Samantha Mathewson
Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13.
Latest articles by Samantha Mathewson
How satellite technology made it into 2024 Olympic swimsuits
By Samantha Mathewson published
The swimsuits worn at the 2024 Summer Olympics leverage a similar technology used to protect satellites in space.
Ghostly 'zodiacal light' glows above the Very Large Telescope in Chile (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
A new photo shows the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope beneath a star-studded sky at sunset, illuminated by a phenomenon known as the zodiacal light.
Here's what the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris look like from space (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The 2024 Summer Olympics started Friday (July 26) in Paris with the opening ceremony highlighting historic landmarks along the Seine River, which can be seen in a new satellite image from space.
World's largest telescope continues taking shape on Chilean mountain (photos)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The dome enclosing the world's largest visible- and infrared-light telescope is taking shape with the installation of protective siding and supports for the primary mirror.
'Wonderlab' host Emily Calandrelli will fly to suborbital space with Blue Origin
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Space Gal is headed into orbit, as part of Space for Humanity's Citizen Astronaut Program.
ISS astronaut captures auroras and a meteor in stunning timelapse from space (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Auroras, stars and a fleeting meteor are captured in a mesmerizing new view from the International Space Station.
Jupiter's surreal clouds swirl in new van Gogh-esque view from NASA's Juno probe (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Vivid clouds swirl across Jupiter's skies like colorful brushstrokes in a new photo from NASA's Juno spacecraft.
Earth-based telescope sees Boeing's Starliner approach the ISS in broad daylight (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Infrared telescopes scanning the skies during the day watched as Boeing's first crewed Starliner spacecraft approached the International Space Station on June 6, 2024.
The future of space exploration: How astronomy, space travel and the search for life may change by 2049 (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
Celebrate 25 years of covering countless advancements in space exploration and astronomy with Space.com and guests.
NASA wants fresh ideas for recycling garbage on the moon
By Samantha Mathewson published
With crewed Artemis launches on the horizon, NASA is searching for sustainable solutions for waste management during long-term missions on the moon.
Loneliness is a dish best served in space: Why food may taste weird to astronauts
By Samantha Mathewson published
Studying common food aromas may help scientists better understand why meals reportedly taste bland in space, leading to astronauts’ decreased nutritional intake.
Road trip! Tour the universe with these gorgeous images from NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope
By Samantha Mathewson published
Newly released images from NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope capture a cloud complex called Rho Ophiuchi, the Orion Nebula, a spiral galaxy named NGC 3627 and a galaxy cluster known as MACS J0416.
See Mars and Uranus make a close approach in the night sky tonight
By Samantha Mathewson published
Skywatchers will see both Mars and Uranus in the same field of view overnight using a pair of binoculars. Here's how to spot the planetary pair.
Space Force launching lasers in 2025 to help pinpoint the center of Earth
By Samantha Mathewson published
The U.S. Space Force aims to better pinpoint the location of Earth’s center using lasers on GPS satellites slated to launch in 2025.
The James Webb Space Telescope finds a jeweled ring in the cosmos
By Samantha Mathewson published
A sparkling jeweled ring, created through a cosmic phenomenon called gravitational lensing, has been imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope.
How to watch 1st launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket today (video)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The inaugural launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket is slated for today. Here's how to watch it live.
After 14 years in space, NASA's prolific NEOWISE asteroid-hunter is about to shut down
By Samantha Mathewson published
A NASA asteroid-hunting mission is coming to a close, paving the way for the next generation of planetary defense efforts.
Under the moon's surface, magnetized lava may create 'lunar swirls'
By Samantha Mathewson published
Mysterious swirling patterns seen on the moon's surface may be linked to underground magma activity, a new study suggests.
Watch 2 tiny satellites deploy from the ISS in dazzling time-lapse video
By Samantha Mathewson published
Two small satellites were recently ejected from the International Space Station to begin scientific experiments in low Earth orbit, and their leap into freedom was caught on camera.
Hubble Telescope spies baby stars in their glowing stellar cocoon (photo)
By Samantha Mathewson published
The Hubble Space Telescope has snapped a stunning new photo of infant stars nestled in a glowing cocoon of gas and dust.
SpaceX unveils new Starlink Mini antenna for internet users on the go
By Samantha Mathewson published
SpaceX just announced a more compact version of its satellite internet antennas called Starlink Mini that are small enough to fit in a backpack.
Air sealed in Perseverance's Mars sample return tubes is as precious as the rocks themselves
By Samantha Mathewson published
Scientists won't only study the rocks NASA's Perseverance rover has cached throughout its trek across Mars. They want the fresh Mars air, too.
The rotation of Earth's inner core is slowing down
By Samantha Mathewson published
The rotation of Earth's inner core began to slow down more than a decade ago, altering the length of our days by fractions of a second.
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