Sharmila Kuthunur
Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur.
Latest articles by Sharmila Kuthunur
Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida as satellites watch from space (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NOAA satellites in orbit have recorded nearly real-time views of Hurricane Debby as it makes landfall in Florida on Aug. 5, 2024.
Possible signs of Mars life: Astrobiologist explains Perseverance rover's exciting find
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Perseverance science team member Amy Williams discusses the rover's recent discovery of a rock with features and chemistry that could have been produced by ancient microbial life on Mars.
Hubble Telescope spots a stunning spiral galaxy shining in the 'Little Lion' (image)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new Hubble Telescope image shines a spotlight on a classic spiral galaxy named NGC 3430.
Magnetic fields on the sun could solve longstanding solar heating mystery
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new study reveals waves of magnetism within the sun could help explain why the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, is hundreds of times hotter than its surface.
What it takes to keep NASA's flagship Chandra observatory flying for a quarter century
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the flagship Chandra X-ray observatory, NASA released a behind-the-scenes look at the work it takes to keep the $1.5 billion telescope flying in space.
Europe's JUICE Jupiter probe flies by Earth on Aug. 20, and it may be visible to some skywatchers
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Europe's JUICE Jupiter spacecraft will swing past Earth on Aug. 20, and some skywatchers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean region may be able to see it.
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover finds possible signs of ancient Red Planet life
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Perseverance rover stumbled upon a Mars rock. It seems to suggest evidence of ancient life on the Red Planet.
Happy 25th anniversary, Chandra! NASA celebrates with 25 breathtaking images from flagship X-ray observatory
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the flagship Chandra X-ray observatory, NASA has released 25 never-before-seen images of iconic astronomical objects.
How to see Comet 13P/Olbers in the night sky this summer
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Comet 13P/Olbers approached close to Earth on July 20. It was last seen from Earth in 1956.
Europe on the moon: ESA targeting 2031 for 1st 'Argonaut' lunar lander mission
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The first robotic Argonaut moon landing mission is targeted for 2031, the European Space Agency noted in a document published last week.
'An oasis in the desert': NASA's Curiosity rover finds pure sulfur in Martian rocks
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Curiosity rover discovered a rare element on Mars after it drove over a rock and cracked it open.
The greatest astronomical discoveries of the past 25 years
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
As we celebrate Space.com's 25th anniversary, take a look back at the greatest discoveries in astronomy in the past 25 years.
'What exactly is a planet?' Astronomers want to amend the definition
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newly proposed mass-based definition of a planet reaffirms Pluto as a dwarf planet.
Watch a supermassive black hole trap a 'fluffy' disk in this simulation
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new computer simulation flies through tangled galaxies and zooms in on a black hole to dissect how these voids feats on surrounding matter.
If alien terraforming emits greenhouse gases, our telescopes could detect it
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new thought experiment reveals how greenhouse gases can be used as a technosignature in the hunt for aliens.
Satellites watch 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Beryl batter Carriacou island (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday (July 1) morning, setting the record of strongest hurricane to happen this early in the year.
Mars Odyssey celebrates 100,000 orbits, captures epic view of solar system's largest volcano
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's long-running Mars Odyssey orbiter celebrated its 100,000th orbit with a fresh view of Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system.
It's International Asteroid Day, and astronomers have much to celebrate
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
"It's a fun day."
Watch India's reusable space plane prototype ace its final landing test (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
India completed a series of tests for autonomously landing its fully reusable launch vehicle, marking another milestone in the country's pursuit of low cost access to space.
Dark matter clue? Mysterious substance may be interacting with itself in nearby galaxy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A neighbor galaxy of the Milky Way could offer fresh clues in the 90-year-long quest to determine the nature of dark matter.
Saturn's planet-wide storms driven by seasonal heating, Cassini probe reveals
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Saturn pumps into space varying amounts of heat based on its seasons, which drives planet-wide storms, data from NASA's Cassini mission has revealed.
A massive black hole may be 'waking up' in a nearby galaxy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have, for the first time, spotted a black hole in a nearby galaxy waking up from a deep slumber.
China selects 4th batch of astronaut candidates as part of 2030 moon landing goal
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
China has selected 10 new astronauts for training as part of its goal to put a crew on the moon by 2030, the country's human spaceflight agency announced last week.
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