NASA Is About to Blast Two Rockets Into the Northern Lights

We’re in the lowest layer. Down here, elements like oxygen and nitrogen are balanced, breathable and hold electrons steadily in atomic orbit. This is what’s called the neutral gas atmosphere. As we rise through the layers, things change. It’s a fourth state of matter, known as a plasma. And the existence of these two atmosphere types means there’s a shift from one to the other. The boundary isn’t clear, but it’s definitely there....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 166 words · Megan Briggs

NASA Leans Into Solar Eclipse With 3 Rocket Launches: Here's What's Up With That

The eclipse will reach Texas at approximately 1:10 p.m. ET and Maine by 2:22 p.m. ET, it will move beyond the eastern North American border. NASA’s rocket launches on Monday won’t necessarily have that same gravitas, but science works in increments. The launches will be streamed live, so it’s possible for you to see what happens. Why is NASA firing rockets during the eclipse? According to NASA, the ionosphere thins at night and thickens when the sun’s rays are hitting it....

April 15, 2025 · 2 min · 237 words · Ashley Moody

NASA planet-hunting telescope spots a dying star switching on and off

Deep within the cosmos, a fading star’s quiet death was sharply interrupted. “It comes off as switching on and off.” Scaringi is lead author of astudy on the star published Mondayin the journal Nature Astronomy. Entering their final stages of life, they will become white dwarfs. The dying star is part of the two-star system dubbed TW Pictoris, located 1,400 light-years away. His team believes the star unexpectedly lost illumination because of a sudden hurdle in its food-funneling mechanism....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 197 words · Andrew Randall

NASA scientists hope singing trees could help us reach another planet

That’s a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to designing and fabricating sustainable technology that supports long-range space missions. In turn, the craft will beam back data about its own operational capacity. Artists are helping them do that creatively. Because theyshouldcontinue to exist for many decades and can tell a larger story about life on our planet. “Imagine if your car, or your gear, or your phone, needed to last 200 years....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 154 words · Jill Gregory

NASA selects unexplored region of moon for water-seeking Viper lunar rover

NASA’sArtemis program isn’t just about getting humans back to the moon. It’s also about sending machines, including the water-hunting Viper lunar rover. It will map the area and look for water at the surface and below. NASA describes the lunar south pole as “one of the coldest areas in our solar system.” The Nobile region is home to plenty of shaded areas that are prime spots to look for ice....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 150 words · Kevin Glass

NASA Yeast Mission Will Send Living Organisms to Deep Space

The upcoming launch ofNASA’suncrewed Artemis I mission will do more than send the Orion capsule around the moon. It will also involve sending a collection of secondary missions off into space. In a statement last week,NASA describedspace radiation as being like a nanoscale demolition derby. BioSentinel will monitor the vital signs of yeast, which NASA says have similar biological mechanisms to human cells. There’s a mini biotech lab on board that will monitor the yeast cells....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 145 words · Amy Green

NASA's Hubble telescope helps scientists solve mystery of dead galaxies

Often forgotten, however, are the real-life astronomers who kind of already do it. Right now, they should be making more stars than ever. “But for some reason, they have shut down. They’re no longer forming new stars.” But hold on, you’re probably still on that bit about astronomers going back in time. If they can swing that, why didn’t they show up toStephen Hawking’s famous time-traveler-only dinner party? We need this term as a measurement because light doesn’t travel instantaneously....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 181 words · William Gardner

NASA's Hubble Telescope Spies an Ultrahot Jupiter Where It Rains Liquid Gems

The exoplanet WASP-121b, which resides about 900 light-years from Earth, is an egg-shaped scorcher. Temperatures on the planet’s day side can reach up to 4,600 degrees Fahrenheit. But the planet’s night side has, until now, remained in the dark (sorry). Telescopes at the South African Astronomical Observatory discovered WASP-121b in 2015. He notes its extremely hot day side is hotter than some stars. The answer: The night side gets down to about 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 132 words · Rebecca Williams

National Coffee Day is almost over. Where to grab a free cup of Joe while you still can

Good news, coffee lovers. It’s National Coffee Day. Starbucks, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme and other big names are joining in on the celebration. The offer isn’t available for drive-thru or online ordering. For 50 years, youve made every day worth it. Tough day to be a Dunkin coffee. Great Day to be a DD Perks member. #NationalCoffeeDayToday, 9/29, DD Perks Members get 1 free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase!...

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 169 words · Lori Perry

National Drink Wine Day: All the Deals You Can Get Today

Hey,wine lovers– did you know it’s National Drink Wine Day? Feb. 18 means you have a reason to savor that glass of rose or Pinot today. But it also means there are several deals you’re able to take advantage of. We’ll update this story as we find more deals. Right now through StackSocial, you’re able to getsix bottles of wine for $20. Normally it’s around $80 per box. Total Wine Total Winehas several deals going on right now....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 145 words · Mark Collins

National Margarita Day: Grab These Drink Discounts and Deals

National Margarita Day is today, and many restaurants are offering discounts on margaritas and other promotions to celebrate. But first, where did this cocktail come from? There’s alot of debateover the origin of the ‘rita. We may never know the truth. Bahama Breeze Bahama Breezehas more than 40 locations across 15 states. Today, the Caribbean-inspired chain is offering $2.22 classic margaritas. Plus, you get to keep your “Rita with the Best” souvenir cup....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Anthony Ward

National Pizza Day: All the deals and freebies you can get today

That means tons of pizza deals are available to snag for pineapple and pepperoni pizza lovers alike. Before we get too excited, none of these restaurants are handing out free slices without a purchase. But many of these deals may likely be around longer than today. Here’s where you could find deals on National Pizza Day. Domino’s Pizza Thinking about ordering carryout instead of having your pizza delivered? Domino’s Pizza willtip you $3to do it....

April 15, 2025 · 1 min · 160 words · Cynthia Mckinney

Navigate the Outdoors With These Top Compass Apps for 2025

Check out this collection to find a compass app that meets your needs. All currentiPhones have built-in compasses, which you’ve got the option to access through theAppslibrary. Best Customizable App: Compass 360 Pro Several skins and languages. Getty Images/Bill Hinton Add vertical and horizontal lines for lensatic compass. View your latitude, longitude, and altitude. Switch between true north and magnetic north. Add magnetic field levels as a progress bar. Not available for iOS devices....

April 15, 2025 · 2 min · 297 words · Angel Woods