Outer Space

The cloud in the upper left hand part of the image are from a barium release—with the purple-red ionized cloud oriented along the Earth’s magnetic field lines. The blue and white trail in the lower portion of the image is from a tri-methyl-aluminum vapor trail that follows neutral wind.

NASA Launch Will Dot the Sky With Colorful Clouds

No, it's not aliens or a massive conspiracy plot—just a space-age study of the atmosphere

Auroras on Uranus caused by changes in its magnetosphere

Magnetic Field Around Uranus Are a Chaotic Mess

Using data from the Voyager 2 mission, researchers have modeled Uranus's off-kilter magnetosphere

Researchers now think that most stars—like this pair in the Perseus constellation—form in pairs.

Our Sun Probably Grew Up With a Sibling

But now its buddy is long gone

Kepler Finds 219 New Planets

NASA released the final catalog from its planet-hunting telescope, bringing its total up to 4,034 potential planets

Jerrie Cobb stands before a Project Mercury space capsule in heels and gloves. What you can't see: inside the capsule, a male mannequin lies in the place where an astronaut eventually would. The FLATs were never seriously considered for astronaut positions.

Meet the Rogue Women Astronauts of the 1960s Who Never Flew

But they passed the same tests the male astronauts did—and, yes, in high heels

"Steve" the aurora was discovered by amateur skywatchers, who are helping scientists learn more about this atmospheric phenomenon.

Will the Next Great Scientific Discovery Be Made by Amateurs?

There are more options than ever to get involved, and your input can help solve big problems in science

Jupiter Could Be the Solar System's Oldest Resident

The early former may have set up just the right conditions for Earth to take shape

This flatworm fragment went to space and became a double-headed worm.

What Space-Faring Flatworms Can Teach Us About Human Health

Their experiment had some weird results—and could one day help humans thrive in microgravity and back here on Earth

An artist's impression of the Restore-L craft, a space-based refueling station that will give new life to old satellites.

NASA Is Sending a Robotic Fueling Station to Space

How do you save a billion-dollar satellite? Send another robot up there after it

A simulation of the large-scale structure of the universe

We May Live in a Massive Cosmic Void

If the universe were a block of Swiss cheese, the Milky Way would sit within one of the cheesy holes

The star KELT-9 and its hellish planet KELT-9b

Researchers Discover a Planet That's As Hot As a Star

It's daytime temperatures clock in at a scorching 7,800 degrees Fahrenheit

Artist’s conception of two merging black holes, spinning in a nonaligned fashion.

Scientists Hear Two Even More Ancient Black Holes Collide

At this point, detecting ripples in the fabric of space-time is practically commonplace

This brave little craft will face blinding temperatures near the sun.

NASA Hopes to "Touch the Sun" With a Newly Named Probe

The craft will travel within 4 million miles of the sun's surface

Jupiter's South Pole is a cluster of dramatic storms.

New Views of Jupiter Offer Up Marvel and Mystery

From stunning polar images to weird aurorae, the gas giant is even weirder than we thought

A mid-air tourist flight. The author is second from the left.

The Future of Zero-Gravity Living Is Here

Entrepreneurs predict there will be thousands of us living and working in space. Our correspondent takes off to see what that feels like

Space mice snuggle with their Earth-bound mother.

Why Scientists Sent Mouse Sperm to the International Space Station

Back on Earth, a pile of new pups proves that mouse DNA can survive space

Artist's impression of a comet swarm around Tabby's Star

The “Alien Megastructure” Star Is Acting Up Again

A large dip in the star's brightness suggests something massive is orbiting the fiery body

DISCOVR captured a glint over South America. Scientists now think that horizontal ice crystals in the troposphere account for the phenomenon, which can be viewed from deep space.

Scientists Finally Figured Out Why Earth Twinkles From Space

Horizontal ice makes the planet sparkle and shine

Image on the original Pioneer 10 and 11 plaques

Now You Too Can Own a Piece of Space History

The engraver who inscribed Carl Sagan's and Frank Drake's 1973 message to extraterrestrials is now taking orders

The tiny creatures can adeptly fold their large wings, tucking them under their spotted forewing.

The Origami-Like Folds of Ladybug Wings Could Lead to Better Umbrellas

Scientists have finally figured out how ladybugs fold their wings

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