Space

Soviet cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin is shown in a black and white portrait photograph wearing a space helmet with the visor open.

It's been 60 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first man in outer space

Author Stephen Walker discusses his biography on Yuri Gagarin with The World's host Marco Werman.

It's been 60 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first man in outer space
William Shatner, in a pose similar to his Star Trek character Captain Kirk using his communicator, unveils North America's first real-time video conferencing cell phone during a news conference in Toronto April 2, 2007.

Kirk to Enterprise: The piece of 'Star Trek' in your pocket

Kirk to Enterprise: The piece of 'Star Trek' in your pocket
interstellar visitor

In a first, scientists spotted an ‘interstellar visitor’ in our solar system

In a first, scientists spotted an ‘interstellar visitor’ in our solar system
neutron star collision

In a long-ago neutron star collision, scientists find a cosmic goldmine

In a long-ago neutron star collision, scientists find a cosmic goldmine
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Finding an Earthly home for the Thirty Meter Telescope

Finding an Earthly home for the Thirty Meter Telescope
Mechanical engineer

This pressurized, skirt-like machine helps keep astronauts fit

Engineer Christine Dailey spends her time puzzling over problems like exercising in space, fuel slosh in zero gravity and more.

This pressurized, skirt-like machine helps keep astronauts fit
The moon over Earth, as seen from the GOES-16 satellite

Satellites are destined to become space junk. But in the future, we may be able to retool them.

Most satellites are engineered to last a long time, but there's no way to repair or refurbish them. They simply become obsolete. Government agencies and private companies are trying to change that.

Satellites are destined to become space junk. But in the future, we may be able to retool them.
The moonset behind Earth, as viewed from the International Space Station.

Some of the oxygen on the moon used to be on planet Earth

The moon may be airless, but we know it has oxygen — Apollo mission samples confirmed its presence in the moon’s soil.

Some of the oxygen on the moon used to be on planet Earth
An artist’s concept of lightning on Venus.

Three ways to die on Venus, and other space facts

In his new book, the astronomer Dean Regas lays out some of his favorite trivia about the cosmos.

Three ways to die on Venus, and other space facts
Five moons of Uranus

Why the moons of Uranus are named after characters in Shakespeare

Twenty-five of Uranus’ 27 moons are named for characters in Shakespeare’s plays. Why?

Why the moons of Uranus are named after characters in Shakespeare

How to Catch a Spacetime Wave

Astrophysicist Janna Levin explains why it took scientists 100 years to confirm one of Einstein’s most outlandish predictions: gravitational waves.

How to Catch a Spacetime Wave
Supermoon

Check out these spectacular supermoon photos from all over the world

People from across the globe took to rooftops, hills, observatories and beaches to get a glimpse of the closest supermoon to Earth in almost seven decades, and snap photos of the event.

Check out these spectacular supermoon photos from all over the world
An image of the Martian landscape taken by NASA’s Curiosity rover

How close are we to sending humans to Mars?

With recent announcements by companies like SpaceX, experts say the technology get us to Mars may not be far off — if we’re ready to live there.

How close are we to sending humans to Mars?
The Hubble Space Telescope

One astronaut says his career seemed unlikely, 'like growing up to be Spider-Man'

Mike Massimino has been to space twice to repair the Hubble Telescope, but his career as an astronaut wasn’t always likely.

One astronaut says his career seemed unlikely, 'like growing up to be Spider-Man'
Deep Sky Companion

An artist finds inspiration in the celestial frustrations of astronomer Charles Messier

Pictures from space can be turned into amazing art.

An artist finds inspiration in the celestial frustrations of astronomer Charles Messier