essay on space and astronomy

Latest News

Boeing can recover from its Starliner troubles, but it can’t afford any other misfires

Loizos Heracleous published 31 October 24

The partial failure of Starliner’s mission doesn’t help Boeing’s effort to bounce back from its problems.

Earth sure looks spooky in these 'hyperspectral' images from Europe's Hera asteroid probe

Elizabeth Howell published 31 October 24

These strange shots of Earth are a Halloween treat.

How to debate a flat-Earther

Paul Sutter last updated 31 October 24

Some people around the world believe our planet is flat. Here's the (surprising) truth about debating them.

India targets 2028 for Chandrayaan-4 sample-return mission to moon's south pole

Sharmila Kuthunur published 31 October 24

India is eyeing a 2028 launch for its Chandrayaan-4 moon sample-return mission, followed by an uncrewed lunar lander and rover in collaboration with Japan.

Stare into the 'blood-soaked eyes' of 2 spooky galaxies in new Hubble, JWST images (video)

Brett Tingley published 31 October 24

Two of the world's most powerful space telescopes have spied a spooky pair of galaxies in deep space, staring out like a pair of "blood-soaked" eyes  just in time for Halloween.

Space pictures! See our space image of the day

Space.com Staff last updated 31 October 24

Space.com's image of the day rounds up the most awe-inspiring space photos right here, with a new image everyday.

NASA's solar-sailing spacecraft has a bent boom and is still tumbling in Earth orbit (photo)

By Mike Wall published 25 October 24

The technology-demonstrating Advanced Composite Solar Sail System has a bent boom in Earth orbit, but NASA says it shouldn't be a big deal.

Breakthrough coming? Iceland could get solar power from space in 2030

By Tereza Pultarova published 24 October 24

A British startup plans to supply solar power from space to Icelanders by 2030, in what could be the world's first demonstration of the novel renewable energy source.

• 2 Earth sure looks spooky in these 'hyperspectral' images from Europe's Hera asteroid probe
• 3 India targets 2028 for Chandrayaan-4 sample-return mission to moon's south pole
• 4 Stare into the 'blood-soaked eyes' of 2 spooky galaxies in new Hubble, JWST images (video)
• 5 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Season 5 episode 3: Why are nanites causing havoc in a luxury space hotel?

Spaceflight

Both Harris and Trump have records on space policy − an international affairs expert examines where they differ when it comes to the final frontier

By Thomas G. Roberts published 28 October 24

The next president of the United States could be the first in that office to accept a phone call from the Moon and hear a woman’s voice on the line.

Artemis 2 astronauts train for emergencies with Orion spacecraft ahead of 2025 moon launch (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published 28 October 24

How do you get ready for a moon mission? The Artemis 2 astronauts practiced a day in space ahead of their historic liftoff in 2025 to see what living in the Orion spacecraft is like.

Science & Astronomy

Dark Wolf Nebula shows off a howling good view in awesome Halloween image (video)

By Robert Lea published 31 October 24

Halloween is here, and there is no better way to celebrate than with a blood-curdling image of the Dark Wolf Nebula looking like a cosmic werewolf poised to grab an unwitting victim.

Happy Dark Matter Day! Meet the usual — and unusual — suspects in this cosmic mystery

Dark matter makes up 85% of the stuff in the cosmos, but scientists have no idea what it is. Can you solve the case?

Meet the team

Tariq malik.

Editor-in-Chief

Brett Tingley

Managing Editor

Dr. Mike Wall

Spaceflight Editor

Monisha Ravisetti

Astronomy Editor

Dr. Daisy Dobrijevic

Reference Editor

Jason Parnell-Brookes

Skywatching & Cameras Editor

Dr. Elizabeth Howell

Staff Writer

Senior Writer

Josh Dinner

Writer, Content Manager

Alexander Cox

Steve spaleta.

Senior Producer

Search For Life

Saturn's moon Titan may have a 6-mile-thick crust of methane ice — could life be under there?

By Robert Lea published 30 October 24

A 6-mile-thick shell of methane ice on Saturn's moon Titan could assist in the hunt for life signs arising from this moon's vast subsurface ocean.

The 'Black Knight' satellite conspiracy: Uncovering the 120-year-old alien mystery

By David Crookes last updated 28 October 24

According to conspiracy theorists, the Black Knight satellite is an alien spacecraft orbiting Earth. Here's what's really going on.

Does alien life need a planet to survive? Scientists propose intriguing possibility

By Paul Sutter published 26 October 24

While such organisms may or may not exist in the universe, the research has important implications for future human endeavors in space.

Skywatching

Taurid meteor shower 2024: When, where & how to see it

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated 31 October 24

Reference The Taurid meteor shower is composed of two streams known as the Southern Taurids and the Northern Taurids. We explore this impressive shower in more detail here.

Night sky for tonight: Visible planets, stars and more in this evening's sky

By Jamie Carter last updated 31 October 24

Find out what you can see in the night sky for tonight, from planets and stars to dazzling meteor showers.

Spooky space: 12 haunting images of our cosmos

By Hanneke Weitering last updated 30 October 24

Here are some of the most spine-chilling space photos to scare your pants off this Halloween.

Entertainment

Fight space ghosts as an astronaut cat in spooky Halloween 2024 Google Doodle

By Samantha Mathewson published 31 October 24

Celebrate Halloween with a cosmic new Google Doodle, featuring an astronaut cat vanquishing creepy creatures across Earth's atmosphere.

6 reasons not to buy in the Black Friday sales

By Mina Frost published 29 October 24

While there are mistakes to avoid and reasons not to buy in the Black Friday sales, here's our advice to make the most of the shopping event.

Who's in your commercial? Capital One ad stars (unnamed) astronaut

By Robert Z. Pearlman published 29 October 24

A banker, an athlete and an astronaut walk onto a stage... No, that is not the setup for a joke, but rather the premise behind a new commercial starring a veteran NASA space traveler.

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2024

By Tariq Malik last updated 31 October 24

Reference See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2024.

Leonid meteor shower 2024: When, where and how to see it

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated 30 October 24

Reference The Leonid meteor shower is active between Nov. 3 and Dec. 2 and will peak on Nov. 16, producing up to 15 meteors per hour.