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

NASA is sending a spacecraft to investigate the ‘bubble’ that protects our solar system

Science

NASA is sending a spacecraft to investigate the ‘bubble’ that protects our solar system NASA is sending a spacecraft to investigate the ‘bubble’ that protects our solar system

By Mary Beth Griggs

Saturn’s speedy rotation makes its daytime auroras possible

Science

Saturn’s speedy rotation makes its daytime auroras possible Saturn’s speedy rotation makes its daytime auroras possible

By Charles Choi

Where does outer space start?

Science

Where does outer space start? Where does outer space start?

By Stefanie Waldek

What’s hiding in the outer solar system?

Science

What’s hiding in the outer solar system? What’s hiding in the outer solar system?

Science

Pluto may be made up of a billion comets Pluto may be made up of a billion comets

By Neel V. Patel

Does a black hole ever die?

Science

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

By Mary Beth Griggs

Cosmic collisions with their neighbors may have weighed these white dwarfs down

Science

Cosmic collisions with their neighbors may have weighed these white dwarfs down Cosmic collisions with their neighbors may have weighed these white dwarfs down

By Charles Q. Choi

The elusive Planet Nine might be responsible for this asteroid’s bizarre orbit

Science

The elusive Planet Nine might be responsible for this asteroid’s bizarre orbit The elusive Planet Nine might be responsible for this asteroid’s bizarre orbit

By Neel V. Patel

Exclusive: Watch a new video of lightning strikes seen from space

Environment

Exclusive: Watch a new video of lightning strikes seen from space Exclusive: Watch a new video of lightning strikes seen from space

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA is about to create the coldest spot in the known universe

Science

NASA is about to create the coldest spot in the known universe NASA is about to create the coldest spot in the known universe

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA just added a tiny autonomous helicopter to its next Mars mission

Science

NASA just added a tiny autonomous helicopter to its next Mars mission NASA just added a tiny autonomous helicopter to its next Mars mission

By Stefanie Waldek

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

Data from 1997 just gave us new insight into Europa—our best chance at finding alien life

Science

Data from 1997 just gave us new insight into Europa—our best chance at finding alien life Data from 1997 just gave us new insight into Europa—our best chance at finding alien life

By Mary Beth Griggs

What would happen if the moon suddenly disappeared?

Science

What would happen if the moon suddenly disappeared? What would happen if the moon suddenly disappeared?

By Morgan McFall-Johnsen

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

stephen hawking sits in front of a sign that says "Welcome Time Travelers"

Science

Stephen Hawking’s final scientific paper explores the mysteries of the multiverse—but it’s not a big deal Stephen Hawking’s final scientific paper explores the mysteries of the multiverse—but it’s not a big deal

By Neel V. Patel

Why hasn’t the sun burned out yet?

Science

Why hasn’t the sun burned out yet? Why hasn’t the sun burned out yet?

By Emma Sarappo

Science

The universe may be a giant video game, but it certainly isn’t Pac-Man The universe may be a giant video game, but it certainly isn’t Pac-Man

Science

Yes, Earth’s magnetic poles can flip. But they probably won’t anytime soon. Yes, Earth’s magnetic poles can flip. But they probably won’t anytime soon.

By Neel V. Patel

NASA’s next mission will give us InSight into Mars’ interior

Science

NASA’s next mission will give us InSight into Mars’ interior NASA’s next mission will give us InSight into Mars’ interior

By Shannon Stirone

Science

What can you learn from Chris Hadfield’s class on how to be an astronaut? What can you learn from Chris Hadfield’s class on how to be an astronaut?

By Mary Beth Griggs

asteroid collision

Science

Scientists literally brought out the big gun to study the origins of water Scientists literally brought out the big gun to study the origins of water

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

It’s rude to ask a galaxy’s age. Luckily, its shape offers a clue. It’s rude to ask a galaxy’s age. Luckily, its shape offers a clue.

By Charles Q. Choi

Scientists finally confirm that Uranus is surrounded by fart clouds

Science

Scientists finally confirm that Uranus is surrounded by fart clouds Scientists finally confirm that Uranus is surrounded by fart clouds

By Rachel Feltman

How to become a space tourist: 8 companies (almost) ready to launch

Science

How to become a space tourist: 8 companies (almost) ready to launch How to become a space tourist: 8 companies (almost) ready to launch

By Stefanie Waldek

spatial visualization

Science

Can you pass the test NASA gave potential astronauts in 1958? Can you pass the test NASA gave potential astronauts in 1958?

By Eleanor Cummins

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower coincides with Earth Day, but light pollution is ruining the show

Environment

This year’s Lyrid meteor shower coincides with Earth Day, but light pollution is ruining the show This year’s Lyrid meteor shower coincides with Earth Day, but light pollution is ruining the show

By Sara Chodosh

These diamonds are tiny, flawed, and may come from a long-lost planet

Science

These diamonds are tiny, flawed, and may come from a long-lost planet These diamonds are tiny, flawed, and may come from a long-lost planet

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA’s incredible exoplanet-hunting telescope is about to launch

Science

NASA’s incredible exoplanet-hunting telescope is about to launch NASA’s incredible exoplanet-hunting telescope is about to launch

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA dummies test

Technology

Meet the test dummies NASA uses to simulate and study aircraft crashes Meet the test dummies NASA uses to simulate and study aircraft crashes

