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Mark Kaufman

Mark Kaufman

Mark is an award-winning journalist and the science editor at Mashable. After communicating science as a ranger with the National Park Service, he began a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating the public about the happenings in earth sciences, space, biodiversity, health, and beyond. 

You can reach Mark at mkaufman@mashable.com.

By Mark Kaufman

Freaky Asteroids Flew By Earth, And NASA Captured Footage
"Pics or it didn't happen!"
By Mark Kaufman
Freaky Asteroids Flew By Earth, And NASA Captured Footage

Feast Your Eyes On The Stunning Images Spacecraft Captured This Year
"It's just extraordinary."
By Mark Kaufman
Feast Your Eyes On The Stunning Images Spacecraft Captured This Year

U.S. Government Plane Snaps Intense Footage Inside Mighty Hurricane Beryl
A record-breaking storm.
By Mark Kaufman
U.S. Government Plane Snaps Intense Footage Inside Mighty Hurricane Beryl

Mars Gets Walloped By Space Rocks Way More Than Scientists Thought
That's gonna leave a mark.
By Mark Kaufman
Mars Gets Walloped By Space Rocks Way More Than Scientists Thought

Aliens Haven't Contacted Us. Scientists Found A Compelling Reason Why.
"It's like winning the lottery."
By Mark Kaufman
Aliens Haven't Contacted Us. Scientists Found A Compelling Reason Why.

Webb Telescope Makes Discovery That Was Previously Impossible
"No other telescope could have made this discovery."
By Mark Kaufman
Webb Telescope Makes Discovery That Was Previously Impossible

NASA Drills Freaky Scenario Where Elusive Asteroid Heads Towards Earth
"A critical loss of time."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Drills Freaky Scenario Where Elusive Asteroid Heads Towards Earth

Creature With Giant Eggs Filmed Thousands Of Feet Undersea
Lurking in the depths.
By Mark Kaufman
Creature With Giant Eggs Filmed Thousands Of Feet Undersea

NASA Rover Drives Through Ancient Mars River, Snaps Stunning View
A Martian river roared here.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Rover Drives Through Ancient Mars River, Snaps Stunning View


NASA Rover Gets Blasted By Solar Storm On Mars, Captures Footage
Mars isn't protected.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Rover Gets Blasted By Solar Storm On Mars, Captures Footage

At 11,000 Feet Up, Scientists Find Earth Broke A Scary Record
"Rising faster than ever."
By Mark Kaufman
At 11,000 Feet Up, Scientists Find Earth Broke A Scary Record

NASA Reveals Why It's So Hard To Spot Alien Life — Even With Webb
It's both "exciting" and "extraordinarily difficult."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Reveals Why It's So Hard To Spot Alien Life — Even With Webb

China Just Landed On The Moon. And It Released Footage.
It's a 21st-century space race.
By Mark Kaufman
China Just Landed On The Moon. And It Released Footage.


New Webb Image Isn't Just Stunning. It Shattered A Record.
A view near the beginning of time.
By Mark Kaufman
New Webb Image Isn't Just Stunning. It Shattered A Record.

NASA Reveals Footage Of Astronauts Training In Desert For Moon Mission
Preparing for lunar exploration.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Reveals Footage Of Astronauts Training In Desert For Moon Mission

New Webb Telescope Photo Truly Boggles The Mind
Ancient collisions.
By Mark Kaufman
New Webb Telescope Photo Truly Boggles The Mind

Scientists Find Earth-sized Planet. It's Orbiting A Fascinating Star.
A star that will outlive the others.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Find Earth-sized Planet. It's Orbiting A Fascinating Star.

U.S. Spacecraft Snap Stunning Views Of Auroras Encircling Earth
A planetary crown of light.
By Mark Kaufman
U.S. Spacecraft Snap Stunning Views Of Auroras Encircling Earth

Spacecraft Approaches Metal Object Zooming Around Earth, Snaps Footage
"Pics or it didn't happen."
By Mark Kaufman
Spacecraft Approaches Metal Object Zooming Around Earth, Snaps Footage

NASA's Voyager Is In Hostile Territory. It's 'dodging Bullets.'
Beware, Voyager.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA's Voyager Is In Hostile Territory. It's 'dodging Bullets.'

