Science
Meet the Space Ops Team: Becky Brocato
Meet the Space Ops Team: Becky Brocato Becky Brocato, Ph.D., is an Element Scientist in NASA’s Human Health Countermeasures division, where she oversees research to reduce medical risks for astronauts during spaceflight. Brocato’s passion for understanding human physiology and reducing medical risks in space began at a young age, inspired by her father and grandfather […]
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How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information
How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists discover ‘rules’ for how neurons encode new information Researchers have identified “rules” for how neurons encode new information in the brain, revealing that different groups of synapses on a neuron follow different learning rules. The traditional Hebbian rule, where neurons that consistently fire together wire together, does […]
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Building for a Better World: Norfolk Students Bring STEM to Life with NASA Partnership
Building for a Better World: Norfolk Students Bring STEM to Life with NASA Partnership Norfolk Technical Center students partner with NASA to build weather instrument shelters for local schools as part of the NASA eClips project. The students, under the guidance of instructor Jordan Crawford, built 20 high-quality shelters using precise construction plans provided through […]
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Testing in the Clouds: NASA Flies to Improve Satellite Data
Testing in the Clouds: NASA Flies to Improve Satellite Data NASA’s ER-2 science aircraft flew instruments designed to improve satellite data products and Earth science observations in February 2025, as part of the GSFC Lidar Observation and Validation Experiment (GLOVE). The GLOVE experiment aims to validate satellite data about cloud and airborne particles in the […]
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NASA’s SpaceX 32nd Commercial Resupply Mission Overview
NASA’s SpaceX 32nd Commercial Resupply Mission Overview NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 mission will launch on [date] carrying approximately 6,700 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station. The mission includes a replacement catalytic reactor unit for the station’s water recycling system, as well as spare parts for various other systems. Some of the returned cargo from […]
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Scrub Jay at the Vehicle Assembly Building
Scrub Jay at the Vehicle Assembly Building NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is home to over 65 amphibian and reptile species, 25 mammal species, 117 fish species, and 330 bird species. The Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is where Artemis launch vehicles are stacked and processed for future missions to the […]
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Hubble Provides New View of Galactic Favorite
Hubble Provides New View of Galactic Favorite The European Space Agency (ESA) has released a new image series of the Sombrero Galaxy, also known as Messier 104, as part of Hubble’s 35th anniversary celebrations. The new image reveals finer detail in the galaxy’s disk and more background stars and galaxies than previous images, showcasing its […]
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Wide variety of old-growth ecosystems across the US makes their conservation a complex challenge
Wide variety of old-growth ecosystems across the US makes their conservation a complex challenge Old-growth ecosystems across the US face complex conservation challenges due to their diverse range of landscapes, unique needs, and varying levels of threat from human activity and climate change. The nation’s old-growth forests are characterized by different types, such as longleaf […]
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Miami researchers are testing a textured seawall designed to hold back water and create a home for marine organisms
Miami researchers are testing a textured seawall designed to hold back water and create a home for marine organisms Miami researchers are testing a new seawall design called BIOCAP (Biodiversity Improvement by Optimizing Coastal Adaptation and Performance) to improve coastal resilience and restore ecological balance along urban shorelines. The BIOCAP tiles, made of 3D-printed concrete, […]
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Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history
Dark energy may have once been ‘springier’ than it is today − DESI cosmologists explain what their collaboration’s new measurement says about the universe’s history Dark energy measurements from the DESI collaboration suggest that the universe was expanding slightly faster a few billion years ago than it is today, implying that dark energy’s “springiness” was […]
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Sols 4511-4512: Low energy after a big weekend?
Sols 4511-4512: Low energy after a big weekend? Curiosity Rover’s weekend was busy, with full contact science, imaging tests, and a long 57m drive, leaving it low on power for Monday’s plan. The team had to prioritize science activities within the rover’s power limit, squeezing in activities such as acquiring Mastcam mosaics, ChemCam LIBS observations, […]
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Sols 4509-4510: A weekend of long drives
Sols 4509-4510: A weekend of long drives The Curiosity rover on Mars has been planning long drives to reach potential boxwork structures, with over 50 meters driven on Wednesday and more planned for this weekend. The science team had to carefully plan and prioritize observations to collect from their current location while minimizing power usage, […]
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NASA Aims to Fly First Quantum Sensor for Gravity Measurements
NASA Aims to Fly First Quantum Sensor for Gravity Measurements NASA is developing the first space-based quantum sensor for measuring gravity, which will enable groundbreaking observations of Earth’s gravitational field and beyond. The Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) instrument will use two clouds of ultra-cold rubidium atoms as test masses to measure differences in gravitational […]
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What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades K-4)
What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades K-4) Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves around objects, affecting their movement through the air. The four forces of flight are lift, weight, thrust, and drag, which work together to make an object move up, down, faster, or slower. Lift is the upward force that allows an object to […]
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What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades 5-8)
What Is Aerodynamics? (Grades 5-8) Aerodynamics is the study of how objects move through air, affecting everything from airplanes to rockets to kites. The four forces of flight are lift, weight, thrust, and drag, which work together to determine an object’s movement up and down, faster or slower. Lift is the upward force that allows […]
