Meghan Bartels
Meghan is a senior writer at Space.com and has more than five years' experience as a science journalist based in New York City. She joined Space.com in July 2018, with previous writing published in outlets including Newsweek and Audubon. Meghan earned an MA in science journalism from New York University and a BA in classics from Georgetown University, and in her free time she enjoys reading and visiting museums. Follow her on Twitter at @meghanbartels.
Latest articles by Meghan Bartels
Scorching alien planet takes seasons to an extreme
By Meghan Bartels published
Scientists have gotten a close look at an extreme case of seasons, thanks to a retired NASA telescope.
Laika the space dog: First living creature in orbit
By Mike Wall, Meghan Bartels published
Laika, a Moscow street dog, became the first creature to orbit Earth, but she died in space.
The hunt is on for exomoons around alien planets and scientists may have just found one
By Meghan Bartels published
Time for another tantalizing glimpse of what alien solar systems might look like.
NASA may need more astronauts for space station, moon missions, report says
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA may need more astronauts to meet its human spaceflight goals over the coming years, according to a new report from the agency's investigative office.
Supermassive black hole gobbled up a star in the 1980s, and high schoolers helped discover it
By Meghan Bartels published
Astronomers have found evidence of a black hole snacking on a star in data gathered back in the 1980s, according to new research.
Virgin Orbit lands in Times Square NYC to ring NASDAQ bell
By Meghan Bartels published
Another kind of countdown hit New York City's Times Square Friday (Jan. 7) as a commercial spaceflight company celebrated joining the NASDAQ stock exchange.
James Webb Space Telescope has unfolded 1st wing of massive golden mirror
By Meghan Bartels published
Unfolding the two side wings of the James Webb Space Telescope's golden primary mirror marks the last major task in assembling the observatory.
Death star: In cosmic first, scientists observe red supergiant just before it explodes
By Meghan Bartels published
It's much easier for scientists to see the messy aftermath of stellar explosions than to watch the prelude to the drama.
NASA's TESS exoplanet mission reveals mystery of strange signals from dusty object
By Meghan Bartels last updated
The universe is full of mysteries.
James Webb Space Telescope deploys radiator to keep cool
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA's new high-tech, low-temp observatory observatory is one step closer to gathering some cool science.
Comet Leonard puts on a final, spectacular display with ion tail in solar wind
By Meghan Bartels last updated
Comet Leonard is slipping out of view, but not without putting on one last show.
NASA delays tightening James Webb Space Telescope sunshield to study power system
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA personnel are spending the day studying the power subsystem of the massive James Webb Space Telescope to ensure the spacecraft is ready to execute a key procedure.
James Webb Space Telescope team takes break before tightening up vital sunshield
By Meghan Bartels last updated
To celebrate the new year, consider taking a day to rest.
With COVID-19 on the rise again, 'Super Bowl of astronomy' next month canceled
By Meghan Bartels published
As COVID-19 infection rates rise once again, the leaders of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have canceled the major conference scheduled for early January.
James Webb Space Telescope has enough fuel for way more than 10 years of science
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA's new space observatory should have enough fuel to keep at science work for significantly longer than mission designs required, according to an agency update.
James Webb Space Telescope begins unfolding delicate, massive sunshield
By Meghan Bartels last updated
NASA's massive new space observatory has entered its most perilous phase yet as it begins the careful process of unfurling its delicate sunshield.
Where is NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? Here's how to follow its progress.
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA's new $10 billion observatory is completing a nerve-wracking sequence of steps to reach its final configuration and location. Here's how to follow the process.
NASA assigns 2 astronauts to SpaceX Crew-6 mission, launching in 2023
By Meghan Bartels published
The first two seats of the sixth full-fledged NASA crew mission launched by SpaceX have been filled.
James Webb Space Telescope notches crucial maneuver to set its path
By Meghan Bartels last updated
The James Webb Space Telescope is truly on its way.
James Webb Space Telescope sails beyond the orbit of the moon after 2nd course correction
By Meghan Bartels last updated
About 60 hours after launch, NASA's next-generation space observatory nailed the second of three required course-correction burns.
30 years and $10 billion later, the James Webb Space Telescope is finally on the launch pad
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA and the astronomy community have poured $10 billion and more than two decades into just one piece of machinery. Now they are facing the moment of truth.
James Webb Space Telescope reaches launch pad for Christmas liftoff
By Meghan Bartels last updated
After more than two decades of development, NASA's next-generation space telescope is on the launch pad.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launch delayed to Christmas due to bad weather
By Meghan Bartels published
NASA's much-awaited next-generation space telescope is finally ready to launch — just as soon as the weather cooperates.
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