Latest from Space

Two Earth-like planets found

Eight new planets have been discovered orbiting at a distance where oceans and life could exist - and two are the most similar to Earth found to date.

Spacecraft nears Pluto

A lonely spacecraft is nearing Pluto after a 4.8 billion-kilometer journey lasting almost nine years.

Comet blasts into our skies

Holidaying star-gazers this week have the chance to observe a huge chunk of ice and gas hurtling through the night sky faster than a speeding bullet.

Roar of the crowd heard in science

You can take a role in testing the effect of warming skin on memory. Or you can involve yourself in a bid to land a spaceship on the Moon....

Probe's comet landing wins breakthrough vote

The Rosetta mission, which has for the first time put a spacecraft in orbit around a comet and landed a robotic probe on its surface...

Burps point to life on the red planet

It's not evidence of "little green men" but intriguing "burps" of methane have been recorded by Nasa's Curiosity Rover - which may be from primitive microorganisms.

Qantas diverts planes after Sydney hostage crisis

Qantas is diverting its planes away from central Sydney to free up space for authorities dealing with the siege in a city cafe.

Meteor shower in NZ skies

Kiwis will have a chance to see one of the most world's spectacular meteor showers with the naked eye in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

One giant leap (and a bounce) for mankind

It was audacious, it was bold, but it was a success. For the first time, humanity has a physical presence on the icy surface of a passing comet.

'I must have come to during the fall'

Virgin Galactic's Peter Siebold says he regained consciousness on the way down to Earth after tragic explosion that claimed the life of his co-pilot.

Would-be space riders want refunds after crash

Virgin Galactic customers have begun asking for refunds after the crash that killed a co-pilot during testing.

Hitching a ride on a comet

Within a few days, scientists will manoeuvre Europe's £1 billion ($2.1 billion) Rosetta spacecraft directly above a massive ball of ice, dust and organic chemicals called Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Fry takes mystery break from Twitter

So fans of the actor's witty puns, intellectual musings and calls to humanitarian arms will be disappointed to learn that he's decided to temporarily quit the network.

Time-lapse: NZ's aurora

A European Space Agency astronaut has made a dazzling time-lapse video from aboard the International Space Station as it flew over New Zealand.

NZ aurora from space

This timelapse video was taken by ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst as he flew over New Zealand on the International Space Station at around 400 km altitude. The nighttime video shows an aurora that occurs when Earth’s atmosphere interacts with solar radiation. The International Space Station travels at 28 800 km/h meaning that it only takes 90 minutes to circle Earth completely. Footage: European Space Agency

Space fans keeping the faith

Kiwis on waiting lists for commercial space flights remain determined would-be astronauts, although one admits to losing some confidence in Virgin Galactic's programme.