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Recently Discovered Comet Seen During 2020 Total Solar Eclipse
Sun
Dec 18, 2020
As Chile and Argentina witnessed the total solar eclipse on Dec. 14, 2020, unbeknownst to skywatchers, a little tiny speck was flying past the Sun — a recently discovered comet.
Episode 27 - How to See Saturn and Jupiter's Great Conjunction
Solar System, Planets of Our Solar System
Dec 18, 2020
Have you noticed two bright objects in the sky getting closer together with each passing night? It’s Jupiter and Saturn doing a planetary dance that will result in the Great Conjunction on Dec. 21. On that day, Jupiter and Saturn will be right next to each other in the sky -- the closest they have... Read More
Photo of Jupiter and Saturn in the sky
Key Building Block for Organic Molecules Discovered in Meteorites
Solar System
Dec 18, 2020
Scientists from Japan and NASA have confirmed the presence in meteorites of a key organic molecule which may have been used to build other organic molecules, including some used by life. The discovery validates theories of the formation of organic compounds in extraterrestrial environments.
Hubble Sees a ‘Molten Ring’
Universe
Dec 18, 2020
This image, taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, depicts GAL-CLUS-022058s, located in the southern hemisphere constellation of Fornax (the Furnace).
NASA Moves Forward with Campaign to Return Mars Samples to Earth
Solar System
Dec 17, 2020
NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) are moving to the next phase in a campaign to deepen understanding of whether life ever existed on Mars and, in turn, better understand the origins of life on Earth.
NASA Opens Limited Media Credentialing for Mars Perseverance Rover Landing
Solar System
Dec 17, 2020
Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California will credential a limited number of media for on-site access to cover the Feb. 18, 2021, landing of NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover.
Planting Crops in Antarctica Aims to Benefit Astronauts on Long-Duration Missions
Space Experiments
Dec 16, 2020
A few intrepid researchers will begin an arduous journey to Antarctica on Dec. 20 to conduct plant cultivation investigations in an extremely remote region of the world.
NASA, USDA Sign Agreement to Improve Agricultural, Earth Science Research
Earth
Dec 16, 2020
NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening their longstanding partnership on space-based assets benefitting life on Earth.
Scientists Use NASA Data to Predict Appearance of Dec. 14 Eclipse
Sun
Dec 16, 2020
On Dec. 14, 2020, the Moon’s shadow raced across Chile and Argentina, casting a thin ribbon of land into brief, mid-day darkness. One week before, a group of scientists predicted how the corona would look during this particular eclipse.
SAGE III Sees California Wildfire Effects in Stratosphere
Earth
Dec 16, 2020
In September and October, the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) instrument aboard the International Space Station observed smoke from the ongoing wildfires using solar occultation, a measurement technique that involves looking at light from the Sun as it passes through Earth’s... Read More
Episode 26 - You Too Can Do NASA Science
Dec 16, 2020
No matter who you are or where you are, YOU can participate in the science done at NASA and make new discoveries alongside NASA scientists.
Photo of handing holding up a mobile phone with the text "You too can do NASA Science"
Detailing the Formation of Distant Solar Systems with NASA's Webb Telescope
Universe
Dec 16, 2020
Researchers will conduct a survey with the Webb Telescope to compare planet-forming disks.
NASA Science Live Episode on Citizen Science, Wednesday Dec 16th
Dec 16, 2020
NASA’s Citizen Science Program is being featured on the NASA Science Live show. The episode, which premieres Wednesday, December 16th highlights a few of NASA’s Citizen Science projects. This is really special because it gives viewers an opportunity to JOIN IN, to not only learn about great... Read More
Photo of handing holding up a mobile phone with the text "You too can do NASA Science"
Dark Storm on Neptune Reverses Direction, Possibly Shedding a Fragment
Solar System
Dec 15, 2020
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope watched a mysterious dark vortex on Neptune abruptly steer away from a likely death on the giant blue planet.