https://skyandtelescope.com

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Simons Observatory: Big Bang Examiner -

In February, Sky & Telescope Contributing Editor Govert Schilling visited three new astronomical observatories in northern Chile. This chronicle of the Simons Observatory is the first of a three-part blog series.

The post Simons Observatory: Big Bang Examiner appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 11 – 20 -

The bright Moon pairs with Spica on Saturday the 12th. Three nights later, the waning Moon in the small hours occults one of the head stars of Scorpius.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 11 – 20 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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New Gear at the Northeast Astronomy Forum -

Smartscopes starred at this year's Northeast Astronomy Forum in New York, and Sky & Telescope welcomed conversations with our readers.

The post New Gear at the Northeast Astronomy Forum appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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Experts Call for Urgent Action on Space Debris -

A European conference on the status of space debris had experts calling for immediate action to not just prevent but actively clean up the problem.

The post Experts Call for Urgent Action on Space Debris appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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New Comet SWAN Now Visible in Small Scopes -

A new comet discovered in spacecraft images is bright enough to make you get out of bed before dawn.

The post New Comet SWAN Now Visible in Small Scopes appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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Sky & Telescope Goes to Greenland -

Despite inopportune clouds, Sky & Telescope's first tour to Greenland offered unforgettable adventures with enormous icebergs, sled dogs, and more.

The post Sky & Telescope Goes to Greenland appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 Might Aim for the Moon -

The asteroid that will now definitely not hit Earth has the highest odds ever for a predicted lunar impact — but a miss is still more likely.

The post Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 Might Aim for the Moon appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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Astronomy in Pictures: From Cosmic Lenses to Dust Devils on Mars -

Some cosmic perspective is a perfect cure for the Monday blues!

The post Astronomy in Pictures: From Cosmic Lenses to Dust Devils on Mars appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 4 – 12 -

The first-quarter Moon joins the Mars-Pollux-Castor trio, which are on their way to lining up straight. When the Moon turns full, it will meet Spica.

The post This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 4 – 12 appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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New Nova in the "Teapot," Algol Blinks, and Uranus Occults a Star -

A new nova for early risers plus three fun observing projects for the week ahead.

The post New Nova in the "Teapot," Algol Blinks, and Uranus Occults a Star appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

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https://spaceflightnow.com

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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket booster on record-setting 27th time on midnight Starlink flight - The Starlink 6-73 mission featured Falcon 9 booster, tail number 1067, which launched for a record-setting 27th time. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened on Monday, April 14, at 12 a.m. EDT (0400 UTC).

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SpaceX launches Starshield satellites for the NRO on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg - The NROL-192 mission will the 10th to date supporting the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) proliferated architecture satellite constellation. Liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base was at 5:25 a.m. PDT (8:25 a.m. EDT, 1225 UTC) on Saturday April 12, 2025.

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SpaceX launches 400th flight-proven Falcon booster with Saturday Starlink mission - The Starlink 12-17 mission carried 13 Starlink V2 Mini satellites that feature Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center happened Saturday, April 12, at 8:53 p.m. EDT (1253 UTC).

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Poor weather forces a scrub of the Kuiper 1 launch on a ULA Atlas 5 - The mission will be the first deployment of full production Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit. ULA is determining their next launch opportunity following the scrub Wednesday evening.

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SpaceX to launch second accelerated GPS 3 satellite mission in late May - This mission follows a similar model of processing used during the Rapid Response Trailblazer (RRT-1) mission, which saw the launch of the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 07 (SV-07) spacecraft on a Falcon 9 instead of a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket as originally planned.

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SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB - Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East occurred at 4:06 p.m. PDT (7:06 p.m. EDT, 2306 UTC) on Monday, April 7.

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U.S. Space Force awards $13.7 billion in new national security launch contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX and ULA - The 54 national security missions will be awarded over the course of five years spanning FY25-FY29. The U.S. Space Force said missions are anticipated to fly from FY27-FY32.

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SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Saturday night Falcon 9 flight - The Starlink 6-72 mission was the 26th launch of Starlink satellites in 2025. Liftoff of from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 11:07 p.m. EDT (0307 UTC).

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Amazon targets April 9 for launch of 1st production satellites for its Project Kuiper internet mega-constellation - The mission will send the first full batch of 27 operational satellites into low Earth orbit. United Launch Alliance will launch its Atlas 5 551 rocket from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on April 9 during a three-hour window that opens at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 UTC).

