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Season 2019
Massive stars die in fantastic explosions called supernovas. Most of them fit neatly into a few categories, but then there are the peculiars, a special group of supernovas that don’t quite fit in with the rest.
Massive stars die in fantastic explosions called supernovas. Most of them fit neatly into a few categories, but then there are the peculiars, a special group of supernovas that don’t quite fit in with the rest.
2019 will be a big year for the moon! Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, but our closest neighbor is receiving a bunch of new visitors this year.
2019 will be a big year for the moon! Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, but our closest neighbor is receiving a bunch of new visitors this year.
Earth probably isn’t the best place in the universe. It turns out there might be even better places to live that are even more suitable for life: superhabitable planets.
Earth probably isn’t the best place in the universe. It turns out there might be even better places to live that are even more suitable for life: superhabitable planets.
2019x4
We Just Landed on the Far Side of the Moon for the First Time!
Episode overview
The new year is off to a great start for space exploration! New Horizons has passed the farthest object ever visited by a spacecraft, and China put a lander on the dark side of the Moon!
The new year is off to a great start for space exploration! New Horizons has passed the farthest object ever visited by a spacecraft, and China put a lander on the dark side of the Moon!
On a cosmic scale, Mercury isn’t very far away, but it's incredibly hard to get there. Getting into orbit around it takes years of flybys in the solar system, but we're going to do it again!
On a cosmic scale, Mercury isn’t very far away, but it's incredibly hard to get there. Getting into orbit around it takes years of flybys in the solar system, but we're going to do it again!
A super bright flash in the sky might be the birth of a supernova remnant and it turns out there's more than one way to build a binary star system.
A super bright flash in the sky might be the birth of a supernova remnant and it turns out there's more than one way to build a binary star system.
Since the moon is tidally locked to the Earth, for millennia we could only guess what mysteries lay on its "dark side." Then in 1959 the Luna 3 spacecraft sent back a photo that prompted more questions than it answered.
Since the moon is tidally locked to the Earth, for millennia we could only guess what mysteries lay on its "dark side." Then in 1959 the Luna 3 spacecraft sent back a photo that prompted more questions than it answered.
Astronomers are learning just how big early stars might have been, and how their deaths have shaped the universe. Some may have even been so massive that they skipped the whole star phase and collapsed straight into black holes!
Astronomers are learning just how big early stars might have been, and how their deaths have shaped the universe. Some may have even been so massive that they skipped the whole star phase and collapsed straight into black holes!
Not all of the naturally occurring elements were discovered here on Earth. Helium was discovered by examining sunlight, and that same technique is now teaching us about the composition of distant galaxies.
Not all of the naturally occurring elements were discovered here on Earth. Helium was discovered by examining sunlight, and that same technique is now teaching us about the composition of distant galaxies.
2019x10
The Moon's Birth May Have Given Earth Ingredients for Life
Episode overview
The event that gave us our moon may have also given us the elements necessary for life and scientists might have found a very tiny piece of our solar system's past way out in space.
The event that gave us our moon may have also given us the elements necessary for life and scientists might have found a very tiny piece of our solar system's past way out in space.
For decades the space shuttle was integral to space exploration. In orbit it helped build the ISS, but on the ground it needed help from other gigantic machines.
For decades the space shuttle was integral to space exploration. In orbit it helped build the ISS, but on the ground it needed help from other gigantic machines.
There are a few ideas about how the universe will end, but a paper published last week suggests that dark energy might eventually rip everything apart!
There are a few ideas about how the universe will end, but a paper published last week suggests that dark energy might eventually rip everything apart!
The Universe is expanding which means distant galaxies are only moving farther away from us. So in the farthest future, will our night sky be empty?
The Universe is expanding which means distant galaxies are only moving farther away from us. So in the farthest future, will our night sky be empty?
MU69 seems to be much flatter than we thought and the Gaia space telescope can tell us where galaxies have been and, maybe, where they're going.
MU69 seems to be much flatter than we thought and the Gaia space telescope can tell us where galaxies have been and, maybe, where they're going.
Saturn’s rings might only be around a hundred million years old, billions of years younger than some astronomers have suspected, and they might not be the only rings the planet has ever had.
Saturn’s rings might only be around a hundred million years old, billions of years younger than some astronomers have suspected, and they might not be the only rings the planet has ever had.
