NASA says Orion’s heat shield is good to go for Artemis II—but does it matter?
The Artemis II mission, as NASA currently envisions it, won't launch until April 2026. Two years ago next week, NASA's Orion spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean to wrap.....»»
NASA believes it understands why Ingenuity crashed on Mars
Engineers are already beginning to plan for possible follow-on missions. Eleven months after the Ingenuity helicopter made its final flight on Mars, engineers and scientists at NA.....»»
Advanced atom interferometer could help with "the embarrassing problem" of dark matter
Assuming dark matter exists, its interactions with ordinary matter are so subtle that even the most sensitive instruments cannot detect them. In a new study, Northwestern University physicists now introduce a highly sensitive new tool, which amplifie.....»»
NASA learns how the Ingenuity helicopter ended up crashing on Mars
The Ingenuity helicopter flew on Mars for an incredible 72 flights. Now, NASA has shared findings of why the mission came to an end......»»
Meta’s Orion is years away, so I tried these advanced smart glasses instead
I tried four advanced smart glasses with heads-up displays for notifications, navigation, and more so you don't have to hold your phone......»»
Warm Saturn-sized exoplanet discovered with TESS
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has detected a new exoplanet orbiting a distant star. The newfound alien world, designated TOI-4994 b, is warm and slightly smaller than Saturn. The findi.....»»
NASA scientific balloon flights to lift off from Antarctica
NASA's Scientific Balloon Program has returned to Antarctica's icy expanse to kick off the annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon Campaign, where two balloon flights will carry a total of nine missions to near space. Launch operations will begin mid-.....»»
Milan under stress due to heat waves: Study reveals districts most at risk of cardiovascular emergencies
A new study has analyzed the impact of heat waves on the cardiovascular health of Milan residents. The results show that in 18 highly vulnerable districts, home to 23% of the city's population, the risk of cardiovascular emergencies increases by 22%.....»»
New process creates artificial humic substances for farming
Every farmer and every allotment gardener knows that humus is good for plant growth. But why? Humus contains humic substances. These substances have numerous advantages for the soil. In particular, fertile soil contains about 3% humic acids, while pe.....»»
How African countries can build systems to share climate information at the local level
African countries collectively have emitted very little of the greenhouse gases that have caused climate change, but are badly affected by climate-induced floods, droughts and heat waves. To withstand some of the most devastating extreme weather even.....»»
Chandra sees black hole jet stumble into something in the dark
Even matter ejected by black holes can run into objects in the dark. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have found an unusual mark from a giant black hole's powerful jet striking an unidentified object in its path......»»
Study uncovers the mafia"s role in Italy"s wildfire crisis
Over the past few years, raging wildfires in Italy have become a common and deadly occurrence. In Southern Italy, intense, record-breaking heat waves and dry scirocco winds create the perfect conditions for wildfires—both natural and coordinated......»»
Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and "raised hell"
Thirteen years before any other woman joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—or the NACA, NASA's predecessor—in a technical role, a young lab assistant named Pearl Young was making waves in the agency. Her legacy as an outspoken a.....»»
NASA eyes launching SPHEREx sky-mapping mission in early 2025
NASA and SpaceX are targeting late February 2025 for the launch of the agency's next astrophysics observatory, SPHEREx. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx will launch aboard.....»»
Fully fenced dog parks alongside nature reserves could help protect wildlife
Watching a pet dog run free can be a source of joy for many people. But letting your dog off the leash is not so good for wildlife, especially if you're in an area set aside for native species......»»
NASA astronaut Don Pettit talks photography from the space station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit is an exceptional space photographer, and he's just been talking about his work......»»
Cable ISPs compare data caps to food menus: Don’t make us offer unlimited soup
Data plans compared to a "tasting menu, a buffet, or unlimited soup and salad." Cable broadband companies continue to insist that data caps are good for people with low incomes, p.....»»
Paleolithic deep-cave compound likely used for rituals
A boulder engraved with a turtle, good acoustics, and torch lighting—what more do you need for a good time? Archaeologists excavating a paleolithic cave site in Galilee, Israel,.....»»
Here are all of the ways Samsung’s One UI 7 update copies iOS [Gallery]
Samsung’s One UI 7 update is huge and, for the most part, pretty good, but there’s some clear influence throughout as Samsung has seemingly been trying to replicate a bunch of features and design traits from iOS. Here’s a list of all of the way.....»»
Win hardware, collectibles, and more in the 2024 Ars Technica Charity Drive
Help yourself to prizes by helping us raise money for good causes. It's once again that special time of year when we give you a chance to do well by doing good. That's right—it'.....»»
Astronaut’s photos from ISS make clouds look otherworldly
NASA astronaut Don Pettit has posted another set of stunning shots, this time showing clouds as you’ve never seen them before......»»