2011
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Space Mountain Produces Terrestrial Meteorites
Dec. 30, 2011
The discovery of a towering mountain on Vesta could solve a longstanding mystery: How did so many pieces of the giant asteroid end up right here on our own planet?
Twin Gravity Spacecraft Set to Enter Lunar Orbit
Dec. 30, 2011
NASA's twin GRAIL spacecraft, on a mission to study the moon's gravitational field, are nearing their New Year's Eve and New Year's Day main-engine burns to place the duo in lunar orbit.
The Night After Christmas Sky Show
Dec. 23, 2011
On Dec. 26th, Venus and the crescent Moon will gather in the western sunset sky for a beautiful post-Christmas show.
Kepler Discovers Earth-size Exoplanets
Dec. 20, 2011
NASA's Kepler spacecraft has found two Earth-sized planets orbiting a distant sun-like star. These alien worlds are intermingled in their star system with other much larger planets, an arrangement which challenges orthodox ideas of how planets are formed.
Comet Lovejoy Plunges into the Sun and Survives
Dec. 16, 2011
Sungrazing Comet Lovejoy has shocked astronomers by surviving its "death plunge" into the sun. Must-see movies of the comet's passage through the sun's atmosphere are featured in today's story from Science@NASA.
Curiosity and the Solar Storm
Dec. 14, 2011
Curiosity wasn't the only thing that blasted off for Mars on Nov. 26th. On the same day, a solar storm launched itself toward the Red Planet. The coincidence heralds a new job for the multi-talented rover: Curiosity will spend much of the next nine months studying space weather.
New App Helps NASA Keep Track of Meteoroids
Dec. 13, 2011
A new app for iPhones and iPads harnesses the power of citizen scientists to help NASA track meteoroids hitting Earth.
The 2011 Geminid Meteor Shower
Dec. 12, 2011
The Geminid meteor shower peaks on Dec. 13th and 14th. The nearly full Moon will interfere with the display, but not obliterate it. Forecasters expect observers with clear skies to see as many as 40 meteors per hour.
Is Vesta the "Smallest Terrestrial Planet?"
Dec. 9, 2011
NASA's Dawn probe, now orbiting Vesta in the asteroid belt, has found some surprising things on the giant asteroid--things that have prompted one researcher to declare Vesta "the smallest terrestrial planet."
"Slam Dunk" Sign of Ancient Water on Mars
Dec. 8, 2011
As NASA's newest Mars rover Curiosity heads for the Red Planet, veteran rover Opportunity is still busy making discoveries. Opportunity's latest find, an apparent vein of gypsum, is a "slam dunk" sign of ancient water on Mars, say researchers.