Space

The latest discoveries from space agencies and astronomers as they explore galaxies, black holes, exoplanets, and more. Also learn about night sky watching events right here on the home planet.

Latest in Space

This composite simulated image shows how M87* is seen by the Event Horizon Telescope at 86 GHz (red), 230 GHz (green), and 345 GHz (blue). The higher the frequency, the sharper the image becomes, revealing structure, size, and shape that was previously less discernible.

Science

Better images of black holes are coming—maybe even movies Better images of black holes are coming—maybe even movies

a space telescope image of multiple shining stars in reddish clouds

Science

JWST spots six new ‘rogue worlds,’ neither planet nor star JWST spots six new ‘rogue worlds,’ neither planet nor star

By Laura Baisas

Martian meteorite

Science

Just 5 impacts on Mars sent hundreds of meteorites to Earth Just 5 impacts on Mars sent hundreds of meteorites to Earth

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams with two astronauts aboard ISS

Science

Starliner astronauts are watering plants and fixing urine pumps on ISS Starliner astronauts are watering plants and fixing urine pumps on ISS

south pole of the moon

Science

The moon was once covered in an ocean of magma: new data supports theory The moon was once covered in an ocean of magma: new data supports theory

ALMA antennae bathed in red light. in the background there is the southern Milky Way on the left and the Magellanic Clouds at the top.

Science

Why astronomers keep staring at the same spot in the sky Why astronomers keep staring at the same spot in the sky

By Briley Lewis

Two images displaying possible kilonova

Science

Scientists want your help finding black holes with your phone Scientists want your help finding black holes with your phone

Mug of beer splashing

Science

Space beer may taste better than Earth beer Space beer may taste better than Earth beer

Artist impression of a large asteroid impacting on Earth such as the Chicxulub event that caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, 66 million years ago. The illustration shows an asteroid impacting at Chicxulub. Shown in the background are planet Mars and asteroid bodies.

Science

Dinosaur-killing asteroid likely came from deep space beyond Jupiter Dinosaur-killing asteroid likely came from deep space beyond Jupiter

Astronomy: the corona of the sun, viewed during a total solar eclipse. Process print after a photograph, 1871.

Science

‘The sun has been eaten’: A brief history of solar eclipses ‘The sun has been eaten’: A brief history of solar eclipses

By Briley Lewis

Odyssey’s THEMIS view the horizon of Mars.

Science

Ultrasonic tools could one day track wind speeds on Mars Ultrasonic tools could one day track wind speeds on Mars

Starship test launch in 2021

Science

SpaceX accused of dumping polluted Starship wastewater in Texas for years SpaceX accused of dumping polluted Starship wastewater in Texas for years

NASA's InSight Mars lander acquired this image of the area in front of the lander using its lander-mounted, Instrument Context Camera (ICC).

Science

NASA data suggests there’s liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface NASA data suggests there’s liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface

Ancient star, but not one of the first: One of the oldest known stars ever observed is a subgiant star in the Milky Way, just 190 light-years from Earth. The star, known as HD 140283 or the Methuselah star, appears to be almost as old as the universe. However, we know it is not one of the first stars because of it contains metals that must have formed in the core or during the explosion of even earlier stars.

Science

The hunt for the first stars in the universe The hunt for the first stars in the universe

By Briley Lewis

Saturn’s moon Mimas, floating above the planet’s rings, might conceal a liquid ocean beneath its surface.

Science

Saturn’s moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean Saturn’s moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean

By Shannon Hall / Knowable Magazine

The central region of a spiral galaxy. Its core is a small bright point radiating bright, bluish-white light over the scene. The white light is diffuse and many point-like stars in the galaxy (and even background galaxies) can be seen through it. The galaxy’s arms can be seen as broad, swirling streaks of glowing gas and dust, coloured red and orange. Two additional arms are revealed in green

Deep Space

You’ve never seen a prettier radiation-spewing supermassive black hole You’ve never seen a prettier radiation-spewing supermassive black hole

By Laura Baisas

SpaceX is seeking approval to expand its Starlink constellation to 40,000 satellites.

Science

‘What goes up, must come down:’ Junk satellites are a looming hazard ‘What goes up, must come down:’ Junk satellites are a looming hazard

By Mack DeGeurin

Illustration of two astronauts on Mars

Mars

Scientists think atmospheric ‘glitter’ can warm Mars over 50 degrees Scientists think atmospheric ‘glitter’ can warm Mars over 50 degrees

A sample location from the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE), Square 03 in the starboard Maintenance Work Area of the International Space Station. An open crew berth is visible at right. The yellow dotted line indicates the boundaries of the sample area.

