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Artists illustration of the TRAPPIST-1 system, showcasing all seven planets in various phases. When a planet transits across the disk of the red dwarf host star, as two of the planets here are shown to do, it creates a dip in the star’s light that can be detected from Earth.

TRAPPIST-1: A guide to the system with 7 Earth-size exoplanets

By Keith Cooper last updated

Reference The exoplanets of TRAPPIST-1 are rocky worlds that orbit close to their red dwarf star, and at least three are in the habitable zone. Could they support life?

a satellite floats above Earth while computer code can be seen in the background

AI is already helping astronomers make incredible discoveries. Here's how

By Paul Sutter published

Scientists worldwide are already using artificial intelligence and machine learning to sort through huge amounts of data, suggesting that the future of astronomy belongs to AI.

black-and-white sequence showing a small capsule deploying into space, with a bright sun in the background.

OSIRIS-REx watched its asteroid sample capsule head toward Earth (photos)

By Mike Wall published

NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid probe captured photos during the release of its return capsule last month, preserving the historic moment for posterity.

two small spacecraft orbit with earth and the blackness of space in the background.

Astroscale gets up to $80 million for space junk inspection mission

By Mike Wall published

Astroscale just scored up to $80 million from the Japanese government to develop a demonstration mission that will study a large, dead satellite in orbit.

black and white photo of the moon's surface, with a white arrow pointing out a small crater likely caused by the crash of russia's luna-25 probe.

Russia pinpoints cause of Luna-25 moon lander's failure

By Mike Wall published

Russia's Luna-25 lander crashed into the moon in August because an onboard control unit failed to shut the spacecraft's thrusters off at the right time, investigators found.

a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a night sky.

SpaceX poised to launch its 70th mission of the year tonight

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX plans to launch 22 of its Starlink internet satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket tonight (Oct. 4), on the company's 70th orbital mission of the year.

Tech

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two small spacecraft orbit with earth and the blackness of space in the background.

Astroscale gets up to $80 million for space junk inspection mission

By Mike Wall published

Astroscale just scored up to $80 million from the Japanese government to develop a demonstration mission that will study a large, dead satellite in orbit.

Incredible Technology
Space Forge's satellite are miniature orbital factories.

UK startup readies new satellite that will make semiconductors in space

By Tereza Pultarova published

A U.K. startup is preparing to send a satellite to space that will manufacture new semiconductor materials that could be used in electronic devices on Earth.

Incredible Technology

Spaceflight

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black and white photo of the moon's surface, with a white arrow pointing out a small crater likely caused by the crash of russia's luna-25 probe.

Russia pinpoints cause of Luna-25 moon lander's failure

By Mike Wall published

Russia's Luna-25 lander crashed into the moon in August because an onboard control unit failed to shut the spacecraft's thrusters off at the right time, investigators found.

Moon
a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a night sky.

SpaceX poised to launch its 70th mission of the year tonight

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX plans to launch 22 of its Starlink internet satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket tonight (Oct. 4), on the company's 70th orbital mission of the year.

SpaceX

Science & Astronomy

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Artists illustration of the TRAPPIST-1 system, showcasing all seven planets in various phases. When a planet transits across the disk of the red dwarf host star, as two of the planets here are shown to do, it creates a dip in the star’s light that can be detected from Earth.

TRAPPIST-1: A guide to the system with 7 Earth-size exoplanets

By Keith Cooper last updated

Reference The exoplanets of TRAPPIST-1 are rocky worlds that orbit close to their red dwarf star, and at least three are in the habitable zone. Could they support life?

Reference
black-and-white sequence showing a small capsule deploying into space, with a bright sun in the background.

OSIRIS-REx watched its asteroid sample capsule head toward Earth (photos)

By Mike Wall published

NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid probe captured photos during the release of its return capsule last month, preserving the historic moment for posterity.

