Coral bleaching event threatens reefs worldwide

For the third time on record, the world is experiencing a global coral bleaching event, say NOAA scientists.

Visualize Earth systems this week!

Earth Science Week is October 11–17, 2015. This year's theme is “Visualizing Earth Systems.”

Report from Zimbabwe: Smoky sunsets

A recent unusual sunset over Mutare, Zimbabwe, caused by smoke from the annual burning of vegetation. Notice color change from yellow to orange to magenta ...

Video: Paddle boarding with whales

Touching juxtaposition of a classic John Lennon song with a magnificent video of whales. Video by Jaimen Hudson.

New images of Pluto’s moon Charon

Images released Friday, October 9. New Horizons acquired them when it swept past the Pluto system on July 14. The spacecraft's data are still being returned.

Mars Curiosity rover sends a postcard

If you want to imagine standing on the surface of the Red Planet Mars ... look at this.

Mysterious ripples race across planet-forming disk

Astronomers have found fast-moving wave-like features - ripples - in the dusty disk surrounding a young star. Nothing like this was ever observed or predicted.

Where to look for ET life? Habitability index aids in the search

Powerful telescopes coming soon. Where shall we point them to find extraterrestrial life? Astronomers have created a way to help prioritize exoplanets.

NASA orbiter views real ‘Martian’ sites

Real-life views of places on Mars where a fictional stranded astronaut, Mark Watney - from the Hollywood movie The Martian - undergoes his many trials.

Australia’s largest carnivorous dino yet

Miners, working in opal deposits in the New South Wales outback, first discovered the fossilized remains of this creature, which has been dubbed Lightning Claw.