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Astronomer Chris Impey examines the possibilities of the universe in his new book Beyond. "I like the idea that the universe — the boundless possibility of 20 billion habitable worlds — has led to things that we can barely imagine," he says. In the 19

The Great 'Beyond': Contemplating Life, Sex And Elevators In Space

4:53pm May 11, 2015

Astronomer Chris Impey discusses the future of space travel, sex in space and the connection between science and Buddhism. Impey is the author of Beyond: Our Future in Space.

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This image of a "red spot" on Mercury, which is thought to be the result of a volcanic explosion, was sent to Earth by the Messenger probe in 2011.

Kill The Messenger: NASA Orbiter Crashes Into Mercury

5:36pm April 30, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Messenger was launched from Earth in 2004. After 4,104 orbits of Mercury and billions of miles of space travel, the orbiter ended its mission with a quiet bang Thursday.

(Left) This is one of two cameras that the telescope originally carried, and it has since been replaced with a more up-to-date version. (Right) Workers study Hubble's 8-foot main mirror. After launch the mirror was found to have a problem, which astronaut

After 25 Years, The Hubble Space Telescope Still Wows Humanity

4:26pm April 24, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Launched shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Hubble telescope isn't showing its age. Astronomers and other fans hope this old charmer will be useful for many years to come.

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A Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Feb. 11. SpaceX will attempt to return a Falcon 9 rocket to a floating ship in the Atlantic Ocean on its next launch.

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Storm Clouds Delay SpaceX Spacecraft Launch

5:38pm April 13, 2015

by Sam Sanders

The rocket will carry supplies to the International Space Station. SpaceX hopes to land the reusable rocket on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean.

This artist rendering shows Kepler-11, a sun-like star around which six planets orbit. A planet-hunting telescope is finding whole new worlds of possibilities in the search for alien life, including more than 50 potential planets that initially appear to

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'Definite Evidence' Of Alien Life Within 20-30 Years, NASA Chief Scientist Says

2:13pm April 08, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Ellen Stofan's colleagues on a panel agreed with that assessment. But Stofan was quick to point out: "We are not talking about little green men. We are talking about little microbes."

A new analysis suggests that Enceladus' ocean is being heated from the bottom up. That could explain plumes of ice seen at its south pole.

Science

Researchers Think There's A Warm Ocean On Enceladus

8:07pm March 31, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

A new analysis of particles believed to be from the bottom of oceans inside Enceladus suggests the moon is toasty warm.

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NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is seen inside a Soyuz simulator at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center on March 4 in Star City, Russia. Kelly, along with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko of the Russian Federal Space Agency, are scheduled for launch Frida

Science

NASA To Study A Twin In Space And His Brother On Earth

3:58pm March 27, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

During astronaut Scott Kelly's year in space, scientists will compare his physiology with that of his twin brother, Mark, to study the effect of prolonged space flight on the human body.

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