Hubble Reveals Cosmic Bullet That Gave The Bullseye Galaxy Its Record-Breaking Rings

Caught in the act.

California community is sliding toward the Pacific Ocean

NASA Presses Forward Search for VIPER Moon Rover Partner

To advance plans of securing a public/private partnership and land and operate NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission on the

This Fly Larva’s Butt Looks Like a Termite’s Head—and Termites Are Falling for It

Researchers working in Morocco have discovered fly larvae that excel in the art of disguise.

What to know about the asteroid that could hit Earth in 2032

We asked experts at NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology what scientists know about the asteroid that could possibly impact Earth in December 2032.

NASA requests industry proposals for VIPER lunar rover partnership

NASA is moving ahead with plans to partner with a company to deliver a rover to the surface of the moon after the agency canceled the mission last year.

Space photo of the week: James Webb and Hubble telescopes unite to solve 'impossible' planet mystery

New James Webb Space Telescope observations of a star cluster called NGC 346 are shedding light on how, when and where planets formed in the early universe.

Foggy SpaceX launch overnight: Everything to know about Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch updates on this page, starting about 90 minutes before the early morning launch window opens.

Crescent Moon and Venus light up the night sky

Did you see some of the planetary parade this weekend? You may get another chance later this week.

Life’s building blocks discovered in asteroid dust

This week, explore what lurks in asteroid dust, marvel at the world’s largest beaded burial, discover an elusive creature photographed for the first time, and more.

St. Charles-native, rocket scientist executing mission to the moon

Benjamin Tackett, a St. Charles native and product of D303 schools, and now an aerospace engineer currently working on a mission headed for the moon.

'China vs NASA begins': Asteroid wars heat up as nations race to retrieve cosmic samples

NASA's Bennu samples reveal ancient water traces and life's building blocks, while China plans its own asteroid mission, intensifying the global space race.

Caltech engineers develop technique for wearable sweat biosensors production

Described as core–shell cubic nanoparticles by the Caltech team, nanoparticles are central to the function of the biosensors.

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

NASA's Sunita Williams speaks out as Trump tasks Elon Musk to bring back stranded astronauts; ‘We initially thought it…’

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who is stuck in space for past eight months, disclosed that she has lost the capacity to execute a number of fundamental tasks.

Unlocking Lunar Secrets: NASA Seeks Partners for Groundbreaking Moon Rover Mission!

NASA is inviting U.S. companies to submit proposals for the operation of the VIPER rover on the Moon. The deadline for submissions is February 20. This collaboration aims to enhance knowledge of lunar ice and is part of the Artemis campaign. Selected partners will be responsible for the rover’s landing and data collection using its advanced instruments. All data generated from the mission must be shared openly to promote collaborative science. This opportunity seeks to elevate commercial space capabilities and encourage scientific contributions by private companies. The mission is crucial for identifying water ice locations, aiding future manned lunar missions.

Hubble Telescope captures cosmic collision from 50 million years ago

Asteroid skimming by Earth in 2032 could be a threat. Scientists may consider 'spacecraft-based response'

Your ears can't prick up, but your ear muscles sure try

Humans actually have vestigial muscles that activate when listening closely to something, even though people lost the ability to really move their ears about 25 million years ago.

'Stranded' Starliner astronauts finally have a return date — and it's sooner than expected

NASA will send astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home from the International Space Station early on a previously used SpaceX Dragon space capsule, not on a brand-new one, the agency announced.

Back-to-back SpaceX rocket launches on Monday: Where to watch in Sebastian, Vero Beach

Who's up for back-to-back rocket launches? Weather permitting, two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets should be visible on the Treasure Coast after liftoff.

The Bennu asteroid reveals clues to how the building blocks of life on Earth may have been seeded

In 2023, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission returned from space with a sample of an asteroid named Bennu and scientists got to dive into a tale of rock, ice and water that hints at how life could have formed on Earth.

Chances Of City-Killing Asteroid Impact In 2032 Upped To 1 in 43

No word yet on whether NASA has reached out to Bruce Willis

This River Is Filled With Human Bones but No One Knows Exactly Why

Was it some sort of ritual—or something bloodier?