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SpaceX launches Thursday night for Falcon 9 launch with 27 Starlink satellites - This will be the 12th launch of the year from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East happened on Thursday, April 3, at 6:02 p.m. PDT (9:02 p.m. EDT, 0102 UTC).

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https://www.space.com

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Matter-spewing 'singularities' could eliminate the need for dark energy and dark matter - A new cosmic model suggests that singularities could briefly pop into existence, spewing matter and energy into the cosmos, negating the need for dark energy and dark matter.

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New photos from European Mars orbiter show dynamic, volcanic Red Planet terrain - The European Space Agency just released some new snapshots from its Mars Express orbiter that detail the dynamic terrain of the Red Planet's Acheron Fossae region.

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Aisha Bowe becomes 1st Bahamian woman to reach space, remembers Alan Shepard’s landmark flight: 'He landed in Grand Bahama' (video) - On Monday (April 14), Aisha Bowe became the first Bahamian woman to launch to space — and she already wants to go back.

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Aurora alert! Powerful geomagnetic storm could spark northern lights as far south as Illinois and Oregon tonight - Heads up aurora chasers! Powerful geomagnetic storm conditions could trigger northern lights at mid-latitudes overnight as CME impact is detected.

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Katy Perry just became the 1st pop star to sing in space — but Lance Bass, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Sarah Brightman and Justin Bieber had their chance - Katy Perry isn't the first performer with space ambitions; Lance Bass, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber all hoped to be first at one time or another.

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Star's swan song captured by Hubble Telescope | Space picture of the day for April 15, 2025 - Planetary nebula Kohoutek 4-55 as viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope.

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NASA astronaut Don Pettit and 2 cosmonauts will return to Earth on April 19 - NASA astronaut Don Pettit and two cosmonaut colleagues will return to Earth from the International Space Station on Saturday night (April 19), if all goes to plan.

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'I've never been more proud of my friend than today,' Oprah Winfrey says as she watches Gayle King launch on Blue Origin rocket (video) - Oprah Winfrey was on hand April 14 to witness the launch of Blue Origin's historic NS-31 mission, which carried her friend of nearly 50 years, journalist Gayle King, to and from suborbital space.

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Alien life could exist on Saturn's big moon Titan — but finding it will be tough - Alien life could exist on the huge Saturn moon Titan, but probably not in the abundance scientists once hoped, according to a new study.

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Bungie's next sci-fi shooter 'Marathon' has been revealed with a trio of action-packed trailers, a release date, and a closed alpha (video) - Cybernetic mercenaries team up to venture into an abandoned colony planet, grab valuable loot, and fight each other in Bungie's Marathon reboot.

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Pulsar Fusion unveils vision for ‘Sunbird’ nuclear rocket to reach Mars in half the time (video) - Pulsar Fusion just released a video showcasing its planned Sunbird nuclear fusion rocket, which is designed to reach speeds of about 329,000 mph (500,000 kph).

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James Webb Space Telescope sees a celestial Venn diagram around a dying star - A stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope is allowing astronomers to examine the complex and turbulent final stages of a dying star.

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Gayle King just conquered her fears with Blue Origin's all-female space launch. Here's how she did it. - Journalist Gayle King conquered her fear of flying in a big way today (April 14), going to space with Katy Perry and others in Blue Origin's historic all-female flight.

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100th person to fly only a suborbital spaceflight | Space picture of the day for April 14, 2025 - Aisha Bowe filled a milestone seat when she flew on Blue Origin's 11th human and first all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025.

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‘It is the highest high’: Here's what Katy Perry and the 5 other women of Blue Origin's historic all-female flight felt after liftoff (videos) - Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket lifted off on the NS-31 mission with Katy Perry and five other women on April 14, for a suborbital spaceflight that left a deep and lasting impact on the entire crew.

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Amanda Nguyen becomes 1st Vietnamese woman to fly to space: 'This journey really is about healing' (video) - Amanda Nguyen has become the first Vietnamese woman to fly to space; her spaceflight is a testament to her achievements as an accomplished scientist, and is also part of a larger story of healing as a survivor of sexual assault.

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'I feel super connected to love': Katy Perry reflects on her historic space launch with Blue Origin (video) - Katy Perry just flew to suborbital space on a historic all-female flight with Blue Origin. The trip, though brief, changed her in significant ways the pop star said.

