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![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_35fff2814d344b38adb4ef0454c9afe9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_35fff2814d344b38adb4ef0454c9afe9~mv2.webp)
![Where Earth's water comes from and other lessons from space](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_35fff2814d344b38adb4ef0454c9afe9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_35fff2814d344b38adb4ef0454c9afe9~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Oct 8, 2021
Where Earth's water comes from and other lessons from space
Two NAU astronomers presented groundbreaking research at the annual meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences, a branch of the AAS.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_6e16ced3ec924ed0af42678d72c3a362~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_6e16ced3ec924ed0af42678d72c3a362~mv2.webp)
![NASA's Lucy mission: A journey to the young solar system](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_6e16ced3ec924ed0af42678d72c3a362~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_6e16ced3ec924ed0af42678d72c3a362~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Oct 8, 2021
NASA's Lucy mission: A journey to the young solar system
NASA's Lucy spacecraft will launch in October 2021 on a 12-year journey to Jupiter's Trojan asteroids and will include three gravity assists
![Predicting harmful solar flares -- NASA rocket mission to measure the sun's magnetic field](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_64edf40ab83b40129eb2acfc470fca82~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Oct 7, 2021
Predicting harmful solar flares -- NASA rocket mission to measure the sun's magnetic field
Measuring a magnetic field isn't so hard if you're inside of it. Measuring a magnetic field remotely is an entirely different story.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_56e919db9d1644cebaee154137a0b663~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_56e919db9d1644cebaee154137a0b663~mv2.webp)
![Simulations suggest an Earth or Mars size planet may be lurking out beyond Neptune](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_56e919db9d1644cebaee154137a0b663~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_56e919db9d1644cebaee154137a0b663~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Oct 6, 2021
Simulations suggest an Earth or Mars size planet may be lurking out beyond Neptune
A team of space scientists has published a paper suggesting that there may be an Earth- or Mars-sized planet orbiting beyond Neptune.
![This is what it looks like when a black hole snacks on a star](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e914e2_cea3a82b2b8b46d9b460452631551242~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e914e2_cea3a82b2b8b46d9b460452631551242~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Oct 2, 2021
This is what it looks like when a black hole snacks on a star
While black holes and toddlers don't seem to have much in common, they are remarkably similar in one aspect: Both are messy eaters.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_2cf7142f430544329a848406cbc2160d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_2cf7142f430544329a848406cbc2160d~mv2.webp)
![Lunar landers could spray instant landing pads as they arrive at the moon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_2cf7142f430544329a848406cbc2160d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_2cf7142f430544329a848406cbc2160d~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Oct 1, 2021
Lunar landers could spray instant landing pads as they arrive at the moon
The retrograde rockets needed to land on the moon's surface will also kick dust and rock up into the air potentially damaging the lander.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_c6142417544f417bac855847fbaa1d08~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_c6142417544f417bac855847fbaa1d08~mv2.webp)
![Captain Kirk may 'Boldly Go' to space aboard Blue Origin on its next flight](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_c6142417544f417bac855847fbaa1d08~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_c6142417544f417bac855847fbaa1d08~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 30, 2021
Captain Kirk may 'Boldly Go' to space aboard Blue Origin on its next flight
TMZ reported that the 90-year-old Shatner would be on the October 12 voyage, making him the oldest person ever to go to space.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_952e53b4f5d74f2ea582c227c3b29461~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_952e53b4f5d74f2ea582c227c3b29461~mv2.webp)
![New data suggests that life could exist on Venus](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_952e53b4f5d74f2ea582c227c3b29461~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_952e53b4f5d74f2ea582c227c3b29461~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 30, 2021
New data suggests that life could exist on Venus
Photosynthesis could occur in Venus' clouds with the middle and lower clouds receiving solar energy similar to the Earth's surface.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_16f525b40dbc482b9a0bb769420985e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_16f525b40dbc482b9a0bb769420985e1~mv2.webp)
![Study finds that rogue planets could sustain life](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_16f525b40dbc482b9a0bb769420985e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_16f525b40dbc482b9a0bb769420985e1~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 30, 2021
Study finds that rogue planets could sustain life
A rogue planet is an interstellar object of planetary mass without a host planetary system and could be fertile nurseries for life.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_81348497104b4801b203b1eaa86fda37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_81348497104b4801b203b1eaa86fda37~mv2.webp)
![New cereal box-sized satellite to explore alien planets](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_81348497104b4801b203b1eaa86fda37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_81348497104b4801b203b1eaa86fda37~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 28, 2021
New cereal box-sized satellite to explore alien planets
The approximately $4 million spacecraft, a smaller-than-usual type of satellite known as a "CubeSat," is as large as a "box of Cheerios".
