Ian O'Neill
Ian O'Neill is a media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California. Prior to joining JPL, he served as editor for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific‘s Mercury magazine and Mercury Online and contributed articles to a number of other publications, including Space.com, Space.com, Live Science, HISTORY.com, Scientific American. Ian holds a Ph.D in solar physics and a master's degree in planetary and space physics.
Latest articles by Ian O'Neill
How a Total Solar Eclipse Helped Prove Einstein Right About Relativity
By Ian O'Neill published
The World's Most Sensitive Dark Matter Detector Is Now Up and Running
By Ian O'Neill published
The XENON1T detector hasn't detected any dark matter particles yet. But it has carried out a 30-day science run, and project scientists are optimistic about the future.
Slow Down! Researchers Spot Possible Speeding 'Renegade' Supermassive Black Hole
By Ian O'Neill published
Astronomers have spied the possible aftermath of a colossal black hole collision that happened in the center of a galaxy far, far away.
Rivers of Saturn's Moon Titan Reveal Mars-Like Evolution
By Ian O'Neill published
The evolution of the hydrocarbon-rich surface on Saturn's largest moon Titan may have more in common with that of Mars' dusty landscape than with Earth's dynamic geology, scientists said.
To Get to Mars, NASA Must Convince Lawmakers
By Ian O'Neill published
A group of experts at the Humans to Mars Summit discussed how NASA can convince lawmakers to support a human mission to Mars.
NASA Awards $100,000 in 3D-Printing Habitat Competition
By Ian O'Neill published
The first printing segment of NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge is now complete, and the U.S. space agency has awarded $100,000 to the winning two teams.
Not So Fast: Magnetic Mystery of Sun's 'Stealth' Eruptions Uncovered
By Ian O'Neill published
Solar astronomers have uncovered the magnetic secrets behind one of the sun's most mysterious eruptions: a coronal mass ejection that seems to come from nowhere.
NASA Wants Your Code! Boost Supercomputer Software Speed and Win $55,000
By Ian O'Neill published
A new NASA competition is calling on computer programmers to help streamline a piece of software the agency uses for aviation research. A total cash purse of up to $55,000 will go to the winners.
Record-Breaking 'Gigapixel' View of a Tiny Galaxy Reveals Secret Lives of Stars
By Ian O'Neill published
A telescope in Chile captured this incredible view of a nearby dwarf galaxy, which reveals millions of previously hidden stars that you can explore without stepping away from your computer.
As Cassini Makes 1st 'Grand Finale' Dive, More Saturn Mysteries Remain
By Ian O'Neill published
Running low on fuel, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has begun the final (and most daring) phase of its epic mission to Saturn.
Onward! Opportunity Rover on Mars Embarks on New Journey
By Ian O'Neill published
NASA's veteran Mars rover Opportunity has been driving across the Red Planet's surface for more than 13 years, but it's not done exploring yet.
Ay, Caramba! 'Bart Simpson' Landslide Reveals Ceres' Icy Innards
By Ian O'Neill published
The Andromeda Galaxy Could Be Buzzing With Dark Matter
By Ian O'Neill published
There's a powerful gamma-ray signal blasting from the massive galaxy's core, possibly revealing a compact region filled with annihilating dark matter particles.
A Star Just Ripped Comet Halley's Massive Cousin to Shreds
By Ian O'Neill published
The Hubble Space Telescope has found a white dwarf star consuming a huge comet, scattering its remains throughout its atmosphere.
Mars Was Recently Hit by a Meteorite 'Shotgun' Blast
By Ian O'Neill published
A cluster of recent meteorite impacts on Mars have been found, highlighting a deadly hazard for future Mars colonists.
Here's What Mars' Amazing Polar Ice Cap Swirls Look Like From Above
By Ian O'Neill published
Courtesy of the European Mars Express orbiter, a new perspective of the Red Planet's north pole provides a stunning new view of the ancient Martian ice.
A Japanese Space Junk Removal Experiment Has Failed in Orbit
By Ian O'Neill published
An experiment to test a tether mechanism that could be used to drag space debris from orbit appears to have glitched and scientists are working to troubleshoot before time runs out.
Finding Alien Life Could Be a Simple Chemistry Test Away
By Ian O'Neill published
A very simple chemical analysis is being developed by NASA scientists that could someday be used by robotic missions on other worlds to detect alien biology.
Cassini Gets Up Close and Personal With Saturn's 'Wavemaker' Moon Daphnis
By Ian O'Neill published
As NASA's Saturn mission skims the gas giant's rings, it's seeing incredible detail in the interactions between ring particles and a tiny moon's gravity.
Solar Storm Blackout Could Cost the US $42 Billion Per Day
By Ian O'Neill published
And the highest economic fallout would impact regions outside the blackout zone.
Charon Is Pluto's First Line of Defense Against Solar Wind Onslaught
By Ian O'Neill published
Lacking a strong magnetic shield, Pluto's thin atmosphere is being eroded into space — but Charon is doing its bit to protect its dwarf planet buddy.
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