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
Europe's JUICE mission will explore the Jupiter ocean moons Callisto, Europa and Ganymede. Here's why they're so weird
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The icy Jupiter moons Callisto, Europa and Ganymede all likely host hidden global oceans, but that's not the only reason they stand out.
Artemis 2 moon crew lands on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and 'Today'
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The first astronaut crew set to visit the moon in over 50 years just made a few publicity pit stops on Earth.
Dawn Aerospace's space plane aces first rocket-powered flights (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Dawn Aerospace's Mk-II Aurora space plane flew with a rocket engine for the first time over New Zealand's South Island in March 2023.
Scientists hail scientific legacy of NASA's Mars InSight lander
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Martian dust may have smothered NASA's InSight lander to death, but the robot will always be remembered for unveiling many firsts about the Red Planet.
India successfully lands reusable space plane prototype for 1st time (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
India has for the first time autonomously landed its reusable space plane prototype, marking a major milestone in the country's pursuit of low-cost access to space.
Perseverance Mars rover collects 1st sample of new science campaign (photos)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has collected its 16th drilled rock sample, inaugurating its latest assignment that has it exploring the top of an ancient river delta.
Hubble Telescope eyes aftermath of supernova in distant galaxy (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped a stunning image of a distant galaxy while on a quick break from its usual observations.
Delays to NASA's VERITAS mission a major blow for Venus exploration
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Three Venus missions in the Decade of Venus were planned to work in sync with each other. Scientists worry that delays to one are likely going to affect others.
Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy after funding efforts fail
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The California-based launch company Virgin Orbit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday (April 3), shortly after it failed to secure a potential funding lifeline.
This map of volcanoes on Venus is best we've ever made (image)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists have built the most detailed map of the distribution of volcanoes on Venus, which is also the most complete volcano map of all planets in the solar system.
Black hole jet changes direction as astronomers watch in cosmic first — and it's aimed right at us
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers are redefining a galaxy whose black hole jet changed directions by 90 degrees.
NASA Venus mission VERITAS becomes collateral damage amid budget pressures
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's decision to indefinitely postpone the highly anticipated VERITAS mission to Venus has outraged and confused the team members.
Astronomers urged to fight 'tooth and nail' to protect dark skies
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new paper calls on the scientific community to do more to fight rising light pollution and protect the night sky, including banning satellite megaconstellations if necessary.
Stunning Hubble telescope photo reveals star-studded M55 cluster
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A distant cluster sparkles with ancient stars in a gorgeous new image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
1st map of moon water could help Artemis astronauts live at the lunar south pole
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have completed the first map of water distribution on the moon, including that more water is found in shaded lunar regions than in sunlit ones.
Surprising newfound ocean bacteria could aid search for alien life
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A newfound, highly adaptable bacterium shows the kind of diverse life to look for on Europa or Enceladus, astronomers say.
Active volcano spotted on Venus. The planet's not dead yet.
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists studying data sent home by NASA's Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s say they have found an active volcano on Venus.
New Horizons Pluto probe notches 3 new discoveries in outer solar system
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
NASA's New Horizons probe flew by Pluto nearly eight years ago, but the epic encounter is still bearing scientific fruit.
Scientists hail DART success 6 months after historic asteroid crash
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists shared the latest results from the DART mission this week, six months after its impact into the asteroid Dimorphos.
Here's the devastating impact a super-Earth would have on our solar system
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A study simulated what would happen if a super-Earth orbited in the middle of our solar system, and the results are chaotic.
X-rays reveal how 450-year-old Tycho supernova became a giant cosmic particle accelerator
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
In new research, astronomers have mapped the magnetic field in the historic Tycho supernova remnant that accelerates charged particles close to the speed of light.
Earth's mysterious innermost core is a 400-mile-wide metallic ball
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New research adds to the growing body of evidence that the mysterious innermost inner core is a distinct metallic ball deep inside Earth.
Moon-dust shield could help fight climate change on Earth
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Launching huge amounts of moon dust toward a gravitationally stable spot between Earth and the sun could help cool our planet, a new study suggests.
DART's epic asteroid crash: What NASA has learned 5 months later
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers studying data from NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission have found out a great deal about its target space rock, and about planetary defense in general.