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Archive for 2009

Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint Epicenter of Space Storms Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint Epicenter of Space Storms
May 29, 2009
News and Features

Using data from NASA's THEMIS mission, a team of University of Alberta researchers has pinpointed the impact epicenter of an earthbound space storm as it crashes into the atmosphere.

Could Ghost-Like Object Found by Chandra Be Another ‘Voorwerp’? Could Ghost-Like Object Found by Chandra Be Another ‘Voorwerp’?
May 29, 2009
News and Features

The Chandra X-ray Observatory has found a cosmic “ghost” lurking around a distant supermassive black hole.

Tossing the Snowball Tossing the Snowball
May 29, 2009
News and Features

New fossil studies indicate that the 'Snowball Earth' glaciations may not have been responsible for a massive die-off of early life on our planet. The real culprit could be bacterial blooms similar to those seen today in coastal areas and lakes that experience high run-off from fertilizers used in farming.

Researchers Map Ocean Plant Health from Fluorescent Light Signals Researchers Map Ocean Plant Health from Fluorescent Light Signals
May 29, 2009
News and Features

Ocean scientists can now remotely measure the amount of fluorescent red light emitted by ocean phytoplankton and assess how efficiently the microscopic plants are turning sunlight and nutrients into food through photosynthesis.

Planet-Hunting Method Succeeds at Last Planet-Hunting Method Succeeds at Last
May 29, 2009
News and Features

A long-proposed tool for hunting planets has netted its first catch -- a Jupiter-like planet orbiting one of the smallest stars known.

NASA Studies Ozone Damage to Important Crops NASA Studies Ozone Damage to Important Crops
May 29, 2009
News and Features

The U.S. soybean crop is suffering nearly $2 billion in damage a year due to rising surface ozone concentrations, a NASA-led study has concluded.

Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint the Impact Epicenter of Earthbound Space Storms Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint the Impact Epicenter of Earthbound Space Storms
May 28, 2009
News and Features

Using data from NASA's THEMIS mission, a team of University of Alberta researchers has pinpointed the impact epicenter of an earthbound space storm as it crashes into the atmosphere, and given an advance warning of its arrival.

Looking for the Light of Life Looking for the Light of Life
May 28, 2009
News and Features

With hundreds of extrasolar planets now discovered, one pressing question is how to tell if life resides on any of this galactic real estate. Researchers have found that a possible biosignature could come from life's preference for molecules of a particular handedness.

Giant Balloon to Launch Sun-Watching Telescope Giant Balloon to Launch Sun-Watching Telescope
May 28, 2009
News and Features

A telescope lashed to a giant balloon is poised to lift off from Sweden as early as Monday to study the surface of the sun.

The Phantom Torso Returns The Phantom Torso Returns
May 28, 2009
News and Features

The Phantom Torso is back on Earth and he has quite a story to tell about the perils of space radiation.

Study cites 'slow-motion' threat from permafrost Study cites 'slow-motion' threat from permafrost
May 28, 2009
News and Features

Global warming's "slow-motion time bomb" of trapped greenhouse gases in the Arctic's thawing tundra may not go off quite as fast as once feared, a new study found.

Northeast US cities at risk due to rising sea levels
May 28, 2009
News and Features

Drip, drip, drip come the studies one after another, reinforcing the threat to the Northeast from rising sea levels along the U.S. and Canadian east coast.

Mapping the Pale Blue Dot Mapping the Pale Blue Dot
May 27, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft completed its primary mission in 2005 when it released a projectile that collided with the comet Tempel 1. Now, the instruments onboard Deep Impact are helping astronomers develop new techniques to search for Earth-like worlds around distant stars.

Expedition 20 Lifts Off Expedition 20 Lifts Off
May 27, 2009
News and Features

Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Bob Thirsk launched on a Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Volcanic Activity at Kilauea Volcanic Activity at Kilauea
May 27, 2009
News and Features

Plumes continued to rise from Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii’s big island in late May 2009. The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite captured this true-color image on May 24, 2009.