Archaeology

Astronauts conduct the first archeological study in space Astronauts conduct the first archeological study in space

China's Shenlong space plane blurry image taken by telescopic camera.

Aviation

China’s super-secret space plane spotted above Europe China’s super-secret space plane spotted above Europe

a red aurora along with the stars of the milky way over mountains

Science

19 magnificent images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist 19 magnificent images from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist

By Popular Science Team

moon in the 90s

Science

Yes, the moon has an atmosphere—and it’s metal as hell Yes, the moon has an atmosphere—and it’s metal as hell

This is an artist’s impression of a young star surrounded by a protoplanetary disk in which planets are forming.

Science

What happens when you don’t have enough ingredients to make a planet? What happens when you don’t have enough ingredients to make a planet?

By Briley Lewis

Wound care and amputation in a Camponotus maculatus ant.

Science

Ants perform teeny tiny operations to save their injured comrades Ants perform teeny tiny operations to save their injured comrades

By Popular Science Team

a meteor shower over tall evergreen trees

Science

August skygazing: First supermoon of 2024 and the Perseids meteor shower August skygazing: First supermoon of 2024 and the Perseids meteor shower

By Laura Baisas

In the foreground to the left is a sphere half illuminated on the right side, almost filling the image vertically. The surface consists of several parallel, pale-coloured bands aligned horizontally. To the top right is a much smaller orange, circular light source, illuminating the large sphere in the foreground. The background is black with numerous tiny white dots.

Science

JWST detects a new exoplanet six times larger than Jupiter JWST detects a new exoplanet six times larger than Jupiter

Mercury colorful

Science

What ‘Mercury in retrograde’ actually means What ‘Mercury in retrograde’ actually means

By Briley Lewis

25 images of space

Science

NASA drops 25 dazzling images to celebrate Chandra X-ray space telescope NASA drops 25 dazzling images to celebrate Chandra X-ray space telescope

By Popular Science Team

Close up of pills in blister packs

Deep Space

How will astronauts handle expired drugs on Mars? How will astronauts handle expired drugs on Mars?

Astronomy: a 40-foot telescope constructed by William Herschel, in use outdoors. Coloured etching, 18--. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain Mark.

Science

400 years of telescopes: A window into our study of the cosmos 400 years of telescopes: A window into our study of the cosmos

By Bill Gourgey

a flat map of the planet jupiter, showing reddish-orange lines and the planet's great red spot

Deep Space

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot keeps shrinking Jupiter’s Great Red Spot keeps shrinking

By Laura Baisas

NASA VIPER Rover

Science

NASA’s VIPER rover won’t be going to the moon after all NASA’s VIPER rover won’t be going to the moon after all

Martian landscape simulation room in CHAPEA Mars Dune Alpha

Science

What it was like to spend a year in NASA’s Mars base simulation What it was like to spend a year in NASA’s Mars base simulation

starry night sky above telescopes on hill

Science

Want to catch the 2024 Perseid meteor shower? Here’s your best shot. Want to catch the 2024 Perseid meteor shower? Here’s your best shot.

By Mary Beth Griggs

A team of astronomers led by Penn State scientists have discovered a planet that has the most oblong orbit ever found among transiting planets. The exoplanet’s extreme circuit — which looks closer to a cucumber than a circle — follows one of the most drastically stretched-out orbits of all known exoplanets, planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. The planet, , named TIC 241249530, is also orbiting its star backwards, lending insight into the mystery of how close-in massive gas planets, known as hot Jupiters, form, stabilize and evolve over time.

Science

Newly discovered exoplanet’s orbit is like a ‘cucumber’ Newly discovered exoplanet’s orbit is like a ‘cucumber’

Screenshot from music video for Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"

Deep Space

NASA beamed Missy Elliott’s ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ to her favorite planet NASA beamed Missy Elliott’s ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ to her favorite planet

European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, Expedition 36 flight engineer, is pictured near food packages floating freely in the Unity node of the International Space Station.

Health

Why food tastes more bland in space Why food tastes more bland in space

Silhouette of moon

Moons

There really are moon lava tunnels—and humans may live in them one day There really are moon lava tunnels—and humans may live in them one day

Researcher Andrea Spolaor holds an ice core recovered in Svalbard, Norway in April 2023.

Environment

The race to save glacial ice records before they melt away The race to save glacial ice records before they melt away

By Nicola Jones / Yale Environment 360

Image of ice falling away from Falcon 9 rocket shortly before explosion

Private Space Flight

SpaceX’s historic Falcon 9 success streak met a fiery end SpaceX’s historic Falcon 9 success streak met a fiery end

A new urine filtration system could help future astronauts explore further without needing to lug around hefty water reserves.

