Ker Than
Ker Than is a science writer and children's book author who joined Space.com as a Staff Writer from 2005 to 2007. Ker covered astronomy and human spaceflight while at Space.com, including space shuttle launches, and has authored three science books for kids about earthquakes, stars and black holes. Ker's work has also appeared in National Geographic, Nature News, New Scientist and Sky & Telescope, among others. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from UC Irvine and a master's degree in science journalism from New York University. Ker is currently the Director of Science Communications at Stanford University.
Latest articles by Ker Than
Clouds, But No Water, Detected On Distant Planet
By Ker Than published
The most detailed analysis of light from the atmospheres of two planets outside our solar system ever performed has turned up no evidence of water but possible hints of clouds.
Surprising Solar Storms Rage at Sun’s South Pole
By Ker Than published
Relatively calm weather was the forecast for the Sun, which is near the minimum of its 11-year solar cycle. But raging solar storms just spotted at its south pole tell a different story.
Getting a Grip on Black Holes
By Ker Than published
SPACE.com asks several black hole experts what tops their list of recent black hole discoveries and what they think the biggest questions surrounding these captivating objects are.
Satellite to Study Auroras Ready for Launch
By Ker Than published
Five NASA probes aiming to unravel mysteries surrounding Earth’s colorful auroras are set to launch Friday evening after a 24-hour delay.
Underground Plumbing System Discovered on Mars
By Ker Than published
The timing of the flow remains uncertain, the researchers say, and could have occurred many millions or even billions of years ago.
Crashing Comets Create Dusty Stellar Death Shroud
By Ker Than published
A swarm of colliding comets is weaving a dusty death shroud for a distant stellar corpse and providing astronomers with rare proof that certain solar system objects can outlive their suns.
Dark Matter's Link to Brilliant Galaxies Confirmed
By Ker Than published
A new cosmic map reveals a close relationship between galaxies that have energetic supermassive black holes at their centers and the distribution of invisible dark matter in the early universe.
Moon of Saturn Sprays Cosmic Graffiti
By Ker Than published
Icy particles ejected from a geyser on Saturn's moon Enceladus is blanketing other nearby satellites in reflective dust and ice, making them unusually bright, a new study suggest.
Astronaut Screening Process Sound, Former NASA Psychiatrist Says
By Tariq Malik, Ker Than published
NASA to Review Astronaut Psychological Screening
By Ker Than published
NASA is initiating a review to determine whether changes are required to how astronauts are psychologically analyzed throughout their careers, space agency officials announced Wednesday.
Night Clouds Warm Red Planet
By Ker Than published
Nighttime clouds detected for the first time on Mars help tos keep the planet�s surface warm after sunset, a new study finds.
Mammoth Cloud Engulfs Titan's North Pole
By Ker Than published
A mammoth cloud recently spotted on Saturn�s moon Titan is half the size of the contiguous United States might be what�s filling up lakes discovered there last year.
Study: Surface of Mars Devoid of Life
By Ker Than published
The last refuge for Martian life, if it exist, might be deep below the planet’s surface—and beyond the reach of any currently planned missions, according to a new study.
Space Station to the Seafloor: Highest and Lowest Humans Chat
By Ker Than published
Mars' Missing Air Might Just be Hiding
By Ker Than published
Mar's missing atmosphere might be locked up in hidden reservoirs on the planet, and not chafed away by billions of years worth of solar winds as previously thought, a new study suggests.
New 'Hobbit' Galaxies Discovered Around Milky Way
By Ker Than published
A recent sky survey has turned up eight new members of our Local Group of galaxies, including a new class of ultra-faint "hobbit" galaxies and what might be the smallest galaxy ever discovered.
Faraway Galaxy Plays Peekaboo
By Ker Than published
SEATTLE - The most distant star cluster astronomers have ever observed has been found behind one of the nearest clusters to Earth.
Dying Star Builds Planets
By Ker Than published
SEATTLE - Dust shed by a dying star is being siphoned by its healthy companion to build new planets, a new study suggests.
Black Hole Triplets Spotted
By Ker Than published
SEATTLE – The discovery of three distant supermassive black holes in close proximity to each other is giving astronomers a glimpse into the chaotic early years of the universe.
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