The Mars rover Curiosity has been sending back spectacular images of the Red Planet in addition to analyzing the chemistry of the soil and atmosphere on Mars. The rover, about the size of a Mini Cooper, arrived on August 6.
Mars rover lands, does science —
The Mars rover Curiosity has been sending back spectacular images of the Red Planet in addition to analyzing the chemistry of the soil and atmosphere on Mars. The rover, about the size of a Mini Cooper, arrived on August 6.
NASA
Scientists detected a particle whose properties match those of the elusive Higgs boson, whose existence helps us understand why matter has mass.
Higgs boson may have been detected —
Scientists detected a particle whose properties match those of the elusive Higgs boson, whose existence helps us understand why matter has mass.
CERN
Oscar-winning director James Cameron traveled to the deepest known point in the world's oceans.
James Cameron goes underwater —
Oscar-winning director James Cameron traveled to the deepest known point in the world's oceans.
CNN
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner undertook a record-breaking free-fall jump from the edge of space.
Felix Baumgartner skydives —
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner undertook a record-breaking free-fall jump from the edge of space.
Getty Images
Astronomers identified the closest known planet to Earth outside our solar system. It is 4 light-years away and orbits a star called Alpha Centauri B.
Alpha Centauri B has a planet —
Astronomers identified the closest known planet to Earth outside our solar system. It is 4 light-years away and orbits a star called Alpha Centauri B.
ESO/L. Calçada
PH1, confirmed to be a planet, is in a unique solar system configuration -- it has four suns! Seen here on the right, PH1 was identified by citizen scientists through the group Planet Hunters.
Planet with four suns is found —
PH1, confirmed to be a planet, is in a unique solar system configuration -- it has four suns! Seen here on the right, PH1 was identified by citizen scientists through the group Planet Hunters.
Yale/NASA
NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained images of asteroid Vesta, which, in 2012, was declared a "protoplanet."
Dawn captures Vesta images —
NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtained images of asteroid Vesta, which, in 2012, was declared a "protoplanet."
NASA
Endeavour is one of four NASA space shuttles that found a new home in 2012. After a much-viewed tour through the streets of Los Angeles, the shuttle now resides at LA's California Science Center.
Space shuttles go on display —
Endeavour is one of four NASA space shuttles that found a new home in 2012. After a much-viewed tour through the streets of Los Angeles, the shuttle now resides at LA's California Science Center.
AFP/Getty Images
Private company SpaceX successfully sent almost 900 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station in its first official mission in October. Pictured here is Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX (at podium), with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
SpaceX Dragon goes to space station —
Private company SpaceX successfully sent almost 900 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station in its first official mission in October. Pictured here is Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX (at podium), with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
NASA/Getty Images/File
For the first time, scientists showed they can obtain a near-total genome sequence of a fetus using a blood sample from the mother and saliva from the father.
Fetus genome sequenced —
For the first time, scientists showed they can obtain a near-total genome sequence of a fetus using a blood sample from the mother and saliva from the father.
Getty Images