https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/outer-space/RSS feed for Outer SpaceenThu, 28 May 2026 19:40:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-smaller-than-usual-blue-moon-will-end-the-month-with-a-lunar-spectacle-heres-what-to-know-about-the-full-micromoon-180988854/The blue moon will be the second of two full moons in the same month, a coincidence that only takes place about every two and a half years. It will also appear to be slightly smaller and dimmer than the average full moonThu, 28 May 2026 19:40:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-smaller-than-usual-blue-moon-will-end-the-month-with-a-lunar-spectacle-heres-what-to-know-about-the-full-micromoon-180988854/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/soviet-cosmonauts-trained-at-star-city-as-they-raced-to-beat-america-to-the-moon-now-a-new-tv-series-imagines-what-happened-behind-the-bases-walls-180988823/Apple TV's "Star City" takes place in a world where the space race never came to an end. A spinoff of "For All Mankind," the show is told from the Soviet perspectiveWed, 27 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/soviet-cosmonauts-trained-at-star-city-as-they-raced-to-beat-america-to-the-moon-now-a-new-tv-series-imagines-what-happened-behind-the-bases-walls-180988823/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-nasas-stunning-new-images-of-mars-captured-during-an-asteroid-bound-spacecrafts-strategic-flyby-180988788/The Psyche mission, on its way to study an asteroid of the same name, approached within 2,864 miles of the red planet on May 15Fri, 22 May 2026 20:14:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-nasas-stunning-new-images-of-mars-captured-during-an-asteroid-bound-spacecrafts-strategic-flyby-180988788/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/neptunes-moon-nereid-might-be-the-sole-intact-survivor-of-an-ancient-lunar-collision-180988785/A study suggests that the ice giant's largest moon, Triton, made a dramatic entrance to the Neptunian system long ago, kicking Nereid outward and destroying the planet's other original lunar companionsThu, 21 May 2026 20:16:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/neptunes-moon-nereid-might-be-the-sole-intact-survivor-of-an-ancient-lunar-collision-180988785/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-ten-breathtaking-images-from-the-2026-milky-way-photographer-of-the-year-contest-capture-the-beauty-of-our-galaxy-180988755/The gorgeous astrophotographs highlight the dazzling night sky and remind viewers what we risk losing to light pollutionTue, 19 May 2026 16:03:21 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-ten-breathtaking-images-from-the-2026-milky-way-photographer-of-the-year-contest-capture-the-beauty-of-our-galaxy-180988755/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/The single-celled organisms usually shimmer for mere milliseconds, but researchers figured out how to sustain their illumination. The technology could one day be used to light robots' ways in the deep sea or spaceWed, 13 May 2026 15:43:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasas-curiosity-rover-had-a-martian-rock-stuck-on-its-arm-for-days-watch-it-successfully-shook-the-stubborn-stone-off-180988708/While drilling has fractured rocks, this is the first time the instrument has ever accidentally pulled a whole chunk from the ground, according to the space agencyMon, 11 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasas-curiosity-rover-had-a-martian-rock-stuck-on-its-arm-for-days-watch-it-successfully-shook-the-stubborn-stone-off-180988708/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-tiny-celestial-body-past-pluto-shouldnt-have-an-atmosphere-but-astronomers-say-they-may-have-detected-one-180988690/Worlds this small and distant are thought to be too cold and have too little surface gravity to hold onto gases. But the findings suggest that icy, rocky objects in the solar system's outer reaches are more dynamic than we thoughtFri, 08 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-tiny-celestial-body-past-pluto-shouldnt-have-an-atmosphere-but-astronomers-say-they-may-have-detected-one-180988690/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-eta-aquarid-meteor-shower-peaks-this-week-but-a-bright-moon-might-spoil-the-show-180988669/This annual event, which peaks on the night of May 5 into the next morning, comes from the trail of debris left by Halley's comet. It's best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, but skywatchers in the north can catch a glimpseMon, 04 May 2026 20:48:17 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-eta-aquarid-meteor-shower-peaks-this-week-but-a-bright-moon-might-spoil-the-show-180988669/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/astronomers-discover-27-potential-planets-each-orbiting-two-stars-just-like-the-fictional-tatooine-in-star-wars-180988667/The findings could more than double our current database of worlds that loop around binary star systems. But researchers need to analyze more data before they can officially celebrate a new trove of far, far away exoplanetsMon, 04 May 2026 19:24:48 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/astronomers-discover-27-potential-planets-each-orbiting-two-stars-just-like-the-fictional-tatooine-in-star-wars-180988667/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-is-the-largest-most-detailed-3d-map-of-the-universe-itll-help-astronomers-investigate-a-cosmic-mystery-dark-energy-180988643/The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument spent five years observing the sky from Arizona. Now, researchers have a trove of data to study how the universe has evolved over billions of yearsFri, 01 May 2026 15:21:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-is-the-largest-most-detailed-3d-map-of-the-universe-itll-help-astronomers-investigate-a-cosmic-mystery-dark-energy-180988643/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/to-keep-the-voyager-1-spacecraft-on-its-interstellar-journey-nasa-turned-off-one-of-its-few-remaining-instruments-180988608/The probe launched almost 50 years ago and is the farthest human-made object from Earth. Shutting down one of its scientific devices will help it conserve energy and continue traveling toward the edge of the solar systemFri, 24 Apr 2026 18:59:13 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/to-keep-the-voyager-1-spacecraft-on-its-interstellar-journey-nasa-turned-off-one-of-its-few-remaining-instruments-180988608/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/astronauts-memories-of-earths-gravity-may-influence-how-they-move-and-hold-objects-even-after-months-in-space-180988586/Examining