NASA, Space Exploration and Astronomy News (original) (raw)

Latest News

NASA astronaut Nick Hague (left) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who comprise SpaceX Crew-9. SpaceX Crew-9 astronaut mission: Live updates Elizabeth Howell last updated 29 September 24 Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station for NASA.

Warhammer 40K image. Shows a Space Marine kneeling holding onto a chainsword. Best Warhammer 40K games of all time Fran Ruiz last updated 29 September 24 In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there are a staggering number of video games. Here’s our list of the best Warhammer 40K games.

The Soviet Union's Salyut 6 space station (at left) is seen docked with the Soyuz T-4 spacecraft in 1981. On this day in space! Sept. 29, 1977: Soviet Union launches Salyut 6 space station Hanneke Weitering last updated 29 September 24 On Sept. 29, 1977, the Salyut 6 space station launched into orbit.

A round shadow falls on the top of a rounded Earth from space, Solar panels from the space station protrude from above. How fast will the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 2 travel? Daisy Dobrijevic published 29 September 24 On Oct. 2 an annular solar eclipse will sweep across the Southern Hemisphere but just how will it travel?

The moon phases of September 2024 listed with dates. the new moon on Sept 2, the first quarter on sept 11, the full moon on sept 17 and the third quarter moon phase on sept 24. What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2024 Tariq Malik last updated 29 September 24 ReferenceSee what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2024.

six people stand in front of a white rocket booster on a landing pad, holding a blue sign that reads "moondao" Lucky ticket to space: How a Tennessee cardiologist made it to the final frontier Anastasia Stepanova published 29 September 24 Eiman Jahangir narrowly missed out on being a NASA astronaut — twice. But he made it to space anyway, thanks to persistence and some luck.

SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut mission arrives at the ISS (video) Docking occurred at 5:30 p.m. ET.

An animation of a nova. Astronomers prepare for once-in-a-lifetime event: A 'new star' in the night sky "There are a lot of firsts here."

A Falcon 9 rocket launches SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut mission to the International Space Station on Sept. 28, 2024. SpaceX pausing launches to study Falcon 9 issue on Crew-9 astronaut mission "We will resume launching after we better understand root cause."

An illustration showing Earth's second moon, the mini moon asteroid 2024 PT5. Earth will capture 'second moon' this weekend Earth will get a "second moon" this weekend, but it won't be sticking around for long.

"Aurora," a baby falcon push toy, is seen floating in front of the crew consoles aboard SpaceX's Dragon "Freedom" serving as Crew-9's zero-g indicator on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. 'Aurora' the baby falcon plush toy takes flight again as SpaceX Crew-9 zero-g indicator Say hello to 'Aurora.'

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS rising over Mogollon Rim, Arizona, U.S. on Sept. 23, 2024. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS may dazzle this weekend. But is the best yet to come? Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will have a close encounter with the sun today (Sept. 27) here's how to make the most of comet viewing opportunities this weekend and beyond.

Tech

Side by side squares with L shaped rulers show holes in the center from an impact. Front and rear view of a tested space debris shield. New type of Kevlar heading to ISS in October for space debris protection tests ByTereza Pultarova published 26 September 24 Next-generation space debris protection material is being readied for a test trip to the International Space Station, to see how it holds up in the final frontier.

two men shake hands in front of a large building with many columns US Space Force partners with India to open a microchip factory for next-gen tech ByBrett Tingley published 24 September 24 The United States is partnering with India to establish a new factory that will manufacture microchips to enable next-generation technologies for the U.S. Space Force.

MORE FROM SPACE...

Spaceflight

A SpaceX black and white rocket launches the Crew-9 astronaut mission for NASA. SpaceX launches Crew-9 astronauts from upgraded Florida pad to return Boeing Starliner crew home ByMike Wall last updated 28 September 24 SpaceX launched a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut toward the ISS today (Sept. 28), on a mission unlike any other the company has flown.

Human Spaceflight

a rocket lifting off into the sky with a plume of smoke and fire below Watch SpaceX launch Crew-9 astronaut mission to the ISS ByElizabeth Howell published 28 September 24 SpaceX will launch two astronauts toward the International Space Station today (Sept. 28), and you can watch the action live.

Human Spaceflight

Science & Astronomy

A glowing orange disk with a black heart against a web of dark purple vines. Did dark matter help black holes grow to monster sizes in the infant cosmos? ByRobert Lea published 28 September 24 Could dark matter decay have given massive clouds of hydrogen gas the time they needed to birth supermassive black holes seen by the James Webb Space Telescope?

graphic illustration of a laptop with the comet livestream poster on the screen. Watch spectacular Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS rise during the early hours of Sept. 28 with this free livestream ByDaisy Dobrijevic published 27 September 24 Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will reach perihelion — and if it survives its close call with the sun, we may be in for a real treat.

