Henry Bortman

Contributing Writer

Henry Bortman was the managing editor of Astrobiology Magazine, a NASA-sponsored website. He began his career in journalism at the Berkeley Tribe in the early 1970s and wrote for MacUser magazine until it merged with Macworld in 1997 before transitioning to science writing. He is also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hiking, backpacking, rafting and kayaking. 

Articles by: Henry Bortman

Angela Detweiler collects samples of photosynthetic bacteria in the wetlands at the inlet to Laguna Lo Encañado.

Scientists Probe Undersea for Future Mission to Saturn Moon Titan

By Henry Bortman published

Scientists are testing technologies to one day explore the lakes of Titan.

PLL Laguna Negra

Scientists Test Tech for Mission to Saturn Moon Titan

By Henry Bortman published

Researchers headed to Chile to test technologies for a possible mission to Saturn's moon Titan.

The first attempt to launch the DREAMS-11student balloon in April 2011 fell victim to gusty winds. Here, several scientists try to prevent the balloon from hitting the ground and bursting.

How to Launch a Student Balloon Into the Stratosphere

By Henry Bortman published

See how a team of students and NASA launch a weather balloon into the stratosphere.

Transmission electron micrograph shows a strain of the arsenic-eating bacterium called GFAJ-1.

Arsenic-Eating Bacteria Opens New Possibilities for Alien Life

By Henry Bortman published

Scientists have discovered a type of bacteria that thrives on poisonous arsenic, opening up a new pathway for life on Earth and other planets.

Antarctica's University Valley, where later this month NASA's IceBite team will field-test Honeybee Robotics' rotary-percussion drill, boring a meter deep into the subsurface ice.

NASA Drill Team Breaking the Antarctic Ice

By Henry Bortman published

A team of NASA scientists is headed to Antarctica to test new tools and methods for the next mission to the Martian arctic.

Discoveries in the Deep: How Astronauts Practice to Explore Other Worlds

Astrobiology Field Reports: Are Canadian Lake Structures Biological or Chemical?

By Henry Bortman published

Scientists practicing astrobiology search methods are studying whether odd formations in a Canadian lake are the result of biological organisms or chemical processes.

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Field Reports: Diving for Life in Canadian Lake

By Henry Bortman published

Astrobiology Magazine's Henry Bortman is in the field with the scientists of the Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP) in British Columbia, Canada.

Discoveries in the Deep: How Astronauts Practice to Explore Other Worlds

Canadian Lake Helps Scientists Refine Alien Life-Hunting Skills

By Henry Bortman published

Scientists and astronauts will use single-seater submarines to dive into Canada's Pavilian Lake to practice hone life-hunting skills for use on other planets.

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Antarctic Diving Robot Practices for Europa Mission

By Henry Bortman published

Can Life on Titan Thrive Without Water?

Can Life on Titan Thrive Without Water?

By Henry Bortman published

Saturn's giant moon Titan is so cold that water is frozen as hard as granite, but methane is a liquid. Scientists wonder whether there could also be life.

NASA to Test Drills for Cutting Ice on Mars

NASA to Test Drills for Cutting Ice on Mars

By Henry Bortman published

NASA's IceBite team is ready to test drills designed to cut ice on Mars.

Discoveries in the Deep: How Astronauts Practice to Explore Other Worlds

Discoveries in the Deep: How Astronauts Practice to Explore Other Worlds

By Henry Bortman published

Scientists from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are using Pavilion Lake as a testing ground for the future human exploration of other worlds.

Probing Antarctica’s Lake Bonney

Probing Antarctica’s Lake Bonney

By Henry Bortman published

An underwater vehicle tests an ice-covered lake in Antarctica to prepare for future Europa missions.

New Images of Titan Baffle Astronomers

New Images of Titan Baffle Astronomers

By Henry Bortman published

Pictures and data from the Cassini spacecraft have presented scientists with a major mystery.

Was Venus Alive? 'The Signs are Probably There'

Was Venus Alive? 'The Signs are Probably There'

By Henry Bortman published

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