Nathaniel Scharping

Nathaniel is a freelance science writer based in Tacoma, WA. He writes about space, medicine, and the environment, and his work has been featured in Atlas Obscura, Science, Undark, Knowable Magazine, and more.

HORIZONS

European Countries Are Racing Toward the Continent's First Satellite Launch

Norway, Sweden, and Scotland are entering the space race with their own launch pads. But only one will be first.

HORIZONS

Inside the space start-up that plans to fling satellites to orbit

The dizzying concept could launch precious cargo relatively cheaply and efficiently.

Innovation

This space diamond could transform manufacturing on Earth

There’s diamonds in them thar meteorites.

1, 2, 3...

A powerful “umbrella” satellite will count every single tree on Earth

Scientists are taking a closer look than ever possible.

Science

Look! New image shows an elusive black hole behavior for the first time

A reprocessing of Event Horizon Telescope data yields a ring of photons around the black hole at M87.

Innovation

“Quantum materials” could give the human brain a run for its money, scientists say

With this new design, our machines may reach general intelligence — and perhaps even consciousness.

einstein drinking haterade

A key Webb Telescope partnership could reveal black holes in all their monstrous glory

JWST and Event Horizon Telescope, sittin' in a tree ...

Science

New repeating fast radio burst doesn't seem to have an off-switch

The puzzling object could give astronomers key insight into their origin.

Science

Can the world’s most powerful telescope find alien civilizations?

Astronomers tease apart what the Event Horizon Telescope can actually spot.

i mean probably not, but

70-year-old astronomy photos may be clues to alien visitors — study

The plates, taken prior to the launch of Sputnik, show satellite-like objects near Earth.

Innovation

Is Russia's withdrawal from the ISS a bluff? Why it’s too soon to say if it’s leaving

Recent comments suggest Roscosmos intends to leave the International Space Stations over Ukraine war-related sanctions.

to boldly go

NASA extends 8 missions, including plans to scrutinize a large asteroid that will swing by Earth in 2029

NASA granted eight missions an extension, allowing continued exploration of Mars, asteroids, the Kuiper Belt, and the Moon.

that's no comet!

Astronomers finally figure out the size of the largest comet ever found — and it's twice as big as Rhode Island

We shouldn’t read too much into it being the size of the Death Star ... probably.

Science

Look: Stunning new images show details of mysterious deep space radio rings

The ORC is one of the biggest mysteries in radio astronomy — but maybe not for much longer.

Space history

8 years ago, the U.S. and Russia played chicken with the ISS — will history repeat itself?

Russian and the USA's 2014 diplomatic spat over the ISS also provides a blueprint for understanding the current clash over the space station — and how this fresh fight may ultimately pan out.

Innovation

Hubble, the ISS, and Chandra: Why NASA has an aging hardware problem

Sometimes, a hobbled mission is a setback. Other times, the consequences can run deep.

AX-1

Axiom Space VP defends private mission to the ISS: “We’re not space tourists”

This is not supposed to be fun...

Science

How scientists pinpointed the death of the dinosaurs to a warm spring day

The answer came in a surprisingly aquatic way.

Science

This rare Frankenstein star wears the skin of its dead companion

This kind of "merger" is so rare that only two stars of this type are known.

Innovation

Whose rocket is going to hit the Moon? The space debris culprit, revealed

Updated information seems to point to the rocket coming from China's space agency.