Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13.
Latest articles by Samantha Mathewson

Ancient Australian rocks may shed new light on the birth of the moon
By Samantha Mathewson published
Some of Earth's oldest rocks buried deep in Western Australia may hold new clues about the dramatic event that gave rise to our moon.

Explore the Milky Way like never before in this stunning new color map (image)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Astronomers have unveiled the largest low-frequency radio color image of the Milky Way ever created, offering a sprawling, interactive cosmic panorama with unprecedented detail.

New laser drill could help scientists explore ice-covered worlds like Jupiter's ocean moon Europa
By Samantha Mathewson published
Scientists have developed a laser-based ice drill concept that could enable deeper, low-power exploration of ice on moons and planets in our solar system.

Enormous black hole unexpectedly found in tiny galaxy
By Samantha Mathewson published
An unexpected monster black hole was found hiding inside one of the Milky Way’s tiniest neighbors, rewriting what scientists thought they knew about how small galaxies hold themselves together.

How AI and sand dunes on Mars can reveal the planet's history, one grain at a time
By Samantha Mathewson published
An innovative technique for measuring the force acting on individual grains of sand could help scientists uncover how winds have shaped the surface of Mars.

'No spacecraft would survive': Europe simulates catastrophic solar storm to warn of real risks
By Samantha Mathewson published
Europe has just run its most extreme space weather simulation yet — a scenario so severe that no spacecraft was left unscathed.

This is the largest-ever galaxy cluster catalog. Could it reveal clues about the dark universe?
By Samantha Mathewson published
Astronomers have unveiled a new catalog of massive galaxy clusters, revealing new insight on the evolution of the universe.

Physicist and author Brian Greene to host 1st Global Space Awards in London
By Samantha Mathewson published
The cosmos is getting its own red carpet. The inaugural Global Space Awards will launch later this year with world-renowned physicist and science communicator Brian Greene set as the host.

If life on Mars exists, it may be preserved in a frozen time capsule
By Samantha Mathewson published
If life ever existed on Mars, traces of it might still be frozen beneath the planet’s icy surface.

Dry ice may burrow through Mars like sandworms in 'Dune'
By Samantha Mathewson published
Blocks of carbon dioxide ice appear to carve mysterious gullies on Mars as they melt down dune slopes and blast away sand.

Satellites watch as record-breaking ocean waves carry a storm's power across the sea
By Samantha Mathewson published
Satellites recorded the largest ocean swells ever seen from space, highlighting how massive waves can act as storm “messengers,” carrying a storm’s power across entire oceans.

Microbes essential for human health can survive the stress of spaceflight. That's great news for astronauts
By Samantha Mathewson published
Microbes essential for human health have proven resilient against the extreme forces of space travel, offering hope for maintaining astronaut well-being on future long-duration missions.

Incredible telescope image shows baby exoplanet being born
By Samantha Mathewson published
A baby exoplanet has been spotted nestled inside a ring around its young parent star, offering a never-before-seen view of planet formation.

Australian nanosatellite snaps 1st selfie in space before tracking cosmic gamma-ray bursts (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Australia's SpIRIT nanosatellite has snapped its first "selfie" from space, marking a successful start to its mission.

World Space Week 2025 explores what it means to live beyond Earth
By Samantha Mathewson published
World Space Week 2025 (Oct. 4–10) explores the theme "Living in Space," with global events highlighting the challenges and future of life beyond Earth.

Our moon's 2 sides are more different than we thought, lunar samples reveal
By Samantha Mathewson published
Lunar samples reveal the far side of the moon, hidden from Earth's view, may have a cooler interior than the near side.

Psyche asteroid probe uses lasers to phone home from 218 million miles away
By Samantha Mathewson published
Final tests of NASA's laser beam communication technology offer a promising new way to keep in touch with astronauts and spacecraft venturing into deep space, including future missions to Mars.

Satellites track Pacific tsunami in real time after massive Russian earthquake
By Samantha Mathewson published
The system measured ripples in Earth's atmosphere to monitor the event.

A massive dark matter halo may explain the strange 5th point of this 'Einstein Cross'
By Samantha Mathewson published
Astronomers have discovered a rare cosmic alignment that may reveal hidden dark matter, offering a new way to study the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe.

Zoom through the Milky Way's stellar nurseries in this super-detailed 3D map (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Astronomers have unveiled the most detailed 3D map ever made of stellar nurseries in our Milky Way galaxy.

NASA satellites spot brand-new island in Alaska formed by melting glacier (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Satellite images reveal a new island in Alaska's Alsek Lake, formed as retreating glaciers reshape the landscape.

How military helicopters in Colorado will help land NASA's Artemis astronauts on the moon
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA is using Colorado's rugged peaks to rehearse the risky final moments of future Artemis lunar landings.

Scientists discover minerals in asteroid Ryugu that are older than Earth itself
By Samantha Mathewson published
Asteroid Ryugu is proving to be one of the most scientifically valuable time capsules in the solar system.
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