Outer space Coverage

NASA confirms mystery object that crashed through roof of Florida home came from space station

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) -- NASA confirmed Monday that a mystery object that crashed through the roof of a Florida home last month was a chunk of space junk from equipment discarded at the International Space Station.

How to tell if you have eye damage after viewing the eclipse

(CNN) -- The total solar eclipse has come and gone after creating a celestial spectacle Monday in the skies over Mexico, the US and Canada. But some people may be experiencing eye discomfort, rather than awe, in the aftermath.

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Safe ways to view Monday's solar eclipse around the Triangle

A total solar eclipse is coming to the U.S. this April in what's being touted as the biggest astronomical phenomenon for many Americans since the August 2017 total eclipse.

What to know before the glow: Excitement builds for total solar eclipse

The total solar eclipse will cut a path across 13 states, darkening parts of the country for several minutes as the moon passes between the sun and earth.

Cumberland County students compete to send science experiments to International Space Station

The 3rd annual STARward STEM Expo took place on Tuesday at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville. The event hosted over 200 students representing teams from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Student projects heading to the International Space Station

On Tuesday, students in Cumberland County competed for the opportunity to send their science projects to the International Space Station in the 3rd annual STARward STEM Design Challenge.

Surgery in space: Tiny remotely operated robot completes first simulated procedure at the space station

A tiny surgical robot in residence at the International Space Station completed its first surgery demo in zero gravity on Saturday, developers of the technology exclusively told CNN.

'The Space Race' premieres on Monday

"The Space Race" looks at the first Black pilots, engineers and scientists to become astronauts.

Meteors, eclipses, stars & space: What to watch for in the sky in 2024

A guide to everything happening in the sky and in space for 2024, including eclipses, meteor showers, supermoons and more.

WRAL staff

Solar eclipse peaks in Raleigh, crowds gather across US to watch total eclipse

All eyes were on the skies Monday as a total solar eclipse, one of nature's most spectacular sights, moved through North America.

Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Congress holds closed-door meeting about UFO

Congress is holding a hearing about billions of dollars going into the Pentagon's secret programs looking into UFOs.

Vulcan Rocket Aces Its First Launch

A brand-new rocket lifted off early Monday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, sending multiple payloads on journeys into space.

Kenneth Chang, New York Times

First flight of the Vulcan rocket sends an American lander toward the moon

A brand-new rocket lifted off early Monday morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida, sending a robotic spacecraft toward the surface of the moon.

'Puzzling' discovery spotted in new images from NASA mission's asteroid flyby

Dinkinesh, a small asteroid that NASA's Lucy mission visited last week, continues to surprise.

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

An asteroid sample is about to land on Earth. Here's what to expect

When the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft swings by Earth on Sunday, it is expected to deliver a rare cosmic gift: a pristine sample collected from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

New space race: Russian spacecraft expected to land on moon

Russia staking its claim in a new space race to the moon and Mars. A Russian probe is expected to land on the moon's south pole any day now.

WRAL viewers spot rocket flying across Wednesday night sky heading to ISS

One of our WRAL viewers sent us a picture from Morehead City of a rocket heading to the International Space Station. Other viewers also sent us pictures of the rocket's path across the sky.

North Carolina's space whiskey and taxes

North Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would provide a tax break for the space bourbon. Will the space whiskey taste difference? Dan Haggerty shares the science.

Will whiskey sent to space taste different? In Depth with Dan shares the science

North Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that would provide a tax break for the space bourbon.

Dan Haggerty, WRAL anchor/reporter

Studying Mars surface will help scientists decide where to build base

While we may not be close to living on Mars scientists are at least trying to get us closer to building a base on the red planet. They're studying earthquake activity to help narrow down the best possible locations for a future fort.

Asteroid? Comet? What is Oumuamua?

In 2017, astronomers observed the first interstellar object to pass through our solar system, naming it Oumuamua, or "messenger from afar arriving first" in Hawaiian.

'Supermassive' black hole rotates to face Earth

'New York Post' reports that the newly classified galaxy is just one of the space threats currently facing the Earth.

NASA ready to make history with Deep Space Exploration

It could be another large leap for mankind as the NASA Stennis Space Center is gearing up to make history with Deep Space Exploration.

Cumberland County students will see science projects blast into space

Some lucky Cumberland County STEM students have won a prize that's out of this world. Their science projects will be sent this spring to the International Space Station.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Newly discovered asteroid makes one of the closest approaches of Earth

An asteroid the size of a box truck made one of the closest passes of planet Earth ever recorded.

By Ashley Strickland, CNN