A giant radio telescope array in Chile’s Atacama Desert produces its first images. (p. 10)

A strange cosmic object isn't the result of a galactic crash, a new study suggests. (p. 10)

Seasonal patterns consistent with briny seeps on the Red Planet, a new study concludes. (p. 8)

New observations may explain why the sun’s outer atmosphere is so blazing hot. (p. 8)

Astronomers observe a merger in action for the first time.

New crater and composition measurements from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter are helping scientists understand the moon’s history and scout for future landing sites. (p. 8)

Consider everything you do in 24 hours. Now consider doing it without gravity. Roach’s new book explores just that, unveiling the “man” in “manned space exploration.” She’s not interested in heroes, but in humans — the dirty, hungry, sleep- and stimulus-deprived souls shot into the isolation of space, and the scientists who test every contingency to put them there. The resulting tale is a humorous and irreverent look at the innards of space travel. Take the Apollo 12 astronauts, who were so plagued by sharp, clingy moon-dust particles that they took off their long johns... (p. 30)