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Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 is this weekend, and here are 5 things we want to see from the year's biggest Star Wars event - Star Wars Celebration is returning to Japan later this month, so here's a list of things we expect (and hope) to see addressed at the event.

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View the wonders of the night sky with one of the best star projectors around — now at one of its cheapest-ever prices - This fantastic Pococo Galaxy Star Projector is user-friendly, delivers bright, high-resolution projections and rivals more expensive rivals for performance.

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Pop star Katy Perry and crew's Blue Origin spaceflight souvenirs - A flag flown to the moon, a cookie from Cookie Monster and a locket gifted by an actress are now all space artifacts, having briefly left the planet with pop star Katy Perry and five more women.

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Some dark matter haloes could roll through the universe like hollow cosmic Easter Eggs - The universe could be packed with dark matter haloes that have no galaxy fillings.

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With 70% off, this Apple TV+ offer is one of the best streaming deals I've ever seen — watch all episodes of "Severance" and much, much more for just $2.99 a month - You'll have to hurry though, as there are only nine days left to grab this Apple TV+ deal.

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Katy Perry and Gayle King launch to space with 4 others on historic all-female Blue Origin rocket flight - Blue Origin launched the first all-female spaceflight in more than 60 years today (April 14), sending Katy Perry and five crewmates on a brief trip to suborbital space.

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Rare double solar blast unleashes 2 CMEs towards Earth — auroras possible April 16 - Double solar eruptions could spark G2 geomagnetic storms and auroras above northern U.S. states on April 16. Keep your eyes on the skies!

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We finally have a release date for ‘The Alters’, the sci-fi survival game where you team up with your clones to survive a planet on fire (video) - The next game from 11 Bit Studios, the team behind Frostpunk, is almost here, and this time, things are about to get personal.

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April's Full Pink Moon captivates skywatchers worldwide with dazzling 'micromoon' show (photos) - Skywatchers around the world turned their heads — and lenses to the skies to capture the beauty of April’s full Pink Moon — 2025's only micromoon.

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Axiom Space to launch its 1st orbiting data centers this year - Axiom Space will launch two orbiting data center nodes into low Earth orbit by the end of this year, as the first step in the development of off-Earth computing infrastructure.

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3 big hunks of space junk crash to Earth every day — and it's only going to get worse - At least three old satellites or rocket bodies fall to Earth every day, a new report reveals. Some experts think it's a worrying trend.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites to orbit on record-breaking 27th flight (video, photos) - SpaceX broke its rocket-reuse record yet again early Monday (April 14), launching a batch of Starlink internet satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket that flew for the 27th time.

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Katy Perry and Blue Origin's all-female rocket crew get Monse designer flight suits - The Monse Blue Origin flight suits were tailored for women from the start, designers say.

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Who is new 'Doctor Who' companion Belinda Chandra? And where have we seen her before? - There's more to the latest 'Doctor Who' companion than initially meets the eye, as we find out in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 1.

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I’m headed to STARMUS La Palma 2025, where curious minds will gather under one of the darkest skies on Earth - STARMUS La Palma 2025 is set to unite space, science and stargazing with presentations and concerts under some of the darkest skies in the world.

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Not just Katy Perry: Here are the celebrities Blue Origin has launched to space - With Katy Perry's all-female spaceflight set to launch on April 14, here's a look at the other celebrities who have flown to space with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

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Blue Origin set to launch all-female spaceflight with Katy Perry today - Blue Origin will launch an all-female spaceflight with Katy Perry on Monday morning (April 14), and you can watch the historic action live.

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SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket, lands booster on ship at sea (video) - A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Saturday (April 12), carrying 21 Starlink satellites to orbit.

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'The Dream is [still] Alive': First IMAX film shot in space at 40 years - James Neihouse had one more thing to share. He pulled out a frame displaying strips of tape, each of which had notes from astronauts who filmed the IMAX movie "The Dream is Alive" 40 years ago.

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'I'm really excited about the engineering of it all.' Katy Perry is psyched for her Blue Origin launch on April 14 - The pop star is leaning into STEM ahead of her spaceflight.

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This Week In Space podcast: Episode 156 — Rocket Blast - On Episode 156 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik welcome Phil Metzger to discuss the dangerous realities of rocket plumes.

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SpaceX launches 9th batch of 'proliferated architecture' spy satellites for US government (video) - SpaceX launched the ninth batch of "proliferated architecture" spy satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Calfornia's central coast today (April 12).

