Donate

Extraterrestrial life

The Tiangong-1 space station passes over the moon in this photo taken in September 2013. The station is scheduled to make a crash landing in Europe within the next few weeks.

Chinese space station likely to land in Europe in a few weeks

Technology

Scientists know that a Chinese space station will be re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere within a couple of weeks. The exact time of that happening, though, is a little fuzzy.

The small size of the blue halite crystals found in two meteorites is shown next to a pair of tweezers.

Blue salt crystals on meteorites stoke conversation about extraterrestrial life

Technology
This natural color view of Ganymede was taken on June 26, 1996, from the Galileo spacecraft during its first encounter with the Jovian moon.

Looking for water? Try Jupiter’s largest moon.

Science
NASA scientist speaks at COSAT

School Year Blog: South African students meet a NASA scientist

Development & Education
Scientists using NASA's Kepler space telescope have found the best candidates yet for habitable worlds beyond the solar system.

Hello? Is anybody out there?

Environment
Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!

So What Happens if Voyager One Actually Meets E.T.?

As NASA’s Voyager One heads out of the solar system, anchor Marco Werman finds out what happens if the probe actually were to make contact with extra-terrestrial life. Marco speaks with Paul Davies, head of the Post-Detection Task Group with SETI, the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.

SETI scientist says humans will discover extraterrestrial life within 20 years

Environment

As NASA launches a mission to Mars, scientists are saying we could be within 20 years of finding life outside of our planet. It may come from a mission just like this one.

The Long Now Foundation’s 10,000-year clock

The grandfather of all clocks — a clock that will register each unique moment for the next 10,000 years — is under construction.

NASA: Liquid water may flow on Mars

Environment

The possibility of liquid water on the Red Planet is significant, and the possibility that this water might contain life is crucial.

The World

NASA: liquid water may flow on Mars

Environment

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has snapped pictures of what appears to be flowing liquid water on the surface of the red planet. The presence of liquid water on Mars would open the possibility of taking samples and finding living microbes.

We respect your time, attention and privacy

This is a news website, not a click casino. We do NOT employ deceptive behaviors, display annoying ads or use third party cookies and trackers to monetize your visit or help advertisers track you across the internet.

Simply, we ask that you would consider a donation to support the journalism we produce every weekday. Thank you.

This is The World

The World is a public radio program and podcast that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

Follow The World

Subscribe to The World’s Latest Edition podcast for free using your favorite podcast player: