The fight to save an AWOL satellite, a "laser cloak" to fend off distant aliens, a fake moon-rock watch and a place to search for life on Mars — it's Space.com's top news stories of the week.

Astronomy satellite tumbles out of communication

Japan's science satellite Hitomi suddenly malfunctioned and fell out of communication March 26, and has been spotted tumbling through space along its orbit, surrounded by debris. (It was even caught on videoby skywatchers.) Now, scientists are working to recover the craft and figure out what went wrong.

Close-approaching comet loomed extra large

The comet BA14 came within 2.2 million miles of Earth on March 22, and researchers following the flyby were startled to discover it was 3,000 feet (1 kilometer) wide — way bigger than previously thought. The odd comet "looks like a brick on one side and a pear on the other," the lead investigator said.

Hot planet mysteries

The super-earth 55 Cancri e has perplexed scientists since its discovery, with researchers suspecting it's covered in oozing supercritical fluids or made largely of diamond — now, a new study suggests the planet, which always keeps one side turned towards its star, has drastically different temperatures on its day and night sides. That measurement likely rules out supercritical fluids or a thick atmosphere. Plus, they found a hotspot that might come from lava flows.

Special delivery on the International Space Station

An enormous Cygnus cargo craft arrived at the International Space Station March 26, bearing nearly 7,500 lbs. (3,400 kilograms) of food, supplies and experiments for the waiting astronauts. The cargo includes a box with the biggest piece of material ever set on fire in space — but only after the craft departs again full of trash.

Red planet basin targeted for future life-seeking missions

The huge Argyre basin on Mars' southern hemisphere is rich with ingredients for evolving life; a new study recommends it as a prime target for future Mars missions.

Dim red dwarf stars part of new SETI hunt

While researchers have often looked towards Earth-like systems for alien life, a new study examines 20,000 red dwarfs: stars much smaller and dimmer than the sun which are the most common in the Milky Way.

Lasers could camouflage Earth from searching aliens

A powerful laser could affect Earth's profile as it passed in front of the sun for a distant observer, either hiding Earth's silhouette, disguising it as an uninhabitable planet or giving it an artificial shape.

Weather satellite left to space

Air Force officials have given up trying to recover a weather satellite that stopped responding to controls last month. The satellite was used to help predict fog, thunderstorms and hurricanes that could interfere with military operations.

Moon rocks? Not on my watch.

Analog Watch Co. claimed to be selling a run of Lunar Watches made with real chunks of moon rock for $27,500 each, as reported by Gizmodo. Besides being an absurd bargain, the claim proved obviously fake.

Double black hole sleuths

When galaxies merge, the enormous black holes at their cores circle and eventually collide into one titanic body. The epic crashes are surprisingly difficult to find — but essential for researchers who hope to understand how galaxies and their black holes grow and evolve.

Source:
courtesy of SPACE

by Sarah Lewin

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]