Samantha Mathewson
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

See the moon cozy up to Saturn during 'conjunction' Dec. 8
By Samantha Mathewson published
On Sunday (Dec. 8), the moon will pass near Saturn, sharing the same right ascension in an event known as a conjunction. Viewers can expect to see the moon near Saturn shortly after sunset.

See Jupiter at its biggest and brightest this weekend
By Samantha Mathewson published
Jupiter will reach opposition on Dec. 7, rising opposite of the sun as seen from Earth. It will also make its closest approach to us, appearing brighter in our sky.

Satellites spy red-hot lava threaten Iceland's Blue Lagoon
By Samantha Mathewson published
Satellites watched bright burning lava surge toward Iceland's Blue Lagoon following a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

NASA's Europa Clipper probe deploys 1st science instruments en route to Jupiter
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's Europa Clipper mission has successfully deployed its magnetometer's boom and several antennas for its radar instrument as it continues on its journey toward Jupiter's ice-covered moon.

'Flame-throwing' Guitar Nebula's concert caught by Hubble and Chandra space telescopes (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA telescope spotted a glowing nebula that looks like a guitar shredding rapid pulses of stellar material through space like soundwaves through a packed concert stadium.

NASA awards $11.5 million to help design the aircraft of tomorrow
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA has awarded $11.5 million to five organizations that will contribute to the study of new design concepts for more sustainable aircraft.

Will astronauts need to be rescued from the moon? NASA wants to be prepared just in case
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA is seeking the public's help creating emergency response plans for future missions to the moon.

What to expect during SpaceX's 6th Starship test flight on Nov. 19
By Samantha Mathewson published
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday (Nov. 19) for the launch of its sixth Starship flight test, during a 30-minute launch window that opens at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT).

Space-flown Choctaw Nation seeds to be planted on Earth for STEM experiment
By Samantha Mathewson published
"This project elevates Native culture and voices in a society where Native populations are underrepresented in STEM fields."

The sun's poles may have powerful magnetic tornadoes
By Samantha Mathewson published
The sun may have swirling polar vortices similar to those on Earth, but powered by a very different source, according to a new study.

Galaxies get tangled up in 'the queen's hair' in new Hubble Telescope image
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured two tangled galaxies, whose interactions have caused knots to form in the constellation Coma Berenice, or the "queen's hair."

Jupiter's storms and its 'potato' moon Amalthea stun in new NASA Juno probe images
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's Juno spacecraft has sent back stunning photos of Jupiter, including colorful, chaotic storms swirling through the planet’s atmosphere.

Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet sets new speed record during 7th test flight
By Samantha Mathewson published
Boom Supersonic's XB-1 aircraft set a new speed record during its latest test flight on Nov. 5, marking a major milestone toward flying at supersonic speeds.

Adorable 3D-printed rovers learn to find blue ball in Mars-like environment
By Samantha Mathewson published
University students tested 3D-printed rovers designed to emulate Europe's Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover that is slated to launch to the Martian surface by 2028.

Supernova hides in new Hubble Telescope galaxy 'light show' image (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
A celestial light show illuminates a distant spiral galaxy, where a hidden supernova briefly outshines its stellar neighbors in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope.

Satellites can now spot plastic trash on Earth's beaches from space (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
"This is incredibly exciting, as up to now we have not had a tool for detecting plastics in coastal environments from space."

Perseverance rover watches 'googly eye' solar eclipse from Mars (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover was treated to a 'googly eye' solar eclipse on Sept. 30 as the planet's moon Phobos passed in front of the sun.

Fight space ghosts as an astronaut cat in spooky Halloween 2024 Google Doodle
By Samantha Mathewson published
Celebrate Halloween with a cosmic new Google Doodle, featuring an astronaut cat vanquishing creepy creatures across Earth's atmosphere.

Voyager 1 spacecraft phones home with transmitter that hasn't been used since 1981
By Samantha Mathewson published
Following recent communication issues, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft resorted to a backup radio transmitter that has been inactive since 1981.

Distorted galaxy whizzes through crowded cluster in new Hubble Telescope image
By Samantha Mathewson published
A new image from the Hubble Space Telescope captures the galaxy IC 3225 with a comet-like tail of gas streaming from its central disk as it moves through the Virgo Cluster.

Watch sun erupt in 1st images from NOAA's groundbreaking new satellite (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
NOAA shared new images taken by the world's first operational space-based coronagraph, CCOR-1, captured during a solar storm outburst.

Supergiant star Betelgeuse may have a 'Betelbuddy'
By Samantha Mathewson published
The supergiant star Betelgeuse may have a companion star that pushes light-blocking dust out of the way, causing the irregular changes observed in the star's brightness.

Astrophotographer snaps spectacular view of annular solar eclipse from Easter Island (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
An astrophotographer who visited Easter Island for the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 2, 2024, shared a stunning view of the "ring of fire."

Hera probe snaps its 1st images of Earth and moon on way to asteroid crash site
By Samantha Mathewson published
The European Space Agency's Hera asteroid mission has beamed back its first images from space.

SpaceX makes Starlink internet service free for people hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton
By Samantha Mathewson published
In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, SpaceX has distributed more than 10,000 Starlink kits and waived monthly fees for using the satellite internet service in affected areas.
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