Space, astronomy and planetary science

Haystack’s Alan Rogers wins Reber Medal

3 Questions: Richard Binzel on astronomers’ powerful new toolPan-STARRS, a telescope designed to reveal the ‘unexpected surprises’ in our solar system, including possible threats to Earth, just became fully operational.

The aerosols conundrumResearch shows that aerosols not only cool, but also heat the planet — a finding that may cloud the validity of climate-change models.

In a first, astronomers detect strong winds on an exoplanetResearchers see tempestuous atmosphere on a planet located 150 light years from Earth.

Coordinated stargazingMIT astronomer leads the first team to study a Kuiper Belt object during a stellar occultation.

Operating in orbitAstronaut and alumnus Bobby Satcher recounts his experience as the first orthopedic surgeon in space

NASA chief defends Obama’s space planIn MIT visit, Charles Bolden touts proposed expansion in R&D funding

In the search for Earthlike exoplanets, GJ 436b has much to tell usFirst detailed analysis of the atmosphere of a Neptune-sized planet reveals surprisingly low methane levels, presents "new territory" for researching planets outside our solar system

Volcanic VenusNew research highlights recent volcanic activity on Venus, indicating that Earth’s sister planet is alive — geologically speaking

Explained: Dynamo theoryRecent discoveries raise questions about how small planets can have self-sustaining magnetic fields

Mapping VenusNew analysis supports theory that Venus’ surface evolved through extreme makeover, not plate tectonics

Unraveling black hole spinRetrograde spin of supermassive black holes may create jets that control galaxy evolution

3 Questions: David Mindell on Obama’s NASA proposalMIT space researcher predicts that if adopted, Obama’s proposed budget and policy will lead to more joint human-robotic space exploration

Powering cube satellitesAn electric propulsion technology for miniature satellites aims to give them more mobility — and may eventually allow them to take on deep-space missions.

First tweets in space made by alumnusAstronaut Creamer says 'Hello Twitterverse!' from the ISS

Levitating magnet brings space physics to fusionTests on a machine that mimics a planet’s magnetic field show that it may offer an ‘alternative path’ to taming nuclear fusion for power generation.

Jacqueline Hewitt reappointed Kavli Institute director

Mass High Tech names Newman among "Women to Watch"

Extreme makeovers in spaceResearch suggesting that near-Earth encounters can ‘shake’ asteroids opens the door to a new field: asteroid seismology

Professor Young gives Portuguese students a glimpse into future Mars missionsMIT Professor and former astronaut Laurence R. Young recently traveled to Lisbon to describe possible future Mars missions to an overflow crowd at a Lisbon high school, on behalf of an MIT Portugal Program outreach project.

Team predicts satellite could locate hundreds of Earth-sized planetsResearchers say proposed satellite could represent astronomy’s ‘next big leap’ — one that may help find signs of life elsewhere in the universe.

A massive star is bornTime-lapse movie shows that massive stars — which may hold clues about the origins of life — form like their smaller siblings.

Reporter’s Notebook: Where do we go from here?At MIT forum, former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine and other aerospace experts discuss the future of human spaceflight.

Astronaut and orthopedic surgeon Bobby Satcher tweets his NASA missionThe shuttle Atlantis brought seven astronauts including Robert Satcher ’86, PhD ’93, an orthopedic surgeon who tweeted through space, back to Earth on Nov. 27, after a 11-day NASA mission to stock the International Space Station.

ET: Check your voicemailNew message beamed to the stars commemorates Earth’s first attempt to reach out to intelligent aliens

3 Questions: Sara Seager on searching for Earth-like planetsMIT planetary scientist discusses projects that aim to discover distant planets similar to our own, and what we can learn when we find them

Final journey to the Hubble Space Telescope

A faraway planet intriguesAn exoplanet with an extremely tilted orbit raises new interest in stellar astronomy.