New Study Challenges Comet Theory of Life’s Origins
A new reassessment questions whether comet impacts delivered or preserved the ingredients needed for life, while cosmic dust offers another possible route to prebiotic chemistry.
Humans May Have Delayed the Next Ice Age
Human greenhouse-gas emissions may delay the next glacial period for tens of thousands of years, but that is a consequence of dangerous warming—not a climate victory.
Two Different GRBs Erupted Four Minutes Apart
Two apparently different gamma-ray bursts erupted four minutes apart. The timing is unprecedented, but astronomers still need distance, position and afterglow data to determine whether they were connected.
Why Female Cats Scream During Mating
Female cats may scream during mating because backward-facing penile barbs create intense stimulation that can help trigger ovulation. Learn what is normal and when to call a veterinarian.
NASA Telescope Faces Uncontrolled Reentry After Rescue Failure
A NASA telescope is reportedly nearing an uncontrolled return to Earth after a failed rescue mission, but its identity, reentry time, and potential impact area remain unconfirmed.
Sahara Meteorite Is a 4.1-Billion-Year-Old Piece of Mars
A meteorite found in the Sahara formed on Mars at least 4.1 billion years ago, offering rare evidence of the planet’s early geology and climate.
NASA Seeks Commercial Help to Extend Hubble’s Life
NASA is investigating whether commercial spacecraft could inspect, service, reposition, or safely retire the aging Hubble Space Telescope.
Kīlauea Monitored for a Possible 56th Eruption Episode
Scientists are monitoring Hawaii’s Kīlauea for a possible 56th eruption episode in early November, but the forecast does not guarantee that an eruption will occur.
NASA Swift Spacecraft Nears Uncontrolled Reentry
NASA’s Swift observatory may soon reenter Earth’s atmosphere uncontrollably after a failed rescue effort, potentially ending its long-running study of cosmic explosions.
How a South Dakota Gold Mine Became a Cosmic Lab
South Dakota’s former Homestake mine now houses SURF, where scientists use its depth to search for dark matter and study the universe.
November Night Sky: Supermoon and Mars-Jupiter Pairing
November brings two accessible skywatching highlights: a supermoon and an apparent Mars-Jupiter pairing. Learn what to expect and how to plan an observation.
SpaceX Reportedly Reaches 700th Falcon 9 Launch
SpaceX reportedly ended October 2026 with its 700th Falcon 9 launch, deploying the final three O3b mPOWER satellites for SES.
Caltech’s New President Faces JPL, Trump, and AI Uncertainty
Caltech’s new president takes office amid uncertainty over federal research funding, JPL’s future, U.S. science policy, international talent, and artificial intelligence.
Did Comets Deliver Life’s Building Blocks to Earth?
New research suggests comets were unlikely to supply most of the usable chemistry needed for life, although they may have made smaller contributions.
Halloween Fireballs: When and Where to Watch
Rare fireballs may brighten the sky around Halloween weekend. Learn how to watch safely, choose a dark location, and verify the event's timing.
Rare Nanotyrannus Fossil Sells for $47.3 Million
A rare Nanotyrannus skeleton discovered in Montana sold for $47.3 million, reportedly becoming the second-most valuable fossil ever auctioned.
Possible New Dwarf Planet Discovered Beyond Pluto
Astronomers have identified a distant object beyond Pluto that may become the Solar System’s sixth commonly recognized dwarf planet, but its status remains unconfirmed.
NASA’s Ghostly Cat’s Head Nebula Image Explained
NASA’s October 30, 2026, Astronomy Picture of the Day, “Haunting the Cepheus Flare,” shows a glowing nebula whose dark contours resemble a ghostly cat’s head.
4.1-Billion-Year-Old Mars Meteorite Found in Sahara
A meteorite found in the Sahara may be one of the oldest known Martian samples, offering clues about Mars’s ancient crust, water, and geological evolution.
NASA Seeks Ideas to Extend Hubble’s Mission
NASA is seeking technical proposals to address Hubble’s aging systems and determine whether the telescope’s scientific mission can be safely extended.