Tech

clouds can be seen beneath the curvature of earth under a dark blue sky at the edge of space

DARPA accidentally detects SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket reentry by listening to Earth's atmosphere

By Brett Tingley published

Researchers with the U.S. military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have successfully used Earth's atmosphere as a sensor to detect a distant disturbance.

Tech

This spacecraft swarm could spot interstellar visitors zipping through our solar system

By Stefanie Waldek published

Hiroyasu Tsukamota has developed a deep-learning-based guidance and control framework called Neural-Rendezvous that could allow spacecraft to safely encounter interstellar objects.

Tech
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Spaceflight

Four astronauts in spacesuits are strapped in their seats aboard a space capsule as a plush polar bear doll floats by a window (with an inset showing detail on the doll)

Plush polar bear with penguin art floats as Fram2 zero-g indicator in polar orbit

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The first astronauts to enter a polar orbit chose the obvious animal to serve as their zero-g indicator: a plush polar bear. The doll also has an emperor penguin embroidered on its chest.

Private Spaceflight
Boeing's Starliner capsule is seen docked to the International Space Station during the Crew Test Flight mission in June 2024.

'I’d get on in a heartbeat': Starliner astronauts would fly on Boeing spacecraft again despite malfunctions (video)

By Josh Dinner published

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore both say they'd ride on Boeing's Starliner again, despite the issues the capsule had on its first crewed flight.

Human Spaceflight
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Science & Astronomy

A yellow orb is surrounded by tons of yellow dots representing space debris below 0.1 mm.

ESA's new documentary paints worrying picture of Earth's orbital junk problem

By Monisha Ravisetti published

The European Space Agency's new documentary short tackles the question of whether space debris has reached crisis level.

Earth
Solar Orbiter's view of the huge, 2 million kilometer-long helical streamer following a CME.

Million-mile-long solar whirlwind could help solve sun's greatest mysteries (video)

By Keith Cooper published

Europe's Solar Orbiter spacecraft has chronicled the development of the magnetic escape of plasma driven out by a powerful magnetic reconnection event.

The Sun
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Meet the team

Search For Life

An image of Cassiopeia A (Cas A), the remnant of a massive star that exploded about 300 years ago.

Massive star explosions may have triggered two mass extinctions in Earth's past: 'It would be terrifying.'

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Two nearby explosive massive star deaths, or supernovas, may have triggered mass extinction events in Earth's distant past, new research suggests.

Search for Life

'Poppy seeds' and 'leopard spots' on Mars could hint at ancient microbial life

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A rock on Mars that may hold clues about ancient microbial life on the Red Planet continues to puzzle scientists.

Search for Life

Water in the universe may have formed closer to the Big Bang than previously thought

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

"We were surprised that water could actually form so early on — even before the birth of the first galaxies."

Search for Life
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Skywatching

Northern Lights in Mexico? Low-latitudes may be more vulnerable than expected to geomagnetic storms

By Tom Brown published

Mother's Day 2024 heralded Mexico's most powerful geomagnetic storm in two decades. Here's why scientists say this is something to track.

Aurora Borealis

Rare 'double sunrise' captured in Canada by intrepid solar eclipse chasers (photos)

By Jamie Carter published

Cloud-dodging eclipse chasers in New Brunswick and Québec, Canada, captured the solar horns, reflections and all kinds of weird views as the sun rose partially eclipsed.

Eclipses

Is the 'Blaze Star' about to explode? If it does, here's where to look in April

By Jamie Carter last updated

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is reappearing in the spring night sky, so be ready in case it goes nova.

Stargazing
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Entertainment

Star Wars Tales of the Underworld

Familiar faces return in 'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld', which hits Disney+ on May the 4th (video)

By Fran Ruiz published

Disney has revealed its third animated Star Wars anthology series, which takes us deeper into the galaxy's darkest corners through the eyes of two infamous bounty hunters.

Space Movies & Shows
a movie poster with a woman's face looking up to the sky above the words "watch the skies"

New alien abduction film 'Watch the Skies' is giving us Swedish Spielberg vibes (video)

By Jeff Spry published

Check out this peek at new alien abduction thriller "Watch the Skies" coming to theaters May 9.

Entertainment
A gorilla appears to climb out of a cargo back on the International Space Station.

Best space pranks: From space apes to smuggled sandwiches

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Explore some of the best pranks carried out in space. From rogue gorillas to smuggled sandwiches, we discover the lighter side of space exploration.

Entertainment
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References

Graphic illustration with 'space calendar' in large blue neon letters and 2025 below it in smaller white letters. Below the title are four neon images depicting a meteor or comet, a telescope, a rocket launch and an astronaut's helmet. There is a starry background to the entire image.

Space calendar 2025: Rocket launches, skywatching events, missions & more!

By Space.com last updated

Reference Keep up with all the rocket launches, astronomical events and mission milestones for 2025 with our space calendar.

Reference
a clear night sky with several bright orbs visible among the stars

The brightest planets in April's night sky: How to see them (and when)

By Joe Rao last updated

Reference Where are the bright naked-eye planets in April 2025 and when are the best times to view them?

Reference
a graphic of the night sky with a starry sky background. A black circle is in the center with Night Sky written in white. There is a white telescope beneath the text. In the top left corner it says Space.com in cooperation with Starry Night.

Night sky, April 2025: What you can see tonight [maps]

By Chris Vaughan last updated

Reference Find out what's up in your night sky during April 2025 and how to see it in this Space.com stargazing guide.

Reference
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