Science & Technology

Space
Katy Perry to head to space in all-female mission.

Katy Perry to rocket into space

Katy Perry will ‘shoot across the sky’ for real, after Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin announced the pop princess will be the ‘star’ of its next suborbital spaceflight as part of a historic all-female crew

Space
A little boy is standing near the window and looking outside, imagining boundless space with myriad of stars

Planets to align in rare ‘parade’

Australian stargazers have a special opportunity to see seven planets strung across the night sky in one majestic arc this week – a rare astronomical event that won’t be back until 2040

Animals
The discovery has led to the confirmation of the existence of large carnivorous dinosaurs on what would become the Australian continent. Picture: Jonathan Metzger/Supplied

Apex predator an Australian first

Landmark new evidence points to a unique food chain led by a previously undiscovered carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the Australian continent over 100 million years ago

VIDEOSpace
NASA plotting how to destroy ‘city-killer’ asteroid

Webb telescope on asteroid’s tail

International space agencies are looking at ways to eliminate recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 if it threatens Earth, but some scientists believe the risk of impact will soon drop to zero

Kids news HP promo
Space
A 'city-killer' asteroid might hit Earth

Asteroid watch begins for rare find

As the touring asteroid first spotted after Boxing Day safely zooms away from Earth on the next leg of its four-year orbit, the global agency that assesses asteroid risk will keep monitoring its travels

Geography
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: In this photo illustration, the Gulf of Mexico is displayed on the Google Maps app on January 28, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. Google announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” on Google Maps for United States users once the change formally goes into effect. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to change the name. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Google to rename Gulf of Mexico

Executive orders signed by American President Donald Trump hours after his Jan 20 inauguration include changing place names to more US-centric options – with Google Maps already on board

VIDEOJunior Journo
MELBOURNE, DECEMBER 17, 2024: Junior Journalist of the Year (Secondary), Madison Riquelme. Madison presents to camera. Picture: Mark Stewart

Junior Journo winners revealed

Two budding newshounds have been named Junior Journalists of the Year after Kids News judges were wowed by thought-provoking submissions on AI and robotics plus domestic violence

VIDEOAnimals
An emperor penguin has been found in Denmark, Western Australia, the furthest north the species has ever been recorded. Picture: Miles Brotherson/DBCA, (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions)

Emperor penguin’s epic Oz swim

Beachgoers got the surprise of their lives when an adventurous emperor penguin waddled from the water to explore a WA beach, possibly the first time one has swum from Antarctica to Australia

Environment
The footage has shocked the world. Picture: China News Service

Solar power’s moment in the sun

A massive offshore solar farm has been unveiled in China as Elon Musk celebrated an Australian solar milestone, saying the renewable source was key for the world’s future power supply

Environment
TOPSHOT - This aerial handout picture taken on November 9, 2024 and released on November 10, 2024 by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency shows the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki as seen from the Eputobi rest area in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo by Handout / National Disaster Mitigation Agency / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT AFP PHOTO / National Disaster Mitigation Agency - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Bali volcano grounds Aussie flights

Travellers were left stranded after multiple airlines cancelled flights to and from Australia to holiday hotspot Bali due to the giant ash cloud caused by Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupting

VIDEOEnvironment
Soft coral spawning Moore Reef.

Full moon to trigger coral spawn

As the reef gets ready for its yearly ‘date night’, scientists say it’s not just coral that will be busy during November’s spawning season. Here’s what to expect and why it’s critical for our oceans

Space
KIDS NEWS 2024: students watch the launch at the Powerhouse Future Space Launch of their algae experiment for the International Space Station. Picture: Powerhouse Future Space Launch/Maja Baska.

Student experiment goes to space

Australian students are celebrating the successful lift off of their history-making space mission, as their algae experiment heads to the International Space Station in a bid to grow a greener future