A better way to search for traces of life on Mars — and beyond! (op-ed) By Patrick Gasda published 29 September 20 Meet OrganiCam, an instrument that could detect biological molecules on other worlds.
Where to next in the outer solar system? Scientists have big ideas to explore icy moons and more. By Meghan Bartels published 24 September 20 If you had a few billion dollars and some of the most talented space scientists and engineers in the world, where would you go?
Earth life may have traveled to Venus aboard sky-skimming asteroid By Mike Wall published 24 September 20 If there is indeed life on Venus, it may have come from Earth — aboard an asteroid that scooped up microbes high in our skies.
Saturn's ocean moon Enceladus has fresh ice in unexpected place By Elizabeth Howell published 21 September 20 Saturn's geyser-spewing moon Enceladus may be even more active than scientists had thought.
'The Smallest Lights in the Universe' explores the possibilities of life on Earth and far beyond it By Meghan Bartels published 20 September 20 MIT astronomer Sara Seager has a quest: to find a second Earth. That scientific quest has developed and persisted against the backdrop of a personal life full of adventure, love and heartbreak.
After a tantalizing discovery at Venus, what could an astrobiology mission look like? By Meghan Bartels published 19 September 20 Suddenly, a mission to investigate whether Venus might be hospitable to life after all doesn't seem quite so outlandish.
Rocket Lab's plan to search for life on Venus in 2023 just got more exciting By Mike Wall published 16 September 20 Rocket Lab's life-hunting Venus mission in 2023 will be just the beginning, if all goes according to the company's plan.
Venus, once billed as Earth's twin, is a hothouse (and a tantalizing target in the search for life) By Nola Taylor Tillman published 15 September 20 As Earth's twin, Venus offers much in the search for life and habitable worlds.
Life on Venus? Breakthrough Initiatives funds study of possible biosignature detection By Mike Wall published 15 September 20 The main goals involve investigating the case for life on Venus and figuring out the best ways to hunt it down, if it is indeed there.
The phosphine discovered in Venus' clouds may be a big deal. Here's what you need to know. By Meghan Bartels published 14 September 20 A chemical you've likely never heard of has burst into the news thanks to scientists' announcement that they have detected phosphine, which they say may be a sign of life, in the clouds of Venus.
Strange chemical in clouds of Venus defies explanation. Could it be a sign of life? By Meghan Bartels published 14 September 20 Discovering life beyond Earth may well start with a sniff, a whiff of some chemical that scientists struggle to explain without invoking a strange, shadowy microbe.
The clouds of Venus join the shortlist for potential signs of life in our solar system By Mike Wall published 14 September 20 Venus isn't the only world beyond Earth where scientists have gotten a possible whiff of life.
Jupiter's ocean moons raise tides on each other By Mike Wall published 28 August 20 Jupiter's big ocean-harboring moons may have a strong gravitational effect on each other, raising big tides in each others' subsurface seas, a new study suggests.
Want to find life on Venus? Check for spores in the atmosphere, new research suggests. By Charles Q. Choi published 28 August 20 In the depths of Venus' hellish atmosphere, a layer of mysterious haze could be home to life, a new study finds.
Submarine could explore seas of huge Saturn moon Titan By Mike Wall published 27 August 20 Researchers have been crafting a concept mission that would send a submarine to Saturn's huge moon Titan, which sports lakes and seas of liquid hydrocarbons on its frigid surface.
What does the Pentagon's new UFO task force mean? Experts weigh in. By Leonard David published 17 August 20 The Pentagon just announced the creation of a task force to analyze and understand the "nature and origins" of UFOs. Here's what the much-hyped news means.
Rocket Lab aims to launch private Venus mission in 2023 By Mike Wall published 17 August 20 Rocket Lab, which gives small spacecraft dedicated rides to Earth orbit, plans to go interplanetary soon with an astrobiology mission to the second rock from the sun.
Mars 2020: The hunt for life on the Red Planet is about to get serious By Monica Grady published 16 August 20 Next spring is going to be a busy time for Mars.
NASA's TESS exoplanet-hunting space telescope wraps up primary mission By Mike Wall published 11 August 20 TESS wrapped up its two-year primary mission on July 4, having discovered 66 confirmed alien planets and nearly 2,100 "candidates" that scientists still need to vet.
Pentagon's secret, defunct UFO-hunting program may still exist By Mindy Weisberger published 2 August 20 A federal program for investigating UFOs was purportedly discontinued in 2012, but the Pentagon's search for UFOs never stopped. Its findings may soon be released to the public.
