Astronomers think that the expansion of the universe is regulated by both the force of gravity, and a mysterious dark energy. In this artist’s conception, dark energy is represented by the purple grid above, and gravity by the green grid below. When it comes to scientifically mysterious concepts that begin with the word “dark,” dark […]
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'Equator Trap' May Complicate Search for Alien Life
Artist’s illustration of the Earth-size planet TRAPPIST-1d and its red-dwarf host star. New research suggests that potential signs of life in the atmospheres of planets like this could be tougher to detect than previously thought. Spotting signs of life in an alien planet’s atmosphere may be tougher than scientists had thought. One prominent such “biosignature” […]
Mega-Landslides on Mars May Speed Down Slopes at 450 Mph
One of the deepest craters in Mars’ Tagus Valles region lies in the foreground of this perspective view. Numerous landslides have occurred within this crater, leaving grooves in the wall as material slumped to the floor below. Powerful landslides may rumble down Martian slopes at up to 450 mph (725 km/h), sped along by slippery ice, […]
Atlantis: Last Space Shuttle Launch
The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station at 11:07 a.m. (EDT) on July 10, 2011 on Flight Day 3 of NASA’s last shuttle flight. Part of a Russian Progress spacecraft which is docked to the station is in the foreground. Atlantis was the […]
Venus Lights Up the Night Sky Over Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland (Photo)
The bright planet Venus reflects off the ocean surface and illuminates the evening sky at the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland in this photo by Miguel Claro. Miguel Claro is a Lisbon, Portugal-based professional photographer, author and science communicator who creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a European Southern Observatory photo ambassador , a […]
Interplanetary-Internet Test Sends Antarctic Selfie to Space Station
A selfie sent from Antarctica to the International Space Station demonstrated an extra-robust communication network that promises to make an interplanetary internet more reliable. NASA announced the achievement on Monday (Nov. 27). In space, wireless communication networks are critical. They function as a virtual tether, keeping astronauts and spacecraft in contact with Earth and each other. […]
Behold! The First 'Avengers: Infinity War' Trailer Is Here
The first trailer for “Avengers: Infinity War” has been released and it is EPIC! And here is the expanded synopsis for the film, released alongside the trailer: “An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown […]
What Is a Supermoon?
Mike Boening, an urban photographer and photography instructor in Detroit, Michigan took this photo on Dec. 13, 2016. A supermoon happens when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit. Supermoons make the moon appear a little brighter and closer than normal, although the difference is hard to spot […]
Watch SpaceX Test Reusable Rockets (and Scare Cows) in Texas Test-Site Video
An awesome video from SpaceX shows the best way for space nerds to send a herd of cows running : Just dangle a self-landing rocket practically over their heads. The YouTube video shows activities at the California-based company’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas, which is roughly 90 miles (150 kilometers) north of Austin. The […]
Found Them! 72 Unseen Galaxies Found Hiding in Plain Sight
Astronomers have found 72 potential galaxies hiding in plain sight inside a vast patch of the sky previously observed by the Hubble Space Telescope . The discovery not only gives astronomers new targets to study, but also will aid studies of star motion and formation and other properties of old galaxies, the researchers said. The […]
Neighboring Galaxy Dazzles in Most Detailed Radio Image Ever
The atomic hydrogen gas of the Small Magellanic Cloud, revealed by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder telescope, gives researchers a window into the dwarf galaxy’s dynamics. A new radio image of our neighboring dwarf galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud, highlights its swirls of atomic hydrogen gas to help researchers understand the galaxy’s evolution. The […]
Take Slooh's 'Supermoon Challenge' This Week
If you’ve got plans to celebrate this weekend’s supermoon , the astronomy broadcasting service Slooh would like to hear about them. Slooh is soliciting your ideas for its “Supermoon Challenge,” an interactive event that will complement its online coverage of the supermoon this Sunday (Dec. 3) at Slooh.com . “So, what are you doing this supermoon?” […]
Planet Nine: Theories About the Hypothetical Planet
Artist’s illustration of Planet Nine, a hypothesized world about 10 times more massive than Earth that may orbit in the far outer solar system. Doomsayers’ fears about the putative planet are unfounded, experts stress. A massive ice giant may be traveling through the outer solar system. Dubbed “Planet Nine,” the hypothetical world was proposed to […]