SPACE.com

Jupiter-Bound NASA Probe Adjusts Course Toward Giant Planet

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:33:22 EST

NASA's Juno probe is the first solar-powered spacecraft to the outer solar system.

Space Rock of Love: Asteroid Eros Attracts Skywatchers in Earth Flyby

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:11 EST

The close pass of the asteroid Eros this week allows astronomy buffs to measure the size of the solar system.

Wanted: Mock Astronauts for Mission to Mars ... in Hawaii

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:33:37 EST

Scientists will study diet & nutrition for "astronauts" who spend four months in a mock space capsule.

NASA Awash In Astronaut Applications, But Still Lacks Spaceships

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:53:07 EST

Not since 1978 have so many people wanted to be a NASA astronaut.

Photos of Space Love: The Asteroid Eros Up Close

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:31:14 EST

See photos of the asteroid Eros taken by NASA's NEAR space probe in 2000, and other observers.

Oh Eros: Valentine's Day Asteroid Makes NEAR Fly-by

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:18:35 EST

The 21-mile long 'God of Love' space rock made its closest approach to Earth (15 million miles away) since 1975 on January 31st, 2012. NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous - Shoemaker (NEAR) mission landed on the asteroid on February 12, 2001.

Earth From Space: The Secret of NASA's Amazing 'Blue Marble' Photos

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:24:56 EST

NASA's Suomi NPP satellite is snapping amazing views of Earth from space, but there's a secret to the photos.

Iran Launches Small Earth-Watching Satellite Into Orbit: Report

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:09:17 EST

Iran launched the satellite "Promise of Science and Industry" satellite using its own Safir 1-B rocket.

Virgin Galactic's Private Spaceship Ramping Up Toward Passenger Flights

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:01:50 EST

Powered test flights should occur this summer.

Stunning Photo Shows Growing Antarctic Ice Rift

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:40:30 EST

This ice plain is breaking up and a new iceberg will be born.

Star Maps From Mobile App Maker Brings Astronomy to the Masses

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:28:50 EST

The makers of Starmap are offering users free customizable star maps and other educational tools.

Hubble Telescope Spies Milky Way Galaxy's Twin

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:28:47 EST

A galaxy similar to our own Milky Way is the subject of Hubble's latest portrait.

Record-Setting Female Astronaut Shannon Lucid Leaving NASA

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:15:33 EST

Shannon Lucid is a veteran of five spaceflights, logging more than 223 days in space.

Hubble Hit: Spiral Galaxy and the Quasars

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:39:23 EST

The space telescope captured an amazing view of spiral galaxy NGC 1073 and three quasars that are right outside its galactic neighborhood. Located in the constellation of Cetus, the galaxy has a bar structure in the center similar to the Milky Way.

Earth's Cities at Night: Photos From Space

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:26:52 EST

The view of our planet from orbit can't be beat.

1st Private Spaceship Flight to Space Station May Slip to April: NASA

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:03:57 EST

The first test launch of SpaceX's Dragon space capsule to the International Space Station will be no earlier than March 20.

Soyuz Rocket's Bumpy Ride - The History

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:23:18 EST

What was once a bicycle manufacturer in in the late-19th century evolved into a plane and rocket producer by the mid-20th century. Still a mainstay today, the Soyuz rocket has launched hundreds of humans and satellites since its first flight.

Russia's Manned Soyuz Space Capsule Explained (Infographic)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:25:16 EST

The workhorse Soyuz spacecraft have been flying for nearly 45 years.

Damaged Russian Spaceship Forces Big Launch Delay for Next Station Crew

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:28:37 EST

The next space station crew will now launch 45 days later than planned due to Russian space capsule damage.

Fireball Over Texas Caught By Police Dash Cam

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:42:53 EST

A squad car from the Little River-Academy Police Department in Texas captured a fireball lighting up the night sky on its dashboard camera on February 1, 2012.

Experiment Investigates How to Fight Fire in Space

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:25:04 EST

Research on the International Space Station can offer fire-fighting tips for space and Earth.

Photos: Jupiter, the Solar System's Largest Planet

Thu, 19 May 2011 14:16:43 EDT

Jupiter is a giant among the solar system planets. See photos of Jupiter from telescopes and visiting spacecraft.

Dizzyingly Fast-Spinning Stars Slow Down by Flying Apart

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:24 EST

Twirling stars called pulsars may blast material out into space to break their spins.

On Groundhog Day, the Sun Has Last Word on Winter

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:10:12 EST

The Earth's position around the sun can tell us how much of winter is left.

Europe's Space Program Spurring Job Growth

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:41:57 EST

With the new addition, Vega, to the family of rockets coming out of Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the need for tech-centric personnel is on the rise. Effectively doubling their yearly launch capability and increasing their value tremendously.

