A powerful eruption on the sun disrupted radio signals on earth
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with heliophysicist India Jackson about Thursday's huge solar flare and how it affected the Earth.
Space
This week in science: dunking birds, a hole in the sun and lack of emoji biodiversity
NPR's Juana Summers talks with Regina Barber and Viet Le of Short Wave about parrots dunking food in water, a giant hole in the sun and the lifeforms neglected by emoji makers.
Tonight's Geminid meteor shower could bring up to 120 shooting stars per hour
One of the most reliable and prolific meteor showers of the years continues its peak tonight. The Geminid display delivers up to 120 shooting stars per hour.
Your guide to Wednesday's Geminid meteor shower
One of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year peaks Wednesday night and Thursday morning. And with the moon only a sliver full, viewing conditions should be close to ideal.
Houston, we have a tomato: ISS astronauts locate missing fruit (or vegetable)
A missing tomato sparked a lighthearted mystery for the astronauts on board the International Space Station — and it's finally been solved after months of accusations and intrigue.
A new novel explores the poetic and mundane of life in space
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with author Samantha Harvey about her new book Orbital, which examines the fascinating mundane-ness of outer space from the perspective of an international space station.
A Thanksgiving guest's guide to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Don't be the only one at the table who's behind on the season's hottest romance plot.
Can we grow veggies on Mars? Fly larvae and synthetic soil may hold the answer
A Texas undergrad is investigating how to grow vegetables on Mars — and has cultivated test samples of English peas in simulated Martian soil, with fertilizer from fly larvae.
A 'successful failure': SpaceX's Starship achieves liftoff, loses contact mid-flight
The rocket cleared the launchpad and separated from its booster, surpassing the first attempt. But minutes later, controllers lost contact with the vehicle.
Can we grow veggies in space?
A Texas undergrad is investigating sustainable agriculture systems for growing vegetables on Mars - and grew test samples of English peas in simulated Martian soil, with fertilizer from maggots.