Latest articles by Meghan Bartels
Laika the space dog: First living creature in orbit
Laika, a Moscow street dog, became the first creature to orbit Earth, but she died in space.
The hunt is on for exomoons around alien planets and scientists may have just found one
Time for another tantalizing glimpse of what alien solar systems might look like.
NASA may need more astronauts for space station, moon missions, report says
NASA may need more astronauts to meet its human spaceflight goals over the coming years, according to a new report from the agency's investigative office.
Supermassive black hole gobbled up a star in the 1980s, and high schoolers helped discover it
Astronomers have found evidence of a black hole snacking on a star in data gathered back in the 1980s, according to new research.
Virgin Orbit lands in Times Square NYC to ring NASDAQ bell
Another kind of countdown hit New York City's Times Square Friday (Jan. 7) as a commercial spaceflight company celebrated joining the NASDAQ stock exchange.
James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of massive golden mirror
Unfolding the two side wings of the James Webb Space Telescope's golden primary mirror marks the last major task in assembling the observatory.
Death star: In cosmic first, scientists observe red supergiant just before it explodes
It's much easier for scientists to see the messy aftermath of stellar explosions than to watch the prelude to the drama.
NASA's TESS exoplanet mission reveals mystery of strange signals from dusty object
The universe is full of mysteries.
James Webb Space Telescope deploys radiator to keep cool
NASA's new high-tech, low-temp observatory observatory is one step closer to gathering some cool science.
Comet Leonard puts on a final, spectacular display with ion tail in solar wind
Comet Leonard is slipping out of view, but not without putting on one last show.
NASA delays tightening James Webb Space Telescope sunshield to study power system
NASA personnel are spending the day studying the power subsystem of the massive James Webb Space Telescope to ensure the spacecraft is ready to execute a key procedure.
James Webb Space Telescope team takes break before tightening up vital sunshield
To celebrate the new year, consider taking a day to rest.
With COVID-19 on the rise again, 'Super Bowl of astronomy' next month canceled
As COVID-19 infection rates rise once again, the leaders of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have canceled the major conference scheduled for early January.
James Webb Space Telescope has enough fuel for way more than 10 years of science
NASA's new space observatory should have enough fuel to keep at science work for significantly longer than mission designs required, according to an agency update.
Where is NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? Here's how to follow its progress.
NASA's new $10 billion observatory is completing a nerve-wracking sequence of steps to reach its final configuration and location. Here's how to follow the process.
NASA assigns 2 astronauts to SpaceX Crew-6 mission, launching in 2023
The first two seats of the sixth full-fledged NASA crew mission launched by SpaceX have been filled.
James Webb Space Telescope begins unfolding delicate, massive sunshield
NASA's massive new space observatory has entered its most perilous phase yet as it begins the careful process of unfurling its delicate sunshield.
James Webb Space Telescope sails beyond the orbit of the moon after 2nd course correction
About 60 hours after launch, NASA's next-generation space observatory nailed the second of three required course-correction burns.
James Webb Space Telescope notches crucial maneuver to set its path
The James Webb Space Telescope is truly on its way.
30 years and $10 billion later, the James Webb Space Telescope is finally on the launch pad
NASA and the astronomy community have poured $10 billion and more than two decades into just one piece of machinery. Now they are facing the moment of truth.
James Webb Space Telescope reaches launch pad for Christmas liftoff
After more than two decades of development, NASA's next-generation space telescope is on the launch pad.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launch delayed to Christmas due to bad weather
NASA's much-awaited next-generation space telescope is finally ready to launch — just as soon as the weather cooperates.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission slips to spring 2022 after engine issue
Rocket woes have again delayed NASA's return to the moon.
