A diamond planet? One may be orbiting a pulsar

Capturing the radio waves from a pulsar spinning at super speed, astronomers find a companion planet likely made of diamond.

Swift sees black hole devour a star

Since March 2011, astronomers have been watching a high-energy beam of X-rays streaming toward Earth. They think it's a black hole eating a star.

Colliding galaxies or cosmic exclamation point?

NASA released this composite image this week. It's two galaxies in the early stages of colliding. Learn more about the colliding galaxies here.

Webb Telescope instrument passes test to withstand space rigors

The first of four instruments for NASA's Webb Telescope has completed cryogenic testing designed to mimic the harsh conditions of outer space.

Earth’s moon might be younger than we thought

Earth's moon was thought to be 4.57 billion years old, but a detailed analysis of lunar rock indicates it might be as much as 200 million years younger.

Carbon in space tentatively identified

Astronomers may have glimpsed graphene in space, providing a clue about how our carbon-based selves and other life on Earth developed.

Necklace Nebula in new Hubble image

The Necklace Nebula is 12 trillion miles wide, located in the constellation Sagitta.

Mars rover takes 3-year journey to rim of crater

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has reached the Endeavour crater to study clay minerals that may have formed at a warmer, wetter time.

X-class solar flare August 9. Aurora alert in coming days

The sun emitted an X6.9 or X7 flare on August 9, 2011. X-flares are the biggest flares. Some radio blackouts might occur. Aurora alert in the next few days.

Mars’ north pole at northern summer solstice

What's it like at the north pole of Mars, at the time of the northern summer solstice? Check out this image from ESA's Mars Express spacecraft.