SPACE

Getting to the Core of Extinction—Researchers Return to Crater That Caused Millions of Dinosaurs to Die

It’s no big surprise as to why we exited the Jurassic period. The dinosaurs and their lineage ended with a shocking crash when a catastrophic asteroid plummeted to Earth, and dust and debris blocked out the Sun. But now researchers are hoping that by going back to the site of the impact they may be able to learn a bit more about ancient biological and geological processes, and perhaps even what cosmic changes led to the asteroid’s impact.

Round 2 For SpaceX’s 10-Point Landing

It’s first attempt was a failure, but in hopes of creating a more sustainable spaceflight industry, private spaceflight company SpaceX is going to try landing one of their rockets again. And this time you can watch the mission live, no delays and no interruptions like before.

NASA’s Dawn Spacecraft Emerges into the Light

The time has almost arrived. NASA's Dawn spacecraft has sent back some of the first pictures of the dwarf planet, Ceres, after spending about a month approaching the world from its dark side.

SpaceX Poised to Try Daring Rocket Landing Again

SpaceX is set to launch its Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station on Monday, and mission control plans again to make history by landing their rocket back on Earth after blast off. The computer aims to bring the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket back to Earth for a soft touchdown on an unmanned "spaceport drone ship" in the Atlantic Ocean, after the booster sends the Dragon cargo container on its way to the International Space Station.

Organic Molecules Discovered in Young Star System

Astronomers have detected the presence of two molecules in the disc surrounding the star designated MWC 480, in a region that is similar to the Kuiper Belt around our Sun. The discovery of these building blocks of life in a young star shows that the conditions that create organic molecules can happen across the cosmos.

Studies Tackle the Question of the Moon's Origin

For years scientists have struggled to determine the origin of our Moon that lights the night sky faithfully every single night. Now, many believe that the moon may have been formed by a collision between the Earth and another object that happened to be strikingly similar in composition to our own planet.

NASA's Chief Scientist Predicts We Will Find Signs of Alien Life Within 10 Years

The question of whether life outside of this Earth actually exists has been a debate for the record books. However, many today believe that there is, in fact, life outside of the Earth but we just haven't found it yet. NASA's top scientist now predicts that we will find signs of alien life by 2025, with even stronger evidence to come in the years that follow.

Can Life Form in Another Solar System? Scientists Find Building Blocks for Life Around Million-Year-Old Star

While researchers have long believed that the circumstances and the molecular structures involved in the creation of our Sun and of our Earth were unique, it appears that far off in space there may be another solar system brimming with potential for life someday. Utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) researchers with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory have detected for the first time ever the complex organic molecules necessary to create life in a protoplanetary disk surrounding an infant star only a million years into its formation.

Sun Experiences Seasons Just Like the Earth

A new study has found that just like the Earth, our Sun experiences seasonal changes which scientists believe can now help them better predict solar storms.

With the Help of ALMA Astronomers Find Complex Organic Molecules in Infant Solar System

While researchers have long believed that the circumstances and the molecular structures involved in the creation of our Sun and of our Earth were unique, it appears that far off in space there may be another solar system brimming with potential for life someday. Utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) researchers with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory have detected for the first time ever the complex organic molecules necessary to create life in a protoplanetary disk surrounding an infant star only a million years into its formation.

Lava Tubes Could Be Shelter for Expedition to Moon

Lava tubes that are large enough to contain entire cities are now believed to exist on the moon, and scientists believe that they could one day provide shelter from the cosmic radiation associated with space exploration.

Astronomers Witness Star Formation Over 18 Years

Over the last 18 years, astronomers have observed the formation of a massive new star, dubbed W75N(B)-VLA 2. A pair of images of a young star, taken 18 years apart, has revealed dramatic differences providing astronomers with a one of a kind “real time” look at how massive stars develop during the earliest stages of their formation.

Curiosity Rover Curious About Ice Cream Sandwich Rock Formations

NASA's Curiosity rover has analyzed numerous rock samples from three different locations in the lower regions of Mount Sharp that reveal unique mineral compositions. Along with the discovery of the different minerals, there were also prominent veins that show the mountains layers, revealing different stages of weathering. These two toned minerals were found in ridges along a site called "Garden City" where bedrock has eroded and exposed these veins.

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