Space

Jul 23, 2014 04:18 PM EDT

Pollution Helps for Search of Alien Life

Researchers are using pollution to help in their search for alien life on other worlds, as described in a study published in The Astrophysical Journal. By observing exoplanet atmospheres, scientists can look for gases like oxygen and methane that only coexist if replenished by life.

Jul 23, 2014 10:31 AM EDT

Hubble's In-Depth Look at Galaxy's Halo

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has allowed astronomers to get a more in-depth look of an outer galaxy's halo of stars than ever before, thanks to new research.

Jul 22, 2014 05:17 PM EDT

A Pulsar and Its Dancing Partner: A Unique Binary System [VIDEO]

NASA's Fermi Gama-ray Space Telescope recently identified an "exceptional" binary system that not only contains a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar, but also a relatively small yellow star. Interestingly, close examination revealed that this second star serves much like a dance partner for the pulsar, causing it to exhibit some unusual behavior.

Jul 21, 2014 08:20 PM EDT

The Exoplanet With the Longest Year

Astronomers have recently discovered a transient exoplanet with the longest year ever seen. Circling its star once every 704 days, Kepler-421b easily wins the title of longest orbit among known exoplanets.

Jul 21, 2014 01:52 PM EDT

Declassified: Plans For Military Moon Base, Explosions, and Espionage

Marking the 45th Anniversary of Neil Armstrong's "one small step," the National Security Archive revealed several declassified documents that, among other things, showed that the US had considered militarizing and even blowing up the Moon.

Jul 19, 2014 10:17 PM EDT

'Great Ball of Fire!' Streaks Over East Coast [VIDEO]

A bright fireball streaking across the sky was spotted by more than 90 witnesses last Thursday night, sparking discussion and speculation as to what it was. The American Meteor Society (AMS) says it was likely a small chunk of space debris, but is waiting for official data to confirm.

Jul 19, 2014 09:05 PM EDT

Flying Robot Assistants Get a Tour of the ISS

NASA's prototype flying robot assistants will be getting the grand tour of the International Space Station (ISS) this weekend, giving the automated helpers ample time to become familiar with their future workplace.

Jul 18, 2014 06:33 PM EDT

Can Cave Diving Prepare Astronauts For Space?

Training astronauts and caving specialists will soon descend into the depths of the Earth in order to train for future space missions, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Jul 18, 2014 05:04 PM EDT

Could the Universe be a Bubble?

Scientists from the Perimeter Institute are working to prove the multiverse hypothesis, a long-debated and controversial theory that the Universe is actually a giant bubble.

Jul 18, 2014 04:32 PM EDT

Why is NASA Spying on Plankton from Space?

NASA is bringing together marine and atmospheric scientists for a very unusual purpose. The space agency says that it wants to spy on phytoplankton from space.

Jul 18, 2014 12:38 PM EDT

Ancient Soil on Mars Suggests Microbial Life

Ancient soil in a crater dating back some 3.7 billion years suggests that Mars was once much warmer and wetter, and possibly harbored microbial life, according to a new study.

Jul 17, 2014 04:39 PM EDT

The Spy Satellite Launch Bidding War Begins

The US Defense Department has chosen to open up bidding for two future launches of satellites essential for national security. This could potentially end what billionaire genius Elon Musk has called a "monopoly" of space-related US defense contracts held by Beoing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.