Space Exploration News – Latest Headlines

Interstellar mystery solved by supercomputer simulations

An interstellar mystery of why stars form has been solved thanks to the most realistic supercomputer simulations of galaxies yet made. Theoretical astrophysicists found that stellar activity - like supernova explosions or even just starlight - plays a big part in the formation of other stars and the growth of galaxies.

December 11, 2014 Read more

Rosetta findings fuel debate on origin of Earth's water

First measurements by the Rosetta mission's ROSINA instrument show that the deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H) ratio of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is highly enriched in deuterium. These results contradict the theory that the water present in the Earth's atmosphere and oceans has a cometary origin.

December 11, 2014 Read more

Researchers detect possible signal from dark matter (w/video)

Scientists have picked up an atypical photon emission in X-rays coming from space, and say it could be evidence for the existence of a particle of dark matter. If confirmed, it could open up new perspectives in cosmology.

December 11, 2014 Read more

How does space travel affect organ development?

An experiment, scheduled to go aboard the International Space Station, will explore the effects of weightlessness and low-dose radiation.

December 10, 2014 Read more

Astronomers identify gas spirals as a nursery of twin stars

With the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observation, astronomers found spiral arms of molecular gas and dust around the 'baby twin' stars, binary protostars. Gas motions to supply materials to the twin were also identified.

December 9, 2014 Read more

The first X-ray diffraction measurements on Mars

In 2012 the Mars Science Laboratory landed in the fascinating Gale crater. The Gale crater is of such great interest because of the 5.5 km high mountain of layered materials in the middle. This material tells an intricate story of the history of Mars, perhaps spanning much of the existence of this mysterious planet.

December 8, 2014 Read more

New research offers explanation for Titan dune puzzle

New research shows that winds on Titan must blow faster than previously thought to move sand. The discovery may explain how the dunes were formed.

December 8, 2014 Read more

First glance at a new world

NASA's Dawn spacecraft sends image of dwarf planet Ceres, to Earth.

December 8, 2014 Read more

Physicist presents new observational solar weather model

Scientists now have an observational framework to help predict solar weather and how it will affect Earth.

December 8, 2014 Read more

Powering space craft of the future

The BAE Systems initiative seeks to find energy-saving and maximising solutions to enable eco-friendly aircraft to stay in space for long periods of time without the need to return to earth to re-fuel or to avoid carrying vast amounts of heavy fuel on long-stay journeys.

December 8, 2014 Read more

The dark fingers of the solar atmosphere

Researchers explain structures in solar eruptions which have been a mystery until now.

December 5, 2014 Read more

Astronomers observe two stars so close to each other that they will end up merging into a supermassive star

A study of 'MY Camelopardalis' binary system shows that the most massive stars are made up by merging with other smaller stars, as predicted by theoretical models.

December 5, 2014 Read more

Viewing black holes in a different light

Satellite studies reveal complex processes of x-ray emission from matter falling into the black hole at the center of a galaxy.

December 5, 2014 Read more

Finding infant earths and potential life just got easier

Among the billions and billions of stars in the sky, where should astronomers look for infant Earths where life might develop? New research shows where - and when - infant Earths are most likely to be found.

December 4, 2014 Read more

MASCOT en route to Asteroid 1999 JU3

Philae landed on a comet just three weeks ago; now, another German Aerospace Center lander mission has been launched - the Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) is already on its way to Asteroid 1999 JU3.

December 4, 2014 Read more

Observing galactic 'blow out'

For the first time, an international team of astronomers has revealed the dramatic 'blow out' phase of galactic evolution.

December 4, 2014 Read more

Green Light for E-ELT Construction

At a recent meeting ESO's main governing body, the Council gave the green light for the construction of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) in two phases.

December 4, 2014 Read more

Pulsars with black holes could hold the 'ho ly grail' of gravity

The intermittent light emitted by pulsars, the most precise timekeepers in the universe, allows scientists to verify Einstein's theory of relativity, especially when these objects are paired up with another neutron star or white dwarf that interferes with their gravity. However, this theory could be analysed much more effectively if a pulsar with a black hole were found, except in two particular cases, according to researchers.

December 4, 2014 Read more