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
Mars was shaken by its strongest marsquake ever in 2022. Now we know what caused it
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists have traced the biggest marsquake detected by Insight in May 2022 to tectonic forces within Mars' crust, ruling out a meteorite impact.
Over 1 million satellites could be headed to Earth orbit, and scientists are worried
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Recent filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) show nations worldwide have registered licenses for planned megaconstellations much larger than SpaceX's Starlink.
Hubble Telescope captures star-packed galaxy spinning like a top (photo)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A breathtaking new Hubble Space Telescope image captures star-packed regions in the NGC 685 galaxy.
1st evidence of giant exoplanet collision afterglow explains unusual eclipse
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have observed two super-Earths colliding in a faraway system for the first time, suggesting such violent impacts are not limited to very young cosmic neighborhoods.
Mysterious magnetism in Apollo moon rocks is natural in origin, new study finds
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research finds spaceflight does not adversely affect moon rock magnetism, disproving one of two major oppositions to the moon dynamo theory.
New space junk project aims to detect and monitor 'untrackable' objects
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new federally funded space junk project aims to detect and monitor tiny pieces of debris, which are currently untrackable.
James Webb Space Telescope spotlights gorgeous young stars in a galaxy next door (photo)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
James Webb Space Telescope captures 1,001 light dots, most of which are sparkling young stars.
Studying space weather can help address space debris. Here's how
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A network of eight satellites in low-Earth orbit can gather unique measurements about space weather to help with space debris.
A comet explosion may have started agriculture in Syria 12,800 years ago
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A fragmented comet that exploded in Earth's atmosphere initiated the first-ever farming village in Syria, according to new research.
Star-studded snake-like galaxy shines in gorgeous Hubble Telescope photo
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new Hubble Space Telescope image shines a spotlight on a faraway snake-like galaxy whose swirling arms feature new and old stars.
Light from the cosmic web connecting galaxies has been seen for the 1st time (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
For the first time, astronomers have directly imaged the faint glow of the diffuse cosmic web that stretches throughout the known the universe.
How methane studies on Earth could inform the search for alien life in our solar system
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new class of proteins found in methane deposits on Earth's seafloor could help inform the search for alien life.
1st black hole imaged by humanity is confirmed to be spinning, study finds
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research has found the jet blasting outward from this black hole swings like a pendulum on an 11-year cycle.
Antimatter responds to gravity like Einstein predicted, major CERN experiment confirms
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The new study marks the beginning of detailed and direct pursuit of the gravitational nature of antimatter, which remains puzzlingly scarce in the universe.
New AI algorithm can detect signs of life with 90% accuracy. Scientists want to send it to Mars
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new AI method can distinguish between biotic and abiotic samples with 90% accuracy.
Fungi creepily infiltrates space stations — but scientists aren't scared. They're excited
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Fungi piggybacking on space missions is dangerous to astronaut health and spacecraft equipment, but studying its behavior is also useful for long-term space missions.
James Webb Space Telescope reveals ancient galaxies were more structured than scientists thought
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Galaxies sported disks and spiral arms as early as 3.7 billion years ago, according to new data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
NASA's delayed VERITAS Venus mission tests key technology in Iceland (photos)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Team members of NASA's VERITAS Venus mission tested key technologies and techniques in volcanic regions in Iceland recently.
NASA's Perseverance rover sets record for longest Mars drive on autopilot
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The autopilot on Perseverance Mars rover guided it through a particularly hazardous boulder field In July, saving weeks of precious science time.
No, the OSIRIS-REx probe will not bring back asteroid space 'germs'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Space germs will not piggyback on bits of Bennu that NASA's OSIRIS-REx delivers to Earth this Sunday. Here's why.
Water ice on the moon may be key for future space missions. But is there enough?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
There may be less water ice trapped in the permanently shadowed regions on the moon than previously thought.
India to launch test of Gaganyaan crew capsule's emergency escape system this year
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
In the next month or two, India plans to launch a test mission to validate the crew escape system for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
NASA seeks citizen scientists to capture April 2024 total solar eclipse
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA wants citizen scientists to capture the total solar eclipse in April 2024 to help researchers learn more about the sun.
New drug shows potential to aid astronauts during future missions to moon and Mars
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new drug appears to promote bone formation in mice exposed to microgravity onboard the ISS.
A squishy robot built for Mars is helping 1st responders on Earth in rescue operations
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A spherical, impact-resilient robot, which was developed to gather data and perform science on the moon or Mars, has demonstrated its usefulness to first responders here on Earth.