Latest articles by Elizabeth Howell
Did a NASA exoplanet-hunting balloon really 'crash' in Texas? Not according to the scientist behind the flight
NASA launched an exoplanet-hunting experiment Oct. 1 despite the government shutdown. After the mission's end on Oct. 2, news reports got a little confused.
This fleet of sungazing spacecraft could help spot 'space tornadoes' headed towards Earth
Four proposed sun-gazing spacecraft, working together, could help speed up space weather warnings by 40%, a new study suggests.
ISS astronaut captures amazing video of SpaceX Starlink satellite train cruising above auroras
A train of glittering SpaceX Starlink satellites shine brightly above a green aurora in a new video released by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.
Supermoon: what is it and when is the next one?
Reference Learn what makes a supermoon unique, how it impacts the moon's brightness, and when you can catch the next one in our ultimate supermoon guide.
Chinese space station astronauts feast on spicy lamb, mooncakes for mid-autumn festival (video)
The crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station enjoyed tasty treats for mid-Autumn festival while spending time looking at the Earth below them.
Surprise asteroid flies by Earth at only 250 miles away (video)
An asteroid, called 2025 TF, safely passed within roughly 250 miles (400 km) of our planet on Sept. 30 after surprising astronomers.
China's Tianwen 2 asteroid-sampling spacecraft snaps a selfie with Earth
China's Tianwen 2 spacecraft took a picture of itself, as well as the Earth, while en route to a mysterious asteroid that may tell us more about the moon's history.
From Afar to Olduvai: asteroid Donaldjohanson's landmarks get names tied to human origins
The names of human ancestors are now on an asteroid map.
'This is how I'm going to land': New NASA astronaut candidate's helicopter skills could come in handy on the moon
Ben Bailey has 2,000 hours of flight time, including with high-profile military helicopters. The NASA astronaut candidate may be able to leverage that experience for moon landings.
Bad news for astronauts? Human stem cells age more rapidly in space, study suggests
A new study suggests that a group of cells, key for the health of blood and the immune system, are vulnerable to aging-like processes after spending time on the ISS.
'We're really on a different trajectory': How NASA's Artemis moon missions aim to prepare us for Mars
NASA is working on finding landing sites for future moon astronauts. Part of the work includes thinking about how to prepare for eventual Mars missions with astronauts.
Storms leave 120-mile scar in Alberta visible from space (images)
Hailstones drove into terrain in southern Alberta during a storm Aug. 20, creating a scar on the landscape visible in NASA satellites.
US Air Force selects Blue Origin and Anduril for rocket cargo delivery project: report
Blue Origin and Anduril each received AFRL contracts to deliver rocket-flown cargo to any point in the world within one hour, according to a media report.
Can we safely deflect a killer asteroid without making it worse? Only if we avoid the gravitational 'keyhole,' scientists say
If we slam an impactor into an asteroid in exactly the wrong spot, the space rock may pass through a "gravitational keyhole" that brings it to Earth.
You could help NASA track its Artemis 2 astronauts' trip around the moon in 2026
As part of the Artemis 2 astronaut moon mission launching no earlier than 2026, NASA is asking volunteers to test alternative forms of deep-space tracking.
Ready for the next 'Oumuamua? Launching flyby missions to visiting interstellar comets is 'feasible and affordable,' study says
Conducting a flyby mission to an interstellar object visiting our solar system is "feasible and affordable," a new study finds. But orbiting such an interloper is a different story.
ISS astronaut Jonny Kim says controlling robots on Earth felt like playing video games: 'This demo brought me right back'
The only problem with being an astronaut? Less time for video gaming.
SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule boosts ISS higher above Earth in key test
SpaceX’s Dragon capsule demonstrated its ability to boost the ISS on Sept. 3, pushing the orbiting lab slightly higher above Earth.
Harassment at Antarctic research bases could spell problems for moon, Mars outposts
The National Science Foundation is already implementing some recommendations after a recent survey found issues with sexual assault and harassment on Antarctic missions.
SpaceX launches 5,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, lands rocket at sea (video)
SpaceX launched its 33rd Dragon cargo mission early Sunday morning (Aug. 24), sending 5,000 pounds of cargo toward the International Space Station.
NASA will announce its new astronaut class in September
NASA will announce its new astronaut class in September, as well as details about the Artemis 2 crewed mission around the moon.
This Chappell Roan song boosted interest in a Canadian dark sky preserve by 1,800%
Chappell Roan mentioned Canada's Saskatchewan just days before Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park hosts a "star party" festival in its dark-sky park.
Sirius: The brightest star in Earth's night sky
Reference Discover Sirius, the Dog Star, the brightest star in the night sky and learn how to spot it, its history, and why astronomers study it.
Chinese astronauts beef up Tiangong space station's debris shield during 6.5-hour spacewalk (video)
Two Chinese astronauts spent more than six hours outside the Tiangong space station on Friday (Aug. 15), installing a debris shield on the third spacewalk of the Shenzhou 20 mission.
