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A distant galaxy nicknamed "Cosmic Grapes" is bursting with massive star-forming clumps — far more than expected — offering fresh clues about how galaxies grew in the early universe.

Explore the words of science past from Scientific American

The Perseid meteor shower takes place each year as Earth travels through the debris shed by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.

Video: 00:01:45

Experience the preparation of the MetOp-SG-A1 satellite, hosting Copernicus Sentinel-5, scheduled for liftoff on an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 13 August 2025 at 02:37 CEST (12 August 21:37 Kourou time). This timelapse video captures key stages from the encapsulation within the Ariane 6 fairing to the installation in the launch tower.

MetOp-SG-A1 is the first in a series of three successive pairs of satellites. The mission as a whole not only ensures the continued delivery of global observations from polar orbit for weather forecasting and climate analysis for more than 20 years, but also offers enhanced accuracy and resolution compared to the original MetOp mission – along with new measurement capabilities to expand its scientific reach.

This new weather satellite also carries the Copernicus Sentinel-5 mission to deliver daily global data on air pollutants and atmospheric trace gases as well as aerosols and ultraviolet radiation.

New research suggests the first stars weren't the behemoths we expected them to be — which might explain why we haven't seen them yet.

The post Were the Very First Stars Really That Massive? appeared first on Sky & Telescope.

This long-exposure image from the International Space Station shows the growing tension between celestial beauty and human expansion into space.

Searching for life on Mars has been an explicit goal of the astrobiological community for decades. However, they have not really had the resources to effectively do so, and they might be running out of time. Crewed missions to Mars are planned for as little as 15 years from now (though those timelines might be changing…again), and by the time that happens it may be too late to separate Martian life from unintentionally transplanted Earth-life. According to a group of researchers from the Agnostic Life Finding Association, there is one final chance to detect Martian life before it is irreversibly contaminated - the Mars Life Explorer (MLE). But to do its job properly, it’s going to need an upgrade.

Scientists have finally solved a billion year old mystery that explains how life on Earth survived its earliest and most vulnerable stages. Using powerful computer simulations, researchers have proved that our planet's completely liquid core could generate the magnetic field that acts as an invisible shield against deadly cosmic radiation. This groundbreaking discovery reveals that Earth has been protecting life far longer than previously thought, creating a safe haven where the first complex molecules could form and evolve without being destroyed by high energy particles from space.

The James Webb Space Telescope’s latest look at a planetary nebula, NGC 6072, provides new insights into the lifecycle of stars. This could help astronomers predict what will happen to our Sun during its final days as well.

A jet from a young star created an expanding bubble that collided with the star's protoplanetary disk. Astronomers have found these explosive bubbles before, but never one that's collided with the disk. What does this mean for planet formation?

Massive galaxies like the Milky Way have smaller satellite galaxies that are tidally disrupted and absorbed. Astronomers think this is how galaxies assemble hierarchically. New research examines galaxies much less massive than the Milky Way to see if they also have their own, much less massive satellites.

An artificial intelligence breakthrough uses reinforcement learning to tackle the Andrews-Curtis conjecture, solving long-standing counterexamples and hinting at tools for forecasting stock crashes, diseases and climate disasters

New research is revealing how disease-smelling dogs can excel

From planets roaming space to major shifts in health funding, catch up with this week’s news roundup.

As an administrative assistant in the Safety and Mission Assurance Office at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Juliana Barajas approaches her work with one clear mission: to help others succeed.  

Juliana Barajas stands in front of the Super Guppy at the El Paso Forwarding Operations Location (EPFOL) in El Paso, Texas. Being courteous, helpful, resourceful, and always willing to learn new things is what led me to NASA.

Juliana Barajas

Administrative Assistant

For over two decades, she has supported NASA’s mission with a career grounded in service, perseverance, and gratitude. Whether coordinating tasks, solving problems, or lending a listening ear, Barajas plays a vital role in helping her team maintain safety and excellence.  

