Expert Voices: Op Ed & Insights
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Latest about expert voices
![deep field imagery of countless galaxies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/afPVutUVqdCwUqQb2LarBg-320-80.jpg)
How do astronomers know the age of the planets and stars?
By Adam Burgasser published
Measuring the ages of planets and stars helps scientists understand when they formed and how they change – and, in the case of planets, if life has had time to have evolved on them.
![Illustration of NASA astronauts at the lunar south pole.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XZ4AeBY9KM3xfMgEaRe47G-320-80.jpg)
The Space Force should safeguard US interests on the moon (op-ed)
By Rick Tumlinson published
While the Pentagon sees the Space Force as a tool to fight the last war here on Earth, its leaders must prepare for its real role in space, on the moon and beyond.
![SpaceX conducts a static fire test with its Ship 25 Starship prototype on June 26, 2023 at the company's Starbase site in South Texas.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y2CLwrzSVUBz8jQ2JgM5q7-320-80.jpeg)
Heating and cooling space habitats isn’t easy – one engineering team is developing a lighter, more efficient solution
By Issam Mudawar published
It’s hard to keep a spacecraft cool, but ongoing research on the International Space Station might yield a solution.
![people in spacesuits on the surface of mars surrounded by metal buildings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bj58iSQz7XdoAmnYHaCVTP-320-80.jpg)
Spending time in space can harm the human body — but scientists are working to mitigate these risks before sending people to Mars
By Rachael Seidler published
With NASA planning more missions to space in the future, scientists are studying how to mitigate health hazards that come with space flight.
![A SpaceX Starship enters Mars' atmosphere and decelerates aerodynamically.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LM2cdLZauUjiQ8iLDuTjBE-320-80.jpg)
When SpaceX's Starship is ready to settle Mars, will we be? (op-ed)
By Volodymyr Usov published
The challenges of settling Mars stretch beyond the boundaries of rocket technology, impacting our biology and fundamentally questioning our identity as a species.
![a green comet with a faint tail in the sky against a backdrop of stars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EJR3uDAAertDGgwUHszna3-320-80.jpg)
Are we about to see a rare green comet light up the sky? An expert explains what to expect from Comet Nishimura
By Jonti Horner published
There's a slight chance Comet Nishimura might brighten unexpectedly. Astronomer Jonti Horner explains what to expect.
![the painting of a man and women standing at a table.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oE6dwA8oTPdJ8gCLTrWq4o-320-80.jpg)
Caroline Herschel was England's first female professional astronomer, but still lacks name recognition two centuries later
By Kris Pardo published
Caroline Herschel, the first English professional female astronomer, made contributions to astronomy that are still important to the field today.
![The silhouette of couple standing in a field near a tree, holding hands, gazing up the milky way and a vibrant starry night sky.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DmBaJxUEeLtf8pp9ZC4KQJ-320-80.jpg)
Sex between space tourists will happen eventually. But are we ready for babies conceived off Earth?
By David Cullen published
Humans have a knack for sharing intimate moments in unlikely places...
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