Deep Space

The latest on the missions plunging far beyond of Earth's orbit, including Voyager I, the Parker Solar Probe, and JUICE.

Latest in Deep Space

A flashing mystery is unfolding at the center of the Milky Way

Science

A flashing mystery is unfolding at the center of the Milky Way A flashing mystery is unfolding at the center of the Milky Way

By Charlie Wood

We might finally know how the first black holes formed

Science

We might finally know how the first black holes formed We might finally know how the first black holes formed

By Neel V. Patel

This distant Neptune-like planet really shouldn’t exist

Science

This distant Neptune-like planet really shouldn’t exist This distant Neptune-like planet really shouldn’t exist

By Neel V. Patel

A bizarre new theory connects supernovae explosions with humans’ ability to walk upright

Science

A bizarre new theory connects supernovae explosions with humans’ ability to walk upright A bizarre new theory connects supernovae explosions with humans’ ability to walk upright

By Neel V. Patel

We may have evidence of a neutron star smashing into a black hole

Science

We may have evidence of a neutron star smashing into a black hole We may have evidence of a neutron star smashing into a black hole

By Neel V. Patel

This stellar Crab Nebula image is the perfect way to celebrate Hubble’s birthday

Science

This stellar Crab Nebula image is the perfect way to celebrate Hubble’s birthday This stellar Crab Nebula image is the perfect way to celebrate Hubble’s birthday

By Alex Schwartz

How scientists saw the ‘invisible’—and captured the first image of a black hole

Science

How scientists saw the ‘invisible’—and captured the first image of a black hole How scientists saw the ‘invisible’—and captured the first image of a black hole

By Neel V. Patel

Here’s the first-ever direct image of a black hole

Science

Here’s the first-ever direct image of a black hole Here’s the first-ever direct image of a black hole

By Neel V. Patel

a pink star with planets around it

Science

Some exoplanets tilt too much, and it’s pushing everyone apart Some exoplanets tilt too much, and it’s pushing everyone apart

By Neel V. Patel

a drawing of a black hole

Science

Supermassive black holes sometimes go on feeding frenzies—here’s how they know it’s time for dinner Supermassive black holes sometimes go on feeding frenzies—here’s how they know it’s time for dinner

By Neel V. Patel

a picture of space with a large circular smear of yellow light at the center

Science

An exploding space cow could be linked to a newborn black hole An exploding space cow could be linked to a newborn black hole

By Neel V. Patel

Hubble Space Telescope

Science

Hubble and the government are broken at the same time, and that’s a problem Hubble and the government are broken at the same time, and that’s a problem

By Neel V. Patel

Megapixels: New Hubble image offers a detailed look at the Triangulum Galaxy

Science

Megapixels: New Hubble image offers a detailed look at the Triangulum Galaxy Megapixels: New Hubble image offers a detailed look at the Triangulum Galaxy

By Jessica Boddy

an illustration of a blue and red planet next to a large sun

Science

Scientists think they’ve found a super-Earth exoplanet dripping with sapphires and rubies Scientists think they’ve found a super-Earth exoplanet dripping with sapphires and rubies

By Neel V. Patel

a nebula in space with a bright star in the center

Science

Megapixels: NASA snapped a shot of a holiday ‘wreath’ in space Megapixels: NASA snapped a shot of a holiday ‘wreath’ in space

By Rachel Feltman

Oxygen might not lead us to aliens after all

Science

Oxygen might not lead us to aliens after all Oxygen might not lead us to aliens after all

By Neel V. Patel

A handful of large dishes point skyward

Science

Dust to dust: How Earth’s most advanced observatory is unraveling our origins Dust to dust: How Earth’s most advanced observatory is unraveling our origins

By Charlie Wood

We finally know how bright the universe is

Science

We finally know how bright the universe is We finally know how bright the universe is

By Charlie Wood

A frozen super-Earth is just six light years away

Science

A frozen super-Earth is just six light years away A frozen super-Earth is just six light years away

By Neel V. Patel

Two NASA spacecraft died in one week—and there’s a connection

Science

Two NASA spacecraft died in one week—and there’s a connection Two NASA spacecraft died in one week—and there’s a connection

By Charlie Wood

Kepler finally ran out of gas, but it will always fuel our planet-hunting ambitions

Science

Kepler finally ran out of gas, but it will always fuel our planet-hunting ambitions Kepler finally ran out of gas, but it will always fuel our planet-hunting ambitions