Early Universe May Have Abounded With Dark Matter-Powered Stars

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:24:39 EST

Stars driven by dark matter may not be able to hide much longer.

NASA Report: Greenhouse Gases, Not Sun, Driving Warming

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:13:44 EST

A quiet sun didn't stop the Earth from absorbing more energy than it released back into space.

Newfound Alien Planet is Best Candidate Yet to Support Life, Scientists Say

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:03:32 EST

The planet is located in the "sweet spot" of its parent star's habitable zone.

Vote Now! The Best Spaceships of All Time

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:57:48 EDT

Have a favorite spaceship? Cheer it on in SPACE.com's vote for the best human-carrying spacecraft.

50 Great Russian Rocket Launch Photos

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:14:46 EDT

See some amazing views of Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets launching satellites and spaceships.

On the Edge: Skywatchers Snap Photo of Slender 'Little Sombrero' Galaxy

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:59:33 EST

NGC 7814 is affectionately known as "The Little Sombrero" because it looks like a smaller version of the Sombrero galaxy.

Habitable Zones Around Alien Suns May Depend on Chemistry

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:54:37 EST

Trace elements in such stars may influence their habitable zones, where planets with life could dwell.

Grail Mission Snaps Far Side of the Moon - First Look

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:06:56 EST

NASA's Grail Mission has delivered its first video footage of the far side of the moon. The MoonKam on the 'Ebb' spacecraft snapped the imagery on January 19th, 2012.

NASA Probe Captures 1st Video of Moon's Far Side

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:08:19 EST

NASA's Grail probes have returned their first view of the far side of the moon.

Petitioners Push for Pluto Probe Postage Stamp

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:19:46 EST

The petition hopes to collect 100,000 signatures by March 13.

Earth's Cloudy Past Could Reveal Exoplanet Details

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:47:01 EST

Two astronomers modeled the clouds of Earth's past in an effort to determine how landforms on an alien planet might appear.

Strange Supernova - Cold Gas Cloud Molding Space Oddity?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:08:34 EST

About 15,000 light years from Earth, star remnant G350.1+0.3 has taken shape unlike many circular shaped supernovae. Researchers believe it is expanding into a cold cloud of gas creating the phenomena.

How to See 'Future' Celestial Sights in Pre-Dawn Sky

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:28:53 EST

If you rise extra early, you can catch celestial teasers of the spring and summer night sky.

Astronaut Launches into TV Frontier on 'Big Bang Theory' Today

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:39:58 EST

Astronaut Mike Massimino will test his acting chops on Thursday's airing of the CBS sitcom.

Emergency Launch Escape - The Private Space Way

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:50 EST

SpaceX has recently test fired the next generation of astronaut safeguards, the SuperDraco Engine, with the ability to catapult its Dragon capsule off the rocket and land safely on a landing pad.

Second 'Sunken UFO' Claim Doesn't Hold Water

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:52:19 EST

Analysis of two large, mysterious objects spotted on the sea floor.

'TinKode' Hacker Suspect Arrested for NASA, Government Attacks

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:28:25 EST

Romanian authorities have arrested a 20-year-old believed to be TinKode, a hacker who previously compromised the networks of NASA, the European Space Agency and various U.S. government websites.

New Report Pinpoints NASA's 16 Biggest Space Tech Needs

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:27:12 EST

Space radiation shields for astronauts and solar electric propulsion are on NASA's to-get list.

Remembering Columbia - 'In Their Own Words'

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:30:02 EST

The last crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia talk about their dreams of being astronauts and the spectacle of flying above the Earth in this retrospective.

Photos: NASA's Last Mission to the Hubble Space Telescope

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:56:15 EST

See photos of NASA's final shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

Photos: The Columbia Space Shuttle Tragedy

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:01:22 EDT

On Feb. 1, 2003, NASA's space shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven astronauts were lost during re-entry.

Skywatching Events for February 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:50:15 EST

In February 2012, skywatchers can enjoy views of the zodiacal light, and see Venus and Uranus together in a small telescope.

Glowing Nebula Looks Like Giant Human Face in New Photo

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:30:41 EST

The spectacular new image was captured by one of the telescopes at the La Silla Observatory in Chile.

Space Face: Nebula's Stellar Winds Sculpt Human Profile?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:44:12 EST

Europe's MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope has returned vibrant imagery of the stellar nursery NGC 3324 located in the Carina Nebula. The hot winds of star birth are carving gas and dust. But we only see a human face because we are human.

Reports: Russia Delays Launch of Next Space Station Crew

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:29:25 EST

The chief of Russia's Federal Space Agency said the launch will be delayed by about 45 days.