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News Articles: European Space Agency

A ring of light surrounding the center of NGC 6505, a nearby galaxy, is captured by the European Space Agency's Euclid telescope.

Space telescope finds rare 'Einstein Ring' of light in nearby galaxy

An Einstein Ring was discovered by the European Space Agency's Euclid space telescope in September 2023.

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  • Chandelis Duster
Scientists say the question-mark-shaped structure seen in a new photo from the James Webb Space Telescope is likely the merger of two or more galaxies.

People are freaking out over a question mark seen in space. Scientists can explain

A stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope shows a pair of actively forming stars. But many people are more curious about the tiny question mark visible toward the bottom of the frame.

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By:
  • Rachel Treisman
NASA's Perseverance rover took this "selfie" next to a rock where it drilled for samples. NASA wants to bring samples collected by this rover back to Earth.

NASA is bringing rocks back from Mars, but what if those samples contain alien life?

NASA and the European Space Agency are gearing up to bring home a pristine sample of Martian rock. But given the small chance of life on the red planet, they have to grapple with safety questions.

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By:
  • Nell Greenfieldboyce
NASA's Perseverance rover took this "selfie" next to a rock where it drilled for samples. NASA wants to bring samples collected by this rover back to Earth.

NASA is bringing rocks back from Mars, but what if those samples contain alien life?

NASA and the European Space Agency are gearing up to bring home a pristine sample of Martian rock. But given the small chance of life on the red planet, they have to grapple with safety questions.

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By:
  • Nell Greenfieldboyce
The prototype rover Amalia is a copy of rover Rosalind Franklin that is set to explore Mars in the next ExoMars mission that searches for signs of life on the planet. The mission was set for 2022, but as Russia pushes ahead with its invasion of Ukraine, the agency said that timeline is unlikely.

A joint Europe-Russia mission to Mars is likely to be delayed because of sanctions

The mission, which had been set for this year, is a part of the ExoMars program to search for signs of life on Mars. It's likely to be delayed by nations' response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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  • Rina Torchinsky
The European Space Agency's first mission to Mercury blasts off with a trio of crafts on October 19, 2018. BepiColombo passed by Venus on its way to Mercury Tuesday morning.

On Its Way To Mercury, This European Space Probe Just Swung By Venus

To reach the innermost planet in our solar system, this European space probe needs a little help from the gravity of Venus.

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  • Joe Palca
WISA Woodsat, seen in an artist's rendering, is billed as the world's first wooden satellite. It's set to be launched from New Zealand before the end of the year.

Where No Plywood Has Gone Before: A Space Agency Will Launch A Tiny, Wooden Satellite

In Europe, engineers are planning to send a plywood-sheathed satellite into orbit to test how well the venerable construction material holds up in space.

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  • Scott Neuman
A collaborative mission between NASA and the European Space Agency has captured the closest photos ever taken of the sun and revealed new solar phenomena in the process.

Solar Orbiter Probe Snaps Closest Photos Ever Taken Of The Sun, Revealing Tiny Flares

The first snapshots capture an unprecedented level of detail, including miniature solar flares that scientists are calling "campfires."

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By:
  • Rachel Treisman