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Five reasons the world won't end in 2012

Pointing to the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar on Dec. 21, 2012, many doomsday believers think that life as we know it on Earth has entered it's final year. NASA begs to differ.

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NASA findings reveal solar system's tail

The bubble created by the solar wind and magnetism that surrounds the solar system is larger and more interesting that previously thought, NASA scientists said Wednesday. The researchers used data collected by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer to make their discovery.
Supermoon photos: Spectacular moon pics wow stargazers

Supermoon photos: Sunday's full moon coincided with our natural satellite's closest distance from the Earth, making it the biggest full moon of the year.
Summer solstice 2013: Longest day, best Mercury-spotting

This year's summer solstice, Friday (June 21) at 1:04 a.m. EDT (0504 GMT), also features a rare chance to see Mercury, the planet usually obscured by the sun's glare.
78,000 to live on Mars: Have you signed up?

78,000 people have applied to live on Mars. Up to 3,000 will make the first cut, and the 28-40 finalists will spend seven years training before 4 finally get selected for a one-way trip to live on Mars.
Record-breaking star explosion is most powerful ever seen

Two NASA space telescopes have captured what appears to be the most powerful star explosion ever detected, a cosmic event so luminous that scientists dubbed it 'eye-wateringly bright' despite being 3.6 billion light-years from Earth.
How astronomy solved a Civil War mystery

Why did Confederate troops shoot their own general, 'Stonewall' Jackson? The position of the moon played a big role, an astronomer discovers.
Mars One will look for — and hide from — life on Mars

Mars One plans to put four astronaut-explorers on Mars by 2023, but they will take steps to avoid contaminating any lifeforms already on Mars.
Comet of the century? ISON has 'potential' to be visible all day.

As sun-grazing comet ISON approaches the sun, it's getting progressively brighter – and might even flare into a dazzling object bright enough to be visible in broad daylight.
Spaceflight conference: No NASA reps, but Sigourney Weaver is there

NASA banned employees from attending the annual National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. But 'Alien' star Sigourney Weaver will be there.
Curiosity Mars rover suffers another glitch, remains in safe mode

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has put its scientific exploration on hold while it deals with a minor software problem.
How a humongous alien planet could explain how our solar system was born

The discovery of a colossal gas giant some 130 light-years from Earth could help explain the origins of our own solar system, say scientists.
Mars flooding: Ancient mega-flood on Red Planet revealed in 3D

Mars flooding: The discovery shows that a major underground channel generated by an ancient mega-flood is twice as deep as thought, and sheds light on how water shaped the surface of Mars, scientists added.
Rover Curiosity may resume operation on Mars soon

NASA said that its Mars rover Curiosity, which halted its exploration on the Red Planet last Thursday due to a memory malfunction, might get back to work this weekend.
Scientists discover new belt of radiation around Earth

NASA's twin Van Allen space probes detected a previously unknown temporary ring of high energy particles around our planet.
Telescope spots formation of alien planet

In the first discovery of its kind, a telescope in Chile has detected a baby gas giant forming in the dust cloud around a nearby star.
2018 Mars mission: Who should go?

Billionaire Dennis Tito announced plans Wednesday for a two-person private mission to Mars, in 2018. The project seeks a married couple with technical backgrounds and a healthy dose of courage.
Astronomers clock supermassive black hole's spin for first time

How fast does a supermassive black hole spin? For the first time, scientists have made a reliable measurement of these behemoths, thought to be at the center of most, if not all, galaxies.
Dennis Tito to announce private mission to Mars

Space tourist millionaire Dennis Tito, who in 2001 paid $20 million to visit the International Space Station, is planning a privately funded trip to the Red Planet.
US scientists seek to prevent another meteor explosion

NASA and the Air Force are working together to develop plans to prepare for future meteor strikes like the one in Russia earlier this month.
'Vulcan' and 'Cerberus' are favorite names for Pluto's moons

The online poll for naming Pluto's moons – P4 and P5 – is now over and the winning names are 'Vulcan' and 'Cerberus.' This result, however, doesn't guarantee that P4 and P5 will actually get these names.
Mars might still harbor life, say scientists

Liquid water might flow seasonally at some places on Mars, potentially supporting microbial life, say some researchers.
Unsuspecting target chosen for asteroid-smashing mission

A joint European/US mission to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid now has a target: the asteroid Didymos, which poses no threat to Earth and has no idea what's coming.
Small Canadian satellite to hunt big space rocks

A suitcase-sized Canadian spacecraft launched Monday aboard an Indian rocket is designed to spot large asteroids that cross paths with our planet.
Naming Pluto's moon 'Vulcan' only logical, says William Shatner

William Shatner proposed 'Vulcan' as the name of one of Pluto's recently discovered moons, and more than 100,000 'Star Trek' fans seem to concur.
India launches asteroid-hunting spacecraft, tiny telescopes

India launched seven satellites on Monday, including the first spacecraft designed to hunt large space rocks.