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Total Solar Eclipse of 2016 Occurs Today: What to Expect

Today (March 8) the moon will pass in front of the sun, causing the first and only total solar eclipse of 2016. For skywatchers around the world, here’s how to see the eclipse and what to expect. The eclipse will be visible across Indonesia, from the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi and Halmahera. A partial […]

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Space Race Losers? US Leadership in Danger, Report Warns

Artist’s illustration of NASA’s in-development Space Launch System megarocket on the pad. Credit: NASA The United States could lose its long-held leadership position in space science, technology and exploration if the country doesn’t renew its commitment to those fields soon, a coalition of space-industry organizations has warned. Such a commitment should include the completion of […]

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How Often Do Big Fireballs Blaze Up in Earth's Sky?

Trail left by the object that exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in February 2013. Credit: Alex Alishevskikh/Flickr, CC BY-SA A fireball exploded over the south Atlantic Ocean on Feb. 6 in the most powerful such event since February 2013, when a similar “airburst” injured more than 1,200 people in the Russian city of […]

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mercury

Mercury's Carbon-Rich Crust is Surprisingly Ancient

Enhanced color image highlights Mercury’s low-reflectance material, which appears blue in this image, and its association with impact-excavated material. The young rayed crater Degas appears near the center, and to the far left is the crater Akutagawa, whose extensive low-reflectance (dark blue) material was studied by MESSENGER and found to be carbon rich. Credit: NASA/Johns […]

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European-Russian Mission to Mars Launches Next Week

Artist’s concept of Europe’s Trace Gas Orbiter releasing the Schiaparelli landing demonstrator near Mars. Credit: ESA The next robotic mission to Mars will launch in less than a week, if all goes according to plan. The first part of the two-phase, joint European-Russian ExoMars mission  is scheduled to blast off atop a Russian Proton rocket […]

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Why Tonight's Total Solar Eclipse Has NASA Excited (Video)

Editor’s note for March 8, 10:45 pm ET: The total solar eclipse of 2016 has ended. You can see photos of the solar eclipse here . To see our full wrap up, read: Total Solar Eclipse Wows Skywatchers Across Indonesia, Pacific Region . When the sun goes dark, NASA’s work is just beginning. Space.com talked with […]

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Space spin-off fosters 400 new companies

ESA business incubation has passed the milestone of 400 new companies. The initiative to profit from space technology and expertise to create new businesses and jobs in Europe also boosts local economies and Europe’s competitiveness.   To source

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Space keeps us safe as air travel rises

ESA and UK satellite operator Inmarsat are forging ahead with the development of air–ground communications via satellite as part of Europe’s plan to keep our skies safe as air traffic increases. To source

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The March of Planets: Jupiter, Mars and Saturn Brighten Night Sky

Monday/Tuesday, March 21/22, 12 midnight EDT. There is a close conjunction between the planet Jupiter and the moon right at midnight. Credit: Starry Night Software Powerful Jupiter, attention-grabbing Mars and spectacular Saturn will dominate March’s night sky: Here’s how to see them. Of the three planets, Jupiter is the most dominant, particularly since it arrives […]

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Space, astronomy and science