Space

Recent Space Stories

Artist’s conception of this research showing an imagined time sequence as a star passes behind a TNO with an atmosphere.

Unexpected atmosphere found on small icy world beyond Pluto

A rare stellar occultation hints that tiny trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93 may carry a short-lived atmosphere.

Joseph ShavitupdaPublished May 6, 2026 7:07 AM PDT

This high-resolution photo of the planet Mercury probably resembles the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b. Results from JWST observations favour an airless rocky planet with a dark, basalt-like surface, likely space-weathered by irradiation and meteorite impacts.

Space JWST finds a dark, airless exoplanet covered in rock like Mercury Joshua Shavit

JWST found a massive early galaxy with almost no rotation, challenging standard ideas of how giant ellipticals form. Image is actually Giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1316 in Fornax Cluster, used for illustrative purposes only.

Space A dead galaxy from the early universe is forcing astronomers to rethink galactic evolution Joseph Shavit

This artist’s impression displays TRAPPIST-1 and its planets reflected in a surface. The potential for water on each of the worlds is also represented by the frost, water pools, and steam surrounding the scene.

Space Astronomers map the climate of Earth-like exoplanets for the first time Joseph Shavit

Artist’s impression of Space Reactor-1 Freedom, the nuclear-powered spaceship NASA says it is sending to Mars.

Space NASA’s first nuclear-powered spacecraft is heading to Mars, and its bringing helicopters Shy Cohen

Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch gives 5-year-old Jack a spacesuit during a CBS News town hall on May 1, 2026.

Space Artemis II astronauts welcome a 5-year-old space fan to the team Amyn Bhai

Human evolution is still unfolding through disease, diet, technology, genetic editing, and even the pressures of life in space.

Health The next phase of human evolution is already underway Joseph Shavit

Astronomers studying the interstellar comet found that its water is packed with an unusually heavy form of hydrogen called deuterium.

Space 3I/ATLAS had a far colder birthplace than our Solar System Joseph Shavit

NASA tested a lithium-fed electric thruster at 120 kilowatts, a step toward faster deep-space and Mars missions.

Space NASA’s lithium-fed electric thruster could carry humans to Mars and beyond Joshua Shavit

Earth’s chemistry may have stabilized within 3 million years, with water and volatiles arriving later in a giant impact.

Space Ancient impact with Theia may have brought water and life to Earth Joseph Shavit

New KIST composite blocks EMI and neutron radiation in a thin, flexible, 3D-printable film built for extreme environments.

Space Ultra-thin new material shields spacecraft from electromagnetic waves and radiation Joshua Shavit

Lead scientist Rifath Shaarook with KalamSat which flew aboard a NASA Terrier Orion sounding rocket from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on June 22, 2017.

Space Space Kidz India students are building satellites, turning space education into real missions Joseph Shavit

Astronomers now know of more than 350 molecules in the spaces between and around stars.

Space Promising biosignatures on alien worlds could take years to confirm Joshua Shavit

Greek physicists propose that microscopic wormholes could generate an effective dark energy term through topology changes.

Space Microscopic wormholes may be warping reality all around us Joseph Shavit

Mars has almost no breathable oxygen. Here’s why that matters, and how NASA’s MOXIE could help future astronauts survive.

Space Mars has air, but almost none of it can keep you alive Joseph Shavit

Distance, light speed, biology, and time may explain why alien civilizations never meet.

Space Alien civilizations have not visited Earth and never will, physicist claims Joshua Shavit

In 2019, LIGO and Virgo detected GW190521—a mysterious gravitational wave that could mark either the colossal merger of two black holes or the tantalizing possibility of a wormhole echo from another universe.

Space Black hole GW190521 may be a wormhole from another universe Joseph Shavit