Tom Chao

Tom Chao

Tom Chao has contributed to SPACE.com as a producer and writer since 2000. As a writer and editor, he has worked for the Voyager Company, Time Inc. New Media, HarperCollins and Worth Publishers. He has a bachelor’s degree in Cinema Production from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Tom on Google+.

Latest articles by Tom Chao

The planets of the solar system as depicted by a NASA computer illustration. Orbits and sizes are not shown to scale.
Our Solar System: A Photo Tour of the Planets

By Tom Chao last updated

Take a tour of our solar system with us – from the sun to the furthest dwarf planets! Come on, it can't hurt!

Solar System
Famous astronomers
Famous astronomers: How these scientists shaped astronomy

By Nola Taylor Tillman, Ailsa Harvey Published

Reference This list of famous astronomers includes great scientists in history who mastered many fields and modern astronomers who helped popularize astronomy.

Reference
Some album covers with space themes
The astronaut's playlist: Groovy songs for space travelers

By Tom Chao Published

Reference These tunes are out of this world.

Reference
Artist's concept of NASA's Curiosity rover approaching Mars. Curiosity is slated to land on the Red Planet in August 2012.
The boldest Mars missions in history

By Space.com Staff, Tom Chao last updated

Earth has been sending probes to Mars for decades, and some missions are especially awe-inspiring.

Mars
Colors of the Innermost Planet: View 1
Photos of Mercury from NASA's Messenger Spacecraft

By Tom Chao Published

NASA's Messenger spacecraft was the first dedicated to orbiting Mercury, the solar system's innermost planet. It studied Mercury from 2011 to 2015, when its mission ended.

Mercury
Emission-Line Star IRAS 12196-6300
Space Image of the Day Gallery (March 2016)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in March 2016.

Astrophotography
Half Enceladus
Space Image of the Day Gallery (February 2016)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in February 2016.

Astrophotography
Mars 4 Billion Years Ago
Best Space Stories of the Week – March 6, 2016

By Tom Chao Published

The farthest galaxy, a mistaken announcement, and an American space hero comes home. These are Space.com's top stories of the week.

Entertainment
Plane and Moon by Statham
Space Image of the Day Gallery (January 2016)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in January 2016.

Astrophotography
Moonset Seen from Niarbyl, Isle of Man
Space Image of the Day Gallery (December 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in November 2015.

Astrophotography
Comet Lovejoy Photograph by Howes
The 101 Best Night Sky Photos of 2015 by Stargazers

By Tom Chao, Nina Sen Published

Astrophotography
Perspective View of Crater in Mangala Valles on Mars
Space Image of the Day Gallery (November 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in November 2015.

Astrophotography
Galaxy NGC 613
Space Image of the Day Gallery (October 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in October 2015.

Astrophotography
Airplane Transiting the Moon
Space Image of the Day Gallery (September 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in September 2015.

Astrophotography
22-Degree Halo Around the July 2015 Blue Moon
Space Image of the Day Gallery (August 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in August 2015.

Astrophotography
Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4365
Space Image of the Day Gallery (July 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in July 2015.

Astrophotography
Night Sky Over Nobska Lighthouse at Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Space Image of the Day Gallery (June 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in June 2015.

Astrophotography
Aurora Over finland
Space Image of the Day Gallery (May 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in Space.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in May 2015.

Astrophotography
Milky Way Over Martin Bridge in Vermont
Milky Way Glows Over Covered Bridge in Spectacular Stargazer Photo

By Tom Chao Published

Space.com reader Jatin Thakkar sent in a photo of the Milky Way over the A. M. Foster Covered Bridge in Marshfield, Vermont.

Galaxies
Milky Way and Dinosaur Sculptures by Mamtani
May 2015 Night Sky Photos: Amazing Stargazer Views

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing amateur astronomy photos and night sky views sent in to SPACE.com by readers in May 2014 in our month-long running gallery.

Astrophotography
Disney's Tomorrowland Poster
'Tomorrowland': Disney's Retro Future Sci-Fi Film in Pictures

By Tom Chao Published

Disney's new live-action feature film showcases a retro future inspired by the area of their amusement parks called, "Tomorrowland."

Space Movies & Shows
Helix Nebula (NGC 7293)
Space Image of the Day Gallery (April 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in SPACE.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in April 2015.

Astrophotography
Galaxy NGC 4424
Space Image of the Day Gallery (March 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in SPACE.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in March 2015.

Astrophotography
Moonrise Seem from Entiat, Washington
Spectacular Night Sky Photos by Stargazers for March 2015

By Tom Chao Published

See stunning photos of the night sky and sun as seen by stargazers around the world in this Space.com photo gallery for March 2015 made up of images sent in by Space.com readers.

Astrophotography
The Moon Through Earth's Atmosphere
Space Image of the Day Gallery (February 2015)

By Tom Chao Published

See amazing images of the night sky and cosmos in SPACE.com's gallery of cosmic images posted in February 2015.

Astrophotography
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