Belgian Astronomers Honor David Bowie With A Constellation
It's a tribute to the man who brought us "Space Oddity," "Starman" and "Life on Mars." Bowie may now be in the great unknown but his constellation shines on.
Space
WATCH: SpaceX Rocket Explodes In Attempt To Land On A Barge
SpaceX was coming off a huge win last month when it landed a rocket on solid ground. Elon Musk took Sunday's failure in stride, saying at least the leftover pieces were bigger.
Record-Busting Star Explosion Baffles Sky Watchers
It's 200 times more powerful than a typical supernova and 570 billion times brighter than our sun. First spotted in June, this stellar monster is wowing astronomers, who wonder what's at its heart.
Why David Bowie Was Right About The Spiders On Mars
David Bowie sang it right; there are spiders on Mars. "Spiders" are the name for a geological formation on the planet's surface.
Scientists Spot 'Burping' Black Hole In Nearby Galaxy
Astronomers observed two arcs of X-ray emissions near a supermassive black hole. They say this shows "black holes can create, not just destroy."
An Artistic Time Capsule Prepares To Hitch A Ride To The Moon
When a company named Astrobotic launches a lunar rover in 2017, the MoonArk will be aboard. It's a lightweight, sturdy "portrait of humanity," carrying the work of more than 200 artists and designers.
A Physicist Dreams Of Catching Dark Matter In The Act
Hold out your hand for a century, and 100 million particles of dark matter will pass through each second without leaving a trace. Still, a physicist in South Dakota thinks he may be able to catch one.
WATCH: The Stuff We've Left In Space
Scientists keep track of nearly 20,000 pieces of space debris, from the size of an apple to that of a school bus. A visualization from the Royal Institution lets you watch the orbiting trash pile up.
3 Big Moments From Space In 2015
From photos of far-flung Pluto to space lettuce, it's been an exciting year for developments in space. NPR Science Correspondent Geoff Brumfiel shares three highlights with host Linda Wertheimer.
No Prank. Space Station Astronaut Calls Wrong Number
British astronaut Tim Peake has apologized for dialing a wrong number and saying, "Hello, is this planet Earth?" Peake insisted that he was not playing a joke on the woman he rang by accident.