“...all the past is but a beginning of a beginning, and that all that is and has been is but the twilight of dawn.”

— H.G. Wells
1902

Feed aggregator

3I/ATLAS: A View from Planet Earth

APOD - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 12:00am

Now outbound after its perihelion or closest approach to the Sun


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka

APOD - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 12:00am

Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka


Categories: Astronomy, NASA

Astronomers Pinpoint 3I/ATLAS's Path Based on Data from Mars

Universe Today - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 9:25pm

Since comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object, was discovered on 1 July 2025, astronomers worldwide have worked to predict its trajectory. ESA has now improved the comet’s predicted location by a factor of 10, thanks to the innovative use of observation data from our ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) spacecraft orbiting Mars.

Categories: Astronomy

Monthly injection could replace daily steroid pills for severe asthma

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 6:30pm
Daily steroid pills are often necessary for severe cases of asthma, but they raise the risk of several serious conditions. Now, scientists have shown that a monthly antibody injection can eliminate the need for the pills
Categories: Astronomy

Monthly injection could replace daily steroid pills for severe asthma

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 6:30pm
Daily steroid pills are often necessary for severe cases of asthma, but they raise the risk of several serious conditions. Now, scientists have shown that a monthly antibody injection can eliminate the need for the pills
Categories: Astronomy

Hong Kong's Mission to Watch the Moon Get Bombarded

Universe Today - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 5:41pm

In 2028, Hong Kong will launch its first dedicated lunar orbiter not to study craters or map minerals, but to monitor something far more urgent, the constant barrage of meteoroids slamming into the Moon's surface at thousands of kilometres per hour. As China prepares to build a permanent lunar research station, understanding this relentless bombardment has become a matter of safety for future astronauts living and working on the Moon.

Categories: Astronomy

The Strange Physics Beneath Icy Moons

Universe Today - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 5:23pm

Beneath the frozen shells of Saturn's tiny moons, hidden oceans might occasionally boil, not from heat, but from dropping pressure as ice melts from below. This strange phenomenon could explain the bizarre geology of worlds like Miranda and Mimas, and reshape our understanding of where to search for life in the outer Solar System. A new study reveals how these distant water worlds operate under physics unlike anything on Earth.

Categories: Astronomy

What Seven Decades of Hunting for Aliens Tells Us

Universe Today - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 4:50pm

Seven billion year old meteorites carrying DNA building blocks. Frozen water on Mars. Amino acids floating in interstellar dust clouds. After seventy years of searching, we've found the ingredients for life scattered throughout the universe but have we found life itself? A new review examines every major claim of extraterrestrial life, from ancient space rocks to UFO sightings, revealing what the evidence actually supports and where wishful thinking has filled the gaps.

Categories: Astronomy

JUNO Neutrino Observatory Releases First Results

Scientific American.com - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 2:40pm

Hidden beneath the hills of southern China, the JUNO observatory shows promise in solving neutrino mysteries

Categories: Astronomy

Easter Island statues may have been built by small independent groups

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 2:00pm
Mapping of the main quarry on Easter Island where giant statues were carved has uncovered evidence that the monuments may not have been created under the direction of a single chief
Categories: Astronomy

Easter Island statues may have been built by small independent groups

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 2:00pm
Mapping of the main quarry on Easter Island where giant statues were carved has uncovered evidence that the monuments may not have been created under the direction of a single chief
Categories: Astronomy

Cold-water swimming has benefits for the brain as well as the body

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:28pm
There is a growing body of research on the physical benefits of going for a dip in chilly water, but now researchers are starting to find that cold-water swimming may also be reshaping our brains for the better in lasting ways
Categories: Astronomy

Cold-water swimming has benefits for the brain as well as the body

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:28pm
There is a growing body of research on the physical benefits of going for a dip in chilly water, but now researchers are starting to find that cold-water swimming may also be reshaping our brains for the better in lasting ways
Categories: Astronomy

PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources

NASA - Breaking News - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:18pm
Explore This Section

  1. Science
  2. Science Activation
  3. PLANETS Units Have Landed –…
 

4 min read

PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources Constructing a three dimensional topographic map from the Remote Sensing Science Pathway.

