Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week – Jan. 5, 2014

First Asteroid Discovery of 2014, Super-Planets and More

Last week astronomers spotted the first new asteroid of 2014, Hubble Telescope revealed super-planets covered in alien clouds and China's moon rover and lander were spotted by NASA spacecraft. See the best stories from last week here.

FIRST STOP: First Asteroid Discovery of 2014 Likely Hit Earth

First Asteroid Discovery of 2014 Likely Hit Earth

Astronomers have spotted the first new asteroid of 2014 — a car-size space rock that apparently slammed into Earth's atmosphere just after the calendar turned over.

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NEXT: Hubble Telescope Reveals Super-Planets Covered in Alien Clouds

Hubble Telescope Reveals Super-Planets Covered in Alien Clouds

Two alien planets, one a super-Earth and the other a warm Neptune, appear to be covered in high clouds, scientists say. See how they used the Hubble Space Telescope to spot the extraterrestrial weather.

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NEXT: China's Moon Rover and Lander Spotted by NASA Spacecraft (Photos)

China's Moon Rover and Lander Spotted by NASA Spacecraft (Photos)

China's first moon lander and rover have been spotted on the lunar surface by a sharp-shooting NASA spacecraft orbiting the moon.

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NEXT: Extreme Cold Delays Orbital Sciences' 1st Cargo Launch to Space Station

Extreme Cold Delays Orbital Sciences' 1st Cargo Launch to Space Station

The commercial spaceflight company Orbital Sciences has delayed the launch if its first delivery mission to the International Space Station next week by at least one or two days due to expected frigid temperatures.

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NEXT: 'Super Bowl of Astronomy' Conference Kicks Off Sunday

'Super Bowl of Astronomy' Conference Kicks Off Sunday

Thousands of scientists will gather next week for the American Astronomical Society winter meeting, dubbed the “Super Bowl” of astronomy.

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NEXT: Mock Mars Mission: Utah Habitat Simulates Life on Red Planet

Mock Mars Mission: Utah Habitat Simulates Life on Red Planet

Scientists, engineers and legions of volunteers have worked hard to make a mock Mars habitat in Utah as realistic as possible.

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NEXT: Your First Telescope: Stargazing Tips for Amateur Astronomers

Your First Telescope: Stargazing Tips for Amateur Astronomers

Over the years when I’ve spoken with many other amateur astronomers about their interest in the sky most have said that it could be traced back to receiving their first telescope at Christmastime. With the holidays now just behind us, perhaps you now fall into this category. If this were the case, what I'll say in this article will prove to be very useful, for as a new telescope user, you're now at a very important crossroad.

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NEXT: Beyoncé Challenger Shuttle Disaster Audio Clip Upsets Astronauts' Families

Beyoncé Challenger Shuttle Disaster Audio Clip Upsets Astronauts' Families

Beyoncé is ending the year on a sour note with members of the NASA community. The singer sampled an audio clip from the 1986 space shuttle Challenger disaster as part of her new song, 'XO,' upsetting those closest to the loss, the fallen astronauts' families.

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NEXT: One-Way Mars Trip: 1,058 Private Martian Colony Volunteers Pass 1st Cut

One-Way Mars Trip: 1,058 Private Martian Colony Volunteers Pass 1st Cut

Mars One announced Monday (Dec. 30) that it has picked 1,058 aspiring spaceflyers to move on to the next round in its search for the first humans to live and die on the Red Planet.

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