NASA Video Shows Stunning Scene From Extremely Volcanic World Io
A hellish space view.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Video Shows Stunning Scene From Extremely Volcanic World Io

Alien Planets Might Teem With Purple — Yes, Purple — Life
In deep space, Earth-like worlds could be purple.
By Mark Kaufman
Alien Planets Might Teem With Purple — Yes, Purple — Life

NASA Excitedly Confirms It Will Fly A Sci-fi Craft On Distant Moon
A "rotorcraft" explorer.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Excitedly Confirms It Will Fly A Sci-fi Craft On Distant Moon

Earth Will Look Wildly Different In Millions Of Years. Take A Look.
Colliding continents.
By Mark Kaufman
Earth Will Look Wildly Different In Millions Of Years. Take A Look.

NASA Spacecraft Snaps Awesome View Of Volcanoes Erupting On Distant World
Hundreds of millions of miles away.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Spacecraft Snaps Awesome View Of Volcanoes Erupting On Distant World

This Is The New Spaceship That Will Take Humans Back To The Moon
Stacked and ready.
By Mark Kaufman
This Is The New Spaceship That Will Take Humans Back To The Moon

Scientists explore deep sea around Easter Island, find strange animals
It's another world.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists explore deep sea around Easter Island, find strange animals

A Stunning Phenomenon Appeared On The Sun During The Solar Eclipse
Explosions from the solar surface.
By Mark Kaufman
A Stunning Phenomenon Appeared On The Sun During The Solar Eclipse

When The Solar Eclipse Hits, You'll See These Radiant Planets
Solar system eye-candy.
By Mark Kaufman
When The Solar Eclipse Hits, You'll See These Radiant Planets

What NOT To Do During The Imminent Solar Eclipse
"Don't worry about trying to get great photos of it."
By Mark Kaufman
What NOT To Do During The Imminent Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse 2024 Livestream Webcams: How To Watch
A thrilling cosmic view.
By Mark Kaufman
Solar Eclipse 2024 Livestream Webcams: How To Watch

NASA Spacecraft Films Crazy Vortex While Flying Through Sun's Atmosphere
Unprecedented footage.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Spacecraft Films Crazy Vortex While Flying Through Sun's Atmosphere

Solar Eclipses Were Once Extremely Terrifying Events, Experts Say
"There was shouting everywhere."
By Mark Kaufman
Solar Eclipses Were Once Extremely Terrifying Events, Experts Say

Mars Spacecraft Snaps Glorious View Of Martian Volcanoes — And A Surprise
A compelling Martian vista.
By Mark Kaufman
Mars Spacecraft Snaps Glorious View Of Martian Volcanoes — And A Surprise

The U.S. Is Exploring A Railroad For The Moon. It Has A Good Reason.
All aboard the lunar express.
By Mark Kaufman
The U.S. Is Exploring A Railroad For The Moon. It Has A Good Reason.

NASA Astronaut Witnessed An Eclipse From Space. It Was 'Unnatural.'
"It was this big, dark thing."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Astronaut Witnessed An Eclipse From Space. It Was 'Unnatural.'

Brand New Black Hole Image Will Blow Your Mind
Nothing can escape.
By Mark Kaufman
Brand New Black Hole Image Will Blow Your Mind


When NASA Crashed Into An Asteroid, It Did Way More Than 'Nudge' It
Historic planetary defense mission.
By Mark Kaufman
When NASA Crashed Into An Asteroid, It Did Way More Than 'Nudge' It

Scientists Snap Gnarly Image Of This Dead Star's Decaying Corpse
A ghost in space.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Snap Gnarly Image Of This Dead Star's Decaying Corpse

'Alien' Object That Crashed Into Earth Has A Much Funnier Explanation
An interstellar visitor? Or something laughably mundane?
By Mark Kaufman
'Alien' Object That Crashed Into Earth Has A Much Funnier Explanation

What Will Happen When The Next Supervolcano Erupts, According To NASA
A huge eruption is inevitable. But we're not doomed.
By Mark Kaufman
What Will Happen When The Next Supervolcano Erupts, According To NASA

The Coming Solar Eclipse Is Rare. How Often Does It Happen?
A chance not to be missed.
By Mark Kaufman
The Coming Solar Eclipse Is Rare. How Often Does It Happen?

Broken Moon Lander Beams Back A Final Poignant Photo — Of Earth
The final transmission before losing power.
By Mark Kaufman
Broken Moon Lander Beams Back A Final Poignant Photo — Of Earth

Scientists zoom in on distant solar system. It's teeming with water.
Oceans of water in another deep space realm.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists zoom in on distant solar system. It's teeming with water.