The NASA Science Activation program’s PLANETS (Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science) project, led by Northern Arizona University (NAU), is pleased to announce the official launch of three free out-of-school (OST) time units that give all learners in grades 3-5 and 6-8 the chance to do real planetary science and engineering. These units are supported by comprehensive educator guides, videos, and resources.

These three units – Space Hazards, Water in Extreme Environments, and Remote Sensing – have complementary engineering and science pathways that can be taught on their own or together. Subject matter experts in planetary science from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center were involved in every part of developing the activities, working with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) education experts from Northern Arizona University Center for STEM Teaching & Learning, the Boston Museum of Science, and WestEd to ensure the activities are educational, engaging, and accurate.

PLANETS intentionally designed the units to benefit all learners. The curriculum reflects research-based pedagogical strategies, including those for multilingual learners, Indigenous learners, and learners with differing physical abilities. The units have been tested extensively in out-of-school time programs across the country and revised based on their feedback to ensure the needs of all learners are met. PLANETS provides a practical guide for out-of-school time educators with useful advice to effectively teach all students. All units also include educator background on the subject matter, as well as videos, and many useful tips and links to relevant NASA projects and resources.

“PLANETS is one of the most thoughtfully designed STEM resources I’ve used in an out-of-school setting. The hands-on activities are engaging, accessible, and grounded in real-world challenges that spark curiosity in every learner. What sets it apart is the intentional support for diverse learners and the clear, practical guidance for facilitators—making it truly turnkey for OST educators at any experience level. If you’re looking to build STEM identity, teamwork, and creative problem-solving in your program, PLANETS is a must.” ~ Kara Branch, CEO & Founder, Black Girls Do Engineer

In the Space Hazards unit, intended for learners in grades 3-5, students play a card game to learn about how to protect against the different hazards that people face on Earth and that astronauts and robotic probes face in space. The engineering pathway for this unit presents students with a challenge: design a space glove that will keep astronauts safe while still allowing them to do their work.

The Water in Extreme Environments unit is designed for grades 6-8. In the science pathway, students use planet “water cards” to learn where there is the most water in our solar system (hint: it’s not Earth!). The engineering pathway introduces learners to the scarcity of fresh water, both in extreme environments on Earth and for astronauts in space. Students design a filtration system to purify water for reuse.

The engineering pathway for the Remote sensing unit, also designed for grades 6-8, puts students into the shoes of NASA spacecraft engineers, designing remote sensing devices to learn about the surface of planets, like Mars. The science pathway then uses real NASA remote sensing data from Mars landing site candidates to choose the best place to land a rover on Mars.

All PLANETS materials are available at no cost on the website: planets-stem.org. Check them out and empower every learner to see themselves as scientists and engineers.

PLANETS is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC53 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/.

Share

Details

Last Updated

Nov 26, 2025

Editor NASA Science Editorial Team

Related Terms Explore More

4 min read NASA & GLOBE Connect People, Land, and Space

Article


1 day ago

3 min read New NASA HEAT and My NASA Data Resources Bring Space Weather Science into Classrooms

Article


2 days ago

3 min read 10 Years of Students Helping NASA Grow Space Food with Growing Beyond Earth

Article


5 days ago

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

James Webb Space Telescope

Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the…


Perseverance Rover

This rover and its aerial sidekick were assigned to study the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient microbial…


Parker Solar Probe

On a mission to “touch the Sun,” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to fly through the corona…


Juno

NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016, the first explorer to peer below the planet’s dense clouds to…

Categories: NASA

PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources

NASA News - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:18pm
Explore This Section

  1. Science
  2. Science Activation
  3. PLANETS Units Have Landed –…
 

4 min read

PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources Constructing a three dimensional topographic map from the Remote Sensing Science Pathway.

The NASA Science Activation program’s PLANETS (Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science) project, led by Northern Arizona University (NAU), is pleased to announce the official launch of three free out-of-school (OST) time units that give all learners in grades 3-5 and 6-8 the chance to do real planetary science and engineering. These units are supported by comprehensive educator guides, videos, and resources.

These three units – Space Hazards, Water in Extreme Environments, and Remote Sensing – have complementary engineering and science pathways that can be taught on their own or together. Subject matter experts in planetary science from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center were involved in every part of developing the activities, working with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) education experts from Northern Arizona University Center for STEM Teaching & Learning, the Boston Museum of Science, and WestEd to ensure the activities are educational, engaging, and accurate.