Planetary nurseries are far more varied and beautiful than we expected

Science

Planetary nurseries are far more varied and beautiful than we expected Planetary nurseries are far more varied and beautiful than we expected

Is a hot dog a sandwich? The Apollo 13 astronauts had some thoughts

Science

Is a hot dog a sandwich? The Apollo 13 astronauts had some thoughts Is a hot dog a sandwich? The Apollo 13 astronauts had some thoughts

By Stefanie Waldek

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

These seafaring robots will search for life across the solar system

Science

These seafaring robots will search for life across the solar system These seafaring robots will search for life across the solar system

By Kate Baggaley

The first Antarctic greenhouse harvest may lettuce go to Mars

Environment

The first Antarctic greenhouse harvest may lettuce go to Mars The first Antarctic greenhouse harvest may lettuce go to Mars

Gravity and good timing helped the Hubble spot a star from the early universe

Science

Gravity and good timing helped the Hubble spot a star from the early universe Gravity and good timing helped the Hubble spot a star from the early universe

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

How to avoid sharing fake photos of the space station that just crashed into Earth How to avoid sharing fake photos of the space station that just crashed into Earth

By Rachel Feltman

A Chinese space station is probably falling out of the sky today. Here’s everything you need to know.

Science

A Chinese space station is probably falling out of the sky today. Here’s everything you need to know. A Chinese space station is probably falling out of the sky today. Here’s everything you need to know.

By Rachel Feltman

Why a galaxy with no dark matter could make it hard to prove there’s no dark matter

Science

Why a galaxy with no dark matter could make it hard to prove there’s no dark matter Why a galaxy with no dark matter could make it hard to prove there’s no dark matter

By Mary Beth Griggs

The big bang got its name from a man who thought the theory was total nonsense

Science

The big bang got its name from a man who thought the theory was total nonsense The big bang got its name from a man who thought the theory was total nonsense

By Rachel Feltman

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

Science

Astronomers think they saw a star exploding out of a giant gas bubble Astronomers think they saw a star exploding out of a giant gas bubble

By Mary Beth Griggs

Here’s how Popular Science covered ‘Star Trek’ in 1967

Science

Here’s how Popular Science covered ‘Star Trek’ in 1967 Here’s how Popular Science covered ‘Star Trek’ in 1967

By James W. Wright

Scientists are optimistic about finding alien life in the next century. Here’s where they’re looking.

Science

Scientists are optimistic about finding alien life in the next century. Here’s where they’re looking. Scientists are optimistic about finding alien life in the next century. Here’s where they’re looking.

By Mary Beth Griggs

south pole jupiter

Science

Is this Jupiter, or a pizza? Join our Jovian guessing game. Is this Jupiter, or a pizza? Join our Jovian guessing game.

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

Don’t freak out about the Chinese space station that’s about to fall out of the sky Don’t freak out about the Chinese space station that’s about to fall out of the sky

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

Science

Why we still haven’t figured out what Stonehenge was for Why we still haven’t figured out what Stonehenge was for

By Daniel Brown/The Conversation

stephen hawking sits in front of a sign that says "Welcome Time Travelers"

Science

What Stephen Hawking gave to us What Stephen Hawking gave to us

By Rachel Feltman

Stephen Hawking, a man synonymous with the mysteries of the cosmos, is dead at 76

Science

Stephen Hawking, a man synonymous with the mysteries of the cosmos, is dead at 76 Stephen Hawking, a man synonymous with the mysteries of the cosmos, is dead at 76

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

south pole jupiter

Science

These massive, mysterious storms on Jupiter look totally surreal These massive, mysterious storms on Jupiter look totally surreal

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

This is what some of the earliest stars in the universe might have looked like This is what some of the earliest stars in the universe might have looked like

By Mary Beth Griggs

NASA’s new weather satellite will show us wildfires and storms in insane detail

Environment

NASA’s new weather satellite will show us wildfires and storms in insane detail NASA’s new weather satellite will show us wildfires and storms in insane detail

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

If the Earth is spinning, why can’t I feel it?

Science

If the Earth is spinning, why can’t I feel it? If the Earth is spinning, why can’t I feel it?

By Sara Chodosh

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

falcon 9 engine on drone ship

Science

Meet the SpaceX ships that will never go to space Meet the SpaceX ships that will never go to space

By Mary Beth Griggs

a spiral galaxy

Science

An amateur astronomer accidentally caught an exploding star on camera—and it gets better An amateur astronomer accidentally caught an exploding star on camera—and it gets better

By Mary Beth Griggs

opportunity on Mars

Science

The Little Rover That Could The Little Rover That Could

By Mary Beth Griggs

WATCH: 24 of the most famous space launches ever

Science

WATCH: 24 of the most famous space launches ever WATCH: 24 of the most famous space launches ever

By Jason Lederman

Dust, meteorites, cosmic rays and everything else currently destroying the Tesla in space

Science

Dust, meteorites, cosmic rays and everything else currently destroying the Tesla in space Dust, meteorites, cosmic rays and everything else currently destroying the Tesla in space

By Jessica Boddy

falcon heavy at sunrise

Science

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch was (mostly) a success SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch was (mostly) a success

By Mary Beth Griggs

Science

Watch live as SpaceX launches its highly anticipated Falcon Heavy rocket Watch live as SpaceX launches its highly anticipated Falcon Heavy rocket

By Mary Beth Griggs