Venus has planet-sized space weather explosions

Scientists like to compare Earth and Venus. What happened differently at Venus to make it so harsh and inhospitable? These space weather explosions may help explain.

Globally, January 2014 had highest temps since 2007

January 2014 also marked the 38th consecutive January and 347th consecutive month (almost 29 years) with a global temperature above the 20th century average.

Thermal imagery for understanding mange in Yellowstone Park wolves

Mange can make wolves vulnerable to hypothermia, malnutrition and dehydration. Scientists are using thermal imagery to understand the situation.

Elephants reassure other elephants in distress

Elephants get distressed when they see others in distress, reaching out to calm them down.

Clouds circling a supermassive black hole

An international team of astronomers sight huge clouds of gas orbiting supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. Watch a video depicting the swirling clouds.

Image of polar vortex at its peak, January 2014

NASA image shows the polar vortex as it plunged into the United States, on its peak day of January 6, 2014.

Earth-orbiting satellites see Arctic surface darkening faster

The retreat of Arctic sea ice is diminishing Earth's albedo, or reflectivity, by an amount about twice as large as previously thought.

Fewer shark attacks in 2013, but more fatalities

Shark attacks worldwide in 2013 were the lowest since 2009, but fatalities were above average, a new study reports.

Ronan the sea lion still rockin’ to a variety of beats

We knew Ronan could keep a beat. A new video presents Ronan's ability to respond to a familiar song at a range of unfamiliar tempos.

Counting whales from space

A new method for detecting whales using satellite imagery that's more reliable and efficient than counting whales from ships or shore.