Birth of a Black Hole

Although pioneered by the military, unmanned aircraft could soon become a common part of civilian life.

Twin satellites probing the Earth's radiation belts return the clearest recordings yet of a "chorus" of radio waves.

It’s not easy to look for alien intelligence, but scientists like Seth Shostak believe that’s no reason not to try.

Is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence pseudoscience, protoscience, or science?

Simple life may exist throughout the universe, says paleontologist Peter Ward, but complex life is likely another story.

Many Earth-observing satellites are nearing the end of their lives.

Detailed satellite images reveal the web of connections that sustain life on Earth.

NASA untangles why a parachute failed during testing prior to the Curiosity landing.

Engineers who landed the Curiosity rover on Mars recall their early love of space.

In its search for life beyond Earth, NASA employs a "sky crane" maneuver to land the Curiosity rover on Mars.

Explore the planets, visit the moon, and gaze at the stars in this 3-D interactive model of the solar system.

See classic images from Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo as well as space-suit prototypes that never made the cut.

What are lift and drag? And how do they work?

Immense optical and radio telescopes now in the works promise to make astonishing discoveries about the cosmos.

How did Clyde Tombaugh go from baling hay to finding Pluto? See family photos and hear his son Alden reflect.

Galileo’s early uses for the telescope weren’t so scientific, says historian of science Jim Bennett.

An aviation safety expert and a veteran airline pilot weigh in on the effects of lightning strikes during flight.

Aviation safety expert Bill Voss thinks airlines should change the way they train pilots.

NASA engineer Dean Alhorn says that some future spacecraft may be propelled by the sun’s rays.

NASA psychologist Al Holland says that a three-year return trip to Mars would be a mental challenge for any astronaut.