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Team discovers fruit fly larvae have a sixth sense
Team discovers fruit fly larvae have a sixth sense Fruit fly larvae have been found to possess electroreception, allowing them to navigate their environment using electric fields. The discovery was made by a team of researchers at UC Santa Barbara, who used advanced techniques to isolate and study the sensory neurons responsible for this ability. […]
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DNA repair insights could pave way for new cancer therapies
DNA repair insights could pave way for new cancer therapies DNA repair mechanisms play a crucial role in helping cells survive daily challenges beyond external threats. Researchers have discovered new vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could be exploited therapeutically, thanks to insights into genetic interactions. A systematic approach identified 5,000 gene pairs where inactivating both […]
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The right city park design can support both people and wildlife
The right city park design can support both people and wildlife Urban parks can support both people and wildlife if designed thoughtfully, according to a new study by University of Florida scientists. The study found that the size of the green space is a strong predictor of both human utility and biodiversity, highlighting the need […]
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Testing NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe)
Testing NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) mission aims to map the solar system by studying the heliosphere, a giant bubble created by the Sun’s solar wind. The spacecraft will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, no earlier than […]
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Atomic Clock and Plant DNA Research Launching Aboard NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 Mission
Atomic Clock and Plant DNA Research Launching Aboard NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 Mission NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32 mission is launching experiments that could revolutionize our understanding of time, aging, and disease. The ACES (Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space) investigation aims to measure the precise effects of gravity on time, which could improve global time synchronization and clock comparison experiments. […]
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Why Do We Grow Plants in Space?
Why Do We Grow Plants in Space? Growing plants in space helps create a sustainable environment for human presence in space, providing food, oxygen, water recycling, and psychological benefits. The study of plant growth in space also allows scientists to investigate how plants adapt to novel environments, develop new technologies, and improve agricultural techniques on […]
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How do waves form? New research provides insights
How do waves form? New research provides insights Researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind study to understand how waves form and increase in windy and hurricane conditions. The study used high-resolution measurements to analyze air pressure, airflow, and water elevation, capturing up to 1,000 data points per second. The researchers found that wind speed alone can be […]
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What Does NASA Science Do For Me?
What Does NASA Science Do For Me? NASA’s research and technology development have numerous benefits for everyday life on Earth, including satellite weather maps, water purification systems, and improved safety features in modern aircraft. The NASA Spinoff program has facilitated the licensing and development of over 2,000 technologies for commercial use by other companies and […]
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Can Solar Wind Make Water on Moon? NASA Experiment Shows Maybe
Can Solar Wind Make Water on Moon? NASA Experiment Shows Maybe NASA has confirmed that solar wind can create water on the Moon through a chemical reaction when charged particles from the Sun collide with lunar soil. The experiment, led by NASA researcher Li Hsia Yeo, used a custom apparatus to simulate the Moon’s environment […]
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Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight
Michael Ciancone Builds a Lasting Legacy in Human Spaceflight Michael Ciancone has spent over 40 years at NASA, contributing to the advancement of spaceflight safety and history. Ciancone currently serves as the Orion Program safety lead, overseeing the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance’s efforts to ensure the safety of the Orion crew, vehicle, and […]
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NASA’s Hubble Tracks a Roaming Magnetar of Unknown Origin
NASA’s Hubble Tracks a Roaming Magnetar of Unknown Origin Hubble tracked the movement of SGR 0501+4516, a magnetar, over thousands of years and found it couldn’t be associated with a nearby supernova remnant. The team’s research suggests that SGR 0501+4516 may have formed through accretion-induced collapse, a process where a white dwarf collapses into a […]
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Exploring the Universe Through Sight, Touch, and Sound
Exploring the Universe Through Sight, Touch, and Sound Scientists can now explore the universe through multiple senses: sight, touch, and sound, thanks to advances in technology and software. The “Mini Stars 3D Kits” created by NASA’s Universe of Learning allow users to visualize and physically interact with 3D models of celestial objects, such as stars […]
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Sculpted by Luminous Stars
Sculpted by Luminous Stars NASA and ESA have released a new image of NGC 346, a young star cluster, showcasing its vibrant star-forming factory. The image combines data from the Hubble Space Telescope at infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths for the first time. Hubble’s sensitivity and resolution helped uncover the secrets of NGC 346’s star […]
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NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Prepares Second Asteroid Encounter
NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Prepares Second Asteroid Encounter NASA’s Lucy spacecraft is preparing for its second asteroid encounter, a flyby of small main belt asteroid Donaldjohanson on April 20, with closest approach at 596 miles (960 km) away from Earth. The flyby will provide a “dress rehearsal” for Lucy’s upcoming mission to explore multiple Trojan asteroids […]
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With NASA’s Webb, Dying Star’s Energetic Display Comes Into Full Focus
With NASA’s Webb, Dying Star’s Energetic Display Comes Into Full Focus The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed new details about the planetary nebula NGC 1514, including its two rings made up of small dust grains. The nebula’s rings are unevenly illuminated and appear fuzzy or textured due to the heating of dust grains by […]
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