Scientists Call Hubble a 'Whole New Telescope' After Repairs Scientists Call Hubble a 'Whole New Telescope' After Repairs
May 27, 2009
News and Features

The Hubble Space Telescope appears better than new as NASA puts the 19-year-old observatory through a battery of tests after its final facelift by an astronaut repair crew.

NASA Selects Student's Entry as New Mars Rover Name NASA Selects Student's Entry as New Mars Rover Name
May 27, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover, scheduled for launch in 2011, has a new name thanks to a sixth-grade student from Kansas. Twelve-year-old Clara Ma from the Sunflower Elementary school in Lenexa submitted the winning entry, "Curiosity."

Expedition 20 to Launch Wednesday Expedition 20 to Launch Wednesday
May 26, 2009
News and Features

Expedition 20 will mark the start of six-person crew operations aboard the station. All five of the international partner agencies will be represented on orbit for the first time.

The Next Moon Missions The Next Moon Missions
May 26, 2009
News and Features

NASA will launch two new satellites to the moon this June, returning a wealth of new information on our nearest celestial neighbor. The LRO and LCROSS missions will return data essential in preparing for future human exploration of the lunar surface.

Perchlorate Points to Possible Puddle Perchlorate Points to Possible Puddle
May 26, 2009
News and Features

New research shows that perchlorate salts at the Phoenix landing site could allow liquid to persist under the current temperatures and pressures found at the surface of Mars. The possibility of stable liquid at Mars' surface raises interesting questions about the potential for life on the red planet.

A Satellite Anniversary
May 26, 2009
News and Features

In Boulder, Colorado this week we had a NASA meeting and a celebration of the 10th year in space of Quikscat, a satellite for measuring ocean surface wind vectors, made by Ball Aerospace, who put on a nice meeting and party.

LRO, LCROSS Set For Lunar Journey LRO, LCROSS Set For Lunar Journey
May 22, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite are set to launch on June 17, kicking off their missions to the moon.

Hawaiian Vog Photographed from Space Shuttle Hawaiian Vog Photographed from Space Shuttle
May 22, 2009
News and Features

Kilauea Volcano, on the island of Hawaii, has been erupting continuously since 1983. This image, taken by the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis (after completing the capture of the Hubble Space Telescope), shows volcanic plumes from Kilauea rising up from three locations.

Earth's 'hum' may reveal stormier climate
May 22, 2009
News and Features

The world is abuzz with climate change – in more ways than one. Swelling waves and rising sea levels can be detected in the way the planet "hums", says an oceanographer.

Where the Wild Things Are Where the Wild Things Are
May 22, 2009
News and Features

We’re about to get a peek at the solar system’s final frontier.

Weather Postpones Atlantis Landing Weather Postpones Atlantis Landing
May 22, 2009
News and Features

Mission controllers have waved off landing today due to bad weather at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Opportunity Reveals Long-time Water, Winds at Victoria Opportunity Reveals Long-time Water, Winds at Victoria
May 22, 2009
News and Features

A sizable collaboration of researchers has unveiled an enormous set of data from NASA’s Opportunity rover today — data that testify to the rover’s lucky longevity, and paint a picture of climate events that have shaped Victoria Crater.

Former Shuttle Astronaut Reaches Summit of Everest With Moon Rock Former Shuttle Astronaut Reaches Summit of Everest With Moon Rock
May 21, 2009
News and Features

Parazynski reaches the peak on his second try.

Probing Antarctica’s Lake Bonney Probing Antarctica’s Lake Bonney
May 21, 2009
News and Features

In a project designed to help NASA plan for a future mission to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, researchers have begun testing an autonomous underwater vehicle, known as ENDURANCE, in the ice-covered waters of Antarctica’s Lake Bonney. The biggest problem they’ve run into so far? Bubbles.

Asteroids May Have Accelerated Life on Earth Asteroids May Have Accelerated Life on Earth
May 21, 2009
News and Features

A NASA-funded study indicates that an intense asteroid bombardment nearly 4 billion years ago may not have sterilized the early Earth as completely as previously thought.

