NASA chief defends Obama’s space plan
In MIT visit, Charles Bolden touts proposed expansion in R&D funding
In the search for Earthlike exoplanets, GJ 436b has much to tell us
First detailed analysis of the atmosphere of a Neptune-sized planet reveals surprisingly low methane levels, presents "new territory" for researching planets outside our solar system
Volcanic Venus
New research highlights recent volcanic activity on Venus, indicating that Earth’s sister planet is alive — geologically speaking
Explained: Dynamo theory
Recent discoveries raise questions about how small planets can have self-sustaining magnetic fields
Mapping Venus
New analysis supports theory that Venus’ surface evolved through extreme makeover, not plate tectonics
Unraveling black hole spin
Retrograde spin of supermassive black holes may create jets that control galaxy evolution
3 Questions: David Mindell on Obama’s NASA proposal
MIT space researcher predicts that if adopted, Obama’s proposed budget and policy will lead to more joint human-robotic space exploration
Powering cube satellites
An electric propulsion technology for miniature satellites aims to give them more mobility — and may eventually allow them to take on deep-space missions.
Levitating magnet brings space physics to fusion
Tests on a machine that mimics a planet’s magnetic field show that it may offer an ‘alternative path’ to taming nuclear fusion for power generation.
Extreme makeovers in space
Research suggesting that near-Earth encounters can ‘shake’ asteroids opens the door to a new field: asteroid seismology
Professor Young gives Portuguese students a glimpse into future Mars missions
MIT Professor and former astronaut Laurence R. Young recently traveled to Lisbon to describe possible future Mars missions to an overflow crowd at a Lisbon high school, on behalf of an MIT Portugal Program outreach project.
Team predicts satellite could locate hundreds of Earth-sized planets
Researchers say proposed satellite could represent astronomy’s ‘next big leap’ — one that may help find signs of life elsewhere in the universe.