Astronomy
- 			
			
		AstronomySigns of cloudy skies seen in two exoplanet atmospheres
Exoplanets GJ 436b and GJ 1214b have signatures of clouds in their atmospheres, but the skies are like nothing seen in the solar system.
 - 			
			
		CosmologyBest maps of the universe, bugs and all
Maps from the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite reveal the cosmos in a range of microwave and infrared frequencies.
By Andrew Grant - 			
			
		 - 			
			
		AstronomySpace station pump fixed after two spacewalks
The repair allowed astronauts to restore power to the labs and experiments running on the space station.
 - 			
			
		AstronomyYear in Review: Meteorite makes an impact
A falling rock delivers a wake-up call.
By Andrew Grant - 			
			
		AstronomyYear in Review: Visitor from the Oort cloud
A visitor from the outer solar system flies past the sun.
 - 			
			
		CosmologyYear in Review: Dark energy gets more confusing
New data raise the prospect of a ‘Big Rip’ destroying the cosmos.
 - 			
			
		Planetary ScienceYear in Review: Methane shortage on Mars
A trace of the gas is not enough to be a sign of life.
By Erin Wayman - 			
			
		AstronomyYear in Review: Death of a planet hunter
The Kepler space telescope finishes a brilliant career.
By Andrew Grant - 			
			
		AstronomyYear in Review: Voyager 1 reaches interstellar space
The planetary probe is the first human-made object to break out of the heliosphere.
By Andrew Grant - 			
			
		CosmologyYear in Review: Planck refines cosmic history
The satellite data hint at a slower expansion rate for universe.
By Andrew Grant - 			
			
		AstronomyExoplanet dangerously close to demise
Kepler-91b could be on the brink of death — at least on astronomical time scales.