Earth & Sky - space

Saturn recycles its rings, creates new ones

2008-07-16T08:00:00Z

In the 1970s, Voyager 1 provided the first close-up views of Saturn’s rings, and determined that the rings formed about 100 million years ago. But evidence from the more recent Cassini mission suggests the rings are much older.

Smallest planet found orbiting smallest star

2008-07-10T08:00:00Z

Tiny stars called brown dwarfs are too small to sustain the nuclear reactions that blaze inside stars like our sun. But astronomer David Bennett says they still might send out enough warmth for life on nearby planets.

Where is the Milky Way?

2008-07-09T08:00:00Z

Astronomers have plotted the Milky Way’s position with respect to the nearest galaxies. But is it possible to say where the Milky Way is in space?

Why is Earth the only planet with living things?

2008-07-07T08:00:00Z

Nina Amatulli, in the second grade at The American School in Japan, asks the scientists. Hear the response from Robert Hazen of the Carnegie Institution For Science.

Life-seeking robot sub to explore Europa someday?

2008-06-27T08:00:00Z

The robot sub being tested now in Antarctica might someday be used to find signs of life on other worlds. For example, Jupiter’s moon Europa might harbor life swimming in an ocean covered by ice.