For more than a decade, Opportunity has been one of our best tools for understanding Mars, but after eight months of listening and hoping, it was officially time to put the rover to bed.
For more than a decade, Opportunity has been one of our best tools for understanding Mars, but after eight months of listening and hoping, it was officially time to put the rover to bed.
Tidally locked planets could be more common than Earth-like planets! And these "eyeball planets" might even be a promising place to look for unique lifeforms!
Tidally locked planets could be more common than Earth-like planets! And these "eyeball planets" might even be a promising place to look for unique lifeforms!
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft fired a bullet into an asteroid and Neptune officially has 14 moons!
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft fired a bullet into an asteroid and Neptune officially has 14 moons!
On earth a sound echo lets you hear something again. Over great distances, a light echo can let you see something again, specifically an exploding star.
On earth a sound echo lets you hear something again. Over great distances, a light echo can let you see something again, specifically an exploding star.
Researchers think a planet-wide groundwater system may have once existed on Mars, and SpaceX launched the very first commercial crew capsule which docked on the International Space Station!
Researchers think a planet-wide groundwater system may have once existed on Mars, and SpaceX launched the very first commercial crew capsule which docked on the International Space Station!
From gigantic planets too close to their stars, to those in unfathomably wide orbits, astronomers have discovered seemingly impossible solar systems that shouldn’t exist at all. But they do.
From gigantic planets too close to their stars, to those in unfathomably wide orbits, astronomers have discovered seemingly impossible solar systems that shouldn’t exist at all. But they do.
The Beresheet lander is on its way to the moon and Jupiter's magnetic field might be affecting Europa's ocean.
The Beresheet lander is on its way to the moon and Jupiter's magnetic field might be affecting Europa's ocean.
There’s probably life somewhere besides Earth, but all the exoplanets are so far away we may never see their surfaces in detail or intercept a clear radio signal from them. How do we determine if a distant planet has life?
There’s probably life somewhere besides Earth, but all the exoplanets are so far away we may never see their surfaces in detail or intercept a clear radio signal from them. How do we determine if a distant planet has life?
There’s nothing boring about Bennu! From its chemistry, size, shape, and spin to its extremely old age, it proves that even the smallest objects in the solar system have a bizarre and fascinating history.
There’s nothing boring about Bennu! From its chemistry, size, shape, and spin to its extremely old age, it proves that even the smallest objects in the solar system have a bizarre and fascinating history.
No planet’s trip around a star is exactly like the one before it, because solar systems aren't as static as they first appear. Even small nudges can add up to disaster, but some objects find safe orbits with the help of a partner or two.
No planet’s trip around a star is exactly like the one before it, because solar systems aren't as static as they first appear. Even small nudges can add up to disaster, but some objects find safe orbits with the help of a partner or two.
Astronomers have found a new celestial object, and it's moving really, really fast!
Astronomers have found a new celestial object, and it's moving really, really fast!
Research suggests that nearly every star has at least one planet, but we haven't found any other solar systems that look quite like ours.
Research suggests that nearly every star has at least one planet, but we haven't found any other solar systems that look quite like ours.
The hunt for dark matter is still on, and the candidates for it could be primordial black holes as massive as Earth, or axions, as tiny as the smallest subatomic particles in existence!
The hunt for dark matter is still on, and the candidates for it could be primordial black holes as massive as Earth, or axions, as tiny as the smallest subatomic particles in existence!
2019x29
How We Could Study the First Nanoseconds of the Universe
Episode overview
The oldest light we can see comes from when the universe was less than 400,000 years old, so how can we study those first few moments of history?
The oldest light we can see comes from when the universe was less than 400,000 years old, so how can we study those first few moments of history?
Scientists have discovered a shard of a planet that survived the death of its star and TESS has found the first direct evidence of an exocomet.
Scientists have discovered a shard of a planet that survived the death of its star and TESS has found the first direct evidence of an exocomet.
The way modern researchers study the sky hasn’t really changed in the last few centuries. For the most part, astronomers still study things by analyzing their light.
The way modern researchers study the sky hasn’t really changed in the last few centuries. For the most part, astronomers still study things by analyzing their light.
For the first time ever we have visual confirmation that black holes actually exist and we got it with a telescope the size of our planet.
For the first time ever we have visual confirmation that black holes actually exist and we got it with a telescope the size of our planet.