Asteroids

Meet The Team

Search For Life

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a book cover showing a flying saucer picking up a cow with a tractor beam with the words "Is There Anybody Out There? by Laura Krantz"

How to talk to your kids about aliens: 'Is There Anybody Out There?'

By Brett Tingley published

Space.com spoke with author Laura Krantz about her new book "Is There Anybody Out There?" that takes a scientific look at the search for life and even UFOs.

UFOs and Extraterrestrials
a white, dimply rock with a dark grey exterior

How methane studies on Earth could inform the search for alien life in our solar system

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A new class of proteins found in methane deposits on Earth's seafloor could help inform the search for alien life.

Earth
Illustration of a planet and its cool red dwarf star. In the foreground on the right is the planet, which fills most of the frame. The planet is various shades of blue, with wisps of white scattered throughout. The left edge of the planet (the side facing the star) is lit, while the rest is in shadow. In the background at the lower left is the star, which appears smaller. The star has a bright red glow. Also in the background is another planet, which appears as a small crescent. The black background of space is speckled with a few small stars.

Possible hints of life found on distant planet – how excited should we be?

By Ian Whittaker published

The exoplanet K2-18b might host a water ocean.

UFOs and Extraterrestrials

Skywatching

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Telescopes at Best Buy: Image shows telescope against countryside backdrop

Telescopes at Best Buy: What's in stock and what's on sale

By Ruth Gaukrodger last updated

We've combed through all the telescopes at Best Buy, looking for new deals and checking stock levels on popular models.

Zeiss binoculars deals: Discounts on top-rated models

Zeiss binoculars deals: Discounts on top-rated models right now

By Ian Evenden last updated

Zeiss binoculars deals are tough to spot... but we're keeping an eye out for them.

2023 eclipse explorer showing the eclipse moving over the US.

NASA's Eclipse Explorer 2023 lets you track the Oct. 14 annular solar eclipse with new interactive map

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

On Oct. 14 an annular solar eclipse will be visible across the Americas, you can follow the eclipse in unprecedented detail with NASA's new interactive map "Eclipse Explorer 2023."

Solar Eclipses

Entertainment

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a bright space nebula reflects of the hexagonal shaped mirror cluster of the james webb space telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope shines in trailer for new IMAX film 'Deep Sky' (video)

By Jeff Spry published

A new trailer for the IMAX documentary "Deep Sky" promises jaw-dropping cosmic shots of the revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope and the groundbreaking images it has already produced.

James Webb Space Telescope
illustration showing a man and woman in front of a well-dressed man holding a knife.

New 'Star Trek: Holo-Ween' comic miniseries ushers in the spooky season (images)

By Jeff Spry published

Here's a preview of IDW Publishing's special miniseries comic, 'Star Trek: Holo-Ween.'

Star Trek
the cast of the original star trek on the cover of a book

'Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History' goes behind the scenes with the eclectic crew of the original Enterprise

By Jeff Spry published

Titan Publishing will release 'Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast' in December.

Space Books

References

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Artists illustration of the TRAPPIST-1 system, showcasing all seven planets in various phases. When a planet transits across the disk of the red dwarf host star, as two of the planets here are shown to do, it creates a dip in the star’s light that can be detected from Earth.

TRAPPIST-1: A guide to the system with 7 Earth-size exoplanets

By Keith Cooper last updated

Reference The exoplanets of TRAPPIST-1 are rocky worlds that orbit close to their red dwarf star, and at least three are in the habitable zone. Could they support life?

Reference
Telescopes at Best Buy: Image shows telescope against countryside backdrop

Telescopes at Best Buy: What's in stock and what's on sale

By Ruth Gaukrodger last updated

We've combed through all the telescopes at Best Buy, looking for new deals and checking stock levels on popular models.

Zeiss binoculars deals: Discounts on top-rated models

Zeiss binoculars deals: Discounts on top-rated models right now

By Ian Evenden last updated

Zeiss binoculars deals are tough to spot... but we're keeping an eye out for them.