Charles Q. Choi

Twin probes sent to investigate Earth's Van Allen Radiation belts have found a possible explanation for why some electrons zip around at speeds close to that of light.

If life does exist anywhere else in the universe, it may only be fleeting. Now scientists are researching how signs of life might look on dying planets.

Mysterious cosmic rays constantly bombard Earth from outer space. Now scientists find these energetic particles could limit where life as we know it might exist on alien planets.

Earth-observing satellites caught views of the Chelyabinsk meteor strike last winter from above, showing the value of having eyes in the sky to monitor such threats, researchers say.

The explosive death of a star seeded matter into the solar system soon after its birth, analysis of a meteorite now reveals.

Regular digital SLR cameras have been used to make 3D images and video of Earth's auroras, suggested that citizen scientists could take such pictures and help scientists study the phenomenon.

A key chemical ingredient for life may have been more abundant on early Mars than on early Earth, researchers say.