Scientists have been searching for alien life by honing in on the existence of liquid water, but we might be overlooking some types of life out there that doesn't need water at all.
Scientists have been searching for alien life by honing in on the existence of liquid water, but we might be overlooking some types of life out there that doesn't need water at all.
2019x34
How Scientists Found the First Type of Molecule in the Universe
Episode overview
Around a quarter of a million years after the Big Bang, the very first molecule, helium hydride was formed. Now scientists have confirmed that molecule is still being made, and they found it with some help from a high flying airplane.
Around a quarter of a million years after the Big Bang, the very first molecule, helium hydride was formed. Now scientists have confirmed that molecule is still being made, and they found it with some help from a high flying airplane.
When astronomers study the universe, they’re often using telescopes that cost millions or even billions of dollars to build. Luckily for the rest of us, there are still plenty of incredible things to see in the sky with the more affordable models.
When astronomers study the universe, they’re often using telescopes that cost millions or even billions of dollars to build. Luckily for the rest of us, there are still plenty of incredible things to see in the sky with the more affordable models.
2019x36
Why Physics Can't Totally Explain the Universe's Expansion
Episode overview
Astronomers have gotten pretty good at calculating how fast the universe is expanding, but new measurements don’t line up with the predictions of well-tested laws of physics. Now
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Astronomers have gotten pretty good at calculating how fast the universe is expanding, but new measurements don’t line up with the predictions of well-tested laws of physics. Now scientists have a new question to ponder: Why are these numbers so different?
Some space missions get a lot of attention, but not all the biggest space exploration stories get the recognition they deserve. This is the story of a robotic craft that captured the first-ever glimpse of a comet’s icy core!
Some space missions get a lot of attention, but not all the biggest space exploration stories get the recognition they deserve. This is the story of a robotic craft that captured the first-ever glimpse of a comet’s icy core!
Last week, an asteroid impact drill was conducted, which demonstrated what might happen if an asteroid hit us within the decade. It didn't go quite as well as we would like.
Last week, an asteroid impact drill was conducted, which demonstrated what might happen if an asteroid hit us within the decade. It didn't go quite as well as we would like.
In a few million years, we’re going to have to leave Earth if we want to survive. But how long can we actually outrun extinction before the universe becomes uninhabitable to us?
In a few million years, we’re going to have to leave Earth if we want to survive. But how long can we actually outrun extinction before the universe becomes uninhabitable to us?
Blue Origin announced a a new lunar lander, Blue Moon, that will be delivering supplies, and eventually astronauts to the lunar surface within the next 5 years, and robots like Chang’e-4 are giving us an early glimpse at what we might find there!
Blue Origin announced a a new lunar lander, Blue Moon, that will be delivering supplies, and eventually astronauts to the lunar surface within the next 5 years, and robots like Chang’e-4 are giving us an early glimpse at what we might find there!
Scientists have come up with some really creative ways to keep astronauts well fed in space for days and months at a time. But you should take some stories about space food with a grain of salt.
Scientists have come up with some really creative ways to keep astronauts well fed in space for days and months at a time. But you should take some stories about space food with a grain of salt.
Pluto might seem like the least likely place to find liquid water, but thanks to New Horizons, we have new information about oceans on the dwarf planet and more from the outer reaches of the solar system!
Pluto might seem like the least likely place to find liquid water, but thanks to New Horizons, we have new information about oceans on the dwarf planet and more from the outer reaches of the solar system!
When something breaks on a spaceship, there's not an auto-shop it can pull up to, so NASA scientists have to get creative.
When something breaks on a spaceship, there's not an auto-shop it can pull up to, so NASA scientists have to get creative.
Origami is helping to ease our journeys back from space, and astronomers are learning more about coronal mass ejections from a distant star!
Origami is helping to ease our journeys back from space, and astronomers are learning more about coronal mass ejections from a distant star!
2019x45
Space Exploration Isn’t Great for the Earth (But It Could Be)
Episode overview
Building and launching rockets to learn about other worlds hasn't been great for Earth, but environmental engineers are working on changing that legacy.
Building and launching rockets to learn about other worlds hasn't been great for Earth, but environmental engineers are working on changing that legacy.
We’ve discovered a planet that, for its size, is in a very strange place around it’s star! And other scientists, inspired by comets, have come up with a new way to potentially make breathable oxygen for people exploring Mars in the future.