Jaw-dropping Webb photo reveals how the universe turned its lights on
Solving a deep space mystery.
By Mark Kaufman
Jaw-dropping Webb photo reveals how the universe turned its lights on

NASA's New Images Reveal What Happened To Its Crashed Mars Helicopter
Busted up in the Martian desert.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA's New Images Reveal What Happened To Its Crashed Mars Helicopter

NASA Snapped Images Of The Stadium-Sized Asteroid That Swooped By Earth
A space photoshoot.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Snapped Images Of The Stadium-Sized Asteroid That Swooped By Earth


Mars May Have Once Held A Shocking Amount Of Water, Scientists Find
So much water, it could have rivaled Earth.
By Mark Kaufman
Mars May Have Once Held A Shocking Amount Of Water, Scientists Find

What's The 'Best' Place To See The Solar Eclipse? Experts Explain.
The chance to view a total solar eclipse is rare.
By Mark Kaufman
What's The 'Best' Place To See The Solar Eclipse? Experts Explain.

Spacecraft Looks Like A 'Star Wars' Ship. It Just Crashed Into Earth.
Burning up in our planet's atmosphere.
By Mark Kaufman
Spacecraft Looks Like A 'Star Wars' Ship. It Just Crashed Into Earth.

Webb Telescope Makes Unexpected Find In Outskirts Of Our Solar System
These ice worlds aren't dead.
By Mark Kaufman
Webb Telescope Makes Unexpected Find In Outskirts Of Our Solar System

Water Is Discovered On Asteroids — By A Defunct NASA Mission
Our solar system teems with water.
By Mark Kaufman
Water Is Discovered On Asteroids — By A Defunct NASA Mission

NASA Mars Rover Looks Up, Sees Its Strange Moon Eclipsing The Sun
Impressive Martian stargazing — by a robot.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Mars Rover Looks Up, Sees Its Strange Moon Eclipsing The Sun

Scientists Reveal SUV-Sized Camera That Will Change Our Grasp Of Space
It's a huge instrument.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Reveal SUV-Sized Camera That Will Change Our Grasp Of Space

NASA Rover Finds Damaged Helicopter In The Middle Of Mars Desert
It's a poignant image.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Rover Finds Damaged Helicopter In The Middle Of Mars Desert

NASA craft snaps extraordinarily close images of volcano-covered world
The most volcanic land in our solar system.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA craft snaps extraordinarily close images of volcano-covered world

NASA spacecraft snaps image of ancient, winding rivers on Mars
Mars once teemed with water.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA spacecraft snaps image of ancient, winding rivers on Mars


Before Its Demise, NASA's Mars Helicopter Captured A Glorious Aerial View
A vista of the Red Planet.
By Mark Kaufman
Before Its Demise, NASA's Mars Helicopter Captured A Glorious Aerial View

NASA Reveals How Spacecraft Will Land On Tantalizing Ocean World
It's a mission to search for life.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Reveals How Spacecraft Will Land On Tantalizing Ocean World

NASA Lost Its Mars Helicopter. Now It's Looking Into A Martian Plane.
"It can't just be science fiction."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Lost Its Mars Helicopter. Now It's Looking Into A Martian Plane.

NASA's Mars Helicopter Just Died. Here's What Happened.
The extraterrestrial flying machine beat all odds.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA's Mars Helicopter Just Died. Here's What Happened.

Scientists found an enigma in deep space. The Webb telescope solved it.
The powerful instrument explains the "inexplicable."
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists found an enigma in deep space. The Webb telescope solved it.

NASA Reveals Its X-plane. It Will Fly Over The U.S. At Extreme Speeds.
"Behold our stunning X-59."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Reveals Its X-plane. It Will Fly Over The U.S. At Extreme Speeds.

Scientists Find Planet With A Tail 150 Times Longer Than The Mississippi
It's not just comets that have extremely long tails.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Find Planet With A Tail 150 Times Longer Than The Mississippi

NASA Just Spotted An Exploded Star Blasting Vital Elements Into Space
Unprecedented views into cosmic wreckage.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Just Spotted An Exploded Star Blasting Vital Elements Into Space

Scientists Find Big Megalodon Tooth In A Really Unexpected Place
An "amazing" find.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Find Big Megalodon Tooth In A Really Unexpected Place

U.S. Weather Satellite Snaps Amazing View Of Sun Explosions
The sun has entered an active state.
By Mark Kaufman
U.S. Weather Satellite Snaps Amazing View Of Sun Explosions

NASA Flies Extremely Close By Volcano world, Captures Wild Footage
Extraordinary views of a land hundreds of millions of miles away.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Flies Extremely Close By Volcano world, Captures Wild Footage

Fascinating Things About The Moon You Didn't Know
Our natural satellite is full of wonder.
By Mark Kaufman
Fascinating Things About The Moon You Didn't Know

The Stunning Deep Sea Footage Scientists Filmed In 2023
What swims in the dark?
By Mark Kaufman
The Stunning Deep Sea Footage Scientists Filmed In 2023

Webb Telescope Image Isn't Just Glorious. It Shows Warped Space.
Massive objects distort spacetime.
By Mark Kaufman
Webb Telescope Image Isn't Just Glorious. It Shows Warped Space.