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You don't need to like every episode of 'Doctor Who' — in fact, it's probably a good thing if you don't - If the perennially versatile 'Doctor Who' isn't a mixed bag, it isn't fulfilling its true potential.

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How to watch Blue Origin launch Katy Perry and crew to space on a historic all-female spaceflight today - Blue Origin will stream the launch of its next suborbital tourism mission, which features a star-studded, all-female crew, on April 14.

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Easter is coming late in 2025, astronomically speaking. Here's why - Easter falls on the Sunday that follows the first full moon occurring on or after the day of the spring equinox. So it seems like Easter should be this weekend. Here's why it isn't.

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The newest GOES weather satellite in NOAA's fleet is now fully operational (video) - The powerful GOES-19 satellites, one of the most advanced ever built, has taken on a new name.

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Auroras could spice up April's Full Pink 'micromoon' this weekend - There’s a chance to see both a Full Pink micromoon and the northern lights in the sky for some this weekend.

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Trump administration could slash NASA science budget by 50%, reports suggest - Budget passback documents reportedly suggest the White House wants to cut NASA's budget by half — possibly closing down Goddard Space Flight Center.

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Elon Musk's DOGE team given 'alarming degree' of access to NASA systems, House Democrats say - The latest in a series of letters from House Democrats to NASA officials claims that Elon Musk's DOGE staffers have been given "unrestricted physical access" to agency facilities. NASA has yet to respond.

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The Fantastic Four suit up in awesome spacesuits in this sneak peek at 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' - Marvel's First Family is dressed for success against the Devourer of Worlds

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'The Empire can not win' — A pair of explosive 'Andor' Season 2 teasers drop ahead of April 22 release (video) - We're less than two weeks out for Disney+'s rousing 'Rogue One' prequel series return!

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Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission - Astroscale and Orbit Fab are teaming up to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites in geostationary orbit high above Earth, demonstrating a capability that could reshape space operations.

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How to watch 'Doctor Who' season 2 online and from anywhere - There's a new companion in the TARDIS... Here's how to watch "Doctor Who" season 2 online on BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Disney Plus in the US.

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https://www.nasa.gov

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NASA Aims to Fly First Quantum Sensor for Gravity Measurements - Researchers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, private companies, and academic institutions are developing the first space-based quantum sensor for measuring gravity. Supported by NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), this mission will mark a first for quantum sensing and will pave the way for groundbreaking observations of everything from petroleum reserves to […]

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What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades 5-8) - This article is for students grades 5-8. Aerodynamics is the way objects move through air. The rules of aerodynamics explain how an airplane is able to fly. Anything that moves through air is affected by aerodynamics, from a rocket blasting off, to a kite flying. Since they are surrounded by air, even cars are affected by […]

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What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades K-4) - This article is for students grades K-4. What Are the Four Forces of Flight? Aerodynamics is the way air moves around things. The rules of aerodynamics explain how an airplane is able to fly. Anything that moves through air reacts to aerodynamics. A rocket blasting off the launch pad and a kite in the sky […]

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Testing NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) - NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) is loaded into the X-ray and Cryogenic Facility (XRCF) thermal vacuum chamber at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in this photo from March 20, 2025. There, the spacecraft will undergo testing such as dramatic temperature changes to simulate the harsh environment of space. The IMAP […]

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Experience the Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Mission - Digital content creators are invited to register to attend the launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to carry astronauts to the International Space Station for a science expedition as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This will be the 15th time a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 rocket takes crews to the […]

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Atomic Clock and Plant DNA Research Launching Aboard NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 Mission  - NASA’s SpaceX 32nd commercial resupply services mission, scheduled to lift off from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in April, is heading to the International Space Station with experiments that include research on whether plant DNA responses in space correlate to human aging and disease, and measuring the precise effects of gravity on time.   Discover more […]

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Why Do We Grow Plants in Space? - Why do we grow plants in space? Plants are such versatile organisms that they can fulfill many roles in our exploration of space. Plants provide us with food, with oxygen, they can recycle water and waste, and they can even provide us with psychological benefits. So all these functions will help NASA in fulfilling our […]

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Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight  - When Michael Ciancone joined NASA in 1983, he could hardly imagine what his 40-plus-year career would entail. From honoring and preserving spaceflight history to advancing safety standards, he has undoubtedly woven his knowledge and experience into NASA’s history as well as its future.   Ciancone currently serves as the Orion Program safety lead, overseeing the Office […]

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Can Solar Wind Make Water on Moon? NASA Experiment Shows Maybe  - Scientists have hypothesized since the 1960s that the Sun is a source of ingredients that form water on the Moon. When a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind smashes into the lunar surface, the idea goes, it triggers a chemical reaction that could make water molecules.    Now, in the most realistic lab […]

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https://astronomynow.com

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A faint star will reveal itself as it throws a hissy-fit - A rare nova explosion, bright enough to see with the naked eye, may be imminent. Astronomers predict the binary star system could erupt as soon as Thursday, March 27.

