Articles by: Kelly Dickerson

Kelly Dickerson

Kelly Dickerson is a staff writer for Live Science and Space.com. She regularly writes about physics, astronomy and environmental issues, as well as general science topics. Kelly is working on a Master of Arts degree at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, and has a Bachelor of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Berry College. Kelly was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and dabbles in skimboarding and long-distance running.

Articles by: Kelly Dickerson

What Makes an Earth-Like Planet? Here's the Recipe

By Kelly Dickerson published 21 January 15

New research presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting reveals the ingredients needed for Earth-like exoplanets to form.

Shimmering green auroras dance over Earth in this stunning still image from a series of time-lapse videos of Earth from space by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst in 2014.

Spectacular Time-Lapse Video Shows Earth Through an Astronaut's Eyes

By Kelly Dickerson published 11 January 15

This incredible time-lapse of Earth from space was created from about 12,500 images taken by ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst during his six-month stay on the International Space Station.

Green Comet Lovejoy Photobombs Night Sky Photos by Stargazers

By Kelly Dickerson published 9 January 15

Amateur astronomers captured amazing photos of a bright comet as it raced across the sky this week. See the amazing photos from Tyler Leavitt in Las Vegas and Chad Bakley in Cape May, New Jersey.

Happy Birthday, Stephen Hawking! Famed Scientist Turns 73 Today

By Kelly Dickerson published 8 January 15

Stephen Hawking celebrates his 73rd birthday today.

NASA astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore (left) floats with ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (center) and NASA's Terry Virts (right) record a New Year's greeting on the International Space Station for people on Earth.

Astronauts Ring in the New Year from Space 16 Times (Video)

By Kelly Dickerson published 1 January 15

The six astronauts onboard the International Space Station will ring in the New Year floating 240 miles above the Earth.

High-Tech Airships Could Be NASA's Next Challenge

By Kelly Dickerson published 31 December 14

NASA has proposed a new citizen science challenge called the 20-20-20 Airship Challenge that calls for high-altitude and long-duration airship designs.

NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wlimore (left) and Terry Virts discuss Christmas plans aboard the International Space Station during an interview on Dec. 22, 2014.

Astronauts Celebrate Christmas in Space

By Kelly Dickerson published 25 December 14

The iconic 'Earthrise' image was captured by astronauts during NASA's Apollo 8 mission on Dec. 24, 1968.

The First Christmas in Space: An Apollo 8 Holiday History

By Kelly Dickerson published 24 December 14

Planetary nebulas like Kohoutek 4-55 shown here in a photo from the Hubble Space Telescope provide the raw material for other stars and planets to form.

The Stellar Origins of Your Toothpaste

By Kelly Dickerson published 22 December 14

The Lunar Mission One lander deploys a robotic arm and drill on the moon in this artist's illustration. The private moon-drilling mission raised more than $1 million on Kickstarter in a crowdfunding project.

Private Moon-Drilling Mission Raises Over $1 Million via Crowdfunding

By Kelly Dickerson published 19 December 14

Want to Name a Crater on Mercury? Now's Your Chance

By Kelly Dickerson published 16 December 14

The International Astronomical Union has announced a competition to name five craters on Mercury, and the winners will be announced next spring at the end of the MESSENGER spacecraft's mission.

The documentary follows a young Iranian woman and her dream to become an astronaut.

Iranian Woman's Quest to Become an Astronaut Stars in Documentary

By Kelly Dickerson published 14 December 14

"Sepideh: Reaching for the Stars" follows a young Iranian woman who dreams of becoming an astronaut but faces obstacles from her conservative country.

Giant Sun Storm of 2012 Shown in Fiery Detail (Video)

By Kelly Dickerson published 14 December 14

NASA released a video with incredible views of the massive coronal mass ejection that erupted from the sun in July 2012.

These crystals captured and stored quantum information at the end of the teleportation.

Quantum Teleportation Reaches Farthest Distance Yet

By Kelly Dickerson published 8 December 14

Physicists have teleported a light particle 15 miles (25 kilometers), making it the farthest quantum teleportation yet.

Astronomers estimate that the visible matter in Pandora's Cluster only makes up five percent of its mass. They believe the rest is made of dark matter.

Invisible Dark Matter May Show Up in GPS Signals

By Kelly Dickerson published 2 December 14

Dark matter might be made of clouds of energy cracks instead of particles and may be detectable in GPS signals.

Is Dark Energy Gobbling Dark Matter, and Slowing Universe's Expansion?

By Kelly Dickerson published 24 November 14

New research shows that dark energy may be eating up dark matter and slowing down the rate that the universe is expanding.

This Map of the Huge Asteroid Vesta Is the Best Geologic Look Ever

By Kelly Dickerson published 19 November 14

A new map reveals the most detailed picture yet of the surface features of the asteroid Vesta.

Pew, Pew, Pew! NASA Space Lasers to Map Earth's Forests in 3D

By Kelly Dickerson published 18 November 14

A new laser instrument developed for the International Space Station is expected to generate incredible 3D maps of Earth's forests.

'Theory of Everything' Film Reveals Stephen Hawking's Personal Life

By Kelly Dickerson published 14 November 14

The new biopic "The Theory of Everything" documents the personal life of cosmologist Stephen Hawking.

NASA's Most Complex 3D-Printed Rocket Part Yet Passes Test (Video)

By Kelly Dickerson published 8 November 14

NASA tested two rockets with 3D-printed injectors modeled after the rocket that could one day send humans to Mars.

Rosetta Spacecraft Sees the 'Dark Side' of a Comet (Photos)

By Kelly Dickerson published 7 November 14

Comet Emits Cosmic Stench, Rosetta Spacecraft Reveals

By Kelly Dickerson published 3 November 14

The Rosetta spacecraft has detected some stinky compounds in the cloud of chemicals surrounding Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

How NASA's 1st Orion Spaceship Test Flight Will Work (Video)

By Kelly Dickerson published 28 October 14

Cosmonauts Take Spacewalk Outside Space Station Today: Watch It Live

By Kelly Dickerson published 22 October 14

Russian cosmonauts from International Space Station's Expedition 41 crew will complete a six-hour spacewalk on Wednesday (Oct. 22).

Folding Origami Solar Panels Could Be Headed to Space (Video)

By Kelly Dickerson published 20 October 14

NASA engineers, researchers from Brigham Young University and origami expert Robert Lang are developing origami-inspired solar panel arrays that fold and unfold.