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
Male astronauts headed to Mars could thrive on this vegetarian salad
By Samantha Mathewson published
It turns out the optimal space meal for male astronauts is a tasty vegetarian salad, using ingredients grown in space that offer micronutrients needed to compensate for extra calories burned.
Ripples in the oldest known spiral galaxy may shed light on the origins of our Milky Way
By Samantha Mathewson published
Observations have revealed the first-ever seismic waves seen in an ancient galaxy, offering new insight on the origins of our very own Milky Way.
Vulcan rocket to launch private Peregrine moon lander on debut liftoff Jan. 8. How to watch live.
By Samantha Mathewson published
The private Peregrine moon lander is scheduled to launch Jan. 8 on the debut flight of ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket, and you can follow along with the mission during a variety of prelaunch events.
Chinese rocket booster falls from space, crashes near house, after satellite launch: report
By Samantha Mathewson published
Rocket debris from a recent China satellite launch fell to ground near inhabited areas, where bystanders apparently caught the fiery touchdown on video.
NASA astronauts test SpaceX Starship elevator for future moon landings
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA astronauts practiced using a SpaceX Starship elevator to send cargo and other items into the spacecraft. Starship is targeted to land humans on the moon in the 2020s.
10 exhilarating spaceflight missions to watch in 2024
By Samantha Mathewson published
From long-awaited rocket launches and lunar landers to crewed flights around the moon, here are a few exciting spaceflight missions to look forward to in 2024.
NASA hails historic space milestones of 2023 in inspiring new video
By Samantha Mathewson published
The space agency shared a new video showcasing its 2023 achievements, ranging from its first asteroid sample return project to its outline of how to send humans to Mars — and beyond.
10 times the night sky amazed us in 2023
By Samantha Mathewson published
The night sky of 2023 delivered many amazing views of the moon, comets, meteors and even space debris. Here are this year’s most memorable skywatching sights.
Hubble Telescope captures a galaxy's 'forbidden' light in stunning new image
By Samantha Mathewson published
The "forbidden" light of the spiral galaxy MCG-01-24-014 is captured in a new image from the Hubble Space Telescope, suggesting the galaxy contradicts common rules of quantum physics.
Hubble Space Telescope zooms in on member of galactic quartet (image)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Hubble Space Telescope photographed NGC 2814, an irregular galaxy that belongs to a group of four "late-type galaxies" collectively called Holmberg 124.
Aurora-like 'Steve' phenomenon and glowing 'picket fences' point to unknown exotic physics
By Samantha Mathewson published
A recent study suggests the aurora-like STEVE and "picket fence" phenomena are generated by low-altitude electric fields parallel to Earth's magnetic field.
SETI's 1st 'conversation' with a humpback whale offers insight on how to talk to E.T.
By Samantha Mathewson published
Humpback whale "conversations" provide valuable insight on how humans may one day communicate with life beyond Earth.
ISS astronaut snaps amazing photos of icebergs from space
By Samantha Mathewson published
European astronaut Andreas Mogensen captured amazing photos of giant icebergs floating in the South Atlantic from his perch aboard the International Space Station.
Australia votes to name its 1st moon rover 'Roo-ver'
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Australian Space Agency has named its first lunar rover Roo-ver, which will launch to the moon as early as 2026 in partnership with NASA's Artemis program.
Astronaut Mike Massimino shares advice from NASA career in new book 'Moonshot'
By Samantha Mathewson published
Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino shares lessons learned during his career and how they can be applied in his new book, "Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible" out Dec. 5.
Here's what astronauts in orbit around Mars would see from their spacecraft
By Samantha Mathewson published
New images from NASA's Mars Odyssey Orbiter capture what the Red Planet would look like from the vantage point of a spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet.
The Milky Way lights up the 'Valley of the moon' in magical new night sky photo
By Samantha Mathewson published
The European Southern Observatory shared a mesmerizing new photo of the Milky Way shining above Valle de la Luna, meaning "Valley of the Moon," in Chile's Atacama Desert.
Satellites watch world's largest iceberg break away from Antarctica (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The world's largest iceberg, known as A23a, has broken loose and is moving past the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in new satellite images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission.
Hubble Space Telescope spies multiple galaxy clusters masquerading as one (image)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Hubble Space Telescope has observed a double whammy — two independent galaxy clusters grouped together in the same view.
Dazzling remains of star explosion revealed in new ESO image
By Samantha Mathewson published
A new photo from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope captures the Vela supernova remnant, the result of a stellar explosion that happened 11,000 years ago.
'Mateship' or 'Kakirra'? Australia turns to public to name its 1st moon rover
By Samantha Mathewson published
The final four names are "Coolamon," "Kakirra," "Mateship" and "Roo-ver." The public can vote for their favorite through Dec. 1.
See SpaceX's Starship ignite all 33 1st-stage engines in fiery test-flight photos
By Samantha Mathewson published
SpaceX shared incredible photos from the second test flight of its Starship megarocket over the weekend, including views of its 33 first-stage Raptor engines igniting for liftoff.
This solar eruption was so powerful it warped the sun's magnetic field (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Satellites observed a coronal mass ejection on Wednesday (Nov. 15), capturing a bright burst of super-hot plasma that warped the sun's magnetic field.
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