A Brotherhood of Hubble Warriors: Jeff Hoffman Reflects on HST Repair Missions A Brotherhood of Hubble Warriors: Jeff Hoffman Reflects on HST Repair Missions
May 21, 2009
News and Features

Not surprisingly, former astronaut Jeff Hoffman has been watching the current Hubble servicing mission with interest. After all, he was a member of the first repair crew that visited the telescope in December 1993, part of the team which essentially rescued the Hubble program from what could have been a disaster.

Mars and Earth Activities Aim to Get Spirit Rolling Again Mars and Earth Activities Aim to Get Spirit Rolling Again
May 20, 2009
News and Features

Mars Exploration Rover Mission Status Report

Hubble Upgraded, Atlantis Prepares For Landing Hubble Upgraded, Atlantis Prepares For Landing
May 20, 2009
News and Features

The STS-127 crew is preparing to return to Earth on Friday after performing five spacewalks to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.

Cosmologists Improve on Standard Candles Measurement Cosmologists Improve on Standard Candles Measurement
May 20, 2009
News and Features

Cosmologists have found a new and quicker technique that establishes the intrinsic brightness of Type Ia supernovae more accurately than ever before.

Cooking Up Comet Crystals Cooking Up Comet Crystals
May 20, 2009
News and Features

By studying sun-like stars, astronomers may have solved a mystery about the composition of comets. The study provides new insight into the processes behind planet and comet formation.

Stealth storm erupts from the sun Stealth storm erupts from the sun
May 20, 2009
News and Features

The twin STEREO probes that image the sun's activityMovie Camera have caught sight of a burp of ionised gas that blasted into space from our star's surface without warning.

More 'Star Trek' Than 'Snuggie' More 'Star Trek' Than 'Snuggie'
May 19, 2009
News and Features

In order for NASA to send astronauts to the moon on long duration missions, new technologies are needed to protect human explorers from the harsh environment of space. One of the most dangerous aspects of the trip will be exposure to DNA-damaging radiation.

Former Shuttle Astronaut Scales Everest With Sample of Moon in Tow Former Shuttle Astronaut Scales Everest With Sample of Moon in Tow
May 19, 2009
News and Features

Astronaut Parazynski scales Everest with moon rock.

First Observations of Biological Particles in High-Altitude Clouds First Observations of Biological Particles in High-Altitude Clouds
May 19, 2009
News and Features

A team of atmospheric chemists has moved closer to what’s considered the “holy grail” of climate change science: the first-ever direct detections of biological particles within ice clouds.

STEREO Spies First Major Activity of Solar Cycle 24 STEREO Spies First Major Activity of Solar Cycle 24
May 19, 2009
News and Features

NASA′s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft has spotted the first major activity of the new solar cycle.

New sensors monitor Mount St. Helens
May 19, 2009
News and Features

Humans aren't the only ones pondering Mount St. Helens these days. A new "smart" monitoring machine can not only record second-by-second data on the currently slumbering volcano, it can also analyze the information and decide what to send to scientists first.

Atlantis Releases Improved Hubble Atlantis Releases Improved Hubble
May 19, 2009
News and Features

After five successful spacewalks, astronauts unberthed and released the Hubble Space Telescope Tuesday morning.

Life's Cometary Payload Life's Cometary Payload
May 18, 2009
News and Features

Scientists studying the chemical composition of comets have determined that they contain missing ingredients needed for life on the primordial Earth. The study lends weight to the idea that cometary impacts played an important role in the origin of life.

Fifth and Final Spacewalk in Progress Fifth and Final Spacewalk in Progress
May 18, 2009
News and Features

We now are 1 hours, 27 minutes into today's spacewalk. Grunsfeld and Feustel have successfully completed the battery installation task. They next will remove and replace one of Hubble's three Fine Guidance Sensors, FGS-2.

