Blog

When two stars orbit one another in such a way that one blocks the other’s light each time it swings around, that’s an eclipsing binary. A new paper from NASA’s Eclipsing Binary Patrol citizen science project presents more than 10,000 of these rare pairs – 10,001 to be precise. These objects will help future researchers study […]

Posted June 26, 2025

Space Operations Mission Directorate

People of Space Operations

Meet the Space Ops Team: Derrick Bailey

Since childhood, Derrick Bailey always had an early fascination with aeronautics. Military fighter jet pilots were his childhood heroes, and he dreamed of joining the aerospace industry. This passion was a springboard into his 17-year career at NASA, where Bailey plays an important role in enabling successful rocket launches.

Posted June 26, 2025

Astrophysics

Galaxies

Goddard Space Flight Center

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Science & Research

Spiral Galaxies

The Universe

NASA’s Webb Digs into Structural Origins of Disk Galaxies

Present-day disk galaxies often contain a thick, star-filled outer disk and an embedded thin disk of stars. For instance, our own Milky Way galaxy’s thick disk is approximately 3,000 light-years in height, and its thin disk is roughly 1,000 light-years thick. How and why does this dual disk structure form? By analyzing archival data from […]

Posted June 26, 2025

Humans in Space

Artemis 2

NASA, Australia Team Up for Artemis II Lunar Laser Communications Test

As NASA prepares for its Artemis II mission, researchers at the agency’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are collaborating with The Australian National University (ANU) to prove inventive, cost-saving laser communications technologies in the lunar environment.

Posted June 26, 2025

Andromeda Galaxy

Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Galaxies

Marshall Astrophysics

Marshall Space Flight Center

The Universe

NASA’s Chandra Shares a New View of Our Galactic Neighbor

The Andromeda galaxy, also known as Messier 31 (M31), is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way at a distance of about 2.5 million light-years. Astronomers use Andromeda to understand the structure and evolution of our own spiral, which is much harder to do since Earth is embedded inside the Milky Way. The galaxy […]

Posted June 26, 2025

Humans in Space

In-flight Education Downlinks

International Space Station (ISS)

Johnson Space Center

Learning Resources

NASA Headquarters

NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from Alabama Students

Editor’s Note: This advisory was updated Thursday, June 26, to note that the time of the event has changed to 12:50 p.m. EDT. Students attending the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, will have the chance to hear NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station answer their prerecorded questions. At 12:50 […]

Posted June 25, 2025

International Space Station (ISS)

Waning Crescent Moon

NASA astronaut Bob Hines took this picture of the waning crescent moon on May 8, 2022, as the International Space Station flew into an orbital sunrise 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of the United States. Since the station became operational in November 2000, crew members have produced hundreds of thousands […]

Posted June 25, 2025

Earth

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)

NASA-Assisted Scientists Get Bird’s-Eye View of Population Status

NASA satellite data and citizen science observations combine for new findings on bird populations.

Posted June 25, 2025

Learning Resources

Grades 9 - 12

What Are Asteroids? (Ages 14-18)

What are asteroids? Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun just like planets do. In fact, sometimes asteroids are called “minor planets.” These space rocks were left behind after our solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago. Asteroids are found in a wide range of sizes. For example, one small asteroid, 2015 TC25, […]

Posted June 25, 2025

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

John Casani, Former Manager of Multiple NASA Missions, Dies

During his work on several historic missions, Casani rose through a series of technical and management positions, making an indelible mark on the nation’s space program. John R. Casani, a visionary engineer who served a central role in many of NASA’s historic deep space missions, died on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the age […]

Posted June 25, 2025