Astronomy
After an 8-Year Journey, Orbiters Are About to Give Us a Fresh Look at Mercury
But the BepiColombo twin orbiters aren’t the first spacecraft to visit our system’s smallest planet. Here’s what we’ve seen already
Many Space Missions Are Searching for Life Beyond Earth—But Are We Prepared for the Fallout If They Succeed?
Several space missions are searching for extraterrestrial life, which could come in the form of microbes
Astronomers Spot a Strange Atmospheric Wave Above Saturn’s South Pole
And it could stick around for decades
The First Moon Spaceport Is Coming. But First We’ll Need Moon Traffic Control
If we don’t manage air traffic well, we risk spacecraft being sent way off course—without the rocket fuel necessary to get back
NASA Has Begun the Countdown to the Launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
The new space telescope will help astronomers unravel the mysteries of the universe
Five Images, Six Decades: Capturing the Iconic “Earthrise” Photo
The first was taken August 23, 1966
A Dazzling Image of a Dying Star, Featuring the Great Recycling System of the Cosmos
Ashes to ashes, stardust to stardust
Extreme Space Weather Could Delay Your Next Flight
Researchers say surges in solar activity can wreak havoc on aircraft
In Stunning Color, a Celestial “Treasure Chest” Full of Stars
A majestic cometary globule some 7,500 light-years away
