Astronomy
The study of the universe and space, including planets, the solar system and comets
Pint-Size Sky Watchers
While monster telescopes get the attention, the little guys quietly — and cheaply — rack up cosmic finds.
November 2012 |
By Damond Benningfield
Water from the Sun
What is the ultimate source of the water found at the poles of the Moon? A new study of some lunar soil samples suggests a surprising answer.
October 17, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Once in a Blue Moon
What color is the Moon? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
October 10, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Hit-and-Run Science
Two new and very different scientific studies may revise our understanding of the Giant Impact that supposedly created the Moon.
September 28, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Free Enterprise and “New Space”
Is "New Space" free enterprise?
September 08, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Anyone Need a Hubble Telescope?
NASA puzzles over what to do with a rare gift.
August 31, 2012 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Passing of an Era
Neil Armstrong will always be remembered for his "one small step" but his contributions to spaceflight are numerous.
August 26, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
A Cheap Date
Determining rock ages remotely would create new possibilities for planetary science.
August 24, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Scooping the Soviets
The radio telescope at England's Jodrell Bank Observatory got the news scoop of the century in the early days of the space race.
August 08, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Kavli Meets Kuiper
Two decades later, three scientists are rewarded for discovering a new body of objects in our solar system.
July 25, 2012 |
By Heather Goss
Bubble Bubble – Swirl and Trouble
Localized bubbles of high magnetic intensity may explain some enigmatic lunar surface features
July 19, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Failure to Launch, Failure to Lead
The Space Exploration Initiative and the Vision for Space Exploration -- two proposals, two failures. Why?
July 02, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
An Ocean on Titan
One of the solar system's most interesting places just got even more interesting.
June 28, 2012 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Chesley Bonestell and the Landscape of the Moon
The purpose of art is to soothe the soul, but sometimes it can predict future realities with uncanny precision.
June 14, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Everyone’s Gone To The Moon
Our international space partners want to go to the Moon. Why don't we?
Well, maybe we do.
June 05, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Who discovered water on the Moon?
A recent news story claims that water was found in lunar soil over 30 years ago, but the finding was ignored. True?
June 01, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
Transit of Venus, Then and Now
When you drive to your local observatory to witness the Transit of Venus on Tuesday, spare a thought for the men who sought to witness the spectacle in 1761.
May 29, 2012 |
By Rebecca Maksel
The Inquisitive Astronaut
Don Pettit turns his curiosity—and his camera—loose on board the International Space Station.
May 23, 2012 |
By The Editors
The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers*
The legal status and ownership of resources harvested from space are unclear. How does such uncertainty affect our plans to exploit them?
May 01, 2012 |
By Paul D. Spudis