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee--on the Moon! Wake Up and Smell the Coffee--on the Moon!
May 18, 2009
News and Features

Have you ever wondered how you'd make your morning coffee if you were living on another planet? NASA engineers have power systems on the drawing board that could run coffee makers--and so much more--on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The World We Avoided by Protecting the Ozone Layer The World We Avoided by Protecting the Ozone Layer
May 18, 2009
News and Features

The year is 2065. Nearly two-thirds of Earth’s ozone is gone—not just over the poles, but everywhere. The infamous ozone hole over Antarctica, first discovered in the 1980s, is a year-round fixture, with a twin over the North Pole.

NASA's Spitzer Begins Warm Mission NASA's Spitzer Begins Warm Mission
May 18, 2009
News and Features

Spitzer has run out of the coolant that kept its infrared instruments chilled.

NASA Cartoon Talks to GOES-O Weather Satellite Engineer NASA Cartoon Talks to GOES-O Weather Satellite Engineer
May 15, 2009
News and Features

Space Place Live! features a scientist from the weather satellite launching in 2009 called "GOES-O."

World of Change World of Change
May 15, 2009
News and Features

Inspired by our 10th anniversary, the Earth Observatory has pulled together a special series of NASA satellite images documenting how our world has changed during the previous decade. The latest installment is a series highlighting water level changes in Lake Powell.

Spirit on Soft Ground Spirit on Soft Ground
May 15, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Spirit rover is on slippery ground. The rover's five working wheels have been slipping in soft soil, causing them to sink into the ground. It may be weeks before Spirit attempts to drive again, but in the meantime the rover will use its scientific instruments to study the properties of the troublesome soil.

Second of Five Spacewalks in Progress Second of Five Spacewalks in Progress
May 15, 2009
News and Features

Astronauts Mike Good and Mike Massimino will make the second of the mission's five spacewalks to replace three rate sensor units.

British explorers cut short trek to North Pole British explorers cut short trek to North Pole
May 15, 2009
News and Features

British explorers in northern Canada to measure the thickness of floating Arctic sea ice ended their expedition short of reaching the North Pole due to an early summer ice melt, the team said Thursday.

Let the Planet Hunt Begin Let the Planet Hunt Begin
May 14, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Kepler spacecraft has begun its search for other Earth-like worlds.

Herschel and Planck En Route to Study Our Cosmic Roots Herschel and Planck En Route to Study Our Cosmic Roots
May 14, 2009
News and Features

The Herschel and Planck spacecraft blasted into space at 9:12 a.m. EDT. The ESA missions, with significant NASA participation, hitched a ride together on an Ariane 5 rocket, but now have different journeys before them.

First of Five Spacewalks in Progress First of Five Spacewalks in Progress
May 14, 2009
News and Features

Astronauts John Grunsfeld and Andrew Feustel began the first of five spacewalks today at 8:52 a.m. EDT.

Experts urge caution in bringing Mars samples to Earth Experts urge caution in bringing Mars samples to Earth
May 14, 2009
News and Features

If NASA aims to bring Mars samples back to Earth, it should prepare for the possibility that the samples could include organisms that might endanger humans and other terrestrial life, a new report by the US National Research Council says.

Spitzer Catches Star Cooking up Comet Crystals Spitzer Catches Star Cooking up Comet Crystals
May 14, 2009
News and Features

Scientists have long wondered how tiny silicate crystals, which need sizzling high temperatures to form, have found their way into frozen comets, born in the deep freeze of the solar system's outer edges.

NASA Earth System Science Meeting Celebrates 20 Years of Discovery
May 13, 2009
NASA Breaking News

Twenty years ago NASA embarked on a revolutionary new mission for its Earth science program: to study our home planet from space as an inter-related whole, rather than as individual parts.

Hubble Rendezvous Operations Under Way Hubble Rendezvous Operations Under Way
May 13, 2009
News and Features

Atlantis is set to grapple the Hubble Space Telescope with the shuttle's robotic arm at 12:54 p.m. EDT.