We’ve discovered a planet that, for its size, is in a very strange place around it’s star! And other scientists, inspired by comets, have come up with a new way to potentially make breathable oxygen for people exploring Mars in the future.
It’s easy to imagine that our galaxy is basically frozen in time from the perspective of a human lifespan, but in fact, the Milky Way is incredibly dynamic and will undergo some pretty amazing changes in only a few decades!
It’s easy to imagine that our galaxy is basically frozen in time from the perspective of a human lifespan, but in fact, the Milky Way is incredibly dynamic and will undergo some pretty amazing changes in only a few decades!
2019x48
That Galaxy With No Dark Matter? It's Probably Not Real
Episode overview
A little over a year ago, we covered a mind-blowing discovery on SciShow Space News. Some researchers even suggested that, if this was confirmed, it would be one of the biggest astronomy
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A little over a year ago, we covered a mind-blowing discovery on SciShow Space News. Some researchers even suggested that, if this was confirmed, it would be one of the biggest astronomy findings in years. Except, as it turns out… that discovery was probably wrong.
Obviously most telescopes need to see the sky to do their job, but when you are studying a wave that can pass right through the earth, the best place for your telescope might be underground.
Obviously most telescopes need to see the sky to do their job, but when you are studying a wave that can pass right through the earth, the best place for your telescope might be underground.
2019x50
NASA Wants to Capture Asteroids…in Bags (And Other New Tech)
Episode overview
NIAC has awarded their first two grant winners for phase III: optical mining and 3D modeling craters, and researchers are further honing in on how to identify faraway habitable planets.
NIAC has awarded their first two grant winners for phase III: optical mining and 3D modeling craters, and researchers are further honing in on how to identify faraway habitable planets.
Space technology gets applied in all sorts of ways down here on Earth, making us more comfortable, healthier, and even saving lives!
Space technology gets applied in all sorts of ways down here on Earth, making us more comfortable, healthier, and even saving lives!
Our star continuously throws out streams of charged particles at more than 500 kilometers per second, something we call Solar Wind. And just like regular weather can be unpredictable and
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Our star continuously throws out streams of charged particles at more than 500 kilometers per second, something we call Solar Wind. And just like regular weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, space weather can be, too. Meanwhile, on the other side of the solar system, researchers have also been investigating a certain planet’s rings, and it's probably not the planet you're thinking of.
No one has ever conclusively seen a proton turn into other, lighter particles, but fifty million liters of water in Japan might change that and our ideas about subatomic particles forever.
No one has ever conclusively seen a proton turn into other, lighter particles, but fifty million liters of water in Japan might change that and our ideas about subatomic particles forever.
NASA is sending a robot to Saturn’s giant moon Titan and instead of landing, orbiting, or driving when it gets there, this mission will fly.
NASA is sending a robot to Saturn’s giant moon Titan and instead of landing, orbiting, or driving when it gets there, this mission will fly.
The search began with a physicist checking for sources of static on phone calls in the 1930s, but it took several decades to finally make one of the biggest discoveries in astronomy, Sagittarius A*.
The search began with a physicist checking for sources of static on phone calls in the 1930s, but it took several decades to finally make one of the biggest discoveries in astronomy, Sagittarius A*.
The 1960s were an optimistic time for space exploration - so much so that a team designed a rocket called the Sea Dragon that was big enough to launch an entire space station from the sea in one go!
The 1960s were an optimistic time for space exploration - so much so that a team designed a rocket called the Sea Dragon that was big enough to launch an entire space station from the sea in one go!
2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and we're doing something big. On Wednesday, July 17th, SciShow is launching its first-ever documentary episode!
2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and we're doing something big. On Wednesday, July 17th, SciShow is launching its first-ever documentary episode!
Scientists have conclusively imaged a circumplanetary disk around a distant exoplanet, and Jupiter's auroras claim the spotlight with their unique Birkeland currents.
Scientists have conclusively imaged a circumplanetary disk around a distant exoplanet, and Jupiter's auroras claim the spotlight with their unique Birkeland currents.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been teaching us about the moon for a decade now, and it's still going! What we’re learning from it will make space exploration and future moon missions much easier for future astronauts.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been teaching us about the moon for a decade now, and it's still going! What we’re learning from it will make space exploration and future moon missions much easier for future astronauts.
One day we might be able to live on Mars thanks to red wine, and domes made out of a very strange material, but don't pack your suitcase just yet.
