Ian O'Neill

Media Relations Specialist, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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

CubeSats Deployed From the International Space Station

Space Station Astronauts Fire-Up Awesome 'Cubesat Cannon'

By Ian O'Neill published

International Space Station
Luna Belt Solar Power Ring Station Artist's Illustration

How to Turn the Moon Into a Giant Space Solar Power Hub

By Ian O'Neill published

When it comes to space and energy, we need to think big. That's what one Japanese company is doing — and they're reaching for the moon, literally.

The moon
Taurid Fireball over Southern California, Nov. 6, 2013

Possible Taurid Fireball Dazzles Southern California

By Ian O'Neill published

Wednesday at around 8pm PST, local news stations received reports of a bright fireball over Southern California, a potential Taurid meteor shower fireball. See the video.

Meteors & Meteor Showers
Human Spaceflight Madness Ed White

Want to Shape Human Spaceflight's Future? Send a Tweet

By Ian O'Neill published

Human Spaceflight
Russian Meteor Streak of Feb. 15, 2013, in witness camera.

Russian Meteor: How Many Tiny Asteroids Buzz Earth?

By Ian O'Neill published

Meteors & Meteor Showers
space, aliens, curiosity, humor, mars, rats, skepticism, ufo

Is Mars Infested With Pareidolia Rats?

By Ian O'Neill published

Is it a rat? Or is it a rock? (It's a rock.)

Mars
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13 Ways to Hunt Intelligent Aliens

By Ian O'Neill published

We have yet to detect a signal from an alien civilization -- so scientists are thinking up novel (and often extreme) ways we may make first contact.

Search for Life
Comet Lovejoy is visible near Earth's horizon in this nighttime image photographed by NASA astronaut Dan Burbank, Expedition 30 commander, onboard the International Space Station on Dec. 22, 2011.

Could a Comet Hit Mars in 2014?

By Ian O'Neill published

The newfound comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) has only a slim chance if hitting Mars.

Comets
WISE Discoveries of Brown Dwarfs

Brown Dwarfs, Runts of Stellar Litter, Rarer than Thought

By Ian O'Neill published

Observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have revealed a surprise — there are fewer brown dwarfs in our cosmic backyard than previously believed.

The Universe
Scientists return to the underwater grave of RMS Titanic – which sank in 1912 – to study “rusticle” organisms that recycle metals back into Earth’s environment. The famous shipwreck has become an important underwater environmental laboratory.

James Cameron's 'Titanic' Correction May Impress Astronomers

By Ian O'Neill published

The director addressed criticism from Neil deGrasse Tyson about an incorrect star field in the film.

Space Movies & Shows
Artist's concept of the ExoMars 2016 spacecraft, which consists of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Entry, descent and landing Demonstrator Module (EDM).

Is NASA Pulling Out of Europe's Mars Exploration Missions?

By Ian O'Neill published

NASA is close to announcing its intention to pull out of the European-led ExoMars mission, according to reports.

Mars
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