Phosphine has caused quite a stir in the astronomical world lately. That was largely due to its (still hotly debated) detection in the atmosphere of Venus. While the only known way for phosphine to be created on terrestrial worlds, like Venus, is through some sort of biological origin, it is relatively common among larger gas giants and even “brown dwarfs” - failed stars larger than Jupiter but not quite large enough to start their own hydrogen fusion process. Previously, we hadn’t yet seen phosphine in the atmosphere of brown dwarf in other solar systems, but a new paper from a diverse group of researchers, available in pre-print form on arXiv, used data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to find it for the first time. They also realized the mechanism that made it so hard to spot in the first place - the object’s metallicity.
Space News & Blog Articles
Colossal 'hole' in the sun could spark impressive auroras this weekend
The sun's returning coronal hole could stir up geomagnetic storms and dazzling auroras under clear, dark skies this weekend.
ISS astronaut captures amazing video of SpaceX Starlink satellite train cruising above auroras
A train of glittering SpaceX Starlink satellites shine brightly above a green aurora in a new video released by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.
JWST compares gravitational lensing | Space photo of the day for Oct. 10, 2025
A compilation of various images from the James Webb Space Telescope shows the effects of gravitational lensing caused by dark matter.
Saturn's moon Mimas may have an ocean — and a future spacecraft could find it
Saturn's moon Mimas may have an ocean — and a future space mission could find it, scientists say.
Living in space isn't just a challenge for astronauts. Their families feel it, too
World Space Week 2025 casts a lens on life in space — here, we take a look at how astronauts traveling beyond Earth can affect their families.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, October 10 – 19
Never caught a double shadow transit on Jupiter? This week offers several chances. Meanwhile, Cassiopeia stands high and the Little Dipper leans over.
Earth from Space: Cyclone Errol
Image: This wide view of Copernicus Sentinel-3 shows Cyclone Errol heading towards the coast of Western Australia.
New Research Says the "Dark Side" of the Moon is Also the Cold Side
When the Apollo astronauts returned from the Moon, they brought with them samples of lunar soil (regolith) and rock. The analysis of these samples forever changed our perceptions of how the Earth-Moon system formed and evolved. Similarly, the samples returned by China's Chang'e program are also leading to breakthroughs in our understanding of Earth's only satellite, especially its so-called "dark side." As a tidally-locked body, the Moon's near side is constantly facing towards Earth while its far (or "dark") side faces outward to space.
U.S. Space Force picks Blue Origin bid for expanding satellite processing at Cape Canaveral
Blue Origin’s New Glenn, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and ULA’s Vulcan rockets launch from their respective pads. Image: Blue Origin, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance
Getting newer and increasingly more capable assets in space for U.S. service members and allies is a primary goal for the U.S. Space Force. Among the challenges to bolstering America’s various on orbit capabilities though is having space on Earth to get them ready for launch.
Cosmic baboon rampages through deep space in gorgeous new nebula photo
We're not the only ones who see a baboon in this nebula photo, right?
SpaceX moves giant Super Heavy booster to pad ahead of Starship Flight 11 launch (photos)
SpaceX moved its Super Heavy booster to the pad recently to gear up for Flight 11 of its Starship megarocket, which is scheduled for Oct. 13.
The total solar eclipse 2024 tricked birds into singing a 'false dawn chorus'
Just four minutes of darkness was enough to confuse dozens of species of birds.
SpaceX delays launching Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites amid backdrop of poor weather
SpaceX transports 24 Project Kuiper satellites inside its payload fairings from Amazon’s Payload Processing Facility at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility out to Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Image: Amazon
Update Oct. 9, 1:20 p.m. EDT (1720 UTC): SpaceX delayed the mission until Saturday, Oct. 11.
How to watch 'Invasion' season 3 online and from anywhere
It's not too late to hop aboard the alien mothership for the sensational Apple TV+ sci-fi series.
Watch SpaceX launch 24 of Amazon's Project Kuiper internet satellites on Oct. 11 after delay
SpaceX plans to launch 24 of Amazon's Project Kuiper satellites Saturday (Oct. 11), bringing the total number of spacecraft lofted for the nascent broadband megaconstellation to 153.
FCC announces 'Space Month' push to streamline space regulations
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will work to streamline space regulations, a push just announced in the newly christened "Space Month" of October 2025.
Infrared and informed: The ultimate James Webb Space Telescope quiz
This quiz is your chance to explore the wonders of the James Webb Space Telescope, from its mind-blowing discoveries to the science behind its design.
NASA's Lunar Electric Rover rolls across Arizona | Space photo of the day for Oct. 9, 2025
NASA's Lunar Electric Rover was tested in Arizona's rugged desert terrain to simulate lunar exploration and refine designs for future missions.
A new rocket, sea launches and more: Chinese company CAS Space is thinking big
CAS Space is preparing to launch its first liquid propellant rocket, the Kinetica 2, carrying a prototype cargo spacecraft — the latest sign of China's accelerating commercial launch sector.
