![Monisha Ravisetti](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5p3Rix3sKiFo2yrevNbAYn.jpeg)
Monisha Ravisetti
Monisha Ravisetti is Space.com's Astronomy Editor. She covers black holes, star explosions, gravitational waves, exoplanet discoveries and other enigmas hidden across the fabric of space and time. Previously, she was a science writer at CNET, and before that, reported for The Academic Times. Prior to becoming a writer, she was an immunology researcher at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. She graduated from New York University in 2018 with a B.A. in philosophy, physics and chemistry. She spends too much time playing online chess. Her favorite planet is Earth.
Latest articles by Monisha Ravisetti
![a bright orb shines, surrounded by rings evenly spaced around the glow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FkjaLAnwixpPUVnLzHsqNE-320-80.jpg)
Machine learning could help track down alien technology. Here's how
By Monisha Ravisetti published
A machine learning-based search for TESS data anomalies could lead us to proof of alien life.
![NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter, photographed by the agency's Perseverance rover on April 16, 2023. The rover captured this enhanced-color image using its Mastcam-Z instrument.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ipKcWFaLMsJ8FeXAVZ6BrR-320-80.jpg)
NASA restores contact with Mars helicopter Ingenuity after communications dropout on latest flight
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Last week, NASA lost contact with Ingenuity. But, don't worry, the agency appears to have regained communication with the beloved helicopter exploring Mars.
![A graphic illustration showing an Intuitive Machines' lander on the surface of the moon with Earth in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uXaTFUuBcTyxBEmqiub8C5-320-80.jpg)
Private Peregrine moon lander failure won't stop NASA's ambitious commercial lunar program
By Monisha Ravisetti published
A radio telescope will fly to the moon on an upcoming private lunar lander.
![Silhouettes of people are seen standing on the ground, looking up at a starry sky and the center of the Milky Way.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tQiawqgLsMfu7WLUAGAW4T-320-80.jpg)
The 'Super Bowl of Astronomy' begins next week in New Orleans
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society runs from Jan. 7 to Jan. 11, and we can't wait to see what amazing science announcements it bestows upon us.
![An artist's illustration of black holes surrounded by orange gas.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ktmKCp5rdQoUhe7PeWRQ26-320-80.jpg)
Is a black hole stuck inside the sun? No, but here's why scientists are asking
By Monisha Ravisetti published
It's possible, scientists say, that atom-sized black holes were produced during the first second of the universe's existence — and some might've gotten lodged within budding stars.
![astronauts in space suits construct a short tower on the brown/red surface of mars. supply boxes lay about. a rover is parked in the distance.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NeEhcxq8pyVBH7LFZdNN53-320-80.jpg)
12 space medicine findings from 2023 that could help astronauts reach Mars one day
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Space medicine is a continuously growing field — and for good reason, if humans want to settle Mars someday.
![An image of the Hubble Space Telescope hovering in Earth's orbit.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o9jVt3pUmRj57GqzbMsvhB-320-80.jpg)
Hubble Telescope resumes science operations after gyroscope glitch
By Monisha Ravisetti last updated
The Hubble Space Telescope has exited safe mode after a gyroscope glitch, NASA says, and should resume its regular science operations sometime in January.
![Artist's impression of the Psyche spacecraft.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rh5EmQQHqN7LVqvVZLFyAn-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Psyche spacecraft finds its 'first light' while zooming to a metal asteroid (image)
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Having launched on Oct. 13, the Psyche spacecraft has been journeying to a metal asteroid reminiscent of Earth's core. It just snapped its first image.
![Artist's illustration of Astrobotic's Peregrine lander on the surface of the moon.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nTt5pCQHTRuTazNmFCXJEC-320-80.jpg)
The Peregrine Lunar Lander is set to launch on Dec 24. Here's what it'll bring to the moon
By Monisha Ravisetti published
There will be 20 total payloads being brought to the moon, five of which are NASA's.
![two grey rocks in space](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwJ7auVY2nkazTE45PSoVW-320-80.jpg)
Curious double moon discovered orbiting asteroid 'Dinky' now has a name
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Asteroid Dinkinesh, target No. 1 on Lucy's journey, turned out to be not one, but two (technically three) space rocks put together. Scientists finally gave its satellite a name.
![The Hubble Space Telescope in orbit around Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HtnjxxBGPik9c7YqEsSNMa-320-80.jpg)
Hubble Space Telescope is in safe mode — but scientists aren't too worried
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The Hubble Space Telescope has entered an automatic safe mode due to gyroscope difficulties, but scientists aren't worried about the observatory's health.
