Space
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Planetary Science
Mars rover fails to find methane
A dearth of the gas in the Red Planet's atmosphere disappoints scientists looking for signs of biological activity.
- Planetary Science
Cometlike crashes produce building blocks of life
Amino acids in collision residue support importance of extraterrestrial impacts.
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- Astronomy
At last, Voyager 1 slips into interstellar space
Solar blast data provides definitive evidence that Voyager 1 has cruised beyond the heliosphere and into interstellar space.
- Astronomy
Radio telescope images reveal nebula’s heart of carbon
ALMA takes detailed look at elements surrounding dying star.
- Astronomy
The sun’s older twin, 250 light-years away
Almost twice as ancient, the distant star gives a glimpse of the sun's future.
- Planetary Science
Titan becomes even more enigmatic
Thick, rigid crust of ice encases Saturn's largest moon, perplexing scientists.
- Earth
Map tracks path of dust plume from Chelyabinsk meteor
Satellite data capture how the jet stream pushed particles through the planet's atmosphere.
- Planetary Science
Shergottite SHER-goh-tite n.
Shergottite is the most common kind of Martian meteorite.
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- Astronomy
‘Space beads’ push back origins of iron working
Ancient Egyptians used advanced techniques to make beads out of 'metal from the sky.'
- Astronomy
To determine stars’ physical traits, Kepler sees the light
Measuring stellar brightness can yield useful estimates of stars' size and evolutionary stage, and help in the hunt for planets.