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Saturn’s Rings to “Disappear” - Saturn's iconic rings set to vanish this weekend as rare "ring plane crossing" aligns them edge-on with Earth for the first time since 2009.

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The Lithium Problem - One of the most significant challenges to the Big Bang hypothesis that emerged recently concerns the abundance of the element lithium.

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Discover the many fascinating moons of our Solar System - The Atlas of Moons makes space exploration accessible to everyone, bridging the gap between complex data and public curiosity. This interactive experience brings the solar system’s moons to life, inviting users to explore them up close.

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A bigger and better helicopter to Mars - Ingenuity, the plucky little helicopter, has proven that flight on another planet is possible. Over 72 remarkable flights, it captivated space enthusiasts worldwide. Yet, despite its achievements, Ingenuity’s limitations have driven NASA to envision something even more advanced.

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Photogenic Lunar Eclipse! - The night sky is set to dazzle this month as the first total lunar eclipse in over two years takes center stage. Visible from the UK, US, and various spots worldwide, this celestial phenomenon promises a breathtaking view — no special equipment required.

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Get ready for the Solar Eclipse - On the morning of March 29, UK residents can witness a partial solar eclipse, weather permitting. Though less dramatic than a total eclipse, it’s a rare chance to see the Moon partially cover the Sun—the first such event visible from the UK in over 25 years!

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Sights on a new flyby for New Horizons - In 2019, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft flew past Arrokoth, the most distant and ancient object explored. Now, as it journeys farther, chief scientist Alan Stern has shared exciting new updates.

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Messier 108 & 109: View the Great Bear’s contrasting spiral galaxies - Messier 108 (NGC 3556) and Messier 109 (NGC 3992) may not receive as much attention as the stunning Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) or the famous duo of Messier 81 and 82. However, this contrasting pair of spiral galaxies deserves more recognition.

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NASA Downgrades the Risk of 2024 YR4 to Below 1% - NASA astronomers are tracking asteroid 2024 YR4. Earth impact risk dropped to 0.28%, while lunar impact probability increased to 1%. Observations continue.

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https://www.marsdaily.com

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Engineer targets next frontier in lunar welding technology - Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 14, 2025
As plans to establish long-term human presence on the Moon and Mars accelerate, researchers are developing new techniques to enable construction in hostile, low-gravity environments. One such breakthrough effort is underway at The University of Texas at Dallas, where Dr. Wei Li is creating a virtual lunar welding platform to support the assembly of large-scale structures in space. Dr. Li,

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NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover Studies Trove of Rocks on Crater Rim - Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 14, 2025
Scientists with NASA's Perseverance rover are exploring what they consider a veritable Martian cornucopia full of intriguing rocky outcrops on the rim of Jezero Crater. Studying rocks, boulders, and outcrops helps scientists understand the planet's history, evolution, and potential for past or present habitability. Since January, the rover has cored five rocks on the rim, sealing samples from th

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Astronomers identify rare Earth-crossing asteroid from unexpected source - Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 14, 2025
Astronomers at W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i, have traced the origin of 2024 YR4, an Earth-crossing asteroid discovered in December 2024, to a surprising location. Contrary to expectations, the solid, stony asteroid appears to have emerged from a central Main Belt asteroid family between Mars and Jupiter-a region not previously associated with Earth-crossing bodies. "YR4 spin

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Just Keep Driving - Sols 4507-4508 - Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 14, 2025
Earth planning date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025: Our drive from Monday's plan was mostly successful, putting us ~22 meters down the "road" out of an expected 30 meters. A steering command halted the drive a little short when we tried to turn-in-place but instead turned into a rock, which also had the effect of making our position too unstable for arm activities. Oh well! APXS data has been showing

