Earth
A new Propulsion System Could Levitate Vehicles in the Earth’s Upper Atmosphere
Sometimes it's hard to remember that NASA also does atmospheric research too. While typically thought of as the province of…
Light Pollution is Obscuring the Night Sky. RIP Stargazing
A citizen science initiative called Globe at Night has some sobering news for humanity. Our artificial light is drowning out…
Could Next-Generation Telescopes See That Earth Has Life?
While the Earth absorbs a lot of energy from the Sun, a lot of it is reflected back into space.…
Should Planetary Defence Take Center Stage?
Throughout the Solar System, planets and moons bear the scars of a past fraught with collisions. The Moon, Mercury, and…
Earth’s Water is 4.5 Billion Years Old
The origin of Earth's water has been an enduring mystery. There are different hypotheses and theories explaining how the water…
To Fight Climate Change, We Could Block the Sun. A Lightweight Solar Sail Could Make it Feasible
Can we build an enormous umbrella to dim the Sun? Such a feat would be a megaproject on a scale…
Should We Build a Nature Reserve on Mars?
There are 8 billion of us now. The UN says when the population peaks around the year 2100, there'll be…
OK, Artemis. Now You’re Just Showing Off. A Stunning View of the Moon Eclipsing Earth From the Orion Spacecraft
Have you ever seen a lunar eclipse of the Earth from the far side of the Moon? Now we have.…
What’s the Best Mix of Oceans to Land for a Habitable Planet?
Earth is about 29% land and 71% oceans. How significant is that mix for habitability? What does it tell us…
Volcanoes are the worst. They’ve caused extinctions on Earth, and probably killed Venus
Is there anything good about volcanoes? They can be violent, dangerous, and unpredictable. For modern humans, volcanoes are mostly an…