Outer Space
Astronaut Christina Koch Breaks Record for Longest Spaceflight by a Woman
By the end of her mission in February, Koch will have spent 328 days in space
The Top Ten Scientific Discoveries of the Decade
Breakthroughs include measuring the true nature of the universe, finding new species of human ancestors, and unlocking new ways to fight disease
How to Catch the Quadrantids, the First Major Meteor Shower of the 2020s
This cosmic light show will peak in the predawn hours of January 4
If Aliens Existed Elsewhere in the Universe, How Would They Behave?
In a new offering from Smithsonian Books, James Trefil and Michael Summers explore the life forms that might exist on a dizzying array of exoplanets
A 'Ring of Fire' Eclipse Dazzled Viewers in Asia and the Middle East
This celestial event occurs when the moon is near its farthest point from Earth, allowing the blazing edges of the sun to shine around the edges
A Giant Star Is Dimming, Which Could Be a Sign It Is About to Explode
Most astronomers, however, say it's unlikely that the star Betelgeuse will go supernova anytime soon
Three Things to Know About Europe's New Exoplanet Space Telescope
CHEOPS is the first exoplanet satellite devoted specifically to learning more about the thousands of planets we have already found
The Ten Best Science Books of 2019
New titles explore the workings of the human body, the lives of animals big and small, the past and future of planet earth and how it's all connected
NASA's Sun-Orbiting Probe Reveals New Secrets of Our Host Star
The first findings from the Parker Solar Probe change what we know about the workings of our nearest star
Amateur Astronomer Locates India's Moon Lander Crash Site
After blipping out of contact in September, India’s Vikram lander has now been found strewn across the lunar surface
A Spacecraft Will Follow NASA's Asteroid-Smashing Mission to Measure the Effects of the Impact
The European Space Agency's Hera mission will collect data after NASA's DART mission impacts the asteroid Didymos B
Ten Smithsonian Artifacts You Can 3-D Print
The list includes Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit, an Abraham Lincoln life mask and a coral skeleton
Jupiter's Great Red Spot May Not Be Dying Out Just Yet
Earlier this year, the spot appeared to be losing big chunks, but new research suggests it was gobbling up a smaller storm
First Global Map of Saturn's Moon Titan Reveals Secrets of Earth's 'Deranged' Twin
The map showcases the planet's flat plains, sand dunes, hilly terrain and lakes full of liquid methane
Astronomers Detect Record-Breaking Gamma Ray Bursts From Colossal Explosion in Space
A powerful outburst in a distant galaxy produced photons with high enough energies to be detected by ground-based telescopes for the first time
Meet the Global Team That Captured the First Image of a Black Hole
Never before had scientists seen the phenomenon until they rallied colleagues around the world to view a galaxy far, far away
Millions of Plasma 'Spicules' Could Explain the Extreme Heat of the Sun's Atmosphere
New observations suggest interactions between opposite magnetic fields cause millions of super hot tendrils to erupt from the surface of the sun
NASA Names Most Distant Object Ever Explored 'Arrokoth,' the Powhatan Word for Sky
The space rock's initial nickname, Ultima Thule, drew criticism for its ties to Nazi ideology
NASA Opens Pristine Tube of Moon Dust From the Apollo Missions
Studying the lunar material will help scientists understand the best way to analyze new samples from future missions to the moon
How to Watch Mercury’s Rare Transit Across the Sun
Step one: Protect your eyes
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