Space, features and articles | Educational Science

Jun 30, 2009

Far-Out Photo: Sunrise in Space

Astronauts orbiting Earth see a lot more sunrises and sunsets that those of us stranded on the surface. They circle the planet every 90 minutes, and the sun just keeps coming. A new picture of a sunrise from space was taken with a handheld camera by astronauts Friday on the...

Apr 30, 2009

Is Hubble Worth the Upgrade Mission's Risk and Cost?

Find full mission coverage on our sister site, SPACE.com. Vote below. *** Years ago, you could walk into any bar and ask the crowd to name a telescope, and they'd likely respond with a Cheers-like-greeting-to-Norm, Hubble! Not sure why you'd want to do that, but if you want to try...

Dec 31, 2008

New Jersey UFO Likely a Hoax

It seems likely that a mysterious set of UFO lights that appeared over Phoenix, Arizona last year made an unexpected reappearance over New Jersey on Monday night. Strange lights appeared over New Jersey's Morris County on the evening of Jan. 5, according to a local TV station's report. The bright...

Dec 31, 2008

Stand Down: Black Holes Won't Destroy Earth

The world's largest, most powerful particle smasher probably won't generate any planet-gobbling black holes, according to a new analysis. That's contrary to suggestions in a news article Wednesday that invoked a possible doomsday scenario and said black holes created by the collider could stick around longer than predicted. The Large...

Nov 30, 2010

What Exactly Is a 'Sputnik Moment'?

The phrase Sputnik moment has been tossed around during recent debates and press conferences regarding the technology gap between the United States and other nations, but what does the evocative phrase mean? Government officials, including Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and President Barack Obama, have used the term Sputnik moment to...

Nov 30, 2010

Why Does the Moon Turn Red During a Lunar Eclipse?

Early Tuesday morning, a ruby-colored light show will appear in the sky as a total lunar eclipse turns the normally pallor moon scarlet. Coinciding with the winter solstice, which falls on Dec. 21st this year, the eclipse will result in the Earth's shadow completely covering the moon for a total...

Oct 31, 2010

Why Does the Space Shuttle Need Clear Weather to Launch?

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Launching a space shuttle is a joint feat of science and engineering, but even with all the preparation in the world, NASA also needs Mother Nature to play nice in order to get the craft off the ground. NASA has a well-defined set of launch weather guidelines...

Oct 31, 2010

How Do Astronomers Find Alien Planets?

Astronomers use five main tactics to spot planets that are outside our solar system, and the one that has proven most successful and the one used by the Kepler exoplanet-spotting spacecraft is possible using amateur skygazing gear. Planets orbiting stars located outside our solar system are often called exoplanets or...

May 31, 2010

Alien Invaders: Destructive Invasive Species

Snake Head (Image credit: USGS) For as long as humans have moved around the globe, we've brought other species along for the ride. Some we take on purpose. Others stow away unseen. When these plants and animals come in contact with new ecosystems, the results can be devastating. There are...

Apr 30, 2010

How Can Astronauts Escape From an Exploding Rocket?

When NASA retires its space shuttles, the job of taking astronauts back and forth between Earth and the space station will fall solely on capsule-based spacecraft like the agency's new Orion spacecraft, currently pegged as an escape ship for the orbiting lab. An important part of any spacecraft designed to...

Apr 30, 2010

How Big Is the International Space Station?

Essentially a laboratory that orbits Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) is now 98 percent complete, and the countdown is underway for the liftoff of space shuttle Atlantis as it prepares to deliver a new science module to the ISS. Scheduled to launch on Friday, May 14 at 2:20 p.m....

Apr 30, 2010

How Many People Have Flown On The Space Shuttle?

The space shuttle Atlantis landed Wednesday, May 26, leaving only two more planned flights for the shuttle program. Because the crews of the final two remaining flights are expected to include only repeat passengers, no one will ever again feel the excitement of riding the shuttle for the first time....

Mar 31, 2010

Could Extraterrestrials Really Invade Earth, and How?

The human race could be devastated if aliens were to learn of our existence and venture to Earth, warned British scientist Stephen Hawking on Sunday. Aliens have already viciously attacked our spacecraft, savagely kidnapped us, heartlessly conducted experiments on us, and mercilessly aimed their death-rays at us, but of course,...

Feb 28, 2010

Was the Big Bang Really an Explosion?

The Big Bang is science's best explanation for how the universe began. According to the theory, the universe started out much hotter and much denser than it is today, and expanded and cooled over time. Though the term may sound like the universe began with a giant explosion, many scientists...

Nov 30, 2011

Hunter Captures UFO In Nevada

While hunting alone in a remote part of Western Nevada recently, Robert Pitzer bagged himself a UFO. In fact, there wasn't much of a chase: The unidentified flying object touched down almost on top of him. Pitzer was lugging a 12-gauge shotgun across the hardscrabble Nevada landscape when he looked...