Researchers say that if the conditions had been slightly different for our solar system, planets could have careened into the sun or been expelled into deep space. Also: A volunteer astronomer spots a strange gaseous object some are calling a "cosmic ghost."
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet.
A private company called SpaceX has failed three times to reach orbit with one of its rockets. But the company says it's learning from its failures and still hopes to radically decrease the cost of putting objects in space.
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has detected the presence of perchlorate, a chemically reactive salt in the Martian soil. Though the finding could mean Mars is less friendly to potential life than previously believed, scientists are optimistic.
In the ongoing search to see whether conditions on the Red Planet could once have supported life, NASA scientists extend the Phoenix Mars Lander's mission through September.
Back in 55 B.C., Julius Caesar invaded Britain. He kept a detailed record of his journey, straightforward enough for Latin students to read today. But in that record, Caesar failed to mention the actual date of his landing. It's a puzzle that's had scientists and historians duking it out for centuries. Now, Texas scientist Donald Olson thinks he's got the answer. He explains how the stars aligned to shed light on this ancient mystery.
NASA is tracking some 500 pieces of debris from a Russian spy satellite that mysteriously exploded in March. Since then, it has broken up twice, including last month. Some of the pieces have come close to the international space station.
Scientists on both the Mars Phoenix and Mercury Messenger space missions talk about the latest news from the Milky Way and what it means for those of us on Earth.
New analysis of tiny beads of volcanic glass collected by Apollo astronauts suggest the moon once contained enough water to fill the Caribbean Sea. The finding raises new questions about how the moon was born.
The next lunar rocket, Ares V, will be 38 stories tall and ready for passengers in 2020. Scheduled for completion in 2020, the lunar program may be a first step in getting to Mars.
There are competing reasons for why Mars' northern hemisphere is much lower in altitude than the southern hemisphere. Three papers in the journal Nature present new evidence that a massive object struck Mars, giving one of the theories a major boost.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are far away from the action in the presidential race. Luckily for them, NASA and Texas understand the unique needs of space-traveling citizens, who want their votes counted.
For the first time, a NASA lander has touched Martian ice. Scientists say they are convinced white chunks dug up by the Phoenix craft are in fact frozen water on the Red Planet.
A mini-drama unfolded millions of miles away this week near the North Pole of Mars when NASA's robotic lander Phoenix had trouble with a shovel-full of dirt. NPR's science correspondent David Kestenbaum wonders if there is life among the dirt on Mars.
Seven astronauts have wrapped up a mission to the international space station to deliver a Japanese science module. The Kibo lab is now the biggest room on the space station.
