NASA

NASA Wants Your Help Documenting Rare ‘Space Clouds’

Rare noctilucent clouds are showing up in places they never used to, and scientists are trying to find out why.

Astronauts have left a lot more than footprints on the moon.

7 Strange Things That Have Been Left On the Moon

Golf balls, a word from the queen, and an X-rated drawing by Andy Warhol are just some of the items left behind by astronauts.

Quiz: Was This Object Left on the Moon?

Can you guess which pieces of space junk American astronauts left on the Moon?

NASA’s iconic image of Pluto, showing its heart-like pattern, captured by the New Horizons flyby in 2015.

7 Surprising Facts About Pluto

The dwarf planet sports steep mountains, smooth young surfaces, ice dunes, and a stunning blue atmosphere.

Can Astronauts Get Drunk in Space?

NASA officially prohibits alcohol aboard its missions, but that didn’t stop some American astronauts from enjoying a wee nip with their Russian colleagues.

7 Fascinating Facts About the Sun

Get ready to feel small: The sun is 99.8 percent of the mass of the solar system. Here are more colossal facts about our star.

Quiz: Can You Guess the Foods That Went to Space?

Figure out which of these tasty treats have left Earth to become astronaut appetizers or meals.

America’s entry into the space Olympics.

The Secret Cold War History of the Missile That Launched America’s First Satellite

On January 31, 1958, the United States became a space-faring nation with the Explorer-1 satellite.

What Happens If You Shoot a Gun in Space?

Space shootouts are possible. The Soviets proved it.

John Denver really wanted to go to space.

When John Denver Almost Went into Space

The country music icon spent years trying to get higher than any musician had ever been.

The Milky Way over Monument Valley in Arizona.

10 Astonishing Things You Should Know About the Milky Way

The Milky Way is one of the biggest in the observable universe: Even if you traveled at the speed of light, it would take 100,000 years to go from one end of our home galaxy to the other.

In space, it isn’t just number one and done.

To Boldly Go: The Science Behind Pooping in Space

Coming up with a practical way of replicating the earthbound poop experience took many years, many engineers, and a whole lot of ingenuity.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly watches a bunch of fresh carrots float in front of him on the International Space Station.

11 Daily Tasks That Are Hard to Do in Space (And How Astronauts Actually Do Them)

NASA scientists have figured out ways for astronauts to eat bread without leaving crumbs, shower without running water, and sleep without floating free from their beds.

What Happens When an Astronaut Gets Sick in Space?

Sick astronauts on a space mission can’t just pop down to Earth to see a doctor. Here’s how they deal with bumps, bruises, and worse.

How NASA Helped Solve a Murder

The space agency helped out on a landmark criminal case in 1990.

Katherine Johnson at NASA's Langley Research Center, 1980.

10 Fascinating Facts About Katherine Johnson

Before she helped send the first astronauts to the moon, Katherine Johnson was a human “computer” working behind the scenes at NASA.

Astronauts face lots of challenges, including what to do with dirty underwear.

Do Astronauts Do Laundry in Space?

Tossing stinky socks in a washer isn’t really an option once you leave Earth.

The northern lights are an event to remember.

Missed the Northern Lights This Year? Scientists Say They’re About to Get More Active

If the northern lights are on your bucket list, the 2026 to 2027 winter season will be exciting for you.

New Jupiter Images Paint a Detailed Picture of the Gas Giant

These processed images of Jupiter make the planet look like a painting.

Green space Japan set to test world's first wooden satellite | REUTERS

The First Wooden Satellite Is Headed To the International Space Station

A type of wood commonly used to make Samurai sword sheaths may be the future of space exploration.

Scientists can now better understand how supermassive black holes and stars interact.

See How Black Holes Shred Stars in This Groundbreaking Simulation

A scientific breakthrough in astrophysics demonstrates how stars and supermassive black holes interact.

The northern lights—caused by solar or geomagnetic storm—float over Tromsø, Norway.

12 Stunning Facts About Solar Storms

Solar storms are one of the most extreme types of space weather, and big ones can cause electronic malfunctions, GPS breakdowns, and gorgeous northern lights.

Space has a starting point, but where it begins is still a topic of debate for experts.

Where Does Space Begin?

Some experts believe the Kármán Line is the deciding factor, but others aren't in agreement about where the frontier of space really begins.

Horsehead Nebula Captured Like Never Before in New Images

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured the sharpest images of the Horsehead Nebula ever taken.