Meet the team

Tariq MalikEditor-in-Chief

Brett Tingley headshot Brett Tingley Managing Editor

Dr. Mike Wall Spaceflight Editor

Monisha RavisettiAstronomy Editor

a woman wearing a yellow hat smiles under the blue light of the polar night. Dr. Daisy DobrijevicReference Editor

Jason Parnell-BrookesSkywatching & Cameras Editor

Dr. Elizabeth HowellStaff Writer

Robert Lea is a contributing writer for Space.com Rob LeaSenior Writer

Josh DinnerWriter, Content Manager

Alexander CoxStaff Writer

Steve SpaletaSenior Producer

Search For Life

large antennae dishes point up at the sky in a desert 'We are close:' SETI astrobiologist Nathalie Cabrol on the search for life ByLeonard David published 24 September 24 Astrobiologist Nathalie Cabrol seeks answers to two key questions: Are we alone in the universe? How did life on Earth begin in the first place?

Search for Life

An artist's impression of the purported Black Knight satellite, the focus of a long-lived conspiracy theory. The 'Black Knight' satellite: A hodgepodge of alien conspiracy theories ByDavid Crookes, All About Space magazine published 17 December 21 According to conspiracy theorists, the Black Knight satellite is an alien spacecraft orbiting Earth. Here's what's really going on.

Search for Life

a brownish planet orbiting close to a fiery star Life on alien planets probably wouldn't experience day and night – here's how that may change evolution ByMaureen Cohen published 9 September 24 Organisms on Earth living deep underground or at the bottom of the sea may give us an idea what alien life without a circadian rhythm could be like.

Search for Life

Skywatching

on the left is an orange ring of light, an annular solar eclipse on the right right is a black circle with a bright white glow surrounding it, this is a total solar eclipse. What's the difference between an annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse? ByJamie Carter last updated 28 September 24 ReferenceIn this explainer, we explore the differences between a total solar eclipse and an annular 'ring of fire' solar eclipse.

Reference

A photo of an orange hued fully illuminated moon. How to photograph the moon using a camera: techniques, kit, and settings ByDamian Peach last updated 27 September 24 ReferenceThese are the techniques, times and tools you'll need to photograph the moon using a camera.

Reference

An amateur astronomer using binoculars to look at the stars Stargazing with Binoculars: Beginner Tips ByJamie Carter last updated 27 September 24 Revolutionize your perspective of the universe with binoculars to take you on a cosmic voyage through space.

Entertainment

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 130 — Dogs on Mars, Snakes on the Moon BySpace.com Staff published 28 September 24 On Episode 130 of This Week In Space, Rod and Tariq talk with Jim Bell about the Mars Sample Return program and VIPER mission to the moon.

Space Movies & Shows

a performer wears an alien monster headpiece while another man inspects it 'Alien: Romulus:' How VFX Supervisor Shane Mahan hatched a new nest of xenomorphs (exclusive) ByJeff Spry published 27 September 24 An interview with Legacy Effects' co-founder Shane Mahan for his work on "Alien: Romulus"

Three space-themed Lego Ideas submissions: Lunar Landscape, Space Projection Telescope and Voyager 1 - Pale Blue Dot. Lego Ideas submissions Lunar Landscape, Space Projection Telescope and Voyager 1's Pale Blue Dot need to be made into real sets ByKimberley Snaith published 27 September 24 These three space-themed submissions on Lego Ideas have captured our attention, and deserve to be on store shelves.

Space Games & Toys

References

on the left is an orange ring of light, an annular solar eclipse on the right right is a black circle with a bright white glow surrounding it, this is a total solar eclipse. What's the difference between an annular solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse? ByJamie Carter last updated 28 September 24 ReferenceIn this explainer, we explore the differences between a total solar eclipse and an annular 'ring of fire' solar eclipse.

Reference

A photo of an orange hued fully illuminated moon. How to photograph the moon using a camera: techniques, kit, and settings ByDamian Peach last updated 27 September 24 ReferenceThese are the techniques, times and tools you'll need to photograph the moon using a camera.

Reference

An amateur astronomer using binoculars to look at the stars Stargazing with Binoculars: Beginner Tips ByJamie Carter last updated 27 September 24 Revolutionize your perspective of the universe with binoculars to take you on a cosmic voyage through space.