Lisa Grossman

Lisa Grossman

Astronomy Writer

Lisa Grossman is the astronomy writer for Science News. Previously she was a news editor at New Scientist, where she ran the physical sciences section of the magazine for three years. Before that, she spent three years at New Scientist as a reporter, covering space, physics and astronomy. She has a degree in astronomy from Cornell University and a graduate certificate in science writing from UC Santa Cruz. Lisa was a finalist for the AGU David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism, and received the Institute of Physics/Science and Technology Facilities Council physics writing award and the AAS Solar Physics Division Popular Writing Award. She interned at Science News in 2009-2010.

All Stories by Lisa Grossman

  1. image of Ingenuity flight next to image of ingenuity landed
    Planetary Science

    NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter made history by flying on Mars

    An autonomous helicopter just lifted itself into the air on Mars, marking the first time a vehicle has flown on a planet other than Earth.

  2. clouds of Jupiter
    Planetary Science

    How the laws of physics constrain the size of alien raindrops

    Physics limits the size of raindrops, no matter what they’re made of or what planet they fall on.

  3. Green Bank Telescope
    Astronomy

    Carbon-ring molecules tied to life were found in space for the first time

    Two types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Taurus Molecular Cloud are far more abundant than predicted.

  4. an aerial photo of the surface of Mars
    Planetary Science

    Watch real video of Perseverance’s Mars landing

    NASA’s Perseverance rover filmed its own landing on Mars. Here’s that video.

  5. Planet Nine illustration
    Astronomy

    Signs of a hidden Planet Nine in the solar system may not hold up

    Hints of a remote planet relied on clumped up orbits of bodies beyond Neptune. A new study suggests that clumping is an illusion.

  6. Perseverance rover illustration
    Planetary Science

    NASA’s Perseverance rover has touched down on Mars

    The spacecraft will arrive at Mars on February 18, joining missions from China and the United Arab Emirates.

  7. Illustration of TOI-178 system
    Astronomy

    Two exoplanet families redefine what planetary systems can look like

    The TRAPPIST-1 and TOI-178 systems, both home to multiple bunched-up planets, have densities and orbits that defy expectations.

  8. Kepler-186f
    Space

    Crushed space rocks hint at exoplanets’ early atmospheric makeup

    Experiments that heat crushed-up meteorites are helping astronomers understand what to look for in exoplanet atmospheres.

  9. cold quasar illustration
    Astronomy

    Astronomers spotted a rare galaxy shutting down star formation

    A distant galaxy harbors an active black hole and active star formation at the same time – an unusual coincidence.

  10. a flare from a magnetar, illustrated
    Space

    The first magnetar flare detected from another galaxy was tracked to its home

    An outburst from the super magnetic remains of a star suggests similar eruptions are behind some of the most powerful explosions in the universe.

  11. Parker Solar Probe illustration
    Space

    The Parker Solar Probe will have company on its next pass by the sun

    The probe is about to make another close pass of the sun. This time, Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo and others will be watching too.

  12. astronauts traveling to the ISS
    Space

    Here are the highlights from a busy year in space launches

    Satellites, Mars rovers and astronauts launched into space in 2020.