Mars methane mystery? Depends on the time of day

Scientists think they've solved the mystery of why NASA's Curiosity rover keeps detecting methane on Mars, but ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter doesn't.

Deep Space Atomic Clock sets record in 1st test run

NASA’s Deep Space Atomic Clock has outperformed all other clocks in space during its first year in orbit around Earth. The clock is at least 10 times more stable than those used on GPS satellites, researchers report June 30, 2021 in the journal Nature.

Virgin Orbit successfully launches 7 satellites in 3rd mission

In Virgin Orbit's 3rd-ever space mission, the air-launched LauncherOne rocket carried seven satellites to orbit on June 30, 2021. Virgin Orbit announced all seven payloads had successfully reached their target orbits.

Planet makes a surprise photobomb

Swiss-led telescope CHEOPS unexpectedly captured a surprise photobomb of a planet 50 light-years away. This planet is now a "golden target," scientists said.

Big gulp! 2 black holes swallow neutron stars

What happens when black holes swallow neutron stars? Scientists could only speculate until recently. Now we have measurements of 2 such events!

Astronomers see 2,034 stars in Earth Transit Zone

Scientists have calculated that 2,034 stars within 326 light-years have an opportunity to detect Earth using the transit method.

Here’s why Mars selfies are serious business

NASA released a video on June 25, 2021 showing how it used 62 images to create the first selfie for the Mars rover Perseverance.

Meet the world’s 1st wooden satellite

The world’s first wooden satellite, WISA Woodsat, will test how plywood panels endure the extreme conditions of space. The Finnish project is slated to launch from New Zealand in November 2021.

Supermassive black holes help with star birth

Supermassive black holes help form stars, according to a new study. They do it by clearing the way in the outskirts of the galaxies where they reside.

Watch the Progress 78 cargo launch June 29

On June 29, 2021, Russia’s uncrewed Progress 78 cargo craft will launch on a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Here’s how to watch.