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Editors of EarthSky

Human language’s deep origins directly from birds, primates?

The human language that we know today arose from a fusion of birdsong and the pragmatic, content-carrying parts of speech of other primates, say researchers

Chimps outwit humans in games of strategy

In contests drawn from game theory, chimpanzee pairs consistently outperform humans in games that test memory and strategic thinking.

Mercury passing in front of the sun, seen from Mars

Transit of planet Mercury across the sun on June 3, as seen from Mars by a camera on the Curiosity rover.

Solar maximum is back!

Solar Max has arrived, but this "Mini Max" is not like any other solar maximum of the Space Age.

Far side of the moon mystery solved

When spacecraft first transmitted the images of the moon's far side to Earth, we saw the lunar farside lacks the large dark areas called maria, or seas. Why?

Moon formed from Earth collision with planet-sized body: New evidence

The theory that the moon formed when a planet-sized body named Theia crashed into Earth is supported by new evidence using samples from Apollo missions.

Light from huge explosion 12 billion years ago reaches Earth

Intense light from an enormous star explosion more than 12 billion years ago — shortly after the Big Bang — recently reached Earth and was visible in the sky.

Close-up views of large hurricane on Saturn

This massive hurricane at Saturn's north pole may have been churning for years.

Rosetta spacecraft watches target comet come alive

Later this year, the Rosetta spacecraft will orbit and land on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Here's an update, in this new NASA video.

NASA has re-scheduled its ‘flying saucer’ test flight

On Tuesday, NASA was going to drop a flying-saucer-shaped vehicle from a helium balloon high above Earth's surface, in preparation for future Mars missions. But the test has been delayed, due to weather.