Energy to Support Life
This enhanced-color view from NASA’s Galileo spacecraft shows an intricate pattern of linear fractures on the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ SETI Institute Jupiter’s moon Europa might be able to support life even if there’s little or no volcanic activity under the satellite’s icy shell, a new study suggests. A salty ocean […]
'Black Hole Blues' (2016): Book Excerpt
Janna Levin is a theoretical physicist, and a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College and Columbia University in New York. She’s also the author of three books, the most recent of which is “Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space.” The book traces the turbulent 50-year history of the Laser Interferometer […]
Mars triptych
Operations image of the week: Three images of Mars acquired by two cameras in space and one in Australia To source
NASA, France to Collaborate on Planetary Science and Space Exploration
NASA and the Astrophysics and Planetology Research Institute (IRAP), located in Toulouse, France, have signed an Affiliate Member statement with NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), which supports lunar and planetary science research to advance human exploration of the solar system through scientific discovery. To source
World's Largest Telescope Now Has a Construction Contract
A digital rendering shows what the European Extremely Large Telescope will look like. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada/ACe Consortium Construction will soon begin on what is slated to be the largest optical telescope ever built. Today (May 25), the European Southern Observatory announced that it has selected a contractor to build the dome and main facility of […]
Jam Band 'Moe.' Celebrate 'Star Wars', Poke Fun At Lucas | Video
Recommended videos for you 1970’s NASA Satellite Looked Like A Disco Bal… Jam Band ‘Moe.’ Celebrate ‘Star Wars’, Poke F… Extremely Large Telescope Could Unlock Secret… Humans In Mars Orbit By Late 2020s? – Lockhee… Blastoff! Europe’s Galileo Navigation System… Brewing Life On Earth – Violent Sun, Weak Shi… Satellite Swarm Delivers Worldwide Precipitat… Second […]
'Star Wars' Jams – 'Moe.' Takes Audience To Galaxy Far, Far, Away – Gallery
<div data-cycle-pager-template=”” readability=”33.5″> Moe. – Star Wars Show – Stage Shot Two Credit: Paul Citone Jam band Moe. performing at the Filmore in Philadephia, PA on Oct. 31, 2015.Jam band Moe. performing at the Filmore in Philadephia, PA on Oct. 31, 2015. <div data-cycle-pager-template=”” readability=”32.5″> Moe. – Star Wars Show – Rob Derhak as ‘Han […]
Asteroid lander on show
Technology image of the week: this half-scale model of ESA’s next lander to a small body goes on show at next week’s ILA Berlin Air Show To source
NASA's OSIRIS-REx Spacecraft Prepared for Mission to an Asteroid
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is revealed after its protective cover is removed inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, on May 21, 2016. OSIRIS-REx, targeted for a Sept. 8 launch, will be the first U.S. mission to sample an asteroid, retrieve at least two ounces of surface material and return it to Earth […]
Stunning Turquoise Comet Wows Amateur Astronomer (Photo)
Skywatcher Chris Schur was able to glimpse Comet Linear 252P with his naked eye just after capturing it on camera. The image was taken from Payson, Arizona on the morning of April 2, 2016. Credit: Chris Schur | SchurAstrophotography Skywatcher Chris Schur was able to glimpse the comet in this stunning image with his naked […]
Mars Webcam goes pro
A modest ‘webcam’ on Mars Express has proven useful for outreach, education and citizen-science. Now ESA have decided to adopt it as a professional science instrument. To source
'Magic Islands' May Bubble to the Surface of Saturn's Moon Titan
Multiple passes of NASA’s Cassini mission reveal an appearing and disappearing “magic island” in one of its seas. Cassini also spotted other similar features. New research suggests the magic islands may be bubbles rising to the surface. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASI/Cornell THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Bubbling seas may create the mysterious “magic islands ” of Titan, Saturn’s […]