SUNSET: 
Spitzer Scope Warms to New Mission
Since exhausting its supply of ultracold liquid helium in May, the Spitzer Space Telescope has warmed to the point that two of its detectors no longer function. But NASA astronomers still have big plans for their orbiting eye on the infrared sky.
Hubble Readies for Full Operation
It took five grueling spacewalks by Space Shuttle astronauts and a billion-dollar investment to restore the Hubble Space Telescope to good health. Now NASA astronomers are nearly ready to show us just how good the 19-year-old space observatory is.
Apollo Landers Seen on the Moon
NASA's new Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has such a high-res camera that, at long last, it's possible to see the Apollo landers sitting on the Moon. You can even see the trails of astronauts' footprints! Browse the just-released pictures.
"First Light" for New Lunar Orbiter
It's just a calibration image, but this early view from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter shows off the stunning potential of its mapping cameras.
U.S. Lunar Probes Go Loopy
Two NASA spacecraft, launched last week, have successfully swung past the Moon. One is getting ready to study it; the other is a few months away from crashing into it.
A "Briny Deep" Inside Enceladus?
Planetary scientists are crazy about Saturn's most active moon but can't agree on what powers the towering plumes gas and particles erupting from near its south pole. New findings, published this week, hint that the water vapor might be slowly evaporating from a salt-laced ocean in deeply buried caverns.
NASA Returns to the Moon
Two U.S. spacecraft are on their way to survey the Moon as never before — and to settle the debate over whether water lies frozen at the lunar poles.
Kaguya Mission Ends with a Flash
After circling the Moon for two years, the Japanese spacecraft Kaguya slammed into the lunar surface on June 10th — an event captured by an observatory in Australia.
Whirlpool Awash with Hints and Promise
A picture perfect Whirlpool galaxy bodes well for the scientific promise of the newly launched Herschel Space Telescope.
Exoplanet Mapping Tested on Earth
Researchers are developing a method to detect oceans and clouds on planets orbiting other stars. To test this idea, they aimed the telescope aboard NASA’s Deep Impact probe toward Earth, and made a rough map of our world.
Planck and Herschel to Probe Inflation and Starbirth
The Herschel Space Observatory and the Planck Surveyor, launched May 14th on a single Ariane 5 rocket, will peer deeply into dust clouds and map the microwave background.
Auroras from "Space Tornadoes"
Another confusing piece of the puzzle has been added to the picture of how the Northern Lights work.
Hubble Telescope's 19th Birthday
The greatest of NASA's Great Observatories rocketed into space 19 years ago. After a rocky start, it fulfilled its promise as Astronomy's Discovery Machine.
What's Going on Inside Enceladus?
One of Saturn's icy moons has a tummy ache, causing it to spew jets of gas and icy particles hundreds of miles into space. Researchers aren't sure of the cause — but they have some interesting guesses!
NASA Readies Hubble Mission — Again
For the second time in six months, a Space Shuttle is perched on a Florida launch pad, awaiting the chance to visit the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope for the last time.
Craters Reveal Ice in the Martian Dust
High-resolution images from orbit reveal tiny craters — created within the past year — surrounded by splashes of water ice dredged up from just below the Martian surface.
(Drops of) Water on Mars?
Last year, as a camera aboard the Phoenix lander looked on, drops of supersalty water grew, merged, and even dripped on one of the spacecraft's landing legs.
Super Sendoff for Planet-Hunting Kepler
After a dramatic and flawless liftoff, NASA's newest space observatory is getting ready to observe a tract of Milky May with a single-minded purpose: find as many alien worlds as it can.
Chinese Craft Whacks the Moon
Chang'e 1, a spacecraft that's been in lunar orbit for 16 months, has been sent crashing into the Moon by its Chinese handlers. The impact site was on the near side, but it's unclear whether anyone on Earth saw it — or was even looking for it.
Earth-and-Sun Diamond Ring
Japan's Kaguya spacecraft, orbiting the Moon, captured this spectacular interplanetary vista as both the Sun and Earth rose over the lunar horizon on February 9th.
