Astronomy

Information Theory Can Help Us Search for Life on Alien Worlds

Information theory can help us decode signs of biological activity hiding in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets

Marcelo Gleiser, Lisa Kaltenegger and Sara Vannah | Opinion

Astronomy

Earth’s Wobble Wreaks Havoc on Astronomers—And Astrologers, Too

Our planet’s precession is scarcely noticeable during anyone’s lifetime, but across history, it has had enormous effects

Phil Plait

Planetary Science

NASA’s Troubled Mars Sample Mission Has Scientists Seeing Red

NASA’s Mars Sample Return program is the agency’s highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a “dumpster fire”...

Leonard David

Space Exploration

Private U.S. Lunar Lander Suffers ‘Critical’ Anomaly after Launch

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander was meant to be the first commercial spacecraft to operate on the surface of the moon. Instead it may not reach lunar orbit at all

Michael Greshko

Astronomy

Without the Moon, Human Society Might Not Exist

The moon helps us keep time, inspires religions and shapes science, yet it still keeps secrets from us.

Clara Moskowitz and Jeffery DelViscio