Stefanie Waldek
Space.com contributing writer Stefanie Waldek is a self-taught space nerd and aviation geek who is passionate about all things spaceflight and astronomy. With a background in travel and design journalism, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University, she specializes in the budding space tourism industry and Earth-based astrotourism. In her free time, you can find her watching rocket launches or looking up at the stars, wondering what is out there. Learn more about her work at www.stefaniewaldek.com.
Latest articles by Stefanie Waldek
Aftermath of 2 star explosions captured in breathtaking new NASA image
By Stefanie Waldek published
Supernova remnant 30 Doradus B, or 30 Dor B, is the (former) star of this new image.
NASA's Perseverance rover captures 360-degree view of Mars' Jezero Crater (video)
By Stefanie Waldek published
Get a detailed look at Perseverance's current location on Mars — the ancient Jezero Crater.
New Hubble Telescope image shows mysterious spokes on Saturn's rings
By Stefanie Waldek published
Scientists have no idea what the spokes are.
Hubble Telescope gifts us a dazzling starry 'snow globe' just in time for the holidays
By Stefanie Waldek published
The snow globe–esque image was created with Hubble data from 2006 to 2021.
This Antarctic glacier dramatically retreated. Then, its ice shelf totally collapsed (satellite image)
By Stefanie Waldek published
This might indicate a "glaciological tipping point" on the Antarctic Peninsula, an important consideration as global warming continues to affect ocean temperatures.
Europe's JUICE probe will be 1st to use gravity of Earth and moon to slingshot to Jupiter
By Stefanie Waldek published
The spacecraft recently burned 10 percent of its total fuel in a single 43-minute maneuver as preparation for the double gravity assist.
Mars probe sees Red Planet atmosphere glowing green at night
By Stefanie Waldek published
Using ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, scientists have observed nightglow in Mars' atmosphere, a phenomenon where the night sky glows green, almost like an aurora.
Satellite data and 100-year-old images reveal quickening retreat of Greenland's glaciers
By Stefanie Waldek published
Thanks to century-old photos taken by Danish pilots, we can study long-term changes in Greenland's glaciers.
What is STEVE, and how is it different from the aurora?
By Stefanie Waldek published
Reference STEVE is an atmospheric phenomenon that is similar to yet separate from the aurora. It looks like a mauve streak across the night sky.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is melting, and it's too late to stop it
By Stefanie Waldek published
A best-case projection that meets ambitious Paris Accord targets suggests the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will melt three times faster in the 21st century than it did in the 20th.
1st-ever radio images of an annular solar eclipse showcase the sun's extended corona
By Stefanie Waldek published
Scientists used the new Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA) in California to capture radio images of October's annular eclipse.
What are different types of clouds and how do they form?
By Stefanie Waldek published
There are 10 primary types of clouds on Earth. Here you can learn about what they're made of, how they form and how they are classified.
Severe space weather is messing up bird migrations, new study suggests
By Stefanie Waldek published
New research indicates that the number of migrating birds decreases during severe space weather events. They are also more prone to becoming lost.
Mercury was shrinking for at least 3 billion years — and it still might be today
By Stefanie Waldek published
New research indicates that Mercury's thermal contraction was still occurring as recently as 300 million years ago.
The ozone hole above Antarctica has grown to three times the size of Brazil
By Stefanie Waldek published
Observations from ESA's Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite indicate the ozone hole above Antarctica is one of the largest seasonal holes ever observed.
NASA will launch rockets into the annular solar eclipse's shadow on Oct. 14
By Stefanie Waldek published
A NASA mission called APEP will launch three sounding rockets into the annular solar eclipse to measure changes in electric and magnetic fields, density, and temperature of the ionosphere.
New York City is sinking — and it's not just because of the flooding
By Stefanie Waldek published
In some places, it's actually rising.
Antarctic sea ice hits 'record-smashing' low this year, satellite data shows
By Stefanie Waldek published
NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center have released some troubling data about our planet's polar regions.
Satellite spots marine heat wave off the California coast (image)
By Stefanie Waldek published
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite recorded higher sea levels off California, indicating a marine heat wave.
Mysterious moonquake traced to Apollo 17 lunar lander base
By Stefanie Waldek published
A reanalysis of Apollo 17 seismic data has revealed that the Apollo 17 lunar lander base is creating its own moonquakes.
Contrails: What are they and how do they form?
By Stefanie Waldek published
Reference Condensation trails, or contrails, are long, thin clouds that can form behind airplanes at cruising altitude. They are created by jet engines.
Satellite imagery captures wildfires breaking across Greece (photo)
By Stefanie Waldek published
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites are monitoring changes in the fire to aid civil protection and humanitarian response.
Instruments for NASA's VERITAS Venus mission get a test in Iceland (photos)
By Stefanie Waldek published
This summer, the German Aerospace Center is testing instruments for NASA's VERITAS Venus mission on Iceland's lava flows, a stand-in for the hellishly hot planet.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!