Fifty years ago, humans took the first full photo of Earth from space – the climate crisis means it's time for another

Photographing the full Earth from space could provide a profound and timely reminder of its vulnerability in the face of climate change.

Robert Poole, Professor of History, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
Nov. 5, 2021 • ~7 min

50 years ago, humans took the first full photo of Earth from space – the climate crisis means it's time for another

Photographing the full Earth from space could provide a profound and timely reminder of its vulnerability in the face of climate change.

Robert Poole, Professor of History, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
Nov. 5, 2021 • ~7 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

Chang’e-5 samples reveal Moon rocks dating back less than 2 billion years – the youngest we've seen

A key goal of the Chang'e-5 mission was to find evidence of some of the youngest volcanic eruptions on the Moon.

Romain Tartese, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester • conversation
Oct. 7, 2021 • ~6 min

Energy burst from most distant known galaxy might have been a satellite orbiting Earth

Did we observe the most distant gamma ray burst yet seen, or was it something closer to home?

Christopher Lovell, Postdoctoral Researcher in Astronomy, University of Hertfordshire • conversation
Oct. 5, 2021 • ~6 min

How many stars are there in space?

Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe.

Brian Jackson, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Boise State University • conversation
Sept. 20, 2021 • ~5 min

How many satellites are orbiting Earth?

In the past decade, the number of satellites in orbit has skyrocketed thanks to tiny electronics and cheap launches. The crowded night sky is posing problems for astronomers and astronauts.

Supriya Chakrabarti, Professor of Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell • conversation
Sept. 17, 2021 • ~6 min

James Webb Space Telescope: An astronomer on the team explains how to send a giant telescope to space – and why

The largest orbital telescope ever made will allow astronomers to study the atmospheres of alien planets, learn about how stars form in the Milky Way and peer into the farthest reaches of the universe.

Marcia Rieke, Regents Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 15, 2021 • ~9 min

SpaceX Inspiration4 mission sent 4 people with minimal training into orbit – and brought space tourism closer to reality

The Inspiration4 mission sent four civilians to space for three days. Though still funded by a billionaire, the mission is a step forward in the nascent space tourism industry.

Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies • conversation
Sept. 10, 2021 • ~7 min

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