Science News
Study Finds Ancient Warming Greened Antarctica
June 18, 2012
A new university-led study with NASA participation finds ancient Antarctica was much warmer and wetter than previously suspected. The climate was suitable to support substantial vegetation -- including stunted trees -- along the edges of the frozen continent.
Compact Blue Dwarf Can’t Hide from Hubble
June 18, 2012
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured this view of the dwarf galaxy UGC 5497, which looks a bit like salt sprinkled on black velvet in this image.
Why Won't the Supernova Explode?
June 15, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
A question has been troubling astronomers: Why won't the supernova explode? Although real stars blow up, the best computer models of dying stars do not result in much of a bang. NASA has launched a new observatory named "NuSTAR" to seek out the missing physics of stellar explosions.
Mars Rover Team Aims for Landing Closer to Prime Science Site
June 11, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
NASA has narrowed the landing zone for Mars rover, Curiosity, which is due to reach the Red Planet in August. The rover will touch down closer to its science target, but also closer to the foot of a mountain slope that poses a landing hazard.
Unprecedented Blooms of Ocean Plant Life
June 8, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
Scientists have made a biological discovery in Arctic Ocean waters as dramatic and unexpected as finding a rainforest in the middle of a desert. A NASA-sponsored expedition punched through three-foot thick sea ice to find waters richer in microscopic marine plants, essential to all sea life, than any other ocean region on Earth.
The Mysterious Arc of Venus
June 4, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
Astronomers hope to glimpse a "ring of fire" around Venus during its historic transit across the sun on June 5-6. The apparition, if it is seen, could help crack some of the deepest mysteries of the second planet.
James Cook and the Transit of Venus
June 2, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
What's the best reason to observe the 2012 Transit of Venus? It could be history. Today's story from Science@NASA recounts the role of James Cook in "the Apollo program of the 18th Century."
ISS Transit of Venus
May 31, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
High above Earth, astronaut Don Pettit is about to become the first human to witness and photograph a transit of Venus from space. His images and commentary will be streamed to Earth during the crossing.
Astronomers Predict Titanic Collision: Milky Way vs. Andromeda
May 31, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
NASA astronomers say they can now predict with certainty the next major cosmic event to affect our galaxy, sun, and solar system: the titanic collision of our Milky Way galaxy with the neighboring Andromeda galaxy.
Partial Eclipse of the Strawberry Moon
May 28, 2012
Science@NASA Headline News — 2012
On Monday, June 4th, the Moon will pass through the shadow of Earth, producing a partial lunar eclipse visible across the Pacific from China to the United States.