Last week astronomers determined that a fundamental constant of nature has hardly changed, skywatchers were wowed at the Geminid meteor shower and a classified space plane launched on a secret mission. See the top stories of the last week here.<br> <p>FIRST STOP: Drill Issue Could Threaten Mars Rover Curiosity's Mission
As NASA's Mars rover Curiosity prepares to use its rock-boring drill for the first time, engineers are troubleshooting an issue with the power tool that may affect the entire mission. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18834-mars-rover-curiosity-drill-break.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Huge Asteroid to Pass Earth Tonight: How to Watch Online
A giant asteroid will make a close flyby of Earth over the next few days, and armchair astronomers can watch all the action live on their computers. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18843-asteroid-toutatis-flyby-webcasts.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Classified Air Force Space Plane Launches on Secret Mission
The Air Force’s classified X-37B space plane launched on the program’s third mission Tuesday (Dec. 11). [<a href=http://www.space.com/18851-air-force-space-plane-x-37b-launch.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Newfound Asteroid Buzzes Earth Inside Moon's Orbit
A newfound asteroid gave Earth a close shave this morning. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18854-newfound-asteroid-close-flyby-earth.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: North Korea Successfully Launches Satellite: Reports
North Korea apparently succeeded in placing a satellite in Earth orbit after a Wednesday morning (Dec. 12) launch that is already drawing condemnation from the United States and other Western nations. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18867-north-korea-rocket-launch-satellite.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Surprise Radio Jets Revealed in Hercules A Galaxy
An amazing new radio image of elliptical galaxy Hercules A reveals two gigantic cosmic jets shooting from its center. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18861-hercules-a-galaxy-radio-jets.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Ancient Galaxy May Be Most Distant Ever Seen
An ancient galaxy spotted by the Hubble Space Telescope may be the most distant ever seen. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18879-hubble-most-distant-galaxy.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Phew! Universe's Constant Has Stayed Constant
By peering at alcohol molecules in a distant galaxy, astronomers have determined that a fundamental constant of nature has hardly changed at all over the age of the universe. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18894-galaxy-alcohol-fundamental-constant.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Twin NASA Probes Readying for Monday Moon Crash
New details about where on the moon NASA will intentionally crash its twin Grail probes this coming Monday (Dec. 17). [<a href=http://www.space.com/18895-nasa-grail-spacecraft-moon-crash.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Stunning Geminid Meteor Shower Wows Skywatchers: Photos
A wrap up of the Geminid meteor shower with skywatcher photos. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18906-geminid-meteor-shower-skywatcher-photos.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: Men Were Last on Moon 40 Years Ago Today
Today marks 40 years exactly since men last left the moon. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18910-apollo-17-anniversary-men-left-moon.html>Full Story</a>] <p>NEXT: NASA Eyes Mission to Jupiter Moon Europa
Despite its focus on Mars, NASA is considering sending a major mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa. [<a href=http://www.space.com/18901-nasa-mission-jupiter-moon-europa.html>Full Story</a>]
