Astronomy - Page 116

Distance between Earth and sun redefined

October 20, 2015

Distance between Earth and sun redefined

The International Astronomical Union has voted unanimously to redefine the astronomical unit, the conventional unit of length based on the distance between the Earth and the sun.

One man's ashes will fly by Pluto on Tuesday

October 20, 2015

One man's ashes will fly by Pluto on Tuesday

On Feb. 18, 1930, a young astronomer poring over a series of images of the sky, taken from a telescope at Arizona's Lowell Observatory, spotted movement among some 150,000 stars, reports Space.com.

Scientists spot a heart, whale on Pluto

October 20, 2015

Scientists spot a heart, whale on Pluto

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is set to pass within 7,750 miles of Pluto on Tuesday, and the probe has now sent us our closest view yet of the dwarf planet.

Hawaii's Thirty Meter Telescope website taken down in apparent cyberattack

October 20, 2015

Hawaii's Thirty Meter Telescope website taken down in apparent cyberattack

An apparent cyberattack Sunday temporarily disrupted the main website of Thirty Meter Telescope, the organization trying to construct one of the world's largest telescopes near the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island.

America's first one-year space voyage has astronaut excited

October 20, 2015

America's first one-year space voyage has astronaut excited

A NASA astronaut is getting ready to be the first American to spend a continuous year in space, and he is excited.

Search for Mars life starts on Earth

October 20, 2015

Search for Mars life starts on Earth

Frigid lakes bombarded by UV radiation and boiling, acidic springs are some of the otherworldly Earth environments where scientists plan to hunt for clues to life on Mars

Epic big bang discovery might just be space dust

October 20, 2015

Epic big bang discovery might just be space dust

One of the most exciting astrophysics discoveries in recent memory may be a mirage.

DARPA wants to test satellite repair droids in orbit

October 20, 2015

DARPA wants to test satellite repair droids in orbit

The United States military's high-technology branch is hoping to test out on-orbit satellite servicing in orbit in the next five years.

Falling on the moon: How much gravity do astronauts really need?

October 20, 2015

Falling on the moon: How much gravity do astronauts really need?

For all the heroics of space travel, life as an astronaut comes with an array of indignities.

Searching for alien life in the universe? Don't look for E.T.

October 20, 2015

Searching for alien life in the universe? Don't look for E.T.

WASHINGTON For the first time in history, humanity is within reach of finding Earth-like planets where life exists, but these extraterrestrials may not take the form of intelligent beings, experts say