Karen Rowan

Karen Rowan

Live Science Health Editor

Karen came to Space.com sister site LiveScience in 2010, after writing for Discover and Popular Mechanics magazines, and working as a correspondent for the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. She holds an M.S. degree in science and medical journalism from Boston University, as well as an M.S. in cellular biology from Northeastern Illinois University. Prior to becoming a journalist, Karen taught science at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, in Lincolnshire, Ill. for eight years.

Latest articles by Karen Rowan

Nuclear Bombs Could Save Earth from Asteroids

5 Reasons to Care About Asteroids

By Karen Rowan published

From sheer curiosity to protecting Earth and mining the solar system, here's some key reasons to explore asteroids.

Asteroids
60 Years of Rocket Launches: The Rise of America's Florida Spaceport

Why Are Rockets Launched from Florida?

By Karen Rowan published

Rockets have been blasting off from Florida for 60 years, but why is the Space Coast a prime spot for launches?

Launches & Spacecraft
Image of Itokawa asteroid visited by Japan’s Hayabusa spacecraft to collect samples from the asteroid.

5 Reasons to Care About Asteroids

By Karen Rowan published

Asteroids
Space Potty Training Secrets Revealed by Astronauts

Space Potty Training Secrets Revealed by Astronauts

By Karen Rowan published

NASA has a specially designed training room in which astronauts can carefully hone their technique before departing on their trip to weightless orbit.

Human Spaceflight
Reverence Reigns Over NASA's Final Shuttle Missions

7 Cool Things You Didn't Know About Space Shuttle Atlantis

By Karen Rowan published

Here are seven cool things you didn't know about NASA's space shuttle Atlantis, which is set to launch on its last space mission on Friday.

Space Shuttle
Funding for NASA Spaceship's Launch Escape System Runs Out

How Can Astronauts Escape From an Exploding Rocket?

By Karen Rowan published

NASA is testing a new launch abort system to help astronauts escape an exploding rocket. But exactly how will the system work?

Human Spaceflight
If Aliens Exist,They May Come to Get Us, Stephen Hawking Says

Could Extraterrestrials Really Invade Earth, and How?

By Karen Rowan published

Famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking has warned that humanity could be devastated if intelligent extraterrestrials learned of our existence.But how could aliens really invade Earth?

Search for Life