Science

Future astronauts could safely drink their own urine with this Dune-like device Future astronauts could safely drink their own urine with this Dune-like device

By Mack DeGeurin

The rim and floor of Gale Crater as seen from NASA’s Curiosity Rover.

Science

Mars was icy and wet billions of years ago, new study suggests Mars was icy and wet billions of years ago, new study suggests

Image of the planet Mars

Mars

Elon Musk’s Martian dreams include modded Cybertrucks and bioengineered animals Elon Musk’s Martian dreams include modded Cybertrucks and bioengineered animals

Screenshot of model rocket vertically landing

Aviation

Teen’s model rocket sticks a SpaceX-inspired vertical landing Teen’s model rocket sticks a SpaceX-inspired vertical landing

Image of Omega Centauri star cluster with black hole and evidence stars highlighted

Black Holes

Astronomers discover Earth’s closest black hole Astronomers discover Earth’s closest black hole

Starship test launch in 2021

NASA

SpaceX’s Starship may mess up the lunar surface SpaceX’s Starship may mess up the lunar surface

NASA asteroid concept

Science

How often do asteroids come near Earth? How often do asteroids come near Earth?

By Briley Lewis

an illustration of a blue exoplanet with white swirls near a sun-like star

Deep Space

A nearby exoplanet reeks of rotten eggs A nearby exoplanet reeks of rotten eggs

By Laura Baisas

Close up of Syntrichia caninervis moss

Agriculture

This inedible, indestructible moss may help humans thrive on Mars This inedible, indestructible moss may help humans thrive on Mars

SpaceX will attempt the first commercial spacewalk

Science

SpaceX will attempt the first commercial spacewalk SpaceX will attempt the first commercial spacewalk

By Briley Lewis

Breakdown of Antikythera mechanism

Archaeology

The world’s oldest mechanical computer used a lunar calendar to study the stars The world’s oldest mechanical computer used a lunar calendar to study the stars

NASA's Orion Capsule is drawn into the well deck of the USS Portland during recovery operations after it splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, on December 11, 2022. - Orion was launched November 16 on the Artemis rocket for a 25-day mission to the Moon. The main goal of this mission was to test Orion's heat shield -- for the day when it is humans and not test mannequins riding inside. (Photo by Mario Tama / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARIO TAMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Science

How NASA and SpaceX get spacecraft safely back on Earth How NASA and SpaceX get spacecraft safely back on Earth

By Marcos Fernandez Tous / The Conversation

a fun moon rises over an italian city

Mars

July’s skies sizzle with the Buck Moon and a meteor shower July’s skies sizzle with the Buck Moon and a meteor shower

By Laura Baisas

Henrique Alvim Corrêa’s Illustrations for The War of the Worlds (1906)

Science

100 years of aliens: From Mars beavers to little gray men 100 years of aliens: From Mars beavers to little gray men

By Bill Gourgey

International Space Station orbiting above Earth

International Space Station

NASA is paying SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station NASA is paying SpaceX to destroy the International Space Station

the tall and straight pillars of creation as seen with two space telescopes. these celestial bodies are finger-like figures of gas and dust

Deep Space

Ethereal Pillars of Creation come to life in new 3D visualization Ethereal Pillars of Creation come to life in new 3D visualization

By Laura Baisas

NASA astronaut and Expedition 71 Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson is pictured in her spacesuit prior to the start of a science and maintenance spacewalk that ended early after her suit experienced a water leak in the service and cooling umbilical unit.

International Space Station

NASA is having one rough summer NASA is having one rough summer

In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut?

Science

In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut? In the era of private spaceflight, who gets to be an astronaut?

By Briley Lewis

3D printed Lego moon brick made from meteorite dust against space background

Engineering

Future lunar bases could be built with LEGO moon bricks Future lunar bases could be built with LEGO moon bricks

Concept art of asteroid entering planet's atmosphere

NASA

What would we do if an asteroid slammed Earth on July 12, 2038? What would we do if an asteroid slammed Earth on July 12, 2038?

Science

Wave erosion may have shaped Titan’s coastlines Wave erosion may have shaped Titan’s coastlines

Concept art of lunar rover heat switch system

Science

Moon rovers are evolving to survive the harsh lunar night Moon rovers are evolving to survive the harsh lunar night

Illustration of an astronaut on Mars, using a remote control drone to inspect a nearby cliff.

Science

Traveling to Mars could destroy your kidneys Traveling to Mars could destroy your kidneys

By Briley Lewis

AI

Ocean trash can now be tracked from space Ocean trash can now be tracked from space