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_70bd9832bacb43dba146dfcf0c8e8782~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_70bd9832bacb43dba146dfcf0c8e8782~mv2.webp)
![NASA Introduces Radical Electric Propulsion System for Psyche Spacecraft](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_70bd9832bacb43dba146dfcf0c8e8782~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_70bd9832bacb43dba146dfcf0c8e8782~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 24, 2021
NASA Introduces Radical Electric Propulsion System for Psyche Spacecraft
This form of propulsion starts with large solar arrays that convert sunlight into electricity, providing the power source for the spacecraft
![There's now a gas station in space](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e914e2_7ba2920d19d94c1f93349ea94396cf5f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e914e2_7ba2920d19d94c1f93349ea94396cf5f~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 23, 2021
There's now a gas station in space
Industry giant Lockheed Martin recently announced that they are investing in Orbit Fab's "Gas Stations in Space" refueling technology.
![Cosmic Dawn answers astronomy's greatest cosmic mysteries](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e914e2_18c994e9d7384080b83d606a7ad30aa5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e914e2_18c994e9d7384080b83d606a7ad30aa5~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 23, 2021
Cosmic Dawn answers astronomy's greatest cosmic mysteries
For astronomers, the ability to observe the Cosmic Dawn represents an opportunity to answer the most enduring cosmic mysteries.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_ad22c417fffc4a59b3582320d44edc43~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_ad22c417fffc4a59b3582320d44edc43~mv2.webp)
![Researchers successfully biomine vanadium aboard the space station](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_ad22c417fffc4a59b3582320d44edc43~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_ad22c417fffc4a59b3582320d44edc43~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 22, 2021
Researchers successfully biomine vanadium aboard the space station
For centuries, humans have mined materials to build the tools we use every day, from batteries and cell phones to planes and refrigerators.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_0bd542bb0bd14193a0865e5066e191a0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_0bd542bb0bd14193a0865e5066e191a0~mv2.webp)
![Scientists discover the reason why Mars has no liquid water on its surface today](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_0bd542bb0bd14193a0865e5066e191a0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_0bd542bb0bd14193a0865e5066e191a0~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 21, 2021
Scientists discover the reason why Mars has no liquid water on its surface today
Water is essential for life on Earth and other planets, and scientists have found ample evidence of water in Mars’ early history.
![NASA confirms thousands of massive, ancient volcanic eruptions on Mars](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e914e2_646a5dedf0b14f9b85393cc8776af2fe~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/e914e2_646a5dedf0b14f9b85393cc8776af2fe~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 21, 2021
NASA confirms thousands of massive, ancient volcanic eruptions on Mars
Volcanoes can produce eruptions so powerful they release oceans of dust and toxic gases into the air, blocking out sunlight for decades.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_61cd7567464a48a69201db333d5e9d50~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_61cd7567464a48a69201db333d5e9d50~mv2.webp)
![Tom Cruise gets sneak preview from SpaceX's 1st private crew](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_61cd7567464a48a69201db333d5e9d50~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_61cd7567464a48a69201db333d5e9d50~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 21, 2021
Tom Cruise gets sneak preview from SpaceX's 1st private crew
Representatives for SpaceX's first privately chartered flight reveled that the actor took part in a call with the four space tourists.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_4bbd2df87975474ba0da84c8d7aa53fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_4bbd2df87975474ba0da84c8d7aa53fb~mv2.webp)
![A six-year search of the outer solar system turns up 461 new objects (but no Planet 9)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_4bbd2df87975474ba0da84c8d7aa53fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_4bbd2df87975474ba0da84c8d7aa53fb~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 20, 2021
A six-year search of the outer solar system turns up 461 new objects (but no Planet 9)
In addition to gathering data on hundreds of known objects, this survey revealed 461 previously undetected objects.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_c542652f2ea945159285e5ddea1e76a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/95ac29_c542652f2ea945159285e5ddea1e76a2~mv2.webp)
![This is what it looks like when a black hole snacks on a star](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_c542652f2ea945159285e5ddea1e76a2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/95ac29_c542652f2ea945159285e5ddea1e76a2~mv2.webp)
Joseph Shavit
Sep 19, 2021
This is what it looks like when a black hole snacks on a star
While black holes and toddlers don't seem to have much in common, they are remarkably similar in one aspect: Both are messy eaters.
![900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding Chinese supernova solved](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95ac29_e3d1307435d141b8a42c17a23b039fc3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_292,h_219,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/95ac29_e3d1307435d141b8a42c17a23b039fc3~mv2.webp)
Joshua Shavit
Sep 18, 2021
900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding Chinese supernova solved
A 900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding the origins of a famous supernova first spotted over China in 1181AD has finally been solved.
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