One day we might be able to live on Mars thanks to red wine, and domes made out of a very strange material, but don't pack your suitcase just yet.
Today, cosmic rays are used to understand things like supernovas, but in the early 1900s, they helped us discover brand-new subatomic particles long before the first accelerators.
Today, cosmic rays are used to understand things like supernovas, but in the early 1900s, they helped us discover brand-new subatomic particles long before the first accelerators.
TESS found 3 new exoplanets around a strangely calm m-dwarf star, and it's possible they could be habitable!
TESS found 3 new exoplanets around a strangely calm m-dwarf star, and it's possible they could be habitable!
2019x63
3 Bizarre Projects That Could Transform Exploration | NIAC 2019
Episode overview
Every amazing mission you know about today started off as just an idea, and some of 2019’s early phase NIAC concepts could mean big things for our future.
Every amazing mission you know about today started off as just an idea, and some of 2019’s early phase NIAC concepts could mean big things for our future.
Astronomers have found a Hot Jupiter - WASP-121b - that is leaking metal, and put together a new 3D map of the Milky Way showing that our galaxy is actually a bit twisted!
Astronomers have found a Hot Jupiter - WASP-121b - that is leaking metal, and put together a new 3D map of the Milky Way showing that our galaxy is actually a bit twisted!
There’s a small asteroid that appears to orbit Earth in a horseshoe shape. Sometimes referred to as Earth’s second moon, but it's orbit is much weirder than that.
There’s a small asteroid that appears to orbit Earth in a horseshoe shape. Sometimes referred to as Earth’s second moon, but it's orbit is much weirder than that.
A new study provides mathematical evidence that dark matter could be much older than we thought and we've found a weird glitch in a neutron star.
A new study provides mathematical evidence that dark matter could be much older than we thought and we've found a weird glitch in a neutron star.
There is a chemical reaction discovered a century ago that could be the key to creating everything from fuel to shelter on Mars!
There is a chemical reaction discovered a century ago that could be the key to creating everything from fuel to shelter on Mars!
Shortly after Jupiter formed, it might have been struck by an object that may have otherwise become its own planet! And researchers have a new estimate of how many Earth-like planets might exist.
Shortly after Jupiter formed, it might have been struck by an object that may have otherwise become its own planet! And researchers have a new estimate of how many Earth-like planets might exist.
To get humans on Mars we're going to need some innovative tech that can move lots of things at high speed. Luckily, we might already have something that can do the job.
To get humans on Mars we're going to need some innovative tech that can move lots of things at high speed. Luckily, we might already have something that can do the job.
Scientists have observed a collision of two of the universe's most extreme objects. And a mission to Jupiter's moon Europa makes an important step forward.
Scientists have observed a collision of two of the universe's most extreme objects. And a mission to Jupiter's moon Europa makes an important step forward.
Everyone is watching the sky during a solar eclipse, but but if you look down, you'll catch another kind of light show.
Everyone is watching the sky during a solar eclipse, but but if you look down, you'll catch another kind of light show.
We have some good news this week for all the James Webb fans out there, as well as a look a some creative chemistry that may help us find the first solid evidence of an exomoon!
We have some good news this week for all the James Webb fans out there, as well as a look a some creative chemistry that may help us find the first solid evidence of an exomoon!
Venus was once thought to have been very earth-like and pleasant, but now it's considered a harsh wasteland that we wouldn't even send a robot to.
Venus was once thought to have been very earth-like and pleasant, but now it's considered a harsh wasteland that we wouldn't even send a robot to.
This week, scientists try to figure out what went wrong with India's moon lander, and what went right with a newly discovered, naturally occurring mineral.
This week, scientists try to figure out what went wrong with India's moon lander, and what went right with a newly discovered, naturally occurring mineral.
Meteorites are extraterrestrial rocks that have ended up on earth. All of them are literally 'out of this world,' but here are three of the strangest of these aliens.
Meteorites are extraterrestrial rocks that have ended up on earth. All of them are literally 'out of this world,' but here are three of the strangest of these aliens.
Researchers found water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet about 110 light-years away, and there's another rock from interstellar space flying through our solar system!
Researchers found water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet about 110 light-years away, and there's another rock from interstellar space flying through our solar system!