The Chemistry of Space The Chemistry of Space
May 13, 2009
News and Features

Many of the organic molecules essential for life have been identified in space. Set to launch this month, the Herschel Space Observatory could help astronomers better characterize these molecules and determine whether or not these materials from space played a role in the origin of life on our planet.

Progress Resupply Craft Docks to Space Station Progress Resupply Craft Docks to Space Station
May 13, 2009
News and Features

A new Progress cargo carrier docked to the Pirs docking compartment of the International Space Station at 3:24 p.m. EDT Tuesday with more than 2 ½ tons of food, fuel and supplies.

Astronaut Mike Massimino Breaks New Ground by Tweeting From Space Astronaut Mike Massimino Breaks New Ground by Tweeting From Space
May 13, 2009
News and Features

STS-125 Mission Specialist Mike Massimino becomes the first to Tweet from space.

Jesusita Fire Burn Scar Jesusita Fire Burn Scar
May 12, 2009
News and Features

On Sunday, May 10, 2009, California firefighters got a break from the weather when a marine inversion layer calmed activity at the Jesusita Fire, north of Santa Barbara.

What's the Chance That Falling Space Debris Will Hit Me? What's the Chance That Falling Space Debris Will Hit Me?
May 12, 2009
News and Features

No need to don a hard hat just yet. The odds that one of the millions of pieces of trash orbiting Earth will fall and hit you are about one in a trillion, says Bill Ailor, director of the Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies.

Tracking South Carolina Wildfires Tracking South Carolina Wildfires
May 12, 2009
News and Features

Researchers from NASA Langley's Science Directorate jumped into action recently, studying wildfire smoke with EPA partners.

The Camera That Saved Hubble The Camera That Saved Hubble
May 12, 2009
News and Features

The story and the people behind Hubble's imaging workhorse.

Soft Ground Endangers Spirit Despite Gain in Energy Soft Ground Endangers Spirit Despite Gain in Energy
May 12, 2009
News and Features

The five wheels that still rotate on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit have been slipping severely in soft soil during recent attempts to drive, sinking the wheels about halfway into the ground.

Astronauts Inspect Atlantis, Set to Reach Hubble Wednesday Astronauts Inspect Atlantis, Set to Reach Hubble Wednesday
May 12, 2009
News and Features

The STS-125 crew is surveying the orbiter's heat shield ahead of tomorrow's rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope.

Milky Way Dwarf Galaxies Thwart Newtonian Gravity? Milky Way Dwarf Galaxies Thwart Newtonian Gravity?
May 11, 2009
News and Features

Here at Universe Today, the subject of Newtonian gravity always seems to lead to vigorous debate. Now, there’s new research to stoke it.

Hubble Photographs Giant Eye in Space Hubble Photographs Giant Eye in Space
May 11, 2009
News and Features

The Hubble Space Telescope's legendary Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 has produced one of its last images, a gorgeous shot of a planetary nebula.

The Crowded Universe The Crowded Universe
May 11, 2009
News and Features

After two decades of planet searching, Alan Boss has written a book about how far we have come and how close we are to answering the question of whether we are alone in the universe.

Atlantis and Crew Set for Launch to Hubble Today Atlantis and Crew Set for Launch to Hubble Today
May 11, 2009
News and Features

Atlantis is set to launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT on a mission to upgrade the world's most famous telescope.

Hubble to Receive James Webb Space Telescope Technology Hubble to Receive James Webb Space Telescope Technology
May 08, 2009
News and Features

New technologies for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope can be used to enhance the Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) in the upcoming servicing mission.

Erupting with Life Erupting with Life
May 08, 2009
News and Features

Scientists have been studying a unique undersea volcano that appears to be continuously active and supports unique biological communities. The site, dubbed NW Rota-1, is located near the Island of Guam and is helping astrobiologist understand how life can thrive under extreme conditions in the depths of the oceans.

