Outer Space

Flatten Out the Moons and Planets, And You Can See Just How Big Earth Actually Is

Comparing their surface areas side-by-side gives a sense of scale to some of the solar system's inhabitants

Inflatable modules, shown here on the International Space Station, could change the way we're able to explore space.

These Inflatable Modules Could Change Space Exploration

The International Space Station’s upcoming non-rigid BEAM module may be the key to making the future of space more roomy and affordable.

Watch The Top of A Mountain Be Blown Up Live

The future site of the European Extremely Large Telescope will be leveled this morning

We'll Test Our New "Flying Saucer" One Day Soon, NASA Promises

June 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 were all potential launch dates, but each time weather conditions precluded the test

An artist's rendering of the collision that created the moon

What Would the Planet That Smashed Into Earth and Created the Moon Have Been Like?

Scientists announced that they have found traces of Theia in moon rocks

The Universe Is Beautiful in This New Hubble Image

The Hubble Ultra Deep Field Image 2014 is stunning

Artwork of the International Space Station

This Robotic Arm Is About To Repair Itself in Space

Space's newest Mr. Fix-It is a robot that can update its own hardware

An artist's impress of the Venus Express orbiter around Venus.

This Satellite's Last Act Will Be Skydiving Through Venus' Atmosphere

The ESA's Venus Express orbiter is going to end its life with a trip into Venus' atmosphere

This year, Smithsonian magazine's festival is themed "Science Meets Science Fiction."

The Future is (Still) Here: Day Two of Smithsonian's Second Annual Conference

Instead of holding its own global fest this year, Nerd Nite descended on our nation's capital.

A combination of infrared and X-ray observations indicates that a surplus of massive stars has formed from a large disk of gas around Sagittarius A*.

Inside Black Holes

Three recent black hole events and how they shape our universe

Left, a golden record (© Nasa/National Geographic Society/Corbis) Right, the other side of the golden record shows directions to play it. Identical records carrying the story of Earth were sent into deep space on Voyager 1 and 2.

The Golden Record 2.0 Will Crowdsource A Selfie of Human Culture

Inspired by a similar effort in the 1970s, the project wants your help in creating a portrait of humanity to send out of the solar system

Atlas V Launches the New Horizons Mission to Pluto.

Take a Peek Into the Future's Present With Our Live Coverage of Smithsonian's Two-Day Festival

The magazine's 2nd annual conference brings together experts, authors and visionaries in the fields of science, science fiction and technology.

In 2015, an Ad for a Sports Drink Will Land on the Moon

One giant leap for advertising

Yardangs on Mars

What in the World (Or Off of It) Is a Yardang?

They're on Mars, they're beautiful and they have nothing to do with pirates

The new Mars rover, scheduled for 2020, is to be built on roughly the same platform as the Curiosity rover.

NASA's Going to Mars in 2020 And Wants to Bring Back Martian Rocks

The next NASA Mars rover, scheduled for 2020, may be the first step in a sample return mission

Sunrise as seen from the ISS earlier today.

Watch the World Float by the International Space Station's New HD Webcam

Four HD cameras are streaming amazing, serene views of Earth...back to Earth

Watch the Universe Evolve Over 13 Billion Years

A new computer simulation, called Illustris, can take you on an epic journey through space and time

Long-Haul Space Flights Might Damage Astronauts' Brains

This warning is based on a study involving rats, but researchers think it could apply to humans as well

Galileo Demonstrating Telescope

Was Shakespeare Aware of the Scientific Discoveries of His Time?

For his new book, Dan Falk followed a group of scholars who argue, unlike most, that the playwright was up to speed with the latest astronomy

Mars’ Super-Thin Atmosphere May Mean that Flowing Water Was the Exception, Not the Rule

A new analysis suggests that Mars' atmosphere was often too thin to support liquid water

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