"We’re sitting inside a bubble trying to figure out what shape it is, which is extremely hard."

It's official: NASA is considering an interstellar mission

Sun Fun

A group of researchers are eager to get back to exploring the far reaches of the universe and send a probe on a NASA mission into interstellar space.

It’s Official: NASA Is Considering an Interstellar Mission

"This is humanity’s first explicit step into interstellar space."

"While ["Interstellar"] legitimately boasts a relatively high level of scientific accuracy, it is still restricted by Hollywood sensitivities and limitations."

NASA scientist ponders life on planets orbiting black holes

Burning Up

In a paper, NASA scientist Jeremy Schnittman argues that it's pretty unlikely planets that orbit black holes could harbor life.

NASA Scientist Ponders Life on Planets Orbiting Black Holes

Across the universe, is someone looking up from their home planet into a vast black hole?

A newly detected comet shows all the signs of being interstellar.

An interstellar object may have just entered our solar system

Interstellar 2

Astronomers believe they may have detected a second interstellar object, but unlike 'Oumuamua, this one is on its way into our solar system.

An Interstellar Object May Have Just Entered Our Solar System

"It's the next-best thing to sending a probe to a different solar system."

"It doesn't seem like the worst place for life."

The universe may be full of habitable worlds that have no sun

Off World

New research finds that moons can be flung into space paired with a planetary partner, making it possible for these wandering moons to host life.

The Universe May Be Full of Habitable Worlds That Have No Sun

What happens when a moon goes rogue?

Signs of life could be hidden beneath 'Oumuamua's outer layer.

Our first interstellar visitor is covered in a layer of "organic sunscreen"

Researchers say our first interstellar visitor has a natural layer of protection against the Sun's cosmic rays, and it could be covering an icy core.

Our First Interstellar Visitor Is Covered in a Layer Of "Organic Sunscreen"

The asteroid's mantle may be protecting an icy core.

Our First Interstellar Visitor Is Covered in a Layer Of “Organic Sunscreen”

These small, low-cost CubeSats could zip through the solar system on exploratory missions.

A team at Purdue University have designed a water vapor propulsion system that could make CubeSats more effective for exploration than larger satellites.

Small, Water-Powered Satellites Could Be the Future of Space Exploration

Powered by water vapor, these little satellites could go far.

Each of these satellites is smaller than a credit card.

The test was designed to reveal how well the satellites' electronics systems and radio communications performed in orbit.

These Satellites Are the Smallest to Ever Reach Earth’s Orbit

They put us one step closer to faster, cheaper interstellar travel.

Science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson explores the dangers posed by long-term space travel and colonization in his novel Aurora.

Should We Try to Colonize Other Worlds or Stay and Fix Earth?

Alien worlds await. Should humans really go?

Living on a planet orbiting a black hole might be a reality in our future.  

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