PLANETS intentionally designed the units to benefit all learners. The curriculum reflects research-based pedagogical strategies, including those for multilingual learners, Indigenous learners, and learners with differing physical abilities. The units have been tested extensively in out-of-school time programs across the country and revised based on their feedback to ensure the needs of all learners are met. PLANETS provides a practical guide for out-of-school time educators with useful advice to effectively teach all students. All units also include educator background on the subject matter, as well as videos, and many useful tips and links to relevant NASA projects and resources.

“PLANETS is one of the most thoughtfully designed STEM resources I’ve used in an out-of-school setting. The hands-on activities are engaging, accessible, and grounded in real-world challenges that spark curiosity in every learner. What sets it apart is the intentional support for diverse learners and the clear, practical guidance for facilitators—making it truly turnkey for OST educators at any experience level. If you’re looking to build STEM identity, teamwork, and creative problem-solving in your program, PLANETS is a must.” ~ Kara Branch, CEO & Founder, Black Girls Do Engineer

In the Space Hazards unit, intended for learners in grades 3-5, students play a card game to learn about how to protect against the different hazards that people face on Earth and that astronauts and robotic probes face in space. The engineering pathway for this unit presents students with a challenge: design a space glove that will keep astronauts safe while still allowing them to do their work.

The Water in Extreme Environments unit is designed for grades 6-8. In the science pathway, students use planet “water cards” to learn where there is the most water in our solar system (hint: it’s not Earth!). The engineering pathway introduces learners to the scarcity of fresh water, both in extreme environments on Earth and for astronauts in space. Students design a filtration system to purify water for reuse.

The engineering pathway for the Remote sensing unit, also designed for grades 6-8, puts students into the shoes of NASA spacecraft engineers, designing remote sensing devices to learn about the surface of planets, like Mars. The science pathway then uses real NASA remote sensing data from Mars landing site candidates to choose the best place to land a rover on Mars.

All PLANETS materials are available at no cost on the website: planets-stem.org. Check them out and empower every learner to see themselves as scientists and engineers.

PLANETS is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC53 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/.

Share

Details

Last Updated

Nov 26, 2025

Editor NASA Science Editorial Team

Related Terms Explore More

4 min read NASA & GLOBE Connect People, Land, and Space

Article


1 day ago

3 min read New NASA HEAT and My NASA Data Resources Bring Space Weather Science into Classrooms

Article


2 days ago

3 min read 10 Years of Students Helping NASA Grow Space Food with Growing Beyond Earth

Article


5 days ago

Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA

James Webb Space Telescope

Webb is the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide. It studies every phase in the…


Perseverance Rover

This rover and its aerial sidekick were assigned to study the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient microbial…


Parker Solar Probe

On a mission to “touch the Sun,” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to fly through the corona…


Juno

NASA’s Juno spacecraft entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016, the first explorer to peer below the planet’s dense clouds to…

Categories: NASA

COP30: The UN climate summits are no longer fit for purpose

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:00pm
The final COP30 agreement fails to even mention fossil fuels. Countries wanting to tackle climate change must not wait for the next meeting to take action
Categories: Astronomy

COP30: The UN climate summits are no longer fit for purpose

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:00pm
The final COP30 agreement fails to even mention fossil fuels. Countries wanting to tackle climate change must not wait for the next meeting to take action
Categories: Astronomy

The quick and easy ways to stay fit this holiday season

New Scientist Space - Cosmology - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:00pm
A chaotic schedule over the holiday season often derails Grace Wade’s workout routine. But this year she has a plan…
Categories: Astronomy

The quick and easy ways to stay fit this holiday season

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:00pm
A chaotic schedule over the holiday season often derails Grace Wade’s workout routine. But this year she has a plan…
Categories: Astronomy

The 12 best science fiction books of 2025

New Scientist Space - Space Headlines - Wed, 11/26/2025 - 1:00pm
From drowned worlds to virtual utopias via deep space, wild ideas abound in Emily H. Wilson's picks for her favourite sci-fi reads of the year
Categories: Astronomy