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A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that the Earth's crust was tilted on its side around 84 million years ago.

Earth tipped on its side (and back again) in 'cosmic yo-yo' 84 million years ago

By Harry Baker

A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that Earth's crust tilted to the side, and eventually back again, around 84 million years ago.

An artist's illustration of astronauts mining water on Mars.

Microbes could help future Mars explorers make rocket fuel and oxygen on the Red Planet

By Charles Q. Choi

Future Mars astronauts could make rocket fuel on the Red Planet using air, water and sunlight, a new study finds. The technology could fuel the astronauts' flights back to Earth.

A tiny fragment of asteroid Ryugu is being studied by NASA scientists.

Pictures from space! Our image of the day

By Space.com Staff

A tiny piece of the distant asteroid Ryugu retrieved by the Japanese Hayabusa2 spacecraft in 2019 is being studied by scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

The astronauts who will fly on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission participate in a media event following their arrival at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 26, 2021. Speaking at the microphone is NASA astronaut and spacecraft commander Raja Chari. Behind him from left is European Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Matthias Maurer, and NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, pilot, and Kayla Barron, mission specialist.

Crew-3 astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of SpaceX's planned Halloween launch

By Amy Thompson

Four astronauts were all smiles as they arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 26) ahead of SpaceX's third operational astronaut launch for NASA.

This image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows an active solar region (visible at top-middle left) on the left limb of the sun as it rotated into view on Oct. 26, 2021.

A new sunspot is firing off solar eruptions and here's what it looks like on video

By Elizabeth Howell

Our otherwise quiet sun had a stormy five-hour fiesta during the early hours of Tuesday (Oct. 26).

The brand-new Crew Dragon capsule Endurance at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ahead of the planned Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station on Oct. 31, 2021.

SpaceX has fixed its space toilet on Dragon for NASA's Crew-3 astronaut launch

By Mike Wall

SpaceX's newest Crew Dragon capsule will test out some tweaked toilet tech when it lifts off for the first time this weekend.

Tech

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An artist's illustration of astronauts mining water on Mars.

Microbes could help future Mars explorers make rocket fuel and oxygen on the Red Planet

By Charles Q. Choi

Future Mars astronauts could make rocket fuel on the Red Planet using air, water and sunlight, a new study finds. The technology could fuel the astronauts' flights back to Earth.

The U.K. rocket startup Skyrora tested its Skylark Micro suborbital rocket last year. In the future, the company's rockets will be powered by a renewable fuel made from non-recyclable plastics.

Can biofuels make spaceflight greener? UK space startups reveal plans for cleaner rocket launches

By Tereza Pultarova

Two British start-ups claim their biofuel-based rockets produce much less carbon emissions and dangerous soot particles than their fossil fuel-powered counterparts.

  1. 1
    Pictures from space! Our image of the day
  2. 2
    Crew-3 astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of SpaceX's planned Halloween launch
  3. 3
    A new sunspot is firing off solar eruptions and here's what it looks like on video
  4. 4
    Lunar eclipse 2021: What are they & when is the next one?
  5. 5
    SpaceX has fixed its space toilet on Dragon for NASA's Crew-3 astronaut launch

Spaceflight

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The brand-new Crew Dragon capsule Endurance at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, ahead of the planned Crew-3 launch to the International Space Station on Oct. 31, 2021.

SpaceX has fixed its space toilet on Dragon for NASA's Crew-3 astronaut launch

By Mike Wall

SpaceX's newest Crew Dragon capsule will test out some tweaked toilet tech when it lifts off for the first time this weekend.

Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin speaks virtually at the 71st International Astronautical Congress on Oct. 12, 2020.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon 'safe enough' to fly Russian cosmonauts, Roscosmos chief says

By Tereza Pultarova

Russia previously voiced reservations about SpaceX experience with human spaceflight.

Science & Astronomy

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A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that the Earth's crust was tilted on its side around 84 million years ago.

Earth tipped on its side (and back again) in 'cosmic yo-yo' 84 million years ago

By Harry Baker

A new study has confirmed a longstanding theory that Earth's crust tilted to the side, and eventually back again, around 84 million years ago.

