John Loeffler

 John is a science and technology journalist and Space.com contributor. He received his B.A. in English and his M.A. in Computer Science from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, and has bylines with TechRadar, Live Science, and other publications. You can find him on Twitter at @thisdotjohn or seeking out dark sky country for spectacular views of the cosmos. 

Latest articles by John Loeffler

venera venus missions

Venus grade: NASA seeks a lander battery tough enough to survive Earth's evil twin

By John Loeffler published

The surface of Venus is so extreme that even the best landers make it only a few hours before failing. NASA hopes a new type of battery will help.

Venus
A Starlink satellite streaks across this image of the Andromeda galaxy from Caltech's Zwicky Transient Facility, highlighting the challenge Starlink satellites in particular present to ground-based astronomical observations.

SpaceX and astronomers come to agreement on reducing Starlink astronomy impact

By John Loeffler published

The National Science Foundation and SpaceX have come to an agreement on how to mitigate the damage to ground-based astronomy that Starlink satellites present.

The Universe
A Hubble Space Telescope image of the star cluster NGC 3293 overlain by Chandra X-ray Observatory data in magenta spots marking bright X-ray sources.

This is our best look yet at how young stars stifle planetary formation

By John Loeffler published

Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers conducted the most in-depth study of planet-killing stars ever.

Stars
A relatively small open cluster of stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud as seen by Hubble.

Hubble Space Telescope captures exquisite view of nearby star cluster before it fades away

By John Loeffler published

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a dazzling view of an open cluster of stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud that is slowly dissolving into the dwarf galaxy around it.

Hubble Space Telescope
A Hubble Space Telescope image of the globular cluster Pismis 26 shows many thousands of stars from 23,000 light-years away.

Sparkling Hubble Space Telescope photo shows ancient globular cluster near Milky Way's heart

By John Loeffler published

The Hubble Space Telescope photo reveals an ancient globular cluster gleaming against the blackness of space near the galactic bulge.

Hubble Space Telescope
A Hubble Space Telescope photo of the spiral galaxy NGC 6956.

This gorgeous spiral galaxy spotted by Hubble telescope is a yardstick for galactic expansion

By John Loeffler published

The barred spiral galaxy NGC 6956 isn't just pretty to look at in this new Hubble photo, it's an essential tool for understanding the universe.

Hubble Space Telescope
On the left, the original Blue Marble photo taken by the crew of Apollo 17 in 1972. On the left, a computer's recreation that tested a cutting-edge climate model.

Recreated 'Blue Marble' photo of Earth tests powerful new climate model

By John Loeffler published

A new climate simulation program has successfully recreated a living, swirling version of the famous 1972 "Blue Marble" photo taken by Apollo 17 astronauts.

Earth
The Hubble Space Telescope captured the galaxy merger Arp-Madore 417-391 in a photo released Nov. 21, 2022.

Hubble Space Telescope captures dazzling embrace of merging galaxies

By John Loeffler published

A newly released photo from the Hubble Space Telescope captures a spectacular galaxy merger in progress.

Hubble Space Telescope
Arp 248

Hubble Space Telescope captures stunning intergalactic bridge of stars in new image

By John Loeffler published

A new Hubble photo shows a tidal tail crossing the span between galaxies like a celestial bridge of stars.

Hubble Space Telescope
device screen showing icons of twitter and mastodon

Space scientists and astronauts launch to other platforms amid Twitter turmoil

By John Loeffler published

Several prominent astronomers, scientists and at least one astronaut have announced their exit from Twitter following Elon Musk's takeover. Will more follow?

Earth
An astronaut points to a moon rock in front of a proposed next-gen NASA lunar terrain vehicle.

NASA needs a new moon car for off-roading astronauts at the lunar south pole

By John Loeffler published

NASA has begun the contracting process for the next-generation lunar rover to be used during the Artemia Moon missions, starting in 2024.

Moon Rovers
This image shows a spectacular view of the orange and pink clouds that make up what remains after the explosive death of a massive star — the Vela supernova remnant.

Haunting photo of dead 'ghost star' a cosmic Halloween treat

By John Loeffler published

The European Space Observatory (ESO) has released an image of a dead star's 'ghost' in deep space just in time for Halloween.

Stars
This peculiar portrait from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcases NGC 1999, a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It appears as a light blue cloud in space with a keyhole-shaped 'hole' in the center.

Hubble telescope peeks through 'cosmic keyhole' in stunning photo

By John Loeffler published

Hubble has just grabbed a brilliant new photo of a cosmic 'keyhole' in a stellar nursery

Hubble Space Telescope
black and white image of earth and clouds

NASA asteroid surveyor snaps stunning views of Earth and moon on way to Jupiter's Trojans

By John Loeffler published

NASA's Lucy spacecraft took some amazing photos of Earth and the moon as it prepares to slingshot towards Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

Asteroid & Comet Missions
A deep view of space shows thousands of stars glittering in different colors. This image, taken with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on board the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows the globular cluster Terzan 1.

Hubble Space Telescope shows Webb a thing or two with spectacular new photo

By John Loeffler published

Hubble revisits an old friend with a stunning new photo of the Terzan 1 globular cluster.

Hubble Space Telescope
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