Astronomy
The study of the universe and space, including planets, the solar system and comets
Earth-Like Planets Could be Right Next Door
Astronomers estimate that billions of habitable planets are orbiting red dwarf stars. What would it be like to live there?
June 2013 |
By Bruce Lieberman
Earth-Moon: A Watery “Double-Planet”
New work on lunar samples reveal a shared source for water in the deep interior of both Earth and Moon.
May 14, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Europe’s (Really) Cool Telescope Ends Operations
The Herschel Space Telescope closes its eye after the last of its coolant evaporated this week.
April 30, 2013 |
By Heather Goss
Thin Crust Moon
New data from NASA's GRAIL mission suggest that the crust of the Moon is thinner than we had thought. Is this idea consistent with the geological evidence?
April 24, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Five Reasons to Like NASA’s Asteroid Retrieval Mission
So it's not the Moon or Mars. Get over it.
April 12, 2013 |
By Tony Reichhardt
The Mystery of Shackleton Crater
New information about the interior of the crater Shackleton at the south pole of the Moon sheds some light -- and even more heat -- on the vexing questions remaining about water on the Moon.
April 08, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
That Sounds Familiar
New data from Mars suggest that it may have been hospitable to life in the past. Haven't we heard this before?
March 13, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
What To Do in an Asteroid Emergency
A U.N. action team gets serious about protecting the planet from space rocks.
February 21, 2013 |
By Tom Jones
Gratitude for the Backyard Astronomer
An annual award recognizes amateurs for finding rocks in the sky.
February 14, 2013 |
By Heather Goss
Geological sampling and planetary exploration
Samples from other worlds provide some key information on planetary evolution and history but are they the only way to obtain such knowledge?
February 13, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
How Things Work: Laser Guide Stars
Adaptive optics and lasers are giving ground-based telescopes better-than-Hubble views.
February 2013 |
By Heather Goss
Geological mapping of another world
Thanks to geologic mapping, we understood the story of the Moon well before we actually went there.
January 25, 2013 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Rocks on the Move
Is this the best asteroid visualization yet?
January 09, 2013 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Asteroid Watch
A team of NASA alums is building a spacecraft to protect Earth - and you can help.
January 2013 |
By Bruce Lieberman
How Are Places On The Moon Named?
The rules for naming features on the Moon are simple, but not always logical.
December 31, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
The Lunar Surface – What Lies Beneath
Gravity data from NASA's GRAIL mission show that deeply buried bodies of igneous rock in the crust can be detected from orbit.
December 10, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Lunar History For Sale
A 16th-century telescope, Lunar Orbiter mission documents, early views of deep space, and more go on auction this week.
December 03, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
Reflecting on the Ice of Mercury and the Moon
Recent data from the planet Mercury indicates that water ice is found near its poles. What does this mean for the Moon?
December 02, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Technical Readiness
Using the material and energy resources of space could be a major game-changer for spaceflight. So why haven't we ever done it?
November 17, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
“Life Out There”
The Library of Congress’s first resident astrobiologist takes inspiration from both Carl Sagan and Jerry Garcia.
November 16, 2012 |
By Pat Trenner