This image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows an active solar region (visible at top-middle left) on the left limb of the sun as it rotated into view on Oct. 26, 2021.

A new sunspot is firing off solar eruptions and here's what it looks like on video

By Elizabeth Howell

Our otherwise quiet sun had a stormy five-hour fiesta during the early hours of Tuesday (Oct. 26).

Search For Life

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Inferred paleolake level inside Mars’ Jezero Crater at the time of Kodiak sediment deposition. The red star indicates theOctavia E. Butler (OEB) landing site of NASA’s Perseverance rover. Background from the Context Camera (CTX) mosaic.

Perseverance rover confirms existence of ancient Mars lake and river delta

By Mike Wall

Photos snapped by Perseverance show that Jezero Crater did indeed host a large river-fed lake in the ancient past.

Mars as seen from orbit by NASA’s Viking mission.

Mars: What we know about the Red Planet

By Charles Q. Choi

Learn about planet Mars’ atmosphere, water supply and the possibility to support life, plus findings from the various Mars rover missions.

Artist's illustration of a Mars with Earth-like surface water. The Red Planet was a wet world in the ancient past.

Mars was always too small to hold onto its oceans, rivers and lakes

By Mike Wall

Mars was doomed to desiccation by its small size, a new study suggests.

Skywatching

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This image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows an active solar region (visible at top-middle left) on the left limb of the sun as it rotated into view on Oct. 26, 2021.

A new sunspot is firing off solar eruptions and here's what it looks like on video

By Elizabeth Howell

Our otherwise quiet sun had a stormy five-hour fiesta during the early hours of Tuesday (Oct. 26).

Skywatcher and photographer David Paleino snapped this view of the total lunar eclipse of June 15, 2011 from Italy using a Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD camera.

Lunar eclipse 2021: What are they & when is the next one?

By Robert Roy Britt

Reference Lunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun. There are three types; the most dramatic is a total lunar eclipse. Find out when the next one will be.

Reference
Binoculars deals: Image shows man holding binoculars to face

Binoculars deals: The lowest prices on Celestron, Nikon and more

By Ruth Gaukrodger

See farther into the cosmos with the best binoculars deals currently available, including Celestron, Opticron and more.

Entertainment

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The International Space Station Expedition 66 patch, as designed by NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn and artist Blake Dumesnil. The insignia derives its shape from a Route 66 highway shield and celebrates a Marvel comic book artist.

New space station 'Route 66' patch hides nod to Marvel 'The Eternals' artist

By Robert Z. Pearlman

You can now "get your kicks" and Marvel comic book fix with a new mission patch for the International Space Station crew.

Deluxe Captain Phasma costume

You can save over $66 on this Captain Phasma 'Star Wars' costume just in time for Halloween

By Alexander Cox

Save a whopping 57% on this officially licensed Captain Phasma costume from Amazon.

Denis Villeneuve assembled an impressive cast, something that is vital when attempting to adapt this sci-fi epic.

'Dune' review: Denis Villeneuve's brings a sci-fi classic back to the big screen

By Scott Snowden

An interesting interpretation that has as many pros and cons as Lynch's 1984 version.

References

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Skywatcher and photographer David Paleino snapped this view of the total lunar eclipse of June 15, 2011 from Italy using a Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD camera.

Lunar eclipse 2021: What are they & when is the next one?

By Robert Roy Britt

Reference Lunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun. There are three types; the most dramatic is a total lunar eclipse. Find out when the next one will be.

Reference
Winter Solstice sunset

When is the Winter Solstice and what happens?

By Robert Lea

REFERENCE Winter Solstice has long marked a time of rebirth, behind it are fascinating astronomical events.

REFERENCE
Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-62.

Space shuttle Columbia: NASA's first shuttle in space

By Elizabeth Howell, Daisy Dobrijevic

Reference Space shuttle Columbia was the first shuttle in space and performed 28 flights. Columbia's final flight ended in disaster as it broke apart during re-entry.

Reference