the fine motor skills of space travelers can help improve safety for future missions, scientists sayTue, 21 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/astronauts-memories-of-earths-gravity-may-influence-how-they-move-and-hold-objects-even-after-months-in-space-180988586/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/look-up-this-week-to-see-the-peak-of-the-lyrid-meteor-shower-humans-have-documented-this-dazzling-display-for-2700-years-180988578/During the wee hours of April 22, moonset times will give stargazers in much of the United States a solid stretch of dark sky before sunriseMon, 20 Apr 2026 19:48:37 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/look-up-this-week-to-see-the-peak-of-the-lyrid-meteor-shower-humans-have-documented-this-dazzling-display-for-2700-years-180988578/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-rounding-the-moon-artemis-2-astronauts-reflect-on-the-enormity-of-the-experience-we-as-countries-and-as-humans-did-this-180988568/In their first press conference since returning from space, the four-person crew described feeling small but united with people on Earth and said the mission was an achievement by all of humanityFri, 17 Apr 2026 15:01:29 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-rounding-the-moon-artemis-2-astronauts-reflect-on-the-enormity-of-the-experience-we-as-countries-and-as-humans-did-this-180988568/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-writings-and-tree-rings-helped-researchers-track-a-solar-storm-from-800-years-ago-and-reconstruct-past-solar-cycles-180988546/Diary entries by the Japanese poet Fujiwara no Teika, along with other historical sources from across Asia and Europe, played pivotal roles in a new studyThu, 16 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/medieval-writings-and-tree-rings-helped-researchers-track-a-solar-storm-from-800-years-ago-and-reconstruct-past-solar-cycles-180988546/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artemis-2-astronauts-successfully-return-to-earth-after-completing-a-historic-mission-around-the-moon-180988513/The crewmembers splashed down Friday after breaking a space-faring record and viewing lunar features never seen by human eyes during their ten-day trip. It marks the first time anyone has left Earth's orbit in more than 50 yearsSat, 11 Apr 2026 00:07:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/artemis-2-astronauts-successfully-return-to-earth-after-completing-a-historic-mission-around-the-moon-180988513/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-james-webb-space-telescope-and-the-parker-solar-probe-changed-how-we-see-the-universe-now-their-models-have-found-a-home-at-the-smithsonian-180988524/The National Air and Space Museum’s Virginia location now displays the objects which represent critical leaps forward in technology and exploration by NASAFri, 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-james-webb-space-telescope-and-the-parker-solar-probe-changed-how-we-see-the-universe-now-their-models-have-found-a-home-at-the-smithsonian-180988524/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-lies-beyond-artemis-2-these-other-missions-are-setting-their-sights-on-the-moon-this-yearand-on-a-future-with-humans-in-space-180988517/As the historic lunar flyby comes to a close, space companies and nations around the world are also shooting for the moon. Upcoming landings aim to change the landscape of space explorationThu, 09 Apr 2026 14:02:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-lies-beyond-artemis-2-these-other-missions-are-setting-their-sights-on-the-moon-this-yearand-on-a-future-with-humans-in-space-180988517/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-awe-inspiring-new-photos-of-the-moon-and-earth-sent-back-from-the-artemis-2-mission-180988498/The astronauts are on their way home after looping around the moon on a historic flyby. Here are the dazzling images they capturedTue, 07 Apr 2026 19:07:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-awe-inspiring-new-photos-of-the-moon-and-earth-sent-back-from-the-artemis-2-mission-180988498/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lightning-strikes-on-jupiter-are-100-times-as-powerful-as-those-on-earth-a-new-study-suggests-180988455/Scientists finally have a clearer picture of the gas giant's intense stormsMon, 06 Apr 2026 19:04:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lightning-strikes-on-jupiter-are-100-times-as-powerful-as-those-on-earth-a-new-study-suggests-180988455/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-do-so-few-mammals-go-through-menopause-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180988416/You’ve got questions. We’ve got expertsFri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-do-so-few-mammals-go-through-menopause-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180988416/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-first-an-astronomer-may-have-witnessed-a-comet-stop-its-spin-then-reverse-its-rotation-180988469/Archival images snapped by the Hubble Space Telescope revealed the unusual eventThu, 02 Apr 2026 16:56:19 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-a-first-an-astronomer-may-have-witnessed-a-comet-stop-its-spin-then-reverse-its-rotation-180988469/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spectators-flocked-to-the-artemis-2-launch-to-witness-history-being-made-one-awed-viewer-called-it-the-best-thing-ever-180988474/Wednesday evening, a human mission to the moon lifted off for the first time in more than 50 years. These 13 photographs capture what it was like to experience the momentThu, 02 Apr 2026 16:38:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spectators-flocked-to-the-artemis-2-launch-to-witness-history-being-made-one-awed-viewer-called-it-the-best-thing-ever-180988474/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasas-artemis-2-mission-launches-sending-humans-toward-the-moon-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-50-years-180988026/Four astronauts have begun a ten-day mission in which they’ll loop around the moon, laying the groundwork to put humans on the lunar surface as early as 2028Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:35:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasas-artemis-2-mission-launches-sending-humans-toward-the-moon-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-50-years-180988026/