'Frankly astonished': 2023 was significantly hotter than any other year on record 2023 was significantly hotter than any year going back to at least the late 1800s. The coming decades will be even hotter if humans don't rapidly move away from burning fossil fuels, scientists warn. Rebecca Hersher
First U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years rockets toward the moon The first U.S. lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed toward the moon Monday, launching private companies on a space race to make deliveries for NASA and other customers. The Associated Press
Science Don't look so blue, Neptune: Now astronomers know this planet's true color Neptune has long been depicted as a deeper, darker blue than its fellow ice giant Uranus, but a new study shows that both are a similar shade of light greenish blue. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Science Checking your 2024 horoscope? Astronomy explains why your sign might have changed Our view of the constellations has changed since they were first mapped thousands of years ago. That new perspective could also mess with your astrological horoscope in the new year. Regina G. Barber
NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources Scientists in Washington recently used NASA satellites to learn more about snow in the mountains. Courtney Flatt
Science A 'successful failure': SpaceX's Starship achieves liftoff, loses contact mid-flight The rocket cleared the launchpad and separated from its booster, surpassing the first attempt. But minutes later, controllers lost contact with the vehicle. Geoff Brumfiel
National Apollo astronaut Frank Borman, who first orbited moon, dies at age 95 Frank Borman commanded two early NASA missions including Apollo 8, the first to orbit the moon. He was a no-nonsense astronaut known for his keen attention to detail and duty to country. Russell Lewis
Science Take a peek at what NASA brought back from an asteroid Scientists are thrilled with the tiny asphalt-black rocks, and most of the sample hasn't even been revealed yet. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Science Watch Live: NASA sends an asteroid sample back to Earth NASA's Osiris-REx mission sends a pristine sample of asteroid back to Earth Sunday morning. If it lands successfully, this cupful-or-so of space rock could shed light on the solar system's origins. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Science A source of carbon — a building block of life — is found on Jupiter's moon Europa "The discovery signals a potentially habitable environment in the ocean of Europa," according to the Webb Space Telescope's website. Bill Chappell