By Jason Steffen/The Conversation

In the hunt for aliens, satellites may light the way

Science

In the hunt for aliens, satellites may light the way In the hunt for aliens, satellites may light the way

By Charlie Wood

Astronomers think they’ve found a moon the size of Neptune in a distant star system

Science

Astronomers think they’ve found a moon the size of Neptune in a distant star system Astronomers think they’ve found a moon the size of Neptune in a distant star system

By Charles Q. Choi

Science

NASA’s newest planet hunter has already found two potential exoplanets NASA’s newest planet hunter has already found two potential exoplanets

By Mary Beth Griggs

There’s a planet exactly where Star Trek said Vulcan should be

Science

There’s a planet exactly where Star Trek said Vulcan should be There’s a planet exactly where Star Trek said Vulcan should be

By Mary Beth Griggs

This giant exoplanet’s atmosphere teems with glowing hot atoms of titanium and iron

Science

This giant exoplanet’s atmosphere teems with glowing hot atoms of titanium and iron This giant exoplanet’s atmosphere teems with glowing hot atoms of titanium and iron

By Charles Choi

NASA’s most prolific planet-hunting telescope is taking a nap

Science

NASA’s most prolific planet-hunting telescope is taking a nap NASA’s most prolific planet-hunting telescope is taking a nap

By Mary Beth Griggs

The potential for habitability on these exoplanets is tilting in the right direction

Science

The potential for habitability on these exoplanets is tilting in the right direction The potential for habitability on these exoplanets is tilting in the right direction

By Neel V. Patel

Blame loose screws and ‘excessive optimism’ for the latest delay of NASA’s new space telescope

Science

Blame loose screws and ‘excessive optimism’ for the latest delay of NASA’s new space telescope Blame loose screws and ‘excessive optimism’ for the latest delay of NASA’s new space telescope

By Mary Beth Griggs

Does a black hole ever die?

Science

Does a black hole ever die? Does a black hole ever die?

By Mary Beth Griggs

Astronomy’s next big discovery is probably hiding in piles of old data

Science

Astronomy’s next big discovery is probably hiding in piles of old data Astronomy’s next big discovery is probably hiding in piles of old data

By Eileen Meyer/The Conversation

We could move to another planet with a spaceship like this

Science

We could move to another planet with a spaceship like this We could move to another planet with a spaceship like this

By Rachel Feltman

Here’s an amazing new picture of the Lagoon Nebula to celebrate Hubble’s 28th birthday

Science

Here’s an amazing new picture of the Lagoon Nebula to celebrate Hubble’s 28th birthday Here’s an amazing new picture of the Lagoon Nebula to celebrate Hubble’s 28th birthday

By Mary Beth Griggs

Tornadoes are a little different when they happen on the sun

Science

Tornadoes are a little different when they happen on the sun Tornadoes are a little different when they happen on the sun

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA’s most anticipated new telescope just got delayed again

Science

NASA’s most anticipated new telescope just got delayed again NASA’s most anticipated new telescope just got delayed again

By Mary Beth Griggs

Good news: these exoplanets probably have water. Bad news: AHHH SO MUCH WATER.

Science

Good news: these exoplanets probably have water. Bad news: AHHH SO MUCH WATER. Good news: these exoplanets probably have water. Bad news: AHHH SO MUCH WATER.

By Mary Beth Griggs

Now’s your chance to discover a new planet (with Google’s help)

Science

Now’s your chance to discover a new planet (with Google’s help) Now’s your chance to discover a new planet (with Google’s help)

By Mary Beth Griggs

Venus may once have been habitable. Now it can tell us if other worlds might be as well.

Science

Venus may once have been habitable. Now it can tell us if other worlds might be as well. Venus may once have been habitable. Now it can tell us if other worlds might be as well.

