Doris Elin Urrutia
Doris is a science journalist and Space.com contributor. She received a B.A. in Sociology and Communications at Fordham University in New York City. Her first work was published in collaboration with London Mining Network, where her love of science writing was born. Her passion for astronomy started as a kid when she helped her sister build a model solar system in the Bronx. She got her first shot at astronomy writing as a Space.com editorial intern and continues to write about all things cosmic for the website. Doris has also written about microscopic plant life for Scientific American’s website and about whale calls for their print magazine. She has also written about ancient humans for Inverse, with stories ranging from how to recreate Pompeii’s cuisine to how to map the Polynesian expansion through genomics. She currently shares her home with two rabbits. Follow her on twitter at @salazar_elin.
Latest articles by Doris Elin Urrutia
New Yorkers Celebrate Rare Mercury Transit by Staring at the Sun (Safely) with Wonder
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Near the edge of Jamaica Bay in New York City, about a dozen people gathered to watch Mercury travel across the sun.
Mercury Transit 2019: Photos, Videos and Explainers for the Rare Sight
By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated
On Nov. 11, people across most of the world can catch the planet Mercury passing across the sun. This rare event won't be seen from Earth again until 2032.
Mercury Transit 2019: Here Are the Stages to Watch
By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated
Skywatchers must use special sun-viewing lenses to safely observe Mercury's transit.
Mercury Transit 2019: How a Spacecraft Fleet Will Watch the Rare Event from Space
By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated
On Monday (Nov. 11), Mercury will move across the sun's face, and several missions will have their sights set on the rare event.
Scientists Chat Interstellar Probe Project in New York City
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Sending scientific instruments to the edge of the heliosphere, or the sun's region of influence, is like going to the edge of the fish bowl.
AI Thriller 'neXt' Takes a Frightening Look at Modern Society's Relationship with Technology
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
A rogue artificial intelligence ruthlessly seeks to get smarter in a new television thriller premiering on the Fox network in 2020.
Bill Nye and Planetary Society Set to Ride a Sunbeam with LightSail 2 Solar Sail
By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated
This Monday (June 24), the nonprofit organization The Planetary Society will launch LightSail 2, the first spacecraft propelled solely by sunlight.
See Hasbro's 'Star Wars' Collectibles from New York Comic Con 2019
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Representatives from Hasbro discussed new fall 2019 collectibles at New York Comic Con earlier this month.
Asteroid Hygiea May Be the Smallest Dwarf Planet in the Solar System
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
The asteroid Hygiea may qualify as a dwarf planet — and it could steal the title of the smallest dwarf planet in the solar system!
Mars Monsters Inspired by Lovecraft's Cthulhu Haunt Eerie 'Moons of Madness' Game
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
"Moons of Madness" is an eerie new video game in which horror meets spaceflight.
'Roswell' Star Will Direct On-Screen Love Interest in Reboot's Season 2
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Actor Jason Behr returns to the world of extraterrestrial drama as a recurring character in "Roswell, New Mexico," creators announced on Sunday (Oct. 6) at New York Comic-Con.
'Roswell' Brings Back Romance, Conspiracies (and Aliens) 20 Years Later
By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated
Romance and aliens in the desert.
A Photo Tour of the Creepy Mars Base from 'Moons of Madness'
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
A brand new video game out today (Oct. 22) is best described as Mars exploration meets Lovecraftian horror.
'Moons of Madness': 6 Ways This New Space Game Is Terrifying (Video)
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Check out the haunting encounters a player can experience in the new video game "Moons of Madness" in this new gameplay video.
Robots and Pitbulls: 'Lost in Space 2' Actors Bring Smiles to New York Comic Con
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Season 2 of Netflix's "Lost in Space" promises a whole new set of ambitious, problem-solving ideas from the Robinson family as they navigate a whole new world.
'The Expanse' Season 4 Trailer Echoes JFK's Moonshot as Cast Talks Spaceflight
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
The new season of 'The Expanse' premiere packs explosive action sequences and dramatic new shooting locations, and a new trailer makes a nod to President John F. Kennedy.
The 1st Emirati Astronaut Has Had a Blast in Space, But It's Time to Come Home
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
UAE astronaut Hazzaa Ali Almansoori is spending 8 days in space.
Crowded Space Station: There Are 9 People from 4 Different Space Agencies in Orbit Right Now
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
It's a bit crowded at the International Space Station right now.
Happy Equinox! It's the 1st Day of Autumn in Earth's Northern Hemisphere
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
This morning (Sept. 23) at 3:49 a.m. EDT (0749 GMT) marked the official celestial beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
Relativity Space to Launch Satellite 'Tugs' on 3D-Printed Rocket
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Relativity Space, a company that builds and lofts 3D-printed rockets, will launch a half-dozen missions for the in-orbit shuttle service company Momentus beginning in 2021.
NASA's Airborne Observatory SOFIA Takes Flight Over Europe Today
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Today (Sept. 18) a unique airborne space observatory will perform its first scientific flight over Europe.
Large Magellanic Cloud Shines in 'Unprecedented' New Telescope Imagery
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Beyond the border of our Milky Way lies a fascinating satellite galaxy that takes center stage in new imagery.
Brazil's Space Agency Head Was Forced Out for Defending Climate Science
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
In just one month, June 2019, the Amazon rainforest experienced deforestation over a region larger than Maui.
It's Not Too Early to Plan for the Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2024
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Wednesday (Aug. 21) marked the two-year anniversary of the Great American Solar Eclipse!
Hawaii's Mauna Kea Observatories Will Reopen After Weeks of Telescope Protests
By Doris Elin Urrutia published
Astronomers at the Mauna Kea telescopes in Hawaii are returning to work after pausing their operations in response to the gathering of thousands of activists over the past four weeks.