Distant planet is an orbiting hell

Astronomers have observed a planet some 200 light years from Earth that, for a few hours, becomes 700 degrees Celsius (1,300 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter every time its elliptical orbit brings it close ...

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• Black holes may precede galaxies, astronomers say
• Is that two moons around Saturn I see?
• Mars polar water is pure: study
• Milky Way spins faster, has more mass than thought: astronomers

Super-rich still want to boldly go into space

The economic downturn has not dampened rich people's enthusiasm for space tourism, the world's first commercial space flight company says.

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• U.S. gives green light for first commercial spaceport
• Rocket company sells discount rides to space
• Grounded space tourist wants $21 million refund
• Space tourism will weather market crisis: astronaut

Ashes of "Star Trek" creator and wife rocketing to deep space

Ashes of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and his actress wife will blast toward the far reaches of the cosmos in keeping with the show's famed opening line "Space, the final frontier."

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Is that two moons around Saturn I see?

Italian and British scientists want to exhume the body of 16th century astronomer Galileo for DNA tests to determine if his severe vision problems may have affected some of his findings.

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• Heavens above: International Year of Astronomy is launched
• First glimpse of exoplanet atmosphere from Earth
• Methane hints at life on Mars
• Milky Way spins faster, has more mass than thought: astronomers

Japan launches satellites, eyes space business

Japan launched a satellite on Friday to monitor greenhouse gases along with seven smaller satellites in a mission that could boost business for the country's cash-hungry space program.

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Mars polar water is pure: study

A large ice cap found at Mars' northern pole is "of a very high degree of purity," according to an international study reported on Tuesday by French researchers.

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• Mineral points to Martian water suitable for life
• Spirit and Opportunity rovers mark five years on Mars
• Methane hints at life on Mars

Lunar rover to travel inaugural parade route: NASA

A prototype of NASA's Lunar Electric Rover will make the journey along Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue Tuesday in honor of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, the space agency said Friday.

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• China aims to land moon-buggy by 2012
• India successfully launches first moon mission
• Spirit and Opportunity rovers mark five years on Mars

Heavens above: International Year of Astronomy is launched

Astronomers from around the world on Thursday gave the ceremonial launch here to the International Year of Astronomy, aimed at spurring interest in skygazing and questions of the cosmos through thousands...

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• Milky Way spins faster, has more mass than thought: astronomers
• Black holes may precede galaxies, astronomers say
• Europe earmarks major projects in Year of Astronomy
• Methane hints at life on Mars

Space shuttle is moved to Florida launch pad

NASA moved space shuttle Discovery to its launch pad on Wednesday for a planned February 12 launch that will kick off the U.S. space agency's last full year of shuttle missions before the fleet is retired...

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Europe earmarks major projects in Year of Astronomy

The European Space Agency (ESA) on Wednesday spelt out an array of top-line projects, including new orbital telescopes to peer into deep space, that would be launched in 2009, the International Year of...

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The earth's magnetic field impacts climate: Danish study

The earth's climate has been significantly affected by the planet's magnetic field, according to a Danish study published Monday that could challenge the notion that human emissions are responsible for...

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Black holes may precede galaxies, astronomers say

Black holes -- those massive, invisible objects that suck in everything around them -- may have appeared before the galaxies that host them, astronomers said on Wednesday.

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