earth

Need a break from politics? Marvel at the 'Vanishing Treasures' of the natural world

11:56am November 07, 2024

With 23 short essays on creatures ranging from the wombat to the spider, Katherine Rundell's new book is essential reading for anyone whose wonder could use a jumpstart.

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This image provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency/Takara Tomy/Sony Group Corporation/Doshisha University shows an image taken by a Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) of a robotic moon rover called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, on the moon.

World News

Japan's space agency says it may now have clues about the origins of the moon

5:03am February 15, 2024

by The Associated Press

An unmanned lunar spacecraft has captured and transmitted data analyzing lunar rocks, an achievement that could help provide clues about the origin of the moon, a Japan space agency official said

An illustration of axial precession, which takes 26,000 years to complete.

Science

Checking your 2024 horoscope? Astronomy explains why your sign might have changed

5:00am December 31, 2023

by Regina G. Barber

Our view of the constellations has changed since they were first mapped thousands of years ago. That new perspective could also mess with your astrological horoscope in the new year.

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Some of the constellations that are visible from the Northern Hemisphere at different times of the year.

Science

Think you're a Taurus? Earth's wobble sees things differently

10:19am May 04, 2023

by Regina G. Barber

Our view of the constellations has changed since they were first mapped thousands of years ago. That new perspective could also mess with your horoscope.

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As more robots and people travel to the moon in coming years, some researchers believe it's time to set a lunar time standard.

Science

If daylight saving time seems tricky, try figuring out the time on the moon

9:55am March 11, 2023

Scientists are pondering how to tell time on other celestial bodies. It's a lot harder than you might think.

A total lunar eclipse graces the night skies during the first blood moon of the year, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, May 15, 2022.

A total lunar eclipse is happening Tuesday — and it won't happen again for 3 years

4:54am November 07, 2022

by Ayana Archie

A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon falls completely in the Earth's shadow.

A supermoon is pictured near the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 13, 2022.

Science

The last time to catch a supermoon this year is approaching

4:48am August 11, 2022

by Ayana Archie

Supermoons in general appear 17% bigger and 30% brighter than when the moon is at its farthest point away from Earth, according to NASA.

A man and a boy walk across the almost dried up bed of river Yamuna following hot weather in New Delhi, India, May 2, 2022.

Scientists give Earth a 50-50 chance of hitting key warming mark by 2026

4:46am May 10, 2022

by The Associated Press

The latest estimate from various forecast centers around the world say the planet is approaching a warming threshold international agreements are trying to prevent.

NASA's Perseverance rover took this "selfie" next to a rock where it drilled for samples. NASA wants to bring samples collected by this rover back to Earth.

Science

NASA is bringing rocks back from Mars, but what if those samples contain alien life?

12:58pm May 04, 2022

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

NASA and the European Space Agency are gearing up to bring home a pristine sample of Martian rock. But given the small chance of life on the red planet, they have to grapple with safety questions.

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This image of Bennu, taken from a range of 15 miles, shows its unexpectedly rough and rocky surface.

Science

Got Plans For Sept. 24, 2182? This Big Asteroid Might, Too

6:08pm August 11, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A NASA mission to a potentially dangerous asteroid has let researchers map out its future trajectory like never before.