Nasa's Car-Sized Rover Spots Strong Evidence Of Gushing Water On Mars
Mars was once a wet world.
By Mark Kaufman
Nasa's Car-Sized Rover Spots Strong Evidence Of Gushing Water On Mars

Iceland's Stunning Eruption Is Happening — And You Can Watch It Live
Towering fountains of lava.
By Mark Kaufman
Iceland's Stunning Eruption Is Happening — And You Can Watch It Live

On Thrilling Ocean World, NASA Spots A Vital Element For Life
Every year, this orb grows more tantalizing.
By Mark Kaufman
On Thrilling Ocean World, NASA Spots A Vital Element For Life

NASA Video Shows Spectacular Recreation Of Pivotal Mars Event
A momentous extraterrestrial scene.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Video Shows Spectacular Recreation Of Pivotal Mars Event

NASA's Voyager Probe Stopped Communicating. There's No Quick Fix.
The spacecraft is over 15 million miles away.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA's Voyager Probe Stopped Communicating. There's No Quick Fix.

Scientists Discover Unknown Prehistoric World — On Earth
"It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen or, really, like anything any scientist has ever seen."
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Discover Unknown Prehistoric World — On Earth

Absolutely Astonishing Deep Sea Giant Just Filmed By Scientists
An elusive creature of the deep sea.
By Mark Kaufman
Absolutely Astonishing Deep Sea Giant Just Filmed By Scientists

These Animals Went Extinct In 2023
"There simply is no more time on the clock."
By Mark Kaufman
These Animals Went Extinct In 2023

NASA Aims To Land On The Moon In 2 Years. Why That Won't Happen.
Returning astronauts to the moon isn't easy.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Aims To Land On The Moon In 2 Years. Why That Won't Happen.

NASA Will Land Daring Spacecraft On A World 800 Million Miles Away
It's an unprecedented space odyssey.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Will Land Daring Spacecraft On A World 800 Million Miles Away

NASA Shows Mars Helicopter Blades Reaching Blazing Speed
Faster blades for extraterrestrial travel.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Shows Mars Helicopter Blades Reaching Blazing Speed


NASA Spacecraft Spots Lo's Elusive Volcanoes. A Big Question Remains.
"We're seeing things that we have never seen before."
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Spacecraft Spots Lo's Elusive Volcanoes. A Big Question Remains.

NASA’s Most Unusual Astronaut Has Died
What a legend.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA’s Most Unusual Astronaut Has Died

NASA Snaps Absolutely Breathtaking View Of Deep Space
Wow. Just, wow.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Snaps Absolutely Breathtaking View Of Deep Space

The Internet Says Winter Will Be Bad. Here's What The Science Says.
"Winter is coming."
By Mark Kaufman
The Internet Says Winter Will Be Bad. Here's What The Science Says.

Speeding NASA Spacecraft Finds A Surprise Within A Surprise
"We never suspected anything so bizarre!"
By Mark Kaufman
Speeding NASA Spacecraft Finds A Surprise Within A Surprise

Pioneering Spacecraft's First Images Will Leave You Starstruck
"They are even more beautiful and sharp than we could have hoped for."
By Mark Kaufman
Pioneering Spacecraft's First Images Will Leave You Starstruck

NASA's Mars Helicopter Beamed Back Truly Sci-Fi Photos
The future is now.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA's Mars Helicopter Beamed Back Truly Sci-Fi Photos

NASA Spacecraft Has High-Speed Asteroid Encounter And Finds Surprise
A 10,000 mph space flyby.
By Mark Kaufman
NASA Spacecraft Has High-Speed Asteroid Encounter And Finds Surprise

Scientists Reveal Deadly Earth Just After The Dinosaur Asteroid Hit
A dark, merciless extinction.
By Mark Kaufman
Scientists Reveal Deadly Earth Just After The Dinosaur Asteroid Hit

The Creepiest Skulls Ever Spotted In Space
Watch out, Earthlings.
By Mark Kaufman
The Creepiest Skulls Ever Spotted In Space

You've Got To See Webb Telescope's Eerie View Of The Crab Nebula
1,000 years ago, a star left a cosmic masterpiece.
By Mark Kaufman
You've Got To See Webb Telescope's Eerie View Of The Crab Nebula