View of Earth from MESSENGER View of Earth from MESSENGER
May 08, 2009
News and Features

Launched on August 3, 2004, NASA’s Mercury MESSENGER spacecraft has been rocketing around the inner solar system for the past few years, doing flybys of Earth, Venus, and its primary target—Mercury—as it prepares for the final phase of its mission. If all goes as planned, MESSENGER will enter Mercury orbit in March 2011, and it will spend a year observing the planet’s composition, magnetic field, geology, and exosphere.

Saturn Probe Beams Home Stunning Views Saturn Probe Beams Home Stunning Views
May 08, 2009
News and Features

The Saturn probe Cassini has snapped a new set of haunting photographs of the ringed gas giant as it circles the planet from some 846,000 miles out.

SABER Offers a New Way to Study Earth’s Ionosphere and the Effect of Geomagnetic Storms SABER Offers a New Way to Study Earth’s Ionosphere and the Effect of Geomagnetic Storms
May 08, 2009
News and Features

Researchers have developed a new way to measure Earth’s aurora and are using the technique to learn more about a region of the ionosphere that plays a key role in satellite and radio communications during geomagnetic disturbances.

Salmonella Spills its Secrets on the Space Shuttle Salmonella Spills its Secrets on the Space Shuttle
May 07, 2009
News and Features

NASA-supported researchers have figured out why Salmonella bacteria become more virulent when they travel on board spaceships. They've also learned how to calm the bacteria down again--a trick that could come in handy for fighting diseases here on Earth.

Redoubt Volcano Stirs Redoubt Volcano Stirs
May 07, 2009
News and Features

In early May 2009, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) warned that Mount Redoubt could erupt explosively at any time with little or no warning.

Outer Space Oreos Outer Space Oreos
May 07, 2009
News and Features

Scientists have previously exposed organisms and biomolecules to the many rigors of space, but those experiments only managed to take "before" and "after" pictures of their samples. A planned small satellite will monitor on a continuous basis the negative effects of space on biology.

New 3-D Photosynth Views of Space Station, Mars Rover New 3-D Photosynth Views of Space Station, Mars Rover
May 07, 2009
News and Features

NASA and Microsoft have released an interactive, 3-D photographic collection of internal and external views of the International Space Station and a model of the next Mars rover using Microsoft's Photosynth technology.

NASA's Spitzer Telescope Warms Up To New Career NASA's Spitzer Telescope Warms Up To New Career
May 07, 2009
News and Features

Some of the science explored by Spitzer will be the same and some will be entirely new.

Mussels on Acid Mussels on Acid
May 06, 2009
News and Features

By studying how mussels adapt to acidic waters near underwater volcanoes, scientists are gaining a better understanding of how climate change could affect the ecology of Earth's oceans. Increasing carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is leading to acidic water in the oceans, which could result in dramatic consequences for life as we know it.

Could flowers bloom on icy moon Europa? Could flowers bloom on icy moon Europa?
May 06, 2009
News and Features

Physicist and futurist Freeman Dyson says we should search for extraterrestrial life where it is easiest to find, even if the conditions there are not ideal for life as we know it.

Top Five Breakthroughs From Hubble's Workhorse Camera Top Five Breakthroughs From Hubble's Workhorse Camera
May 06, 2009
News and Features

Here are five things you should know about JPL's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, which is the oldest and longest working instrument aboard the Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA to Launch IMAX 3-D Camera to Film Hubble Servicing Mission
May 06, 2009
News and Features

NASA, the IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced Monday that IMAX 3-D cameras will return to space to document one of NASA's most complex space shuttle operations -- the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA.gov wins People's Voice Award NASA.gov wins People's Voice Award
May 05, 2009
News and Features

NASA.gov takes the prize in the Government category with the People's Voice Award

NASA, ESA and a Trip to Mars NASA, ESA and a Trip to Mars
May 05, 2009
News and Features

NASA has selected two science investigations that will forge new alliances between NASA and the European Space Agency. The projects will also advance our knowledge of terrestrial planets in our solar system. Collaboration on the ExoMars mission in particular is set to help astrobiologists understand whether or not Mars was once habitable for life.

