headshot of Associate News Editor Christopher Crockett

Christopher Crockett

Associate News Editor

Christopher Crockett is an Associate News Editor. He was formerly the astronomy writer from 2014 to 2017, and he has a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.

All Stories by Christopher Crockett

  1. Astronomy

    Cosmic threads may hide some of universe’s missing matter

    Half the normal matter in the universe might be hiding in cosmic threads strung between clusters of galaxies.

  2. Planetary Science

    Map of Ceres’ surface shows surprises

    Clusters of craters on Ceres and smooth landscapes hint at an unusual past for the dwarf planet.

  3. Planetary Science

    New results from Philae lander offer first close-up of a comet

    Philae’s bouncy journey across comet 67P allowed it to check out two very different sites before taking a detailed look at both the inside and outside of the comet.

  4. Astronomy

    Distant star has northern lights–like display

    A dim star shows signs of auroral lights, the first detected on a body that’s not a planet or moon.

  5. Planetary Science

    Pluto’s icy landscape comes into view

    The New Horizons flyby reveals varied terrain and evidence of active geology on Pluto.

  6. Space

    Best cosmic ‘cradles of life’ may be elliptical in shape

    Giant elliptical galaxies might harbor up to 10,000 times as many Earthlike planets than galaxies like the Milky Way.

  7. Space

    Search for E.T. gets financial boost

    Search for extraterrestrial intelligence gets a $100 million donation from a Russian entrepreneur.

  8. Planetary Science

    Latest dispatch from Pluto reveals frozen plains, icy hills and more

    Polygon plains, windswept hydrocarbons, and more moons were tantalizing details revealed about Pluto in the latest data from New Horizons.

  9. Planetary Science

    Mission to Pluto: Live coverage

    The New Horizons spacecraft is scheduled to fly by Pluto on July 14. Check back often for frequent updates on the status of the mission, updates from mission control, and the latest images.

  10. Planetary Science

    Pluto: A timeline of 85 years of discovery

    Several observations in the last 85 years have given astronomers a little more information about Pluto, and the July 2015 flyby will offer the closest look yet at the solar system's far-flung satellite.

  11. Planetary Science

    Get New Horizons’ views of Pluto

    The “Eyes on Pluto” app lets you ride alongside New Horizons for a simulated preview of the spacecraft’s impending encounter with the dwarf planet.

  12. Cosmology

    Brightest supernova breaks record

    A recent supernova shines with the light of 600 billion suns.