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A step closer to Martian habitability as lichens endure simulated surface conditions - Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 10, 2025
In a breakthrough experiment, scientists have demonstrated that some species of lichens can survive conditions that mimic those on Mars, including intense ionizing radiation, while continuing to function metabolically. The research, published in IMA Fungus, offers compelling evidence that lichens could potentially endure the extreme surface environment of Mars. This finding challenges long

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How to engineer microbes to enable us to live on Mars - Manchester UK (SPX) Apr 03, 2025
Associate Tutor and PhD Candidate in Philosophy of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University A field known as synthetic biology has become one of the most highly anticipated in science. Its outputs range from golden rice, which is genetically engineered to provide vitamin A, to advances stemming from the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the entire human genome. Prominent v

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A step closer to Martian survival as lichens endure harsh red planet conditions - Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 02, 2025
For the first time, scientists have confirmed that certain species of lichen can remain metabolically active while exposed to simulated Martian conditions, including levels of ionizing radiation equivalent to those expected during intense solar activity on Mars. The findings, published in the open-access journal IMA Fungus, point to the extraordinary resilience of lichens and their potenti

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ExoMars rover to land on Mars aboard European-built platform - Paris, France (SPX) Apr 01, 2025
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Airbus the contract to design and construct the landing platform for the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover, marking a major step forward for the mission targeting a 2028 launch. The European-led initiative will search for traces of life, past or present, on Mars. Airbus teams in the UK will handle development of the platform's mechanical systems, t

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Martian dust may endanger astronaut health during surface missions - Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 01, 2025
New research involving the University of Colorado Boulder warns that exposure to Martian dust could pose serious health threats to astronauts on future missions. According to the study, prolonged contact with this extraterrestrial dust may result in chronic lung damage, disruptions to thyroid function, and other harmful conditions. Published in the journal GeoHealth, the study is the first

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Visiting Mars on the Way to the Outer Solar System - Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 30, 2025
Recently Mars has had a few Earthly visitors. On March 1, NASA's Europa Clipper flew within 550 miles (884 kilometers) of the Red Planet's surface on its way out to Jupiter. On March 12, the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft flew within about 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) of Mars, and only 300 kilometers from its moon, Deimos. Hera is on its way to study the binary asteroid Didymos and it

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Sols 4488-4490: Progress Through the Ankle-Breaking Terrain - Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 26, 2025
Earth planning date: Friday, March 21, 2025: It's the start of spring here in the Northern Hemisphere on Earth, but in Gale Crater on Mars our rover is still heading into the depths of Martian winter. We're just a few weeks away from Mars' aphelion - the time when it's farthest from the Sun. The Mars-Sun distance varies more significantly than the Earth-Sun distance because of the greater eccent

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Mars climate contrast deepens with new atmospheric wave study - Paris, France (SPX) Mar 26, 2025
Atmospheric waves, which resemble ripples that spread across water surfaces, have long intrigued scientists for their role in planetary climate systems. A new international study titled "Atmospheric Gravity Waves in Mars' Lower Atmosphere: Nadir Observations From OMEGA/Mars Express Data" takes a deep dive into these features on Mars, uncovering major distinctions from Earth. Leveraging dat

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NASA's rover Curiosity finds biggest known organic molecules on Mars - Washington DC (UPI) Mar 25, 2025
The NASA rover "Curiosity" discovered what scientists say is the largest ever seen organic molecules on Mars, raising speculation about if life was created billions of years ago on the Red Planet. "Our study proves that, even today, by analyzing Mars samples we could detect chemical signatures of past life, if it ever existed on Mars," stated Caroline Freissinet, the study's lead author

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NASA's Curiosity Rover Detects Largest Organic Molecules Found on Mars - Greenbelt MD (SPX) Mar 25, 2025
Researchers analyzing pulverized rock onboard NASA's Curiosity rover have found the largest organic compounds on the Red Planet to date. The finding, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests prebiotic chemistry may have advanced further on Mars than previously observed. Scientists probed an existing rock sample inside Curiosity's Sample Analysis at

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Shocking Spherules! - Pasadena CA (JPL) Mar 24, 2025
Last week the Perseverance Science Team were astonished by a strange rock comprised of hundreds of millimeter-sized spheres... and the team are now working hard to understand their origin. It has now been two weeks since Perseverance arrived at Broom Point, situated at the lower slopes of the Witch Hazel Hill area, on the Jezero crater rim. Here, a series of light- and dark- toned bands were vi

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