By Kate Baggaley

Our closest neighboring star system sounds like a terrible place to live

Science

Our closest neighboring star system sounds like a terrible place to live Our closest neighboring star system sounds like a terrible place to live

By Mary Beth Griggs

Watch the James Webb Space Telescope go through nine months of testing in two minutes

Science

Watch the James Webb Space Telescope go through nine months of testing in two minutes Watch the James Webb Space Telescope go through nine months of testing in two minutes

By Mary Beth Griggs

In his first PopSci appearance, a young Stephen Hawking explains an incredible discovery

Science

In his first PopSci appearance, a young Stephen Hawking explains an incredible discovery In his first PopSci appearance, a young Stephen Hawking explains an incredible discovery

By Peter Gwynne

Alpha Centauri And Beta Centauri

Science

Five questions about NASA’s plans to visit an alien world in 2069 Five questions about NASA’s plans to visit an alien world in 2069

By Rachel Feltman

Artificial intelligence just discovered two new exoplanets

Science

Artificial intelligence just discovered two new exoplanets Artificial intelligence just discovered two new exoplanets

Astronomers just discovered a supermassive black hole from the dawn of the universe

Science

Astronomers just discovered a supermassive black hole from the dawn of the universe Astronomers just discovered a supermassive black hole from the dawn of the universe

By Mary Beth Griggs

merging neutron stars

Science

Gravitational waves just showed us something even cooler than black holes Gravitational waves just showed us something even cooler than black holes

By Sophie Bushwick

Scientists are trying to figure out how to keep bacteria from running rampant on space missions

Science

Scientists are trying to figure out how to keep bacteria from running rampant on space missions Scientists are trying to figure out how to keep bacteria from running rampant on space missions

By Claire Maldarelli

NASA is teaming up with Russia to put a new space station near the moon. Here’s why.

Science

NASA is teaming up with Russia to put a new space station near the moon. Here’s why. NASA is teaming up with Russia to put a new space station near the moon. Here’s why.

By Mary Beth Griggs

This scorching black exoplanet takes in all the light it can and gives almost nothing back

Science

This scorching black exoplanet takes in all the light it can and gives almost nothing back This scorching black exoplanet takes in all the light it can and gives almost nothing back

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

Scientists found something surprising at the heart of these jellyfish galaxies Scientists found something surprising at the heart of these jellyfish galaxies

By Mary Beth Griggs

This giant exoplanet has a glowing atmosphere

Science

This giant exoplanet has a glowing atmosphere This giant exoplanet has a glowing atmosphere

By Aparna Nathan

What the heck is ‘ice VII,’ and why are scientists using lasers to make it?

Science

What the heck is ‘ice VII,’ and why are scientists using lasers to make it? What the heck is ‘ice VII,’ and why are scientists using lasers to make it?

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

Don’t get too hyped about ‘Planet 10’ just yet Don’t get too hyped about ‘Planet 10’ just yet

Science

NASA found a bunch more potentially habitable planets NASA found a bunch more potentially habitable planets

By Rachel Feltman

This distant planet is hotter than many stars

Science

This distant planet is hotter than many stars This distant planet is hotter than many stars

By Mary Beth Griggs

Scientists are trying to confirm the existence of a giant ringed planet

Science

Scientists are trying to confirm the existence of a giant ringed planet Scientists are trying to confirm the existence of a giant ringed planet

By Mary Beth Griggs

two black holes orbiting each other

Science

LIGO spots its third black hole merger LIGO spots its third black hole merger

By Sophie Bushwick

Meltwater in crevasses in southern Greenland

Science

3D printed ovaries, a shape-shifting optical illusion, and other amazing images of the week 3D printed ovaries, a shape-shifting optical illusion, and other amazing images of the week

By Claire Maldarelli

Proxima b, one of 5,000 confirmed exoplanets.

Science

If Proxima b has an atmosphere like Earth’s, it might be habitable If Proxima b has an atmosphere like Earth’s, it might be habitable

four supernovas

Science

A warp in space-time just gave us four views of one exploding star A warp in space-time just gave us four views of one exploding star

Scientists discover yet another rocky planet that could (maybe) host alien life

Science

Scientists discover yet another rocky planet that could (maybe) host alien life Scientists discover yet another rocky planet that could (maybe) host alien life

By Rachel Feltman

Dazzling light show spotted on Uranus

Science

Dazzling light show spotted on Uranus Dazzling light show spotted on Uranus

By Rachel Feltman

This Earth-size virtual telescope could take the first picture of a black hole

Science

This Earth-size virtual telescope could take the first picture of a black hole This Earth-size virtual telescope could take the first picture of a black hole

This star is orbiting insanely close to a black hole

Science

This star is orbiting insanely close to a black hole This star is orbiting insanely close to a black hole

By Rachel Feltman

NASA wants the internet to get hype about these new exoplanets

Science

NASA wants the internet to get hype about these new exoplanets NASA wants the internet to get hype about these new exoplanets

By Rachel Feltman