Researchers: NASA Asteroid Samples Contain ‘Building Blocks’ of Life

Scientists say material collected from an asteroid appears to contain some of the chemical building blocks of life. An American spacecraft collected the samples from the asteroid Bennu in 2020. Researchers say the samples contain carbon and other elements.

A year in isolation: 366-day mock moon mission wraps up in Russia

The SIRIUS-23 project could help our species take the next giant leap.

Bonobos can tell when they know something you don't

Recognising that someone lacks information you possess is key for effective communication and cooperation, and bonobos seem to share this skill with humans

'Dazzling' Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the moon in Feb. 2025 skywatching

Learn where to see Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the moon in February 2025. [Night sky: What you can see this month](https://www.space.com/16149-night-sky.html) [Best night sky events this month - stargazing maps](https://www.space.com/33974-best-night-sky-events.html) Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Not too hard, not too soft, rotting fruit is just right - for fruit fly maggots

It turns out, a maggot's preference for rotting fruit has as much to do with texture as taste. Researchers are looking into figuring out why and what neurons are responsible.

Chances of asteroid approaching Earth doubling in 2032

NASA's new observations of the asteroid, named 2024 YR4, led to a 2.3 per cent probability of hitting Earth on 22 December 2032.

Nasa needs saving from itself – but is this billionaire right for that job?

The success of SpaceX, Blue Origin and other private-sector space firms are throwing up hard questions about the direction of America's 'great national treasure'

NASA Seeks Partner for VIPER Moon Rover Project

NASA's VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) sits outside a testing chamber after completing its thermal vacuum testing in the fall

Thanks to NASA, you probably won’t have to worry about this asteroid killing you

More data will likely reduce the chance of an impact to zero. If not, we have options.

NASA Advances Pursuit of Industry Ally for VIPER Rover

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 04, 2025 - NASA has revealed a new call for American proposals that outline a public/private partnership to land and operate the agency's VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission on the

Plesiosaur Fossils Preserve Both Skin and Scales on Ancient Sea Monster

The mix of features offers new clues to how plesiosaurs navigated prehistoric oceans.

Study reveals Bronze and Iron Age origins of skeletons in River Thames

"Violence is a particularly common theme for later prehistoric human remains from watery places," said the head researcher.

NASA, Industry Partner On VIPER Moon Rover Mission

NASA announced in July that it was suspending VIPER development due to schedule delays and cost concerns.

Odds of asteroid hitting Earth went up, but that was expected: What to know about 2024 YR4

The odds that asteroid 2024 YR4 could hit Earth in 2032 recently spiked from a little more than 1% to 2.3% as more observations are made.

Bonobos know when you’re clueless

Study provides evidence that our relatives have a “theory of mind.”…

Newly discovered asteroid may hit Earth in 2032: How worried should you be?

The 2024 YR4 was first discovered in December last year by a telescope in Chile. The near-Earth asteroid is as big as a football field, measuring 40 to 100 metres across

A "city-killer" asteroid has a slim chance to crash into Earth

AI Can Now Predict Solar Storms with Unbelievable Accuracy Before They Hit

The Sun is far from quiet—it’s a chaotic, unpredictable force that can unleash powerful solar storms without warning. But what if we could see them coming before they strike? A team of scientists just tested a cutting-edge AI system, and the results were nothing short of astonishing.

Why black holes are more than 'cosmic vacuum cleaners' : Short Wave

Black holes are notorious for gobbling up, well, everything. They're icons of destruction, ruthless voids, ambivalent abysses from which nothing can return — at least, according to pop culture. But black holes have another side: Astrophysicists have seen powerful jets, sometimes millions of light-years long, shooting out of supermassive black holes – including the one at the center of our own galaxy. So today, we're getting to know the other side of black holes, and the powerful role they may play in creating and shaping the cosmos. Read more about the Blandford-Znajek process.Got other cosmic curiosities? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites to orbit from California

Liftoff occurred at 6:02 p.m. EST.

