Latest articles by Nola Taylor Tillman
What Makes This Low-Mass White Dwarf So 'Impossible' to Behold?
Scientists have spotted an incredibly weird, 'impossible' white dwarf star in a discovery that suggests these objects are even more common than suspected.
The Science of the 2019 Mercury Transit: How Astronomers Will Study the Rare Celestial Event
On Monday, students across the U.S. will use Mercury's transit to measure the distance between Earth and the sun.
'Dirty' Collisions Shed Light on Planet Formation
Hit-and-run collisions and those that leave debris can affect a planet's orbit and growth.
Tons of Water in Asteroids Could Fuel Satellites, Space Exploration
A special class of water-rich asteroids would make great targets for asteroid mining.
Dangerous Asteroids May Be Lurking in Jupiter's Shadow
Asteroids and comets hidden in Jupiter's shadow may be in "safe mode" now, but a small change could send them flying towards Earth.
A Fairy-Tale Mission: The Folklore Behind Japan's Visit to the Asteroid Ryugu
Once upon a time, a spacecraft made a dramatic quest to a distant land to bring back a treasure — and some science.
Jupiter's Volcanic Moon Io May Not Have a Magma Ocean After All
Io, the most volcanic body in the solar system, may not boast a magma ocean after all.
Will Private Companies Beat NASA to the Moon?
NASA is working with private companies to send humans back to the moon. But what happens if those companies get there first?
Gravitational Waves Could Guide Space 'Hitchhikers' to a Magrathea-Like World
Gravitational waves could reveal planets around white dwarfs, even those beyond our galaxy.
Eris: The First Dwarf Planet
The discovery of Eris led to Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet.
How Scientists Plan to Study the Total Solar Eclipse 2019
The elusive solar corona will be a key point of scientific studies during the July 2, 2019 total eclipse.
'Cold Quasars' May Be at the End of Their Lives, But They Can Still Birth Stars
Despite signs that they are at the end of their lifetime, some galaxies may continue to produce stars, contrary to expectations.
Magnetic Fields May Muzzle Milky Way's Monster Black Hole
The mysteriously quiet behavior of the Milky Way's supermassive black hole may be influenced by magnetic field lines.
Charles Lindbergh and the First Solo Transatlantic Flight
"Lucky Lindy" electrified the world and changed public opinion about air travel.
Red Dwarfs: The Most Common and Longest-Lived Stars
Most of the star nearest to Earth are red dwarfs, but they are too dim to be seen with the naked eye.
How and Why Do Planets Die?
Fire, ice, volcano or star — planets have a variety of ways to die.
Fingerprints of Venus Transformation May Be Hidden in Plain Sight
The transformation of a water-rich Venus to an overheated world may be preserved in its complex geological features.
An Ice Giant and Warped Disk? Weird Star's Mysteries Just Get Weirder
For over a decade, a warped disk around a young star puzzled astronomers — but new research suggests explanations for two of the mysteries it poses.
A Newborn Monster Black Hole May Get the Boot When Its Parent Galaxies Collide
The most massive black hole mergers can hurl the new, combined object free from their galaxy.
The Lunar South Pole Is a Rich Target for NASA's 2024 Moon Goal
Pence's five-year lunar challenge targets the moon's south pole, an area rich in water and science.
Toast Japan's Hayabusa2 Mission with These Ryugu-Themed Drinks
The asteroid Ryugu may be surprisingly dry, but that doesn't mean you have to be.
Universe Quickly Spawned Stars After Big Bang, Ancient Galaxy Shows
Observations of the most distant galaxy ever identified revealed traces of oxygen from at least one previous generation of stars, a sign that star formation got off to an early start.
NASA's New Millennium Program: Taking Risks to Reduce Future Danger
The New Millennium Program explored new technology in space to reduce mission costs.
