Saturn has another Pac-Man moon

Cassini scientists have found a second 'Pac-Man' moon orbiting Saturn, this time on the moon Tethys.

Full moon doesn't trigger madness

As many as 80 percent of nurses and 64 percent of doctors believe there's a connection between the phases of the moon and mental health. But they're wrong, says a psychology professor.

Hubble spots a loose spiral galaxy

NASA's  Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of the spiral galaxy ESO 499-G37, seen below against a backdrop of distant galaxies, scattered with nearby stars.

Magnetic shield could protect life on super-Earths

So-called super-Earth planets may have a magnetic shield that could protect any life present from harmful radiation, say researchers.

Dwarf planet Makemake found to be airless

Unlike its bigger sister Pluto, dwarf planet Makemake doesn't have an atmosphere, new observations have revealed.

Has Curiosity found complex organics on Mars?

Space nuts may get an early Christmas present this year: rumors are flying that NASA is preparing to announce the discovery of organic molecules on Mars - a possible sign of life.

Enormous gas filament connects galaxy clusters

For the first time, ESA's Planck space telescope has detected a bridge of hot gas connecting a pair of galaxy clusters 10 million light-years apart.

Mars got its water from the same place as Earth

A study of water from the Martian interior shows that Mars was originally formed from similar building blocks to Earth, but evolved differently later on.

‘Super-Jupiter’ planet found orbiting massive star

Astrophysicists at the University of Toronto have discovered a new, huge exoplanet, 13 times bigger than Jupiter. It's in orbit round the massive star Kappa Andromedae, which is part of the constellation Andromeda. 

Expedition 33 complete as astronauts land safely in Kazakhstan

Three astronauts have returned safely to Earth after 127 days in space on the International Space Station. 

Hubble captures galactic fireflies

A recent image snapped by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope illustrates numerous luminous galaxies glowing just like fireflies on a dark night.

Dying star briefly reborn

European Space Agency astronomers have found evidence for a dying sun-like star coming back to life - something they say may happen to our own sun in a few billion years.

Curiosity delivers Martian weather report

NASA's Curiosity rover has been gathering a wealth of information about  winds and natural radiation on Mars, spotting whirlwinds and changes in air pressure.

Warm Martian water could have harbored microbes

Not only was there once water on Mars - some of it was warm enough to support life, an analysis of meteorites shows.

Russian cable break affects ISS communication

Russia has restored full communication with the International Space Station after a cable break cut off not just the ISS but civilian satellites too.
Image credit: L. Calçada, P. Delorme, Nick Risinger, R. Saito, European Southern Observatory/VVV Consortium

‘Homeless’ planet discovered wandering through space

Astronomers have for the first time found  a  rogue planet that  appears to be wandering through space on its own, unattached to any star.

BOSS survey probes early universe

Scientists using BOSS, the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, have used a new mapping technique to probe the period before dark energy began to speed up the expansion of the universe.

CO2 emissions could mean more dangerous space junk

Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are leaking out to the edge of space and interfering with satellites, new research shows.

Hubble captures a colorful lenticular galaxy

NASA's stalwart Hubble Space Telescope has snapped a beautiful galaxy that, with its reddish and yellow central area, seems rather like an spectacular explosion from a Hollywood movie.

Potentially habitable planet found practically in our back-yard

Astronomers have at last discovered a nearby Earth-like planet that could easily have liquid water - and life.