Basic Research

Mars lander confirms quakes, aftershocks on red planet

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

NASA's newest Mars lander has confirmed that quakes and even aftershocks are regularly jolting the red planet.

How Native tribes are taking the lead on planning for climate change

By Nicola Jones, Yale Environment 360

With their deep ties to the land and reliance on fishing, hunting, and gathering, indigenous tribes are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Now, native communities across North America are stepping up to adopt climate action plans to…

Last month was hottest January on record, U.S. scientists say

By Associated Press

The global average land and ocean surface temperature in January was 2.05 degrees F above the average January temperatures for the 20th century, due to the changing climate.

WATCH: Astronaut Christina Koch discusses her record-long spaceflight

By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas

Watch astronaut Christina Koch discuss her record-breaking 328 day space walk for the first time from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Solar Orbiter blasts off to capture first look at sun's poles

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

Europe and NASA's Solar Orbiter has rocketed away on an unprecedented mission to capture the first pictures of the sun's poles.

Why clouds are key to new climate change projections

By Fred Pearce, Yale Environment 360

Recent climate models project that a doubling of atmospheric CO2 above pre-industrial levels could cause temperatures to soar far above previous estimates. A warming earth, researchers now say, will lead to a loss of clouds, allowing more solar energy to…

Preliminary data records Antarctica's hottest temperature on record

By Associated Press

World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis, citing figures from Argentina's national weather service, said the Esperanza base recorded 18.3 degrees C elsius ( 64.9 Fahrenheit) on Thursday — topping the former record of 17.5 degrees tallied in March 2015.

NASA's record-setting Koch returns safely from space

By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press

Christina Koch wrapped up a 328-day mission on her first flight into space, providing researchers the opportunity to observe the effects of long-duration spaceflight on a woman.

Scientists dive into 'Midnight Zone' to study dark ocean

By James Brooks, Associated Press

A team of scientists is preparing to dive deep into the depths of the Indian Ocean into a “Midnight Zone” where light barely reaches, but life still thrives.

'King tides' documented globally show risks of climate change

By Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press

Volunteers from New Zealand to the United States are helping scientists document what will happen to coastal communities as climate change melts the polar ice caps and sea levels rise.