“When I was young, I never imagined working at NASA,” said Barajas “I dreamed of studying mechanical engineering but never got the opportunity.”  

Instead, she pursued a degree in computer secretarial studies. “I am grateful for the opportunity to prove I could do just about any job given to me,” she said.  

Juliana Barajas received a Secretarial Excellence Award in 2009 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

In 2009, Barajas earned the Secretarial Excellence Award, a recognition she calls a highlight of her career. But for Barajas, pride is not reserved for big moments alone. “I take pride in everything I do every day,” she said. “If I can help those around me succeed, then I have fulfilled my duty.” 

Her career has also taught her invaluable personal lessons. “I’ve learned to be a good listener and to be myself,” she said. “I’ve also learned to be resourceful and to not give up. I am grateful for having wonderful people around me who don’t look down on me when I reach out for answers.” 

Juliana Barajas (far right) and her colleagues at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

As NASA continues preparing for future lunar missions, Barajas hopes to pass on courage, resilience, and the determination to persevere through challenges. She encourages the next generation to ask for help when needed and to speak up when it matters most.  

“I love my job and would like to continue supporting my NASA family as long as I am able,” she said. “And I promise to keep being the person I am.” 

Explore More 3 min read Aaisha Ali: From Marine Biology to the Artemis Control Room  Article 1 month ago 3 min read Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight  Article 4 months ago 5 min read Johnson’s Jason Foster Recognized for New Technology Reporting Record Article 2 months ago

As space becomes more important to the economy of nations around the world, the risk of paper mills flooding the literature with fraudulent results is increasing.

As an administrative assistant in the Safety and Mission Assurance Office at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Juliana Barajas approaches her work with one clear mission: to help others succeed.  

Juliana Barajas stands in front of the Super Guppy at the El Paso Forwarding Operations Location (EPFOL) in El Paso, Texas. Being courteous, helpful, resourceful, and always willing to learn new things is what led me to NASA.

Juliana Barajas

Administrative Assistant

For over two decades, she has supported NASA’s mission with a career grounded in service, perseverance, and gratitude. Whether coordinating tasks, solving problems, or lending a listening ear, Barajas plays a vital role in helping her team maintain safety and excellence.  

“When I was young, I never imagined working at NASA,” said Barajas “I dreamed of studying mechanical engineering but never got the opportunity.”  

Instead, she pursued a degree in computer secretarial studies. “I am grateful for the opportunity to prove I could do just about any job given to me,” she said.  

Juliana Barajas received a Secretarial Excellence Award in 2009 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

In 2009, Barajas earned the Secretarial Excellence Award, a recognition she calls a highlight of her career. But for Barajas, pride is not reserved for big moments alone. “I take pride in everything I do every day,” she said. “If I can help those around me succeed, then I have fulfilled my duty.” 

Her career has also taught her invaluable personal lessons. “I’ve learned to be a good listener and to be myself,” she said. “I’ve also learned to be resourceful and to not give up. I am grateful for having wonderful people around me who don’t look down on me when I reach out for answers.” 

Juliana Barajas (far right) and her colleagues at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

As NASA continues preparing for future lunar missions, Barajas hopes to pass on courage, resilience, and the determination to persevere through challenges. She encourages the next generation to ask for help when needed and to speak up when it matters most.  

“I love my job and would like to continue supporting my NASA family as long as I am able,” she said. “And I promise to keep being the person I am.” 

Explore More 3 min read Aaisha Ali: From Marine Biology to the Artemis Control Room  Article 1 month ago 3 min read Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight  Article 4 months ago 5 min read Johnson’s Jason Foster Recognized for New Technology Reporting Record Article 2 months ago

This chunky star projector is a good choice for kids thanks to its low price and easy-to-use functions.

What are these gigantic blue arcs near the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

Both science fiction and real life have some interesting spacecraft names, sometimes borrowing from each other. This quiz will test to see if you know the difference.