An asteroid impact could wipe out an entire city – a space security expert explains NASA's plans to prevent a potential catastrophe

NASA has only mapped 40% of the potentially dangerous asteroids that could crash into Earth. New projects will boost that number, and upcoming missions will test tech that could prevent collisions.

Svetla Ben-Itzhak, Assistant Professor of Space and International Relations, West Space Seminar, Air War College, Air University • conversation
March 1, 2022 ~10 min

Curious Kids: could we change other planets in the Solar System so we could live on them?

Humans might one day be able to live somewhere else in the Universe.

Jacco van Loon, Astronomer, Keele University • conversation
Feb. 17, 2022 ~6 min


Curious Kids: can we terraform other planets in the Solar System?

Humans might one day be able to live somewhere else in the Universe.

Jacco van Loon, Astronomer, Keele University • conversation
Feb. 17, 2022 ~6 min

Artemis 1: how this 2022 lunar mission will pave the way for a human return to the Moon

The mission is set to launch in March 2022. Here’s what you need to know.

Ian Whittaker, Senior Lecturer in Physics, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Jan. 12, 2022 ~7 min

Real shooting stars exist, but they aren't the streaks you see in a clear night sky

Hypervelocity stars were discovered only 15 years ago and are the closest things in existence to real shooting stars. They travel at millions of miles per hour, so fast that they can escape from galaxies.

Idan Ginsburg, Academic Faculty in Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University • conversation
Jan. 6, 2022 ~8 min

Five of the most exciting telescope pictures of the universe

As we await the launch of the James Webb Space telescope, it’s timely to look back on what previous generations of telescopes have shown us.

Carole Haswell, Professor of Astrophysics, The Open University • conversation
Dec. 23, 2021 ~9 min

James Webb Space Telescope: what astronomers hope it will reveal about the beginning of the universe – podcast

Plus, the tactics the food industry is using to boost sales of ultra-processed foods in middle-income countries. Listen to The Conversation Weekly.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Dec. 9, 2021 ~6 min

A new exoplanet: meet GJ 367b, an iron planet smaller and denser than Earth

Most of what we know about planets outside our Solar System relates to gas-giant planets. A new study has identified and characterised a smaller exoplanet.

Coel Hellier, Professor of Astrophysics, Keele University • conversation
Dec. 2, 2021 ~6 min


A small telescope past Saturn could solve some mysteries of the universe better than giant telescopes near Earth

Such a mission could be developed soon, allowing astrophysicists to take selfies of the solar system and use the Sun’s gravity as a lens to peer deep into space.

Michael Zemcov, Associate Professor of Physics, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 1, 2021 ~9 min

The most powerful space telescope ever built will look back in time to the Dark Ages of the universe

The James Webb Space Telescope is set to launch into orbit in December 2021. Its mission is to search for the first light to ever shine in the universe.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Oct. 12, 2021 ~8 min

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