Early telegraph operators and WWI spies picked up some weird noises on radio waves. As it turned out, they were actually listening to plasma waves in Earth’s magnetic field lines!
Early telegraph operators and WWI spies picked up some weird noises on radio waves. As it turned out, they were actually listening to plasma waves in Earth’s magnetic field lines!
Around 500 Million years ago, Earth’s climate was warm, and the planet had nearly no ice, even at the poles. Then an asteroid broke apart deep in our solar system, and our planet plunged
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Around 500 Million years ago, Earth’s climate was warm, and the planet had nearly no ice, even at the poles. Then an asteroid broke apart deep in our solar system, and our planet plunged into an ice age at the same time. Are the two events related? Also, will future Mars residents farm bugs for food?
CubeSats have a lot of advantages, but they need a way to move and still stay small, and that means new miniaturized propulsion systems that can help us get these tiny spacecraft out into the universe.
CubeSats have a lot of advantages, but they need a way to move and still stay small, and that means new miniaturized propulsion systems that can help us get these tiny spacecraft out into the universe.
Two scientists have proposed that Planet Nine could actually be a black hole, and a handful of telescopes observed a distant black hole absolutely destroying a star!
Two scientists have proposed that Planet Nine could actually be a black hole, and a handful of telescopes observed a distant black hole absolutely destroying a star!
Black holes are some of the most extreme astronomical objects out there, but there are some that really standout. Let's look at black holes that grow larger, consume more, and spin faster than the rest.
Black holes are some of the most extreme astronomical objects out there, but there are some that really standout. Let's look at black holes that grow larger, consume more, and spin faster than the rest.
2019x82
The Milky Way's Black Hole Burped 3.5 Million Years Ago
Episode overview
The black hole at the center of the Milky Way is quiet now, but new evidence suggests that it woke up around 3.5 million years ago. And Enceladus may have the the building blocks of the building blocks of life.
The black hole at the center of the Milky Way is quiet now, but new evidence suggests that it woke up around 3.5 million years ago. And Enceladus may have the the building blocks of the building blocks of life.
You’d think it would be easy to tell if an object in space was a star or a planet - is it big, hot, and shining? It’s a star! Small, cool, and made of rock and gas? Planet! But cosmic
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You’d think it would be easy to tell if an object in space was a star or a planet - is it big, hot, and shining? It’s a star! Small, cool, and made of rock and gas? Planet! But cosmic oddities know as brown dwarfs remind us that the universe is more complicated and interesting than that.
Gravitational lensing has given us a look at a galaxy in the very, very distant cosmic past using x-ray light, and NASA finally got its ICON mission off the ground!
Gravitational lensing has given us a look at a galaxy in the very, very distant cosmic past using x-ray light, and NASA finally got its ICON mission off the ground!
The James Webb Space Telescope is the most complex telescope we’ve ever sent into space. But, Webb is not, in fact, in space… yet.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the most complex telescope we’ve ever sent into space. But, Webb is not, in fact, in space… yet.
Scientists are learning new things by looking at the remains of exoplanets, NASA has unveiled a new spacesuit design, and engineers fixed a problem from one hundred million kilometers away.
Scientists are learning new things by looking at the remains of exoplanets, NASA has unveiled a new spacesuit design, and engineers fixed a problem from one hundred million kilometers away.
The ESA Hipparcos team worked for 20 years on the project, then had to watch as the mission ALMOST failed! But somehow, they turned it around, and today, this little-known mission has totally transformed what we know about space.
The ESA Hipparcos team worked for 20 years on the project, then had to watch as the mission ALMOST failed! But somehow, they turned it around, and today, this little-known mission has totally transformed what we know about space.
After observing what we thought was just a big asteroid in the asteroid belt, a team of astronomers now thinks this might qualify as a dwarf planet. And scientists had the chance to
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After observing what we thought was just a big asteroid in the asteroid belt, a team of astronomers now thinks this might qualify as a dwarf planet. And scientists had the chance to directly observe the collision of two neutron stars for the first time.
There are so many things we can do with poo! Waste is the enemy in matters of space exploration, but there are plenty of ways to use that waste to help make a mission successful.
There are so many things we can do with poo! Waste is the enemy in matters of space exploration, but there are plenty of ways to use that waste to help make a mission successful.
Voyager 2 is the second object to leave our solar system, which means we now have twice as much information about its edges! And scientists have found a record-breaking black hole.