Astrophysicist Reveals The Key Facts About The Asteroid That May Hit Earth

There's no need to panic.

Changes in a Greenland Glacier Hid a Grim Truth of Ice Sheet's Destruction

We're running out of time.

Scientists discover ‘ghost particle’ with highest energy yet in Mediterranean Sea

Scientists have discovered the most powerful ghost particle, 30 times more energetic than any detected on Earth, using a neutrino detector in Mediterranean sea.

Something breathtaking has just been pulled from the steaming springs of Yellowstone National Park

Starwatch: a close meeting between the moon and Mars

From some high northern latitudes the moon will appear to pass in front of Mars, hiding the planet from view

Apes are willing to tell us what we don’t already know

Researchers found that apes such as bonobos can spot gaps in our knowledge and fill them in for us, especially if it helps them get a treat

2024 YR4: What to know about the asteroid that could hit Earth in the future

Scientists across the world, including some in Arizona, are keeping an eye on an asteroid that has a very slim chance of hitting earth in the near future. Here's what to know about asteroid 2024 YR4.

Bonobos Can Tell When a Human Doesn't Know Something

An experiment shows that bonobos can understand when a human lacks knowledge and point them in the right direction

'City-killer' asteroid is hurtling by Earth

SpaceX launching 21 Starlink satellites from Florida on Feb. 3

Liftoff is scheduled for 3:54 a.m. ET.

LA coastal area prone to landslides quickly inches into ocean every week, NASA finds

The Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County continues to inch toward the ocean posing danger to life and infrastructure, a NASA report found.

AZ observatory monitoring near-Earth asteroid

Scientists across the world, including some in Arizona, are monitoring an asteroid that has a very slim chance of hitting Earth in the near future. FOX 10's Steve Nielsen reports.

Community south of Los Angeles sinking towards Pacific Ocean

Will an asteroid collide with Earth? How the Webb telescope will track 2024 YR4

The $10 billion orbiting observatory will give astronomers a better sense of the near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4's size and position.

'Bull's-eye!' Hubble telescope spots record-shattering 9-ring galaxy — and the cosmic 'dart' that smashed through its center

Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a record-smashing galaxy wrapped in 9 rings of stars — along with the dwarf galaxy that violently plunged through its center.

Bonobos Know When You’re Clueless—Their Theory of Mind Explains Why

The bonobos eagerly pointed out treats to humans who didn’t know where they were, but when humans had watched the treats being placedapes, they didn't point.

Central Coast residents may hear sonic boom during SpaceX launch Saturday

On Saturday, SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base at 3:02 p.m.

A ‘parade of planets’ in NYC's night skies for February

Most of the planets can be seen with the naked eye.

Apes may be able to intuitively 'read minds' just like humans

Researchers have convincing evidence that bonobos really can read human minds and use the knowledge to communicate in order to get a tasty treat.

Mars' Secret Revealed: Impact Crater Connected to Planet's Tremors!

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured a new 71-foot impact crater on March 4, 2021, in Cerberus Fossae. NASA’s InSight lander detected over 1,300 marsquakes, providing critical data on Mars’ seismic activity. AI technology is being utilized to analyze meteoroid impact signals and their effects deeper within Mars. Researchers are developing methods to differentiate between seismic signals from meteoric impacts and those originating from the Martian interior. The integration of AI into planetary science is expediting crater identification and advancing our understanding of Mars’ geological history. These discoveries hold implications for studying other rocky worlds, including Earth. On March 4, 2021,

'Impossible' black holes detected by James Webb telescope may finally have an explanation — if this ultra-rare form of matter exists

Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope reveal monster black holes in the early universe that seem to have grown too big, too fast. New research points to a strange form of dark matter as a possible culprit.

Mars spacecraft used AI to find a fresh impact crater on the surface

Mars spacecraft teamed up with an AI model to find a new impact crater on on the Martian surface, changing our understanding of the interior.

