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

A 'horned' comet may be visible during the 2024 total solar eclipse
By Samantha Mathewson published
An unusual "horned" comet is now visible in the night sky and may even make a rare appearance during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

NASA's mini moon rovers go for a test drive ahead of 2025 private lunar launch (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's CADRE mini rovers have been test driven across the agency's "Mars Yard" and subjected to various other tests to confirm they are ready to launch to the moon.

Gorgeous James Webb Space Telescope image captures sparkling stars, old and new
By Samantha Mathewson published
A small galaxy is bursting with star formation in a dazzling new image from the James Webb Space Telescope.

Lego Education Eclipse Collection teaches students about April 8 total solar eclipse
By Samantha Mathewson published
Lego Education has launched a new solar eclipse education collection featuring special activities to engage students in the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8.

Watch shock waves ripple from SpaceX's giant Starship rocket during 3rd test flight (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The third launch of SpaceX's Starship sent shock waves through the air, clearly visible in a stunning new slow motion video that captures the ignition of the spacecraft's 33 Raptor engines.

NASA's 'Snap It!' computer game teaches kids about solar eclipses
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA has launched a new computer game to help kids learn about solar eclipses ahead of April 8 when the moon's shadow will sweep across North America.

April 8's total solar eclipse will make baseball history. Here's how
By Samantha Mathewson published
The total solar eclipse on April 8 stretches from Mexico across 15 U.S. states and into southeastern Canada, hitting two cities that will host Major League Baseball games that day.

A rare nova ignites a 'new star' in the sky this year. Here's how to see it
By Samantha Mathewson published
A nova named T Coronae Borealis is expected to decorate the night sky between February and September 2024 for the first time in 80 years. Here's how you can see the event.

Oldest 'dead' galaxy ever seen defies current models of the ancient universe
By Samantha Mathewson published
Astronomers have discovered the oldest known "dead" galaxy in recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, challenging current models of the early universe.

NASA high-altitude balloon breaks agency flight record
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA's GUSTO mission, which launched from Antarctica on Dec. 31, set a new agency record for a heavy-lift, long-duration scientific balloon flight.

Help name the asteroid that Japan's Hayabusa2 probe will fly by in 2026
By Samantha Mathewson published
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft will zoom past a small near-Earth asteroid in 2026 as part of its extended mission — and you could help name the space rock.

This iPhone app can find the Milky Way's monster black hole from anywhere
By Samantha Mathewson published
A new iPhone app, built with ChatGPT, allows you to find the center of the Milky Way by simply using your smartphone.

Meet the SpaceX Crew-8 astronauts launching to the ISS on March 2
By Samantha Mathewson published
Four new astronauts are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on March 2 as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission.

Can you capture the comet's tail? Scientists need help from astrophotographers
By Samantha Mathewson published
Researchers are calling on amateur astronomers to help photograph the broken tail of a comet on track to pass by Earth this spring.

Do you want to spend a year inside a mock Mars base for science? If so, NASA wants you.
By Samantha Mathewson published
NASA is seeking applicants for its year-long CHAPEA 2 mock Mars mission, which is expected to kick off in spring 2025. Applications are open to the public through April 2, 2024.

Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander is aiming for a crater near the moon's south pole. Here's why
By Samantha Mathewson published
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus mission is targeting a touchdown near the moon's south pole this week for a historic lunar landing. Why was this location chosen?

See the sun's surface rage as solar maximum approaches (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Photos by the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter probe show activity ramping up on the sun's surface as it approaches solar maximum this year.

Very Large Telescope snaps gorgeous shot of Milky Way's star-studded core (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
A new view from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope captures the abundant star-forming region at the center of the Milky Way.

Australia seeks public help to design its 1st moon rover, Roo-ver
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Australian Space Agency is building a moon rover called "Roo-ver," slated to launch as early as 2026.

Water found on the surface of an asteroid for the 1st time ever
By Samantha Mathewson published
Water molecules have been detected on the surface of an asteroid for the first time, revealing new clues about the distribution of water in our solar system.

A tiny asteroid just snuck between the Earth and moon
By Samantha Mathewson published
A newly discovered asteroid has passed safely between the Earth and moon during a very close encounter this week.

Lava from Iceland volcano spied from space (satellite photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Solidified lava surrounds the small Icelandic town of Grindavík in a new photo from the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-2, following recent volcanic eruptions.

See Earth's atmosphere glow gold in gorgeous photo taken from the ISS
By Samantha Mathewson published
A golden glow illuminates Earth's horizon in a stunning new image captured from the International Space Station.
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