Gemma Lavender gets to the bottom of this question for us.
Space Exploration
Space Exploration
Space Exploration
Why do spacecraft need heat shields to enter Earth but not to leave it?
The science of re-entry explained
Astronomy
Heroes of Space: Nicolaus Copernicus
The Polish astronomer who revolutionised our understanding of the Earth’s place in the Solar System.
Space Exploration
Are there still pieces of the Mir space station in orbit around Earth?
De-orbited in 2001, we find out if there are still pieces of the Mir space station in space
News
Juno Update: NASA decides to keep spacecraft in current orbit around Jupiter
The decision will allow Juno to accomplish its science goals, while avoiding the risk of a previously-planned engine firing that would have reduced the probe’s orbital period to 14 days
News
New Saturn-mass exoplanet discovered around a pair of stars
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed the existence of a planet orbiting the OGLE-2007-BLG-349 system
News
Astronomers solve mystery of disappearing asteroids
The space rocks are thought to be destroyed in a drawn out, long hot fizzle, much farther from the Sun than previously thought
Deep Space
What would happen if a planet crashed into a neutron star?
We take a look at the answer to this intriguing question
News
Dead “skull-shaped” comet to zip past Earth today
The object, which was considered a potentially hazardous object, will pass the Earth just 25 per cent beyond the Moon’s orbit
News
Astronomers get best view yet of exoplanet in motion around its star
The Gemini Observatory has given us our best view yet of an exoplanet moving in its orbit around a distant star
Solar System
How big is the Solar System?
We find out how vast our solar neighbourhood really is
Solar System
What’s so fascinating about Saturn’s ‘Death Star’ moon Mimas?
This small Saturnian moon is one of the most heavily cratered bodies in the Solar System, including one massive impact…
Solar System
Is the Moon drifting away from Earth?
We find out if we’re likely to lose our Moon one day
Deep Space
How do we know Kepler-78b is a planet?
How do we know for sure that this distant world is an exoplanet and not a comet or an asteroid?
Space Exploration
Why don’t objects collide often in Earth orbit?
Find out why manmade satellites don’t crash into each other all the time
Astronomy
How many manmade satellites can you see with the naked eye?
How many of the artificial satellites orbiting our planet can you see with the unaided eye?
Space Exploration
How many new manned spacecraft are currently in development?
How many companies and agencies are building vehicles to take humans into space?
Space Exploration
15 years of the ISS: The past, present and future of the space station
As the International Space Station celebrates its 15th anniversary we take a look at the history, purpose and fate of mankind’s greatest achievement.
Space Exploration
16 things Gravity got wrong (and some things it got right, too)
Obviously there are heavy spoilers in this post, so read on at your own peril…
Solar System
What would happen if a black hole entered our Solar System?
Hint: it doesn’t end well for Earth…