Topic: European Space Agency
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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.
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In Pictures: Burning Man 2011
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In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Final Endeavour mission
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/12
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In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Extravehicular activities
All Content
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Venus to have its final day in the sun for the 21st century
The planet Venus is due to pass in front of the sun on June 5th and 6th. It won't do so again until 2117.
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SpaceX: Space Station crew likes what it sees in new transport vehicle
The crew of the International Space Station got its first look at the inside of its newest visitor – SpaceX's Dragon cargo ship – Saturday morning. For the next several years it'll be carrying cargo and astronauts to the space station.
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NASA: SpaceX docking ranks near top of space-age 'firsts' (+video)
The successful docking of the SpaceX Dragon capsule with the International Space Station Friday is a landmark moment in opening space to wider use, NASA officials say.
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SpaceX flyby of space station an historic first
The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully made its first burn to approach the space station at 3:58 a.m Thursday. It was the final test before the SpaceX capsule docks at the ISS.
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SpaceX private rocket to make history on Saturday (+video)
The unmanned Dragon space capsule, built by commercial firm SpaceX, is slated to lift off atop the company's Falcon 9 rocket early Saturday from here at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
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European Space Agency to explore Jupiter's moons (+video)
The ESA has given the go-ahead for a solar-powered space probe that will examine the icy Jovian moons of Ganymede and Europa, along with Jupiter's upper atmosphere.
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Spacecraft probes bizarre mystery of Saturn's 'weirdest ring' (+video)
NASA's Cassini orbiter has spotted strange objects punching holes in Saturn's outermost ring.
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Humongous rogue European satellite spotted hurtling through space
Envisat, a massive European satellite that lost contact with the ground earlier this month has been photographed by a French satellite.
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Thousands of comets orbiting new star collide every day, create visible debris ring
Comets, perhaps over 80 trillion, circle a young star that houses one alien planet and maybe more. There are thousands of daily comet collisions in the star's orbit.
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Amazing photo: Cargo vehicle docks with space station over Earth's city lights (+video)
Last week astronauts delivered an incredible image of a robotic cargo vehicle docking with the International Space Station.
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Massive, rocket-powered, robotic craft begins delivery mission to space station
The 13-ton cargo freighter is loaded with about 7.2 tons of supplies, including food, water, clothing, experiments and fuel for the space station, according to NASA.
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How does star-making start? For first time, scientists might get a glimpse.
Scientists have yet to see a star form all on its own – away from the influence of surrounding stars. Now, researchers say they might have found a candidate.
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Solar flares: Be glad you're on Earth, not Mars (+video)
The recent solar flares provide a dramatic backdrop for a study that shows Mars gets far more of its atmosphere stripped away by solar storms than does Earth. Thank you, magnetosphere.
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Humongous asteroid could strike Earth in 2040
The 460-foot wide asteroid 2011 AG5 could be on a collision course with our planet. But the odds are very small, say scientists.
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Have scientists unraveled the mystery of the northern lights?
Science is closer to explaining how electrons in the earth's upper atmosphere can generate spectacular auroras.
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Could free-floating 'nomad' planets carry seeds of life in the universe?
A 'nomad' planet of the right mass, with the right atmosphere, and some source of heat – perhaps radioactive decay or tectonic activity – could allow for life either on the surface or underground.
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Is NASA giving up on Mars? (+video)
NASA's 2013 budget includes deep cuts to its planetary science mission, particularly its efforts to send spacecraft to Mars. Instead, the space agency will focus on human spaceflight and infrared astronomy. Is NASA now heading down the wrong path?
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Obama's NASA budget favors a space telescope over Mars exploration
The proposed 2013 federal budget shifts funding away from missions to Mars and emphasizes manned spaceflight and astronomy.
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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.
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Red Planet meets red ink: budget ax could chop two NASA Mars missions
The budget to be released by President Obama Monday is expected to include a one-third cut in NASA's Mars program, in part to pay for other cost overruns within the agency.
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Mars missions cancelled? NASA budget could prompt deep cuts.
While exactly how much money is allocated to NASA is unknown, insiders expect a significant reduction in the portion slotted for robotic exploration of Mars and other solar system bodies.
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ESA Mars probe finds evidence of ancient Martian ocean
The European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft detected sediments on Mars' northern plains that are reminiscent of an ocean floor, in a region that has also previously been identified as the site of ancient Martian shorelines, the researchers said.
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Does the Milky Way galaxy have an evil twin?
The Hubble Space Telescope has detected a galaxy that is strikingly similar to our own Milky Way, but there's no reason to believe that it's evil.
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Scientists intrigued by atoms from beyond the solar system
NASA's IBEX spacecraft has snagged atoms that came from outside our solar system. Interstellar space includes the raw material that becomes new stars, planets, and organic life.
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Titan: mile-wide dunes on Earth's frozen twin intrigue scientists
Some dunes on Titan – a Saturn moon seen as a chillier version of early Earth – are huge. Scientists now have suspicions about what's going on, but they don't yet know how Titan's version of sand formed.
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