Archived articles

Outer space

DART spacecraft
Asteroids
Throwing DARTs at approaching asteroids
Published Sept 6, 2018
APL-led mission will test a technique for deflecting asteroids on a collision course with earth
A spacecraft and fairing
Countdown begins
Cleared for launch
Published Aug 1, 2018
The Parker Solar Probe is making its way to the launchpad where it will lift off and begin its historic journey to the sun
Scientist assembles the Parker Solar Probe
NASA / APL
Behind the scenes with the Parker Solar Probe
Published July 16, 2018
Videographer Lee Hobson and photographer Ed Whitman spend their days documenting mankind's mission to "touch" the sun
Colorful image of stardust
Cosmology
Measurements of the universe provide evidence of the unknown
Published July 12, 2018
Astronomers calculate most accurate measurement to date of universe's expansion rate, providing further evidence of a physics mystery
Artist's rendering of an exoplanet
Planetary science
Super-Earth science
Published April 26, 2018
First-of-their-kind simulations offer insight into what previously had been limited to theoretical calculations
A man uses gloves in a protective box while a woman looks on
Planetary science
Atmospheric mixology
Published March 8, 2018
Planetary scientist Sarah Hörst creates the first lab-grown simulations of the atmospheric chemistries of distant exoplanets
Image shows a ray of light silhouetting a planet in outer space
Space exploration
What makes a planet a planet?
Published Jan 23, 2018
Astrophysicist proposes an upper size limit on what should be considered planets
Walter Murch
'Walter just knows stuff'
Published Winter 2017
Oscar-winning film editor and sound designer Walter Murch likes to dive into obscure subjects—including some discounted 18th-century astrophysics that, he thinks, deserves another look / Johns Hopkins Magazine
A little boy holds a plastic magnifying glass and inspects a rock that is laid out on a note card labeled with the number 4
E.T., stone home
Science rocks
Published Nov 9, 2017
JHU researcher enlists citizen scientists to track down rocks harboring earthly 'extraterrestrials'
Artist's rendition of Mars shows the planet in silhouette against a tiny sun
The search for water on Mars
Published Nov 2, 2017
Lecture explores lingering questions relating to the presence of liquid water on the Red Planet