Moon
The Blue Micromoon Rises in Sunday’s Early Skies
The second full moon of May will look smaller and dimmer than usual.
Tag
Space and Astronomy
Live stream
RIVO news Listen to this section's headlines in an AI voice
Now:
Press play to start the stream
This browser does not support voice playback. Try Chrome, Edge or Safari.
Space and Astronomy
As the SpaceX Hype Machine Steamrolls Ahead, Wall Street Jumps Aboard
Elon Musk and his bankers are working to create a self-fulfilling prophecy for the massive public offering: Make investors feel that the risks of passing it up outweigh those of…
Private Spaceflight
Blue Origin Rocket Blows Up on Florida Launchpad During Test
The rocket, built by the Jeff Bezos-owned space company, was to carry 48 satellites into space. Blue Origin reported on social media that “all personnel have been accounted for.”
Volcanoes
A Fiery Visitor From Space Photo-Bombs an Erupting Volcano
For a split second, a fireball outshone the rivers of molten lava flowing from the Philippines’ most active volcano.
Eclipses
Where to See the Total Solar Eclipse on Aug. 12
On Aug. 12, parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Portugal will experience the thrill of daytime darkness. Here’s where you can witness the cosmic spectacle.
Private Spaceflight
SpaceX Scrubs Launch Attempt of Updated Starship Rocket
The giant rocket was scheduled to lift off on Thursday after a seven-month pause. SpaceX could try again as soon as Friday.
Space and Astronomy
This Moon of Neptune Might Have Survived a Wrecking-Ball Event
Neptune’s moons have long provided evidence of a cataclysm four billion years ago. A new study suggests one moon may have made it through.
Space and Astronomy
Could an Earthly Fungus Contaminate Mars? NASA May Have Found One Hardy Enough.
Researchers identified a species that can survive radiation, extreme heat and simulated Martian soil, posing a new challenge for protocols intended to keep the red planet pristine.
Space Exploration Technologies Corp
Musk’s SpaceX Goals Shift Ahead of Its I.P.O.
As SpaceX prepares to go public, Mr. Musk has proposed moonshots that differ from the company’s original aim of reaching Mars.
Telescopes and Observatories
Dark Skies and Dark Energy Converge in West Texas
In the Big Bend region, a portal to the early universe is enabled by the largest dark-sky reserve on Earth.
Space and Astronomy
Sightings of Meteors Surge, and Scientists Aren’t Sure Why
The frequency of fireballs in our planet’s skies seemed to grow in recent months. NASA and other meteor experts can’t agree on what explains it.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin’s Failure May Hamstring NASA’s Moon Plans
The space agency is counting on Jeff Bezos’ company to deliver equipment essential to the next moon landing, only two years away.
Space and Astronomy
Artemis II Crew Discusses NASA Moon Mission and Next Steps
The four astronauts spoke at a news conference Thursday afternoon at Johnson Space Center in Houston about their journey around the moon and back to Earth.
Artemis Program
Another Giant Leap Reminds Us How Small We Are
A mission that took four astronauts farther than any human has ever traveled in the history of mankind has made people feel a little trippy.
Black Holes (Space)
Did Scientists Just Detect an Exploding Black Hole?
An underwater observatory recently detected a startlingly energetic cosmic neutrino. One possible cause involves a phenomenon that so far exists only in theory.
Comets
NASA’s Hubble Telescope Spots Comet K1 Exploding Into Fragments
In a stroke of luck, astronomers saw the comet C/2025 K1 (ATLAS) break into four or five fragments in November after it passed close to the sun.
Wilford, John Noble
John Noble Wilford, Times Reporter Who Covered the Moon Landing, Dies at 92
He gave readers a comprehensive and lyrical account of the historic mission in 1969. His science coverage as a Pulitzer-winning journalist and an author took him around the world.