In Mercury Images, Remarkable Features in a Crater In Mercury Images, Remarkable Features in a Crater
May 05, 2009
News and Features

On its second flyby of the planet Mercury last October, NASA’s Messenger spacecraft beamed back 1,200 pictures, revealing 30 percent of the planet’s surface that had never been seen up close before.

NASA's Fermi Explores High-energy "Space Invaders" NASA's Fermi Explores High-energy "Space Invaders"
May 05, 2009
News and Features

Fermi scientists revealed new details about high-energy particles implicated in a nearby cosmic mystery.

Cassini Web Site wins Webby Award Cassini Web Site wins Webby Award
May 05, 2009
News and Features

JPL's Cassini Web Site wins the Webby Award in the Science category

Atlantis Set For May 11 Launch To Hubble Atlantis Set For May 11 Launch To Hubble
May 05, 2009
News and Features

Atlantis and the STS-125 crew are set to launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 11, on a mission to upgrade the world's most famous observatory.

Mercury In Sharper Focus Mercury In Sharper Focus
May 04, 2009
News and Features

NASA's Messenger spacecraft has returned fascinated observations from the tiny planet next to the sun, including the discovery of magnesium in Mercury's atmosphere. The data also shows that Mercury's geological past was much more active than scientists previously believed. The findings could help astrobiologists understand the formation and evolution of rocky planets.

Goddard Marks 50th Anniversary Goddard Marks 50th Anniversary
May 04, 2009
News and Features

NASA chartered the Goddard Space Flight Center on May 1, 1959, at the dawn of the space age. View video and images looking back on the center's 50 years at the links below.

Why Are Galaxies Smooth? Star Streams Why Are Galaxies Smooth? Star Streams
May 04, 2009
News and Features

Look at the disk of any large spiral galaxy, and outwardly it appears smooth, with stars evenly distributed throughout.

Atlantis Launches in One Week Atlantis Launches in One Week
May 04, 2009
News and Features

With launch of space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-125 mission just one week away, preparations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A are in the final stages.

MESSENGER Reveals Mercury as Dynamic Planet MESSENGER Reveals Mercury as Dynamic Planet
May 01, 2009
News and Features

Data from the MESSENGER spacecraft’s second flyby of Mercury shows that the planet is much more active than scientists first suspected.

Laboratory Ice Links Comets with Life On Earth Laboratory Ice Links Comets with Life On Earth
May 01, 2009
News and Features

It is an established theory that comets may have, in some way, seeded life on Earth. Some extreme ideas support the panspermia concept (where bacterial organisms hitched a ride on comets, asteroids or some other planetary debris, spreading life throughout the Solar System), while others suggest comets may have contributed the chemical building blocks essential for life to form 4 billion years ago.

Earth Observatory's 10th Anniversary Video Earth Observatory's 10th Anniversary Video
May 01, 2009
News and Features

On our 10th anniversary, some of the site’s founders and current staff talk about how the Earth Observatory got started and what the project is trying to achieve.

Darwin in a Test Tube Darwin in a Test Tube
May 01, 2009
News and Features

Scientists have discovered a way to make molecules evolve and compete according to the laws of Darwinian evolution. The results of their research shed light on how life can evolve at the molecular level and may provide clues about how life on Earth originated from simple molecules.

Shuttle 'Go' to Launch May 11 on Final Mission to Hubble Shuttle 'Go' to Launch May 11 on Final Mission to Hubble
May 01, 2009
News and Features

Atlantis and the STS-125 crew are set to launch at 2:01 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 11, on a mission to upgrade the world's most famous observatory.

Arctic Trek to 'Break the Ice' on New NASA Airborne Radars Arctic Trek to 'Break the Ice' on New NASA Airborne Radars
May 01, 2009
News and Features

NASA will 'break the ice' on a pair of new airborne radars that can help monitor climate change when a team of scientists embarks this week on a two-month expedition to the vast, frigid terrain of Greenland and Iceland.

Archive Summary