All Science
Octopuses inspire flexible, crawling, color-changing robotsScientists at Harvard have recently begun developing flexible robots from elastic plastics and silicone rubbers that crawl along using compressed air forced in and out of many tiny channels running through its limbs.
Primary violent space weather concern for next decade: the sunA new report emphasizes the need for research to better understand the sun, how it interacts with Earth and other bodies in the solar system, and the origins of potentially harmful space weather.
The unprecedented Phoenix Galaxy Cluster: How many stars does it form?Here's a by-the-numbers look at the Phoenix cluster, which researchers say could yield key insights into how galaxies and colossal clusters evolve:
- Why a galaxy far, far away has shattered records for birthing stars
Astronomers identify a giant cluster of galaxies 5.7 billion light-years from Earth. At its core new stars are being formed at a rate that could explain how supermassive black holes govern a galaxy's growth.
NASA: Mars rover Curiosity brain surgery completeAfter a four-day software upgrade, NASA's Curiosity is ready to continue its 2-year search for Martian microbes. In about a week, the rover will go for its first test drive. Once it begins moving, it will be able to travel about the length of a football field daily.
Giant python sets records in FloridaMore than 17-feet-long and carrying 87 eggs, a record-breaking Burmese python's discovery emphasizes Florida's pesky invasive reptile and amphibian problem. Pet owners dumping unwanted exotics into the wild play a role in the invasion.
- Tiny creatures with hip names
More new species to name means scientists are reaching out to pop culture.
What's Mars rover Curiosity up to now?Curiosity is now 'resting' while receiving software upgrades. After transitioning from landing to surface mode, the rover will resume its search for clues of microbial life on the Red Planet.
Giant Burmese python discovered in FloridaA newly found Burmese python has broken previous records in size and egg capacity. The discovery is an indication of just how comfortable the invasive species is in its Florida home.
President Obama congratulates Mars rover teamThe team that successfully landed the one-ton Curiosity Mars rover on the Red Planet last week got a congratulatory phone call from the President.
NASA's $2.5 billion Mars rover just taking it easy for nowAfter traveling some 350 million miles and executing a flawless supersonic-parachute-and-sky-crane-assisted touchdown on the Red Planet, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover is just kicking back and relaxing for a few days.
What will future Mars missions look like?Following the successful landing of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, amid deep budget cuts the agency is drafting a 20-year plan for the Red Planet.
President Obama to Mars rover team: 'Let me know' if you find MartiansIn a congratulatory phone call to the Curiosity Mars rover team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., President Obama thanked those who helped land the one-ton robot on the Red Planet's surface, said that he looked forward to Curiosity's discoveries, and jokingly wondered aloud if he should get a mohawk.
President Obama to congratulate Curiosity Mars rover teamThe mission control team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who last week successfully landed the one-ton Curiosity Mars rover on the Red Planet, are to get a congratulatory phone call from President Obama.
- Mars rover aces social networking, but will it inspire study of science?
The rover Curiosity, with nearly 900,000 Twitter followers, had a strong Internet presence even before its launch to Mars. Scientists hope this will lead to more student interest in science – and more funding.
Scientists create most disgusting robot yetInspired by the revolting manner by which earthworms move, a team of researchers from MIT, Harvard, and Seoul National University have successfully created the most disgusting robot that has ever been looked upon.
NASA test spacecraft explodes in fiery crash at Cape CanaveralAn experimental lunar lander called Morpheus toppled over shortly after liftoff Thursday, whereupon it crashed into the ground and exploded in a blazing fireball.
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover to get software upgradeAs NASA's Curiosity Mars rover prepares for its surface mission, it will download the latest version of its operating system.
Postcards from Mars reveal Martian bedrockA panoramic view of Mars sent back to Earth from NASA's Curiosity rover shows a terrain scientists describe as similar to the Mojave Desert in Southern California. Curiosity will begin a four-day software upgrade over the weekend.
- Mars rover: Color panorama of crater brings scientific treasure into view
The rover Curiosity has provided NASA scientists with its first full-circle panorama of the Gale Crater. In the distance beckon hills whose rocks hold a trove of information: Mars' climate history.
