Explore

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Achieves Record Speed in Sun's Outer Atmosphere

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Achieves Record Speed in Sun's Outer Atmosphere

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has set a new speed record by traveling through the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, at approximately 692,000 kilometers per hour. This achievement marks the fastest speed ever reached by a human-made object. The probe completed its 28th close approach to the Sun on June 8, 2026, following a tightly drawn elliptical orbit. The speed record was achieved during the perihelion, the closest point in its orbit to the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe's mission involves studying the Sun's corona to understand how it is heated and how the solar wind accelerates. The probe's trajectory was made possible by seven flybys of Venus, which helped adjust its orbit for closer approaches to the Sun.

NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA Seeks Participants for Simulated Moon and Mars Mission to Aid Future Space Exploration

NASA is currently recruiting participants for the Moon and Mars Exploration Analog (MMEA), a simulated mission designed to prepare for future space exploration. This program will involve four primary participants and two alternates who will undergo a rigorous selection process similar to that of actual astronauts. The mission will simulate a journey to Mars, including living and working in a confined spacecraft environment for an extended period, without actually leaving Earth. The simulation combines elements from two previous NASA programs: the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) and the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). HERA focused on testing crew dynamics in a small spacecraft, while CHAPEA involved living in a model Martian habitat. The MMEA will integrate these experiences to simulate a complete mission to Mars, including the return journey.

Astronomers Discover Faint Planet Orbiting Young Star

Astronomers Discover Faint Planet Orbiting Young Star

Astronomers have discovered a faint planet orbiting the young star Beta Pictoris after more than a decade of observation. This cold gas giant, slightly larger than Jupiter, was detected independently by two teams using different telescopes. The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile and NASA's Webb Space Telescope both contributed to the discovery. The planet, which takes 91 years to orbit its star, is the dimmest ever directly imaged from Earth. It was previously overshadowed by its brighter star and two companion planets, remaining hidden in data for 11 years.

NASA's REAL Instrument on CubeSats Enhances Understanding of Space Weather Effects

NASA's REAL Instrument on CubeSats Enhances Understanding of Space Weather Effects

NASA has developed a new compact instrument, known as the Relativistic Electron Atmospheric Loss (REAL) instrument, designed to measure high-energy particles in the near-Earth space environment. This instrument is part of the REAL CubeSat mission and aims to provide more comprehensive measurements of how energetic particles are transported and lost in Earth's radiation environment. The Van Allen radiation belts, which consist of high-energy charged particles, pose significant risks to satellites that are crucial for modern society, such as those providing GPS and communication services. The REAL instrument, successfully launched on July 23, 2025, is equipped with miniaturized sensors that allow it to capture data on energetic electron precipitation (EEP) events, which are key to understanding the dynamics of these radiation belts.

Scientists spot evidence of two huge companion stars that blew up

Scientists spot evidence of two huge companion stars that blew up

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) - Unlike our sun, most of the largest stars in the cosmos are not solo acts, but rather are born together with another star in what is called a binary system, destined to spend their lives gravitationally bound in a cosmic marriage.

NASA to Host Media Briefing on Roman Telescope, Launching Next Month

NASA to Host Media Briefing on Roman Telescope, Launching Next Month

NASA is preparing to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on August 30, 2026. The telescope, named after NASA's first chief astronomer, will offer a panoramic view of the cosmos, significantly larger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope. This mission aims to revolutionize the understanding of the universe by unveiling celestial objects and phenomena that are currently unseen. A media briefing is scheduled for July 29, 2026, to provide an overview of the mission and its status. Key participants include Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Jackie Townsend, Julie McEnery, and Jeremy Perkins from NASA. The Roman telescope will also test advanced technology for imaging planets around nearby stars, contributing to NASA's search for extraterrestrial life.

From Orbit to Landing: The Innovations Behind Viking 1

From Orbit to Landing: The Innovations Behind Viking 1

The Viking 1 mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration as the first successful Mars lander. Launched by NASA in 1975, Viking 1 wa...

International Moon Day Celebrates Apollo 11's Historic Lunar Landing

International Moon Day Celebrates Apollo 11's Historic Lunar Landing

International Moon Day is celebrated annually on July 20 to commemorate the Apollo 11 mission, which marked the first time humans landed on the Moon. The United Nations officially recognized this observance in 2021 to honor international cooperation in space exploration. The Apollo 11 mission, launched on July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center, carried astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface aboard the lunar module Eagle, while Collins remained in orbit. Armstrong's first steps on the Moon were broadcast to an estimated 600 million people worldwide, making it one of the most significant events in human history.

NASA's Optical VLBI Project Aims to Map Alien Continents on Exoplanets

NASA's Optical VLBI Project Aims to Map Alien Continents on Exoplanets

NASA's latest project, led by Paul Stankus from Brookhaven Science Associates, aims to map the surface features of Earth-like exoplanets using a new kind of nulling interferometer. This innovative approach, called 'dynamic hierarchical nulling,' will separate star light from planet light, allowing for high-contrast imaging of exoplanets. The project is part of NASA's efforts to enhance our ability to study distant worlds and is aligned with the agency's priorities in exoplanet research.

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Mystery Molecule on Pluto and Titan

James Webb Space Telescope Identifies Mystery Molecule on Pluto and Titan

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected an unexplained infrared signature on both Pluto and Saturn's moon Titan, suggesting the presence of an unknown compound. This discovery, led by planetary scientist Bruno Bézard from the Paris Observatory, indicates that similar chemical processes may be occurring on these two vastly different celestial bodies. The infrared feature appears at the same wavelength on both Titan and Pluto, absorbing light identically, which points to a potential family of related compounds. The signal was first noticed in Titan's atmosphere in November 2022 and later confirmed on Pluto in May 2023. The exact nature of the compound remains unidentified, but it is speculated to be a type of hydrocarbon, possibly from the allene family, known for strong absorption in the detected range.

NASA Identifies Near-Earth Object as Comet, Impacting Planetary Defense Strategies

NASA Identifies Near-Earth Object as Comet, Impacting Planetary Defense Strategies

NASA scientists have reclassified a near-Earth object, previously thought to be an asteroid, as a comet. The object, known as 1998 SH2, was observed to have irregular motion, prompting further investigation. Using optical astrometry and powerful observatories, researchers confirmed that 1998 SH2 exhibits comet-like activity, such as venting gas, which affects its trajectory. This discovery was detailed in a study published in Nature Astronomy. The object had been tracked since 1998, but recent observations during its close approach to Earth in August 2025 provided the necessary data to confirm its cometary nature. The study highlights the importance of continuous tracking of near-Earth objects to accurately assess their nature and potential impact risks.

NASA's Voyager Probes Continue to Transmit from Interstellar Space After Nearly 50 Years

NASA's Voyager Probes Continue to Transmit from Interstellar Space After Nearly 50 Years

NASA's Voyager 1 and 2, launched in 1977, were initially designed for a five-year mission to explore Jupiter and Saturn. However, nearly 49 years later, both spacecraft are still operational and transmitting data from interstellar space. The mission, managed by NASA and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has exceeded its original scope due to a rare planetary alignment that allowed the probes to use gravitational assists to extend their journey. Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause in 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018, marking their entry into interstellar space. Despite the challenges of operating aging technology, the mission continues with reduced power, focusing on maintaining communication and collecting valuable scientific data.