Topic: James Webb Space Telescope

Kepler, a prolific hunter for other Earths, is suddenly in trouble

Kepler's quest for an Earth-like planet orbiting a sun-like star has been put on hold, NASA said, after the spacecraft sensed it was facing in the wrong direction and put itself in 'safe mode.'

Earth-like planets next door? Prospect could point to 9.6 billion more

A new study calculates that the nearest Earth-like planet may be only 13 light-years away – and argues there may be more habitable planets out there than we thought. 
02/06/2013 07:55 pm

Earth-like planets next door? Prospect could point to 9.6 billion more

A new study calculates that the nearest Earth-like planet may be only 13 light-years away – and argues there may be more habitable planets out there than we thought. 

Milky Way could be home to 4.5 billion Earth-like planets

Astronomers have calculated that 6 percent of our galaxy's most common type of star probably host temperate, Earth-sized planets, meaning that a habitable alien Earth could be just a dozen light years away. 

Primordial galaxy spotted, sheds light on early universe

Scientists were able to see the ancient galaxy because gravity from a massive galaxy cluster situated between it and Hubble acted as a lens, bending the light from the 'incredibly faint' galaxy.

Distant galaxy helped tidy up early universe, scientists say

Using data from space telescopes, scientists say they have located a galaxy formed more than 13 billion years ago when the universe was young and still permeated with a fog of hydrogen gas.

Rover Curiosity is a star, but can it help fund future of Mars exploration?

The steady stream of enticing photographs from the rover Curiosity may be wowing scientists and the public, but NASA is facing serious budgetary constraints on the future of Mars exploration.

Curiosity's Mars exploration: Is it worth the money? (+video)

The search for life on Mars has captivated the imaginations of many, but it is costly. Some say it's time to cut spending on NASA's Mars missions, while others say the research is important in the quest for understanding the 'meaning of life.'  

NASA's new telescope to scan skies for black holes (+video)

Scheduled to launch from a Pacific atoll Wednesday, the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuStar, will search for X-ray emissions around black holes. 

Spy agency bequeaths two satellites to NASA, free of charge

The National Reconnaissance Office is giving NASA two spare space telescopes free of charge, each potentially more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope.

Light from alien 'super-earth' seen for first time

NASA's Spitzer space telescope has detected a light source coming from a large earth-like planet.

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?

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.

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. 

Mars budget cuts 'irrational' says former NASA science chief

NASA faces deep budget cuts, forcing it to eliminate some missions to explore Mars. The cuts will allow the agency to continue its plans to build a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.  

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.

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.

Mars Curiosity rover waiting on launch pad. But will funding end?

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, which includes the car-sized Curiosity rover, arrived on its Cape Canaveral launchpad on Thursday. But some experts worry about the lack of funding for Mars missions beyond 2013.
11/21/2011 02:43 pm

Space exploration: Will budget cuts stall search for other Earths?

Astronomers are on the cusp of new discoveries in the search for distant planets that could have life. But budget cuts are forcing this branch of space exploration to turn to smaller, less-ambitious projects.
06/17/2011 04:04 pm

Oldest galaxy: Hubble telescope detects farthest, oldest galaxy yet

Oldest galaxy: Astronomers using the Hubble telescope have detected a galaxy that formed just 500 million years after the Big Bang, making it the most distant and oldest galaxy discovered so far.
01/26/2011 06:28 pm

In Pictures Space photos of the day 08/19

Amateur astronomers gather at New York Stargazing Event as part of 2010 World Science Festival

Amateur astronomers gathered last Saturday in New York City's Battery Park for an evening of stargazing as part of the 2010 World Science Festival.
06/11/2010 07:21 pm

NASA's next big-ticket telescope showcased in New York City

A mockup of the James Webb Space Telescope, billed as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, took center stage at New York's World Science Festival.
06/02/2010 12:55 pm

Huge, tennis-court sized telescope model on display in New York City

A life-size model of a huge new space observatory described as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope is on display at the World Science Festival at New York City's Battery Park.
06/01/2010 12:34 pm

Happy birthday to the Hubble Telescope

The Hubble Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990. NASA says the best is yet to come.
04/24/2010 12:55 pm