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
Spacetime ripples detected in 2023 continue to puzzle astronomers. Could they be from the dawn of the universe?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The recently detected gravitational waves are a muddled mix of various sources, new study finds.
12 James Webb Space Telescope findings that changed our understanding of the universe in 2023
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
These are the James Webb Space Telescope's most notable discoveries in 2023.
Astronomers discover strangely missing stars in galaxies near Milky Way
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newfound population of stars in nearby dwarf galaxies are the long-sought precursors of hydrogen-poor supernovas.
How Solar Orbiter is decoding the sun's mysterious miniflares: 'What we see is just the tip of the iceberg'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists look back at Solar Orbiter's first three years of operation.
Perseverance Mars rover to climb crater rim next spring in bonus mission
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Perseverance rover has been exploring Mars' Jezero Crater for nearly three years, but it will soon move on to investigate a vastly different environment.
'What is that material?': Potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu stumps scientists with its odd makeup
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists found signs of organic molecules in the first samples of potentially hazardous asteroid Bennu, as well as a 'head scratching' material that has yet to be identified.
Mars' atmosphere swelled like a balloon when solar wind stopped blowing. Scientists are thrilled
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's MAVEN orbiter has collected data of the unexpected dynamics on Mars, showing how extreme solar events influence the planet's atmosphere, an insight valuable to understanding its evolution.
India's Aditya-L1 solar observatory captures 1st gorgeous views of the sun (images)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
An instrument onboard India's Aditya-L1 spacecraft captured beautiful images of the sun earlier this week.
All black holes feast chaotically, no matter how hungry they are
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A fresh understanding of how black holes eat offers a new way to estimate their masses.
Strange underground polygons on Mars hint at Red Planet's wet past
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Buried dozens of meters under the equator of Mars is a large honeycomb pattern similar to, but much larger than, those found only near Earth's frigid poles.
India returns Chandrayaan-3 moon mission's propulsion module to Earth orbit
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The spacecraft that ferried India's Chandrayaan-3 lander-rover duo to the moon has returned home to Earth orbit.
OSIRIS-APEX prepares for 1st close solar encounter on way to asteroid Apophis
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's revitalized OSIRIS-REx probe has begun tucking in one of its solar panels to protect itself from the sun.
James Webb Space Telescope pierces through dust to find an ancient ghostly galaxy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A ghostlike dusty galaxy from the early universe might represent a whole population of hidden galaxies.
Pluto's 'almost twin' dwarf planet Eris is surprisingly squishy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Pluto's 'almost twin' dwarf planet Eris has a rocky core blanketed by an icy shell, which appears to be flexing slowly.
NASA to train Indian astronauts for a week-long trip to ISS in 2024
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA will train two Indian astronauts, one of whom will fly to the ISS late next year, a space agency official announced this week.
NASA's Artemis 3 astronaut moon landing unlikely before 2027, GAO report finds
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's endeavor to return humans to the moon during the Artemis 3 mission will likely be delayed because it is jeopardized by "multiple challenges" and an ambitious schedule.
This rare exoplanet system has 6 'sub-Neptunes' with mathematically perfect orbits
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newfound, and impressively well-maintained, planetary system full of sub-Neptunes could reveal why our solar system lacks such a world.
Gemini South Telescope in Chile to run solely on clean energy by 2027
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NOIRLab says it's on track to halve its planet-warming emissions by the end of 2027.
Scientists find hydrogen in Apollo moon rocks, suggesting astronauts can harvest lunar water
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A fresh analysis of moon rocks brought home during the Apollo missions suggests the presence of hydrogen, implying future astronauts could access water available right in lunar regolith.
Our Milky Way galaxy's stunning spiral structure appears to be an anomaly. But why?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new supercomputer simulation reveals why spiral galaxies like our Milky Way are strikingly scarce in our pocket of the universe.
1st black hole ever imaged by humanity is losing huge amount of energy through 'lightsaber' jets
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The first black hole ever imaged by humanity, M87*, appears to be losing energy like a spinning top decelerating over time.
After Chandrayaan-3 success, India gearing up for moon sample-return mission
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
India plans to bring moon samples back to Earth later in the 2020s with its Chandrayaan-4 mission.
Inside a historic trip to Antarctica, crewed by over 100 women scientists
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Over 100 women scientists, including a handful of astronomers, have set sail to Antarctica.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!