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
China plans to put astronauts on the moon before 2030
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
China could land astronauts near the south pole of the moon before the end of the decade, according to statements made by officials with the country's space agency.
Virgin Orbit shuts down after selling key assets to 3 aerospace companies
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
California-based Virgin Orbit said it will permanently cease operations after selling key assets to Rocket Lab, Stratolaunch and Launcher.
Hubble Space Telescope reveals a rare black hole lurking in our cosmic backyard (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Data from the Hubble Space Telescope about the nearby M4 globular cluster suggests a rare midsize black hole may be lurking at its center.
See amazing new sun photos from the world's largest solar telescope
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The world's largest solar telescope has captured the sun's fine features in remarkable detail, including rare glimpses of dying sunspots.
Jupiter's lightning is strikingly similar to Earth's
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Juno spacecraft has spotted short bursts that make up lightning bolts on Jupiter, showing that Jovian lightning works in much the same way as it does on Earth.
Sending astronauts to Mars by 2040 is 'an audacious goal' but NASA is trying anyway
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronauts may orbit Mars by 2033, but setting foot on the Red Planet by the end of next decade would be an "aggressive" and "audacious" goal, NASA officials said.
Virgin Orbit receives $17 million bid from Stratolaunch for carrier plane and related aircraft assets
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Virgin Orbit has received a $17 million bid for its aircraft assets from the hypersonic flight company Stratolaunch, according to court filings released on Tuesday (May 16).
Senate Republicans criticize NASA for its climate change and diversity efforts
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Following recent diversity and climate change initiatives by NASA, two Senate republicans accused the space agency of straying from its core space exploration mission.
Rock that punched hole in New Jersey house confirmed to be 4.6 billion-year-old meteorite
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The rock that struck a residential home in New Jersey earlier this week is a rare 4.6 billion-year-old meteorite, scientists confirmed on Thursday (May 11).
Black hole shreds star in a cosmic feeding frenzy that has astronomers thrilled
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have for the first time spotted streams of stellar material circling a black hole and colliding with themselves, shedding light on how accretion disks take shape.
Possible meteorite strikes house in New Jersey (photos)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A meteorite crashed through the roof of a home in New Jersey on Monday (May 8). No one was injured by the space rock, which may be part of the ongoing Eta Aquarid meteor shower.
Strange winds blow on Saturn's moon Titan. New clues could solve this decades-old mystery
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research aims to shed light on the puzzling winds on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, whose mysterious weather patterns have puzzled astronomers for decades.
Uranus' 4 biggest moons may have buried oceans of salty water
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The four biggest moons of Uranus — Titania, Oberon, Ariel and Umbriel — may harbor salty oceans beneath their frozen surfaces, a new study suggests.
Giant proto-galaxy in early universe devours recycled material to birth new stars
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A faraway proto-galaxy has been observed feeding on recycled material, shedding more light on how galaxies sustain star birth across eons.
Saturn's rings are disappearing. The James Webb Space Telescope may reveal how much time they have left.
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Saturn's rings are disappearing, and we don't know how much longer they will be around. The James Webb Space Telescope may be able to help pin down an answer.
Hubble telescope eyes galactic site of distant star explosion (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The Hubble Space Telescope is on the track of a supernova that exploded in the region of a galaxy in 2020.
China's Zhurong Mars rover finds signs of recent water activity on Red Planet
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Data from China's Zhurong Mars rover reveals evidence of water activity on tiny dunes, suggesting parts of the Red Planet were shaped by salty water as recently as 400,000 years ago.
James Webb Space Telescope reveals rich chemistry of planet-forming disks for the 1st time
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope revealed the chemical composition of dusty planet-birthing disks of material around distant stars.
Merging galaxies shine with the light of a trillion suns in gorgeous James Webb Space Telescope photo
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope captured an amazing photo of Arp 220, a collective name for two spiral galaxies that started merging 700 million years ago.
No asteroid impacts needed: Newborn Earth made its own water, study suggests
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Contrary to a popular theory that icy comets or asteroids delivered water to a dry newborn Earth, the planet itself may have produced its earliest water supply, a new study suggests.
James Webb Space Telescope eyes Hubble Ultra Deep Field in stunning detail (photo)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope looked at the same distant patch of sky that Hubble did, revealing yet more detail in the famous Ultra Deep Field.
India will start building new gravitational wave observatory
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
On April 6, the Indian government greenlit the construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) facility in the western state of Maharashtra.
What time is Europe's JUICE Jupiter mission launch on April 14?
By Sharmila Kuthunur last updated
Europe's JUICE Jupiter mission is scheduled to lift off from French Guiana atop an Ariane 5 rocket on Friday (April 14) at 8:15 a.m. EDT (1215 GMT).
Earth has a new 'quasi-moon' after discovery of newfound asteroid 2023 FW13
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newfound asteroid called 2023 FW13 has been Earth's companion for centuries, astronomers say.
Rollable 'membrane mirrors' could pave way for bigger, more powerful space telescopes
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A scientist says his new method could help build low-cost telescope mirrors far bigger than those onboard the James Webb Space Telescope, whose iconic honeycomb mirror is the largest ever launched.