Studying lake deposits in Idaho could give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars

While NASA rovers on the surface of Mars look for hints of life, researchers back on Earth are studying ‘echoes of life’ from ancient basins – hoping that the two sites might be similar.

Robert Patalano, Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Bryant University • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 ~7 min

Lunar science is entering a new active phase, with commercial launches of landers that will study solar wind and peer into the universe’s dark ages

Projects under NASA’s CLPS program will probe unexplored questions about the universe’s formation.

Jack Burns, Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 5, 2024 ~8 min


Orbital resonance − the striking gravitational dance done by planets with aligning orbits

Orbital resonance is kind of like musical harmony, but systems that display it are far more rare than songs with harmonic melodies.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Feb. 2, 2024 ~9 min

Astronomers spot 18 black holes gobbling up nearby stars

The detections more than double the number of known tidal disruption events in the nearby universe.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Jan. 29, 2024 ~8 min

Nasa’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity has ended its mission – its success paves the way for more flying vehicles on other planets and moons

Among the missions being planned is a huge helicopter drone to explore Saturn’s moon Titan.

Kevin Olsen, UKSA Mars Science Fellow, Department of Physics, University of Oxford • conversation
Jan. 29, 2024 ~7 min

How simple changes can open up Britain’s green spaces so everyone can benefit from them

This initiative could give more disabled and young people the confidence to explore more of Britain’s wild spaces and build a stronger nature connection

Anthony Maher, Professor of Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion, Leeds Beckett University • conversation
Jan. 29, 2024 ~7 min

Humans are going back to the Moon to stay, but when that will be is becoming less clear

The US might be facing international competition to be first to return to the Moon.

Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the Space Economy Evolution Lab, Bocconi University • conversation
Jan. 26, 2024 ~6 min

Study: Stars travel more slowly at Milky Way’s edge

The findings suggest our galaxy’s core may contain less dark matter than previously estimated.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Jan. 26, 2024 ~8 min


Solvents may pave way for building on Mars and the moon

Researchers have taken steps toward finding solvents that could be used to extract building materials from rock dust on the moon and Mars.

Tina Hilding-Washington State • futurity
Jan. 22, 2024 ~5 min

Japan is now the 5th country to land on the Moon – the technology used will lend itself to future lunar missions

Japan is one of several countries that weren’t part of the space race of the 1950s and 1960s looking toward the Moon. They’ve now become the 5th country to have landed on its surface.

Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Jan. 21, 2024 ~6 min

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