Topic: European Space Agency

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Briefing
How dangerous are near-Earth asteroids? 5 key questions answered.

On Feb. 15, asteroid 2012 DA14, discovered a year ago, cleared Earth by a scant 17,200 miles. The same day, a smaller, unrelated asteroid that no one saw coming exploded 12 to 15 miles above Russia’s Chelyabinsk region. Events that day highlight the risk that near-Earth objects (NEOs) can pose – although to some extent, humans can counter them.
Man and Mars through history

A look back over centuries at man's attempt to uncover information about the 'Red Planet.'Sources: NASA, American Museum of Natural History, and Scientific American
What makes a planet livable? Five things scientists look for.

Scientists have so far detected at least 550 planets outside the solar system – and another 2,000-plus await confirmation. But how to pick out the ones that may be Earth-like havens for life? Here's what one team looks for in assessing any planet's potential habitability and its similarity to Earth's properties.
In Pictures: Burning Man Festival
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Final Endeavour mission

All Content

Herschel telescope finds 'impossible' star so massive it would dwarf our sun

Astronomers at the Herschel telescope in Europe have spotted an 'impossible' star that will turn into one of the biggest and brightest stars in our galaxy.
Massive blizzard rocks Saturn; storm so huge even visible here on Earth

Forget blizzards here on Earth. A Saturn storm is so large and fierce that even amateur astronomers from Earth can watch it.
On Jupiter's moon, a plan to drill for extraterrestrial life

A joint project between NASA and European Space Agency would send a mole-like thermal drill designed to bore into the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa in an attempt to search for signs of extraterrestrial life.
Stephen Hawking aliens alert: a premature or primitive fear?

The Stephen Hawking aliens alert strikes one European scientist as premature. But speculation about extraterrestrial life is not new. It goes back to Greek philosopher Epicurus.
Happy birthday to the Hubble Telescope

The Hubble Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990. NASA says the best is yet to come.
Venus may have been a land of volcanoes - and could still be

Scientists have been puzzled why Venus has so few craters. New research suggests that the planet could have been resurfaced by volcanoes. The timeline, however, is problematic.
New 'temperate' exoplanet hints at solar system like our own

Astronomers have for the first time made detailed measurements of an exoplanet in the temperate zone around its star. Their conclusion: It looks a lot like a planet in our solar system.
Astronauts on ISS get first look out of new 'room with a view'

Astronauts aboard the ISS were 'moved to tears' Wednesday when they looked outside a new cupola for the first time.
Endeavour launch: NASA shuttle heads for space station

NASA's space shuttle Endeavour launched successfully early Monday morning. The shuttle is headed to install a major module at the International Space Station.
Why NASA picked stormy Florida

Weather thwarts shuttle launches. But important factors favor this state.
Tonight will be the biggest, brightest full moon of the year

Friday's full moon – or the wolf moon – will be larger than any other in 2010. Here's why.
In Pictures: Aboard the International Space Station
Shuttle launch: Now, Atlantis becomes a moving van

The successful space shuttle launch Monday marks an important shift for the shuttle program. From Atlantis onward, the shuttles' primary job is to ferry large parts to the International Space Station.
How much water is on the moon?

Scientists knew there was water on the moon before NASA crashed a craft into the lunar soil.
Should nations fly to the moon together?

As exploring the heavens becomes more expensive, many experts think it is time for nations to band together to push humanity to the next threshold of space exploration.
Milestones in space

From sending rhesus monkeys into orbit to India's launch of a lunar probe, a hitchhiker's guide to exploration of the universe.
In Pictures: NASA's journey into the universe
In Pictures: Where stars form
Scientists spot massive methane rainstorm over Titan

A rare storm system over Titan's tropics help explain the region's unique liquid-carved landscape.
Fresh from Venus, hints of an ancient ocean and a restless crust
How do you bolster the case for bagging a middleweight black hole?
Backstory to detecting a possible middleweight black hole
Tales of brave Ulysses
NASA's new breed of astronaut

The space station, now fully staffed, demands diplomats, not jet jockeys.
New European space telescope opens a sharp eye on the sky