Trend Results : Space Telescope

The Thirty Meter Telescope --"Next Generation in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life"

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) - soon to be the world's widest eye on space - has got the go-ahead for construction on the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Most of Mauna Kea is below sea level. When measured from...

Hiccups, evolution and outer space will be discussed at upcoming events

Ever wonder why people hiccup? Want to engage in a debate about the intersection of science and religion? Or learn more about the X-ray telescope orbiting Earth? A host of upcoming events are meant for science buffs like you. Read full article >>

A look back at NASA's planet-pinpointing space 'scope

(Credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech) NASA announced this week that a key piece of gear on its Kepler space telescope has run into trouble. And though the space agency hasn't given up on a jump-start, the mission may well be at risk. It's already gone well beyond its planned duration, however, and presented us with many fascinating discoveries. Show More Summary

Moon Rocked By Biggest Meteorite Explosion

A meteorite has slammed into the surface of the Moon, creating a flash of light so bright it could be seen without a telescope.Scientists say the space rock was travelling at around 56,000mph when it crashed into the Moon's Mare Imbrium...Show More Summary

Revisiting Kepler’s Most Mind-Blowing Discoveries

NASA’s Kepler space telescope is busted and it may never work normally again. But during its four years of exemplary service, the planet-hunting telescope provided astronomers with an unprecedented glimpse into the Milky Way. Here are the most incredible discoveries made by Kepler. Read more...

NASA's Kepler telescope crippled by technical failures

An artist's rendition of Kepler. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) The Kepler space observatory has been a source of great wonder since it first launched in 2009. It has turned its eyes out into the great vastness of space and seen new planetary systems and potentially life-supporting planets. Show More Summary

Kepler's greatest hits

Your guide to the most awesome exoplanets yet found by NASA's Kepler space telescope — all in one handy place, thanks to Wired's Adam Mann.

Kepler, seeker of Earth-like exoplanets, is broken – and NASA isn’t sure if it can be fixed

Back in March of 2009, the Kepler space telescope launched into the universe with the goal of identifying Earth-like planets. Over the years, it did manage that mission, occasionally finding a planet located in the habitable zone orbiting its star. Show More Summary

The Kepler space telescope is spinning out of control

After four years of service, NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler telescope has suffered a second serious malfunction — one that threatens to permanently end the mission. Controllers on the ground can no longer control its orientation. It looks bad, but NASA isn’t giving up hope. Read more...

NASA Telescope Imperiled by Glitch

Space engineers are struggling to regain control of the Kepler space telescope, which has lost its ability to aim accurately at the star systems it has been scanning for planets similar to Earth, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said Wednesday.

Trouble in Deep Space: Wheel Malfunction Threatens Kepler Telescope’s Future

At this time last year, the scientists working on Kepler, NASA’s fantastically successful planet-hunting space telescope, were ecstatic. The probe, launched in 2009, had originally been given just three and a half years’ worth of funding, but in April, 2012, the space agency decided to extend the mission by another 3.5 years. Show More Summary

Wired Space Photo of the Day: Galaxy, Straight Ahead

Here is a picture of the very thin disk ("line") of NGC 891. This image was acquired using the Schulman 0.8m telescope. As is often the case, the famous targets must be re-acquired using the best equipment one has at hand...

Glitch Shuts Down NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope

NASA’s highly successful Kepler space telescope has suffered a technical failure that could mean an end to its planet-hunting days, the US space agency said Wednesday.

Glitch Shuts Down NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope

Wheel fails on NASA's Kepler probe, halting its search for alien planets

NASA's planet-hunting Kepler space telescope suffered a second failure in its reaction-wheel control system, forcing a suspension of its search for alien planets while the space agency determines whether the four-year mission is truly finished. "It's certainly not good news," Cha …

NASA Says Kepler's Planet-Searching Days May Be Numbered

The mission launched in 2009 to hunt for Earth-like planets circling distant stars may be coming to an end because of a faulty part in the space telescope.

NASA’s Kepler space telescope malfunction may end hunt for planets

The Kepler Space Telescope, the celebrated discoverer of worlds around distant stars, may have found its last planet. NASA announced Wednesday that the telescope, which to date has cost $600 million to build and operate, has lost the ability to point accurately. Read full article >>

Water Worlds, Tatooines, and Earth Twins: Planet-Hunting Kepler Telescope’s Greatest Hits

NASA's Kepler space telescope has suffered a hardware malfunction threatening to end its life, a potentially sad finale to an important mission. This gallery of its greatest hits ran in November 2012, when the telescope completed its initial...

NASA’s Kepler Telescope May Have Limited Future After Equipment Failure

(LOS ANGELES) — NASA’s planet-hunting telescope is broken. The Kepler spacecraft lost the second of four wheels that control the telescope’s orientation in space, NASA said Wednesday. If engineers can’t find a fix, the failure means Kepler won’t be able to look for exoplanets — planets outside our solar system anymore. Show More Summary

NASA completes first part of Webb Telescope's 'eye surgery' operation

Much like the inside of an operating room, in the clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., engineers worked meticulously to implant part of the eyes of the James Webb Space Telescope. They scrubbed up and suited up to perform one of the most delicate performances of their lives. Show More Summary