SpaceX is set to launch 22 more of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida tonight (Oct. 8) on the first leg of a spaceflight doubleheader for the company.
Space News & Blog Articles
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How do astronomers know the age of the planets and stars?
Measuring the ages of planets and stars helps scientists understand when they formed and how they change – and, in the case of planets, if life has had time to have evolved on them.
A comet explosion may have started agriculture in Syria 12,800 years ago
A fragmented comet that exploded in Earth's atmosphere initiated the first-ever farming village in Syria, according to new research.
'Starfield' is an inspiring odyssey that could rekindle mainstream interest in space exploration
Bethesda's latest open-world video game 'Starfield' takes us for a fantastic ride among the stars and plants seeds of curiosity and belief in science.
All solar eclipses will be "rings of fire" in the distant future. Here's why
There will come a time 1.21 billion years from now when the phenomenon of a total eclipse of the sun will become an impossibility.
Future Moon and Mars Rovers Have a New Sandbox to Learn in
In-situ testing for space equipment is complex when it has to be developed on Earth, which is the case for literally all of it, at least for now. Typically, engineers and scientists developing the next Lunar or Martian robotic explorer would seek out exotic destinations that, while they look like they fit on another planet, were just more exotic parts of ours. The robotics team at DLR, Germany’s space agency, decided they could do better. So they built a 1500 sq meter test bed for their upcoming Martian and Lunar exploration bots.
Hubble Sees a Mysterious Flash in Between Galaxies
While the night sky may appear tranquil (and incredibly beautiful), the cosmos is filled with constant stellar explosions and collisions. Among the rarest of these transient events are what is known as Luminous Fast Blue Optical (LFBOTs), which shine intensely bright in blue light and fade after a few days. These transient events are only detectable by telescopes that continually monitor the sky. Using the venerable Hubble Space Telescope, an international team of astronomers recently observed an LFBOT far between two galaxies, the last place they expected to see one.
Starlinks are Easily Detected by Radio Telescopes
Radio astronomy and satellite communication have a long common history. Advances made in one field have benefitted the other, and our modern era of spacecraft and mobile internet is a product of this partnership. But there are times when the goals of radio astronomy and the goals of communication satellites are in opposition. This is most clearly seen in the development of satellite constellations such as Starlink.
Annular solar eclipse 2023: Live updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023.
Star-studded snake-like galaxy shines in gorgeous Hubble Telescope photo
A breathtaking image by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope features the dazzling NGC 1087 spiral galaxy.
Space telescope images star on new ESA-endorsed Swatch watches
Now you can select your favorite swath of the universe and display it on it your wrist, thanks to a new collaboration between Swatch and the European Space Agency.
This Moon Rover Wheel Could be 3D Printed on the Moon
When you think about sending missions to the Moon, every single gram counts on launch day. Therefore, it makes sense to live off the land when you arrive with in-situ resource utilization. For example, what if you could fly a rover without wheels and 3D print them out of lunar regolith when you get there?
Public invited to watch solid rocket motors arrive for shuttle Endeavour exhibit in L.A.
The California Science Center is celebrating the anniversary of space shuttle Endeavour's L.A. trip with the delivery of two very large candles. Solid rocket motors are set to stand with Endeavour.
One week until the spectacular 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse!
Get ready for the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14! The famous 'ring of fire' is not to be missed.
Atlas 5 launches Amazon Kuiper satellites for tests of space-based internet service
An Atlas 5 lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Oct. 6, 2023 carrying the first two prototype satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet service. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket blasted off Friday and boosted a pair of prototype internet satellites into orbit for Amazon’s Kuiper program, the latest entry in the increasingly competitive space-based broadband market currently dominated by SpaceX.
The Draconid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Here's how to see it
The Draconid meteor shower will be active from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, reaching its peak on Monday (Oct. 9) under a fairly dark moon.
Colliding Neutron Stars Could Help Measure the Expansion of the Universe
According to some in the astrophysical community, there has been something of a “Crisis in Cosmology” in recent years. Though astronomers are all aware that the Universe is in a state of expansion, there has been some inconsistency when measuring the rate of it (aka. the Hubble Constant). This issue arises from the Cosmic Distance Ladder, where astronomers use different methods to measure relative distances over longer scales. This includes making local distance estimates using parallax measurements, nearby variable stars, and supernovae (“standard candles”).
Rideshare mission on deck for penultimate Vega rocket as Vega-C successor remains sidelined
The dozen spacecraft for the penultimate flight of an Arianespace Vega rocket prior encapsulation in the payload fairing. Image: Airbus Space
A pair of Earth observation satellites along with ten auxiliary payloads will launch aboard Arianespace’s penultimate Vega rocket into sun-synchronous orbit on Friday. The light launch vehicle, which began flying in 2012, is set to liftoff from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on Oct. 6 at 10:36 p.m. local time (9:36 p.m. EDT, 0136 UTC).
One of the Brightest Stars in the Sky is Actually a Satellite
Back in the 70s, kids used to look up at the summer sky and try to be the first one to shout, “Satellite!” That seems like a relic from the past now, alongside Polaroid cameras and astronauts on the Moon. These days, it’s rare to spend any amount of time looking at the sky without seeing a satellite, or several of them.
Atlas V rocket launches Amazon's 1st 2 internet satellites to orbit (video)
The first two prototypes for Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite-internet constellation took flight today (Oct. 6), lifting off atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks Flares Again!
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks has awakened again from its recent slumbers with a fresh outburst. It's now bright enough to see in a modest telescope.
