Space Science Series

Space Science Series

A Nasa rover has reached a promising place to search for fossilised life on Mars

Apr 24, 2024 09:34 am UTC| Science

While we go about our daily lives on Earth, a nuclear-powered robot the size of a small car is trundling around Mars looking for fossils. Unlike its predecessor Curiosity, Nasas Perseverance rover is explicitly intended to...

Space Science Series

Nasa to overhaul mission returning samples from Mars – here’s why it must and will go ahead

Apr 23, 2024 08:00 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Nasa recently announced that it is seeking new ways to complete the return to Earth of rock cores drilled by the Perseverance Rover in the Jezero Crater on Mars. This has led to some anxiety among space scientists, who...

Space Science Series

The rising flood of space junk is a risk to us on Earth – and governments are on the hook

Apr 18, 2024 06:22 am UTC| Insights & Views Science

A piece of space junk recently crashed through the roof and floor of a mans home in Florida. Nasa later confirmed that the object had come from unwanted hardware released from the international space station. The 700g,...

Space Science Series

Could a telescope ever see the beginning of time? An astronomer explains

Apr 09, 2024 12:48 pm UTC| Science

The James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST for short, is one of the most advanced telescopes ever built. Planning for JWST began over 25 years ago, and construction efforts spanned over a decade. It was launched into space on...

Space Science Series

If life exists on Jupiter’s moon Europa, scientists might soon be able to detect it

Apr 08, 2024 06:12 am UTC| Insights & Views Science

Europa is one of the largest of more than 90 moons in orbit around the planet Jupiter. It is also one of the best places to look for alien life. Often termed an ocean world by scientists, observations to date strongly...

Space Science Series

Exploding stars are rare but emit torrents of radiation − if one happened close enough to Earth, it could threaten life on the planet

Apr 01, 2024 11:05 am UTC| Science

Stars like the Sun are remarkably constant. They vary in brightness by only 0.1% over years and decades, thanks to the fusion of hydrogen into helium that powers them. This process will keep the Sun shining steadily for...

Space Science Series

Our survey of the sky is uncovering the secrets of how planets are born

Mar 13, 2024 10:48 am UTC| Insights & Views Science

When we look out to the stars, it is typically not a yearning for the distant depths of outer space that drives us. When we are looking out there, we are truly looking back at ourselves. We try to understand our place in...