![An illustration of a spacecraft above Europa, with a blue swirly Jupiter in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tqd26fpXqWfuDVnqcdmFCj-320-80.jpg)
I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, too
By Monisha Ravisetti published
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft is headed to one of Jupiter's largest moons. It's bringing along a microchip filled with human names.
![A purple, blue and other brightly colored view of the Galactic Center.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5XcJZFcjxd7qvXeCeoTVGD-320-80.jpg)
Listen to a symphony for the Milky Way, made from real NASA data (video)
By Monisha Ravisetti published
NASA's sonification project has done it again, this time turning the Galactic Center into a perfectly dissonant symphony.
![An illustration of the Earth as seen from our planet's orbit. A hot pink, bright beam seems to be hitting the hazy shield around the Earth. There are two satellites capturing the light as well.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WAYLWT3He3pz8w6EUsNFBP-320-80.jpg)
Record-breaking 'BOAT' gamma-ray burst managed to disturb Earth's atmosphere
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The brightest gamma-ray burst ever seen was also the first to impact Earth's upper ionosphere, a new study suggests.
![a blurry image of a half shaded planet.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AHxKhiX2XVGFwHF7dZxVUa-320-80.jpg)
A satellite's very tiny camera took a very blurry picture of Earth — and it's perfect
By Monisha Ravisetti published
ESA's TRISAT-R satellite has a camera that's only about the size of a coin's edge, yet it managed to capture a view of our entire world.
![Inside the metal container in the center lies a piece of asteroid Bennu. On the left is part of the orange Atlas V rocket scale model and, on the right, is part of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft scale model.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FrEUYx7qYcsK5pzqLGCzd9-320-80.jpg)
Seeing NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample up close at the Smithsonian was surreal
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The museum's curator of meteorites had been dreaming of this moment for two decades.
![A starry night sky with two glowing blobs, one bigger than the other.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EWkUfzxTDobqA35NkmcWVE-320-80.jpg)
The Magellanic Clouds must be renamed, astronomers say
By Monisha Ravisetti published
A coalition of over 50 astronomers is calling to rename the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.
![A size comparison of Dinkinesh (shown in blue) and other main asteroid belt objects Bennu and (2867) Steins.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tiRappMQZCn5CSyzS46Xb9-320-80.jpg)
NASA's Lucy spacecraft successfully completes 1st flyby of asteroid 'Dinky'
By Monisha Ravisetti published
NASA's Lucy mission is set to visit several asteroids over 12 years, and the probe just successfully flew by target number one.
![a nebula hangs in space over the words DEEP SKY](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/57FJMXvDLbXF3n2XV5T7GV-320-80.jpg)
How director Nathaniel Kahn brought the James Webb Space Telescope to IMAX with 'Deep Sky'
By Monisha Ravisetti published
With guidance from the telescope's scientists, an actress, a computer animation artist, a composer, and many other experts, 'Deep Sky' aims to reintroduce us to the JWST's lens on our universe.
![OSIRIS-REx curation team members at NASA’s Johnson Space Center begin the process of removing and flipping the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Mechanism) from the avionics deck of the mission's science canister.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/chvQXoYoEieH3FsRjDTbeG-320-80.jpg)
NASA can't open its OSIRIS-REx asteroid capsule yet, but the outside alone holds more than enough samples
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Scientists have confirmed that OSIRIS-REx brought home at least 70.3 grams of material from asteroid Bennu, surpassing its intended goal of 60 grams.
![a false-color image of the bottom half of Jupiter. mostly blue and green.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fEK3fJHpMcKJ3WAe7DNscT-320-80.jpg)
James Webb Space Telescope spots jet stream on Jupiter stronger than a Category 5 hurricane
By Monisha Ravisetti published
The JWST's perspective on our solar system has offered us the 1st evidence of a superfast Jovian jet stream.
![A view of a white module with the Indian flag painted on the side.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cuMru2kAw7PG7jNtcEbUag-320-80.jpg)
India to launch test flight on Oct. 21 for future Gaganyaan astronaut mission
By Monisha Ravisetti published
Gaganyaan translates to "celestial vehicle" and is a mission to bring Indian astronauts to space.
![An artist's visualization video showing the Psyche spacecraft getting closer to the asteroid.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GuUm7rT6qXxN9yJhj4sqFW-320-80.gif)
NASA's Psyche metal asteroid mission will have a big impact on astronomy. Here's how
By Monisha Ravisetti published
NASA's launching a spacecraft toward an intriguing metal asteroid on Oct. 12. Here's what we might find on 16 Psyche.