Mars meteoroid strike that set off 'marsquake' helps NASA understand Red Planet

NASA researchers used a machine learning algorithm that saved them years of manual work

NASA's SPHEREx Mission Set To Revolutionize Our Cosmic Understanding

Prepare for a monumental leap in our scientific exploration as NASA’s cutting-edge probe, SPHEREx, is set to launch on February 27, 2025. The observatory, short…

NASA Announces Return Date For Astronauts Trapped on ISS

Great news!

Lunar lander captures Earth-eclipse image on road trip to the Moon

Record-Breaking Neutrino From Deep Space Spotted by Undersea Telescope

Could this be the first cosmogenic neutrino ever detected?

NASA pauses work by key space science groups amid Trump executive orders

The space agency's planetary science analysis groups must pause while NASA checks if they comply with Trump's orders.

Stuck in space for over 8 months, Sunita Williams finally gets a return date; a look at her journey - The Times of India

Astronaut Sunita Williams is set to return to Earth after over eight months in space due to delays caused by technical issues. NASA has announced that

Birds-of-paradise use secret biofluorescence to attract mates

Biofluorescence is widespread in birds-of-paradise, a group of tropical birds famous for their spectacular courtship dances.

Is Trump the president who will truly set a course for Mars?

Proponents of going to Mars see peril and opportunity in Elon Musk's close relationship with Trump. Experts say just getting Americans back to the moon in the near future will be challenging enough.

AI Uncovers New Martian Impact Crater and Deep Seismic Signals

How do seismic waves travel within the interior of Mars? This is what two recent studies published in Geophysical Research Letters hopes to address as a te | Space

Climate chaos: How an asteroid strike would change life on Earth

An asteroid strike could cool the planet's climate, harm crops, and disrupt food supply, but it may also increase plankton growth in oceans.

SpaceX launch Monday morning: Everything to know about Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch updates on this page, starting about 90 minutes before the early morning launch window opens.

Near-Earth asteroid Bennu could hit Earth in 157 years and set off a global ‘impact winter,’ study says

Near-Earth asteroid Bennu has a slim chance of colliding with Earth in 2182. If it does, the impact could trigger a global winter that affects our planet for years.

How much did SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 explosion pollute the atmosphere?

Scientists are not sure how much metallic dust remained in the atmosphere after the most recent SpaceX rocket 'disassembly.'

An Asteroid Has a 1-in-63 Chance of Hitting Earth in 2032—Here’s What That Means

A dive into probabilities, asteroid impact modeling, and what sort of damage an approximately 180-foot asteroid could cause on Earth.

Look up! Tuesday's SpaceX launch could be visible from North Carolina

Look east for the vapor trail moments after 6:07 p.m. Tuesday

How to see Jupiter 'kiss' the moon tonight — before Mars breaks them up this weekend

Jupiter and Mars will appear to make ultraclose approaches to the moon on two nights this week. Here's how to get the best view, starting tonight.

The Summerville Light, an iconic local ghost story, might finally have an explanation

The Summerville Light is a local ghost story that has been around for decades. There is a new theory from a USGS researcher might finally explain the specter.

Sunday Puzzle: Hidden human body sentences

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and Lauren Cusitello of San Diego, Cali.

Remarkable Fossil Discovery Hints at Antarctic Origins of All Modern Birds

The debate continues.

Apocalypse When? How Santa Cruz County is preparing for the next disaster

When it comes to disaster preparedness, Santa Cruz County is employing not only a recently established Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience, but also a community nonprofit called CERT that deploys trained volunteers to help where needed. It's all part of an effort to minimize loss and tragedy in the inevitable situations sure to come.

SpaceX launches more Startlink satellites from California

SpaceX launched 22 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California om Saturday.

NASA: Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a chance of hitting Earth in 2032

Experts are tracking asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 1.2% chance of impacting Earth in 2032. Observations continue to refine its path.

This Is Where Asteroid 2024 YR4 Could Strike

There is a 2 percent chance that seven years from now, “the city destroyer” will hit Earth with the force of an 8-megaton nuclear weapon. Here are its possible impact points.