Voyager 2 is the second object to leave our solar system, which means we now have twice as much information about its edges! And scientists have found a record-breaking black hole.
Other worlds don't seem very welcoming to us Earthlings, and it can be hard to practice our off-world explorations from millions of kilometers away. But Earth also has its fair share of
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Other worlds don't seem very welcoming to us Earthlings, and it can be hard to practice our off-world explorations from millions of kilometers away. But Earth also has its fair share of hostile places that we can use to prepare for those unfriendly environments.
Spacebit is sending crawling, jumping, mini-robots to the moon, and researchers have witnessed a pulsar emit a very cool combination of traits in its most recent flare.
Spacebit is sending crawling, jumping, mini-robots to the moon, and researchers have witnessed a pulsar emit a very cool combination of traits in its most recent flare.
Submillimeter galaxies are ancient, dense, massive galaxies with up to 10 times the number of stars in the Milky Way, and for a long time, scientists couldn’t even figure out how they existed in the first place.
Submillimeter galaxies are ancient, dense, massive galaxies with up to 10 times the number of stars in the Milky Way, and for a long time, scientists couldn’t even figure out how they existed in the first place.
Oxygen levels in the Martian atmosphere are mysteriously inconsistent, and scientists don’t have a clear explanation for what’s behind the changes. Meanwhile, scientists DO have explanations for the tiger-like stripes on one of Saturn’s moons.
Oxygen levels in the Martian atmosphere are mysteriously inconsistent, and scientists don’t have a clear explanation for what’s behind the changes. Meanwhile, scientists DO have explanations for the tiger-like stripes on one of Saturn’s moons.
M31N 2008-12a is a rare phenomenon called a recurrent nova, and it may hold the key to understanding the lives and cataclysmic deaths of massive stars.
M31N 2008-12a is a rare phenomenon called a recurrent nova, and it may hold the key to understanding the lives and cataclysmic deaths of massive stars.
The star-mapping satellite Gaia has found more than 20 stars speeding across the Milky Way toward intergalactic space. There are just a few things that can slingshot a star out of a galaxy and all of them take some extreme gravitational interactions.
The star-mapping satellite Gaia has found more than 20 stars speeding across the Milky Way toward intergalactic space. There are just a few things that can slingshot a star out of a galaxy and all of them take some extreme gravitational interactions.
Scientists have discovered a black hole that could possibly everything we know about black holes, and also, evidence that planets, yes planets, could form around super massive black holes.
Scientists have discovered a black hole that could possibly everything we know about black holes, and also, evidence that planets, yes planets, could form around super massive black holes.
More than half of all the matter in the universe is out in the dark, "empty space." Although it's basically invisible, the intergalactic medium has a lot to tell us about the stuff we can see.
More than half of all the matter in the universe is out in the dark, "empty space." Although it's basically invisible, the intergalactic medium has a lot to tell us about the stuff we can see.
Scientists have revealed the results of the Parker Solar Probe’s first two flybys of the Sun, and LIGO has a new instrument called the quantum vacuum squeezer!
Scientists have revealed the results of the Parker Solar Probe’s first two flybys of the Sun, and LIGO has a new instrument called the quantum vacuum squeezer!
Pulsars are more than just cool blinking lights shining across the universe. The discovery of the first binary pulsar paved the way for gravitational wave astronomy astronomy today.
Pulsars are more than just cool blinking lights shining across the universe. The discovery of the first binary pulsar paved the way for gravitational wave astronomy astronomy today.
This year, scientists have had a chance to study something pretty mind-boggling: a comet that came from outside of our solar system.
This year, scientists have had a chance to study something pretty mind-boggling: a comet that came from outside of our solar system.
This has been another really good year for exploring the universe. This is our annual superlatives episode, so let’s take a look at the some of the coolest breakthroughs of 2019.
This has been another really good year for exploring the universe. This is our annual superlatives episode, so let’s take a look at the some of the coolest breakthroughs of 2019.
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Season finale
How Long Will the Voyager Spacecraft Last?
Episode overview
For more than 40 years, the Voyager probes have traveled through space sending back all kinds of fascinating data. But these probes were never meant to send us data forever - so how much longer will these amazing probes last?
For more than 40 years, the Voyager probes have traveled through space sending back all kinds of fascinating data. But these probes were never meant to send us data forever - so how much longer will these amazing probes last?
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