
Sharmila Kuthunur
Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist focusing on astronomy and space exploration. Her work has also appeared in Scientific American, Astronomy and Live Science, among other publications. She has earned a master's degree in journalism from Northeastern University in Boston. Follow her on BlueSky @skuthunur.bsky.social
Latest articles by Sharmila Kuthunur

Is there life on Saturn's moon Enceladus? New study complicates the search
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"Although this doesn't rule out the possibility that Enceladus' ocean may be habitable, it does mean we need to be cautious in making that assumption just because of the composition of the plumes."

108 million degrees! Solar flares are far hotter than thought, study suggests
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research shows that solar flares are six times hotter than thought and calls for updated sun models that could improve space weather forecasting.

'It shouldn't survive': Astronomers discover dust on an epic journey far beyond its galaxy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"Webb was the key that made it happen."

India tests parachutes for 1st-ever human spaceflight mission in 2027 (photos)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
India successfully tested the parachute system for its Gaganyaan crew module ahead of its planned first-ever astronaut launch in 2027.

Asteroid Bennu contains stardust that's older than the solar system
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"Bennu is a time capsule of the material that was throughout the solar system."

1st Indian astronaut to visit ISS welcomed home as a hero
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"Since I landed in Lucknow around 7:30 this morning, I must have clicked about 2,000 selfies."

Galactic cannonballs: The mystery of hypervelocity white dwarfs may just have been solved
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers may have solved the mystery of how hypervelocity white dwarfs rocket out of the Milky Way at breakneck speeds.

Perseverance Mars rover stumbles upon wind-carved 'megaripples' on the Red Planet
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Perseverance rover captured a striking new image of massive, wind-carved sand formations known as "megaripples" during its latest exploration stop on the Red Planet.

Dwarf planet Ceres may have once been suitable for life, new study suggests
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Even if life never took hold on Ceres, the discovery could help broaden the range of environments that could potentially be habitable.

'Alien auroras' on Jupiter reveal a new kind of plasma wave, scientists say
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists using NASA's Juno spacecraft have discovered a new plasma wave in Jupiter's auroras, offering fresh insight into space weather and magnetism.

Reining in the sun: Venus, Earth and Jupiter may work together to reduce the risk of extreme solar storms
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Tidal forces from Earth, Venus and Jupiter may help keep the sun calm, reducing the risk of powerful solar storms that threaten Earth, a new study suggests.

Hubble telescope uncovers rare star born from cosmic collision: 'A very different history from what we would have guessed'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"It's a discovery that underlines things may be different from what they appear to us at first glance."

This baby star's big explosion fired back: 'Nature is far more complex than humans think'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers discovered a star-triggered explosion shaping its dusty disk, revealing a far more chaotic and intense environment than previously thought.

AI helps astronomers make a potentially major find — an exploding star being attacked by a black hole
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Artificial intelligence helps astronomers observe what may be the first known case of a star exploding while interacting with a black hole.

Scientists capture bridge of stray stars being sucked from one galaxy to another
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers spot a rare stellar bridge in Abell 3667, revealing an aggressive galaxy merger and new clues about dark matter.

Scientists find oldest-known black hole in the universe: 'This is about as far back as you can practically go'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newfound supermassive black hole from the dawn of the universe challenges how early cosmic giants formed.

A laser-propelled mini spacecraft could travel to a nearby black hole, astrophysicist says
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A bold new proposal envisions launching laser-propelled nanocraft to a nearby black hole to test Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Curiosity rover celebrates 13 years on Mars with well-deserved naps and Red Planet 'coral'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Thirteen years into its mission, NASA's Curiosity rover is still uncovering Martian mysteries while learning to do more with less.

NASA's Europa Clipper radar passes key test during Mars flyby
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft successfully tested its ice-penetrating radar system during a close flyby of Mars earlier this year.

Moonquakes could pose threat to future lunar bases, scientists say
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research suggests moonquakes rooted in ancient fault systems could threaten modern moon missions.

Stunning 'sun dogs' could sparkle in alien skies, James Webb Space Telescope suggests
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
High-speed winds on exoplanet WASP-17b may align quartz crystals in its atmosphere and create dazzling light effects like "sun dogs."

This new 'CosmoCube' moon orbiter could eavesdrop on whispers from the early universe
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
U.K. scientists plan to send a small spacecraft to the moon's far side to detect faint radio signals emitted shortly after the Big Bang.

This wild bioplastic made of algae just aced a Mars pressure test. Can astronauts use it to build on the Red Planet?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists have grown algae in bioplastic habitats under Mars-like conditions, a step that could bring long-term space colonization closer to reality.

James Webb Space Telescope celebrates 3 years of science with dazzling 'toe beans' image of Cat's Paw Nebula
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is celebrating three years of transformational science with a striking new image of the Cat's Paw Nebula.
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