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Tech

A gray steel structure that simulates one of the massive 16.5-ton Giant Magellan Telescope primary mirror segments is installed onto a test cell. The GMT test cell and mirror simulator will be used to test the support structure and actuators that hold the massive telescope in place, including the software that controls the precise movements of the mirrors.

Giant Magellan Telescope snags $17.5 million grant to test advanced optics

By Mike Wall

The Giant Magellan Telescope just got a nice chunk of change to help develop and test the advanced technologies that will give the future observatory such sharp vision.

Arecibo Observatory’s main collecting dish, which is among the world’s largest single-dish radio telescopes, was badly damaged when a cable snapped on Monday, Aug. 10.

Alien-hunting telescope suffered 'no damage to electronics' during mysterious midnight disaster

By Brandon Specktor

Mysterious midnight disaster spared critical electronics in iconic alien-hunting telescope called the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.

Spaceflight

Russia's Space Station Mir is backdropped by a beautiful Earth in this photo by STS-79 shuttle astronauts aboard Atlantis on Sept. 19, 1996 during flyaround maneuvers.

On This Day in Space: Sept. 19, 1996: Shuttle Atlantis docks with Mir space station in STS-79

By Hanneke Weitering

On Sept. 19, 1996, the space shuttle Atlantis rendezvoused with Russia's Mir space station to deliver supplies and equipment. See how it happened in our "On This Day In Space" series!

This image of Venus was created using data that NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft collected on Feb. 7 and 8, 1974, shortly after the spacecraft's closest approach to Venus on Feb. 5.

Here's every successful Venus mission humanity has ever launched

By Elizabeth Howell

This slideshow shows every successful Venus mission in history, according to information from NASA.

Science & Astronomy

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia

These are the top space stories this week from Space.com.

Here's every successful Venus mission humanity has ever launched

By Elizabeth Howell

This slideshow shows every successful Venus mission in history, according to information from NASA.

Search For Life

An image of Venus' thick atmosphere captured by NASA's Mariner 10 mission.

Rocket Lab's plan to search for life on Venus in 2023 just got more exciting

By Mike Wall

Rocket Lab's life-hunting Venus mission in 2023 will be just the beginning, if all goes according to the company's plan.

An artist's concept showing a super-Venus on the left and Earth on the right.

Venus, once billed as Earth's twin, is a hothouse (and a tantalizing target in the search for life)

By Nola Taylor Redd

As Earth's twin, Venus offers much in the search for life and habitable worlds.

Japan's Akatsuki spacecraft captured this false-color image of Venus' dayside on March 30, 2018.

Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature detection

By Mike Wall

The main goals involve investigating the case for life on Venus and figuring out the best ways to hunt it down, if it is indeed there.

Skywatching

This illustration (made using real images and data) shows the moon in shadow during the "new moon" lunar phase.

September new moon 2020: Spot the 'elusive' planet Mercury with the young moon

By Jesse Emspak

The new moon occurs Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT), a day before Mercury reaches its highest point in the evening sky for the rest of the year.

Astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi captured this image of the stars over the Atacama Desert on Aug. 25, 2020.

Growing up observing the night skies from the Northern and Southern hemispheres

By Ingrid Cruz

People in different parts of the world see different skies.

See the moon, Venus and the Beehive star cluster in the early morning sky on Sept. 14, 2020.

See Venus swing by the crescent moon Monday morning

By Joe Rao

The moon and Venus will form a triangle with the Beehive star cluster in the predawn sky on Monday (Sept. 14).

Entertainment

Astronauts will be filming skincare products from Estée Lauder aboard the International Space Station, CNN reports.

Astronauts to film Estée Lauder skincare serum on International Space Station: report

By Chelsea Gohd

NASA astronauts will be receiving and filming bottles of Estée Lauder skincare aboard the International Space Station later this month, according to CNN Business.

The International Space Station, as seen from the space shuttle Atlantis in July 2011, on the final flight of the shuttle program.

'Space Hero:' Planned reality TV show wants to launch winner to International Space Station

By Mike Wall

A production company is planning to film a reality TV show that features a 10-day stay aboard the International Space Station as its grand prize.

Kerbal Space Program: Enhanced Edition has launched on Xbox One and Playstation 4 consoles for the game's ninth anniversary.

'Kerbal Space Program' celebrates 9th anniversary with Enhanced Edition launch for Xbox One, Playstation 4

By Elizabeth Howell

The "Kerbal Space Program: Enhanced Edition Complete" game celebrates its ninth anniversary with digital launches for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

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