Sharmila Kuthunur
Sharmila Kuthunur is a Seattle-based science journalist covering astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. Follow her on X @skuthunur.
Latest articles by Sharmila Kuthunur
Scientists are mapping Earth's rivers from space before climate change devastates our planet
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
New maps of Earth's rivers are documenting our planet before climate change worsens.
Supernova-filled galaxy dazzles in new Hubble Telescope image
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The Hubble Space Telescope recently imaged an actively star-forming galaxy named UGC 9684.
Car-size asteroid gives Earth a close shave in near-miss flyby (video, photo)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A car-sized asteroid flew very close to Earth on Tuesday morning (May 14), just two days after being discovered.
The summer of 2023 was Earth's hottest in 2,000 years, scientists find
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Using tree ring data, scientists have confirmed that summer 2023 was the hottest summer on Earth in the last 2,000 years.
Our neighboring galaxy's supermassive black hole would probably be a polite dinner guest
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers find multiple streams of dust spiraling into the heart of the nearby Andromeda galaxy, where a supermassive black hole lurks.
Should we seal DNA samples of Earth's endangered species in a moon crater?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Scientists fighting to save coral reefs amid the climate crisis suggest sending genetic coral material to be preserved on the moon. Is it a good idea?
Watch 2 bus-size asteroids make close flybys of Earth this week (video)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Two asteroids are expected to make close but safe approaches to Earth this week, and you can watch them live.
AI discovers over 27,000 overlooked asteroids in old telescope images
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new AI software has helped identify more than 27,000 asteroids in our solar system that had been overlooked in telescope images.
The highest observatory on Earth sits atop Chile's Andes Mountains — and it's finally open
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A new Japanese observatory built high in the Chilean Andes mountains promises fresh views of the early universe.
Beavers are helping fight climate change, satellite data shows
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
As global warming intensifies droughts, floods and wildfires around the world, scientists in western United States are turning to beavers to help reverse some of the damage.
Hubble telescope celebrates 34th anniversary with an iridescent Dumbbell Nebula (image)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Take a fresh look at the iconic Dumbbell Nebula on occasion of the Hubble Space Telescope's 34 years in space.
Citizen scientists spot more than 1,000 new asteroids in old Hubble Telescope photos
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Citizen scientists poring over old Hubble Telescope photos discovered a thousand previously unknown asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
India aims to achieve 'debris-free' space missions by 2030
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
India has announced its intent to join the global effort to reduce space debris in low Earth orbit.
Satellites watch as 4th global coral bleaching event unfolds (image)
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Satellites are tracking in real time as multiple major coral reefs around the world get paler due to warming sea temperatures in the fourth-ever global bleaching event.
Sorry, little green men: Alien life might actually be purple
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The search for alien life can now include purple bacteria, thanks to a new catalog of chemical makeup of the lavender-hued organisms.
NASA greenlights 2028 launch for epic Dragonfly mission to Saturn's huge moon Titan
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The Dragonfly mission is set to launch in July 2028 on a six-year journey to Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
Mysterious dark matter may leave clues in 'strings of pearls' trailing our galaxy
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Starting in late 2025, the Vera C. Rubin observatory will image the outskirts of our galaxy in search of dark matter clues.
Exotic 'Einstein ring' suggests that mysterious dark matter interacts with itself
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The unexplained mass of a remarkably massive galaxy suggests that dark matter interacts with itself, according to new observations by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Venus is leaking carbon and oxygen, a fleeting visit by BepiColombo reveals
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
BepiColombo spotted an outpour of carbon and oxygen atoms in Venus' fragile magnetic environment
Rocket Lab to launch NASA's new solar sail technology no earlier than April 24
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
An upcoming NASA mission meant to test new solar sail technology will launch no sooner than April 24, 2024.
Gravitational waves reveal 1st-of-its-kind merger between neutron star and mystery object
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The mystery object, which falls right within the mass-gap range, sheds light on a long-sought, murky realm.
White House directs NASA to create a new time zone for the moon
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
The White House has tasked NASA with creating a new time zone for the moon by the end of 2026, as part of the United States' broader goal to establish international norms in space.
Largest 3D map of our universe could hint that dark energy evolves with time
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Our leading model of the universe assumes dark energy to be constant across the universe and throughout time. Emerging evidence suggests that may not be the case.
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