Ice age Europeans as young as 10 years old rocked cheek piercings 30,000 years ago

A study of Paleolithic skeletons from Central Europe suggests people's teeth were worn down and crowded together because of cheek piercings.

Apes may be able to intuitively 'read minds' just like humans

Researchers have convincing evidence that bonobos really can read human minds and use the knowledge to communicate in order to get a tasty treat.

Earth's crust is peeling away under California

A section of the upper mantle and crust under the Sierra Nevada mountains is peeling away, in a process that may mimic how the continents were formed.

Discover the Hidden Process Transforming California's Sierra Nevada Right Now!

The process of lithospheric foundering is reshaping the Earth’s crust beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. This phenomenon involves the separation of lighter ancient materials from heavier ones, contributing to the formation of continental crust. A recent study analyzed seismic data over nearly 40 years, revealing a significant layer of splitting rocks at depths between 25 and 43 miles. Regions around Yosemite National Park are particularly active, showing ongoing geological changes. Small, deep earthquakes in these warm environments indicate the dynamic processes occurring beneath the surface. This geological activity may not be unique to the Sierra Nevada; similar events

Discovery: Powerful 'ghost particle' with clues about the universe

Neutrinos are ghostly subatomic particles that can travel in a straight line for billions of light-years, passing unhindered through galaxies, stars and anything else in their path.

Astronomers are tracking an asteroid that could hit Earth in 2032

The odds are about 1% that the football field-sized object could hit the Earth, but that makes it the closest call in more than 20 years.

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 22 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from California

Lunar-bound Blue Ghost captures stunning video of Earth

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost spacecraft has captured a stunning video clip of Earth ahead of its arrival on the lunar surface.

"It was incredible" — researchers discover nearly 200 dinosaur footprints in England

In a remarkable paleontological discovery, researchers have unearthed hundreds of rare dinosaur footprints in a quarry located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. This groundbreaking find, dating back approximately 166 million years, has shed new light on the behavior and characteristics of ancient reptiles that once roamed the Earth. Unveiling the prehistoric…

'It could illuminate an area the size of a football stadium': How Russia launched a giant space mirror in 1993

The Znamya project had the potential to change the world. The BBC's Tomorrow's World reported on an experiment that was launched in February 1993.

NASA says that, yes, an asteroid buzzing by in 2032 could hit Earth

But — importantly — the chances are still "extremely low," though they have ticked up since the object was first detected.

Scientists predict devastation if asteroid Bennu strikes Earth in 2182

The rocky object called Bennu is classified as a near-Earth asteroid, currently making its closest approach to Earth every six years at about 186,000 miles (299,000 km) away. So what would happen should Bennu strike our planet? Well, it would not be pretty, according to new research based on computer simulations of an impact by an asteroid with a diameter of roughly three-tenths of a mile (500 meters) like Bennu.

Video Suni Williams sets new spacewalk record

Williams has broken the record for the most total spacewalking time by a woman, making her ninth spacewalk.

Scientists Simulated Bennu Crashing to Earth in September 2182. It's Not Pretty.

Odds are only 0.04 percent.

Tennessee's Barry Wilmore to return from space after landing on Trump, Elon Musk radar

President asks SpaceX owner Elon Musk to get astronauts who have been in space since June on a mission expected to last 1-2 weeks.

Greenland's ice is cracking and falling apart at a very alarming rate

Greenland’s ice sheet is fracturing at an alarming rate, revealing the accelerating impact of climate change.

A Lunar Adventure Awaits: NASA Teams Up with Private Companies for Moon Rover Mission!

NASA is collaborating with private companies to launch the VIPER rover to explore lunar resources. The 500-kilogram VIPER rover is designed to locate water ice in the Moon’s shadowed craters. This partnership highlights the role of the private sector in advancing space exploration and technology. A two-step proposal process is in place for U.S. companies, with initial submissions due by March 3. This initiative aims to revitalize the mission after previous delays and emphasizes private investment’s significance. Navigating lunar exploration, this mission promises breakthroughs in understanding the Moon and enhancing landing technologies. NASA is reigniting its ambitious plans to explore