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Science & Space

112 articles

All articles tagged Science & Space.

NASA Astronaut Captures Stunning Sunset From 266 Miles Above Earth

Astronaut Chris Williams photographed Earth's atmosphere at dusk from the International Space Station on May 4, 2026. The image shows vivid red and orange bands over Patagonia, captured during one of the 16 sunsets the crew witnesses daily.

Huma Shazia·25 May 2026

Science & Space·3 min

15 Sci-Fi Books That Belong on Your Reading List

Space.com compiled a list of essential science fiction novels spanning decades of the genre. The selections range from Isaac Asimov's classics to Andy Weir's modern survival stories, covering dystopian futures, desert planets, and humanity's uncertain place in the cosmos.

Manaal Khan·24 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

How to See the Lunar X and V Tonight

A trick of light will make giant X and V shapes appear on the moon overnight on May 23-24. The effect lasts only about four hours, as sunlight catches broken crater rims along the terminator. Here's when to look and what you'll need.

Huma Shazia·23 May 2026

Science & Space·3 min

Gemini Telescope Captures Dying Star in Crystal Ball Nebula

The Gemini North telescope in Hawaii has released a stunning new image of NGC 1514, known as the Crystal Ball Nebula. Located 1,500 light-years away in Taurus, this planetary nebula shows two orbiting stars, one of which is dying and shedding its outer layers.

Huma Shazia·22 May 2026

Science & Space·5 min

NASA's 750 Space Station Studies Yield Surgery and Bone Results

NASA released its 2025 Annual Highlights of Results, documenting more than 750 investigations conducted aboard the International Space Station. Key breakthroughs include successful robotic surgery tests in microgravity and synthetic bone graft materials that outperform Earth-grown versions.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Science & Space·5 min

SpaceX Launches First Starship V3 Megarocket on May 21

SpaceX will debut its largest and most powerful Starship variant on Thursday, May 21. The V3 features redesigned Raptor 3 engines and will attempt to deploy 22 satellites, including two modified Starlink craft that will photograph the heat shield during reentry.

Manaal Khan·20 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Manhattanhenge 2026: Dates, Times, and Best Viewing Spots

New York City's most spectacular urban skywatching event returns in late May and mid-July 2026. The phenomenon occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid, creating dramatic views down the city's cross streets.

Huma Shazia·18 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

May 2026 New Moon: Best Time to See the Milky Way and Planets

The new moon on May 16, 2026 creates ideal dark sky conditions for observing the Milky Way, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Stargazers will have prime viewing opportunities for spring constellations including Leo and its mythological connections to Heracles.

Huma Shazia·16 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Cowboy Space Raises $275M for Orbital AI Data Centers

The startup formerly known as Aetherflux will use the Series B round to launch solar-powered AI data centers into orbit. The company plans to build its own rockets where the upper stage doubles as a 1-megawatt computing hub.

Manaal Khan·13 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

NASA's Artemis 3 Rocket Now Vertical for 2027 Moon Test

NASA has positioned the Artemis 3 SLS core stage vertically at Kennedy Space Center, moving closer to a late 2027 launch. The mission will test lunar landers in Earth orbit rather than attempt a crewed moon landing, after delays forced NASA to rethink its Artemis architecture.

Huma Shazia·12 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

ESA Fires Tiny Mars Capsules at 2,600 MPH to Test Rover Landing

The European Space Agency shot 20 miniature ExoMars capsules from a bore gun at nearly four times the speed of sound. These 3-inch models endured 17,000 g-forces while capturing flight data that will help the Rosalind Franklin rover survive its 2028 Mars landing.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Science & Space·7 min

2026 vs 2027 Total Solar Eclipse: Which One to See

Two total solar eclipses in consecutive years present a rare dilemma for eclipse chasers. The 2026 event offers a dramatic sunset eclipse over Spain, while 2027 delivers the longest totality until 2114. Here's how to choose.

Huma Shazia·10 May 2026

Science & Space·5 min

4 Spring Constellations to Find in the May Night Sky

May brings four mythological constellations into prime viewing position. From Bootes the herdsman to Corona Borealis, the crown of a Greek princess, these star patterns carry stories that span millennia. Here's how to spot them using simple stargazing tricks.

Huma Shazia·9 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Pentagon Releases 161 Declassified UFO Files With 30 Videos

The Pentagon published its first batch of declassified UAP files on May 8, responding to President Trump's February directive. The release includes 161 files with nearly 30 videos showing unidentified objects captured by military sensors, plus eyewitness accounts from Apollo astronauts.

Huma Shazia·9 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Artemis 2 Orion Capsule Returns Charred After Moon Trip

NASA's Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft is back at Kennedy Space Center, its heat shield blackened from temperatures reaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry. The capsule carried four astronauts on humanity's first lunar journey in over 50 years.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Science & Space·5 min

5 Star-Hops to Learn the Night Sky Without an App

May offers ideal conditions for learning to navigate the night sky using only your eyes. Starting from the Big Dipper, these five classic star-hops will help you find Polaris, Arcturus, Spica, and the spring constellations without reaching for your phone.

Manaal Khan·8 May 2026

Science & Space·3 min

NASA Ames Honors 4 Scientists for Space and Earth Research

NASA's Ames Research Center recognized four researchers in May 2026 for contributions spanning astrophysics data collection, space biology resource management, mission support services, and Earth science aircraft deployment planning.

Manaal Khan·7 May 2026

Science & Space·5 min

Self-Interacting Dark Matter Could Solve 3 Cosmic Puzzles

New research from UC Riverside proposes that dark matter particles may collide and interact with each other, not pass through like ghosts. This single tweak to the standard model could explain three unrelated astronomical mysteries that have stumped scientists for years.

Manaal Khan·6 May 2026

Science & Space·6 min

10 Hidden Spain Spots for the Aug. 12, 2026 Sunset Eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross northern Spain on August 12, 2026, creating a rare sunset totality event. From desert badlands to prehistoric sites, these off-the-beaten-path locations offer clear western horizons and minimal light pollution for watching the moon block the sun.

Huma Shazia·6 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Portal and Paladin Partner to Remove Space Junk by 2027

U.S.-based Portal Space Systems and Australian startup Paladin Space are teaming up to offer commercial debris removal services in low Earth orbit. Their combined platform will use Portal's refuelable Starburst spacecraft and Paladin's Triton payload to capture multiple small debris objects per mission.

Manaal Khan·5 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Watch the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower: 6 Free Livestreams

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks in the early hours of May 6, and you don't need to leave your couch to watch. Observatories from Chile to Japan are streaming live views of the sky, giving anyone a front-row seat to one of the year's best meteor displays.

Huma Shazia·5 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

ESO's Laser Guide Stars: How Fake Stars Sharpen Space Images

The European Southern Observatory released a striking image of four lasers firing into the night sky toward the Tarantula Nebula. These artificial stars help astronomers measure and correct for atmospheric distortion, producing clearer views of distant galaxies.

Huma Shazia·4 May 2026

Science & Space·4 min

Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2026: When and Where to Watch

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks overnight on May 5-6, 2026, but a bright waning gibbous moon will dim the show. Southern hemisphere viewers get the best seats, with up to 50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Northern observers may see fewer than 10.

Manaal Khan·4 May 2026

Science & Space·6 min

7 Stargazing Tips That Actually Make a Difference

Most stargazing advice covers where to go. The real lessons emerge from time spent outside. From moon phases to peripheral vision, these seven techniques separate productive sky-watching from wasted trips.

Manaal Khan·3 May 2026