Tags: Astronomy

Meteor Shower Rains Bits of Halley’s Comet Down on Earth

SPACE When asked to name a comet, chances are people will name Halley's and, in most cases, won't remember any others. Tonight, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower will rain bits of the solar system's most famous comet down on Earth as part of the yearly demonstration to remind us that even though we may not be able to see Halley's comet, it is still above streaking through the heavens.

SpaceX Preps for Test of Dragon Capsule

The Dragon Capsule, a commercial spacecraft designed by SpaceX to ferry U.S. astronauts into orbit by 2017 is set for a major test on Wednesday, when the private space company plans to blast the capsule away from the launch mount at Cape Canaveral on a mile-high demo flight designed to test the craft's ability to protect occupants in the event of a catastrophic rocket failure on the pad.

Super Hot, Super Earth Found 40 Light Years Away

Scientists have discovered a brand new planet only 40 light years away from that is very much like Earth, except for the fact that it is super big and super hot, of course.

New Name for Space Launching System Could Be On The Way

We can all admit that NASA's new system for launching craft into space currently known as the Space Launching System, isn't very catchy. Now, there is a push to give this system a new name and has gained support from lawmakers who have written in the provisions that would order NASA to rename this system from a competition among schoolchildren.

Canada Extends Its Support for the International Space Station

The government has made a commitment to extend Canada's support and participation in the International Space Station mission for another four years, or until 2024. The announcement was included as part of the new federal budget.

Will Russia Dismantle the ISS?

Since 1998, the International Space Station has stood has a symbol of global cooperation even at times when the participating countries weren't seeing eye to eye. It's 15 modules have been inhabited continuously since 2000 and over the years it has played host to almost 200 astronauts and cosmonauts from 15 different nations. However, despite countries extending support until 2024, this could all still come to an end.

A Fond Farewell to NASA’s MESSENGER

More than 10 years ago NASA launched it’s MESSENGER spacecraft with a one-year long orbit mission in mind. But over the course of its 4.9 billion-mile-journey NASA came to find that the decade-long mission would exceed expectations far past their mark.

A Final Scene from Mercury—MESSENGER’s Last View

Before its crash-landing into the surface of its long-studied host planet, NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft sent back its final view of the surface of Mercury. And now NASA is sharing it with you. Exceeding all expectations and lasting more than 4 times its original mission timeline, the spacecraft has been instrumental to NASA’s vast studies of the other planets within our solar system, so with this image and a fiery display to end its mission with flair, the space agency is paying homage to MESSENGER and its long life in orbit.

Signed Up to Go to Mars? Better Think Again, While You Have the Chance

We understand the drive and the passion to explore the new and unknown frontiers of space, but when it comes to the loss of cognitive function or serious IQ points, we know where to draw the line. While humans as a species, and space agencies now, have been speaking about traveling to other planets for as long as anyone can remembers, now knowing what awaits us in space may change a few of your minds—literally.

Are Ceres' Bright Spots Signs of Alien Life? NASA Wants You to Weigh In

From the moment they were discovered by NASA's Dawn spacecraft, the two bright spots on Ceres have fascinated scientists and amateur astronomers across the world. What are they and why are they there? Scientists believed that once Dawn reached orbit they would be able to learn more about these two mysterious spots, but even now they remain a mystery. NASA has made an unusual move by inviting the public to weigh in on what they believe is the nature of these two bright spots.

Cosmic Radiation Reveals Devastating Affects on the Brain—What Plans Will This Change for NASA?

When it comes to life on Earth, we’re one of the most fragile species there is. But thanks to the rather perfect confluence of circumstances and cosmic events, we’re mostly shielded from the dangers of space. Strong ultraviolet rays are kept out, our vital oxygen and water are kept in, and life continues blissfully. But what happens when we leave our own little planet in search of others? What protection do we have then?

House Science Committee Slashes NASA’s Earth Science Budget

In a vote on party lines, Republicans in the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology approved a budget authorization for NASA that would see funding for the Orion and the Space Launch System continue but would slash the agency’s budget for its Earth science division.

May Will Be a Big Month for Sky Gazers

May is shaping up to be one of the best months of 2015 for sky gazers and amateur astronomers across the world with planet watching and meteor showers just some of the highlights of what will be available to see in the night sky.

NASA May Have Just Accidentally Discovered Faster than Light Travel

Long home to science fiction, traveling faster than the speed of light is quite commonplace as heroes and villains alike zip around their galaxy in an effort to engage each other. It has become so popular, in fact, that you would be hard pressed to find anyone on Earth that didn't know about the concept. Now it seems that scientists could have accidentally brought the notion of faster than light travel out of the realm of science fiction and into real science.

Messenger Prepares to Dive Bomb Mercury

NASA's Mercury orbiter, Messenger, is going out with a bang as it prepares to dive bomb the planet in glorious fashion, leaving behind a new crater on the planet closest to the sun that will measure approximately 16 meters wide once the dust has settled.

NASA’s Best Photos Yes of Pluto Show Possible Ice Cap

NASA's New Horizons probe has snapped some of the best photos yet of Pluto and its large moon Charon. The new photos are now beginning to reveal distinct surface features of the distant dwarf planet, including one bright area that could be a snowy polar cap, mission managers said.

Russia Tries to Contact Craft Bound for ISS

Russia is trying to determine what it is going to do after losing contact with the unmanned cargo craft on route to the International Space Station for a resupply mission. Currently the craft is spinning out of control, NASA said.

What If Astronauts “Lose It” in Space?

We all know that being an astronaut is no easy task, that is why NASA has one of the most elaborate and difficult psychological tests of any organization on the planet. Despite all the astronauts currently zooming through space have passed these tests, there is always a risk that one might suffer a psychological breakdown while orbiting high above the Earth. If this happens, what are the fellow astronauts supposed to do about it?
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