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In a world in which scientific literacy is often lacking, the online platform Zooniverse.org is doing what it can to encourage “people-powered research.”

From close encounters with a speeding comet to an intimate visit with mysterious Pluto, we examine the most fascinating stories from the final frontier. 

A photo of earth from 1 billion miles away, what the Curiosity Rover has discovered after a year on Mars, and a spacecraft that may now be traveling beyond the solar system. Astrophysicist Chris Lintott joins us to explore some of the latest and most amazing stories from outer space. View a slideshow and vote on your favorite photo in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 Contest.

The unbelievable landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars capped a year of fascinating space exploration. Astrophysicist Chris Lintott looks back on the top space stories of 2012.

Ten days and counting to what promises to be the most exciting mission EVER to another planet. Adler Planetarium astrophysicist Chris Lintott joins us to talk about that, and other news from outer space.

Baby stars in Orion Nebula

If there is extraterrestrial intelligence out there, the Adler Planetarium wants your help in finding it. Astrophysicist Chirs Lintott tells us how you can search for E.T. on your computer.

2011 marked the year the U.S. Space Shuttle program came to an end, but NASA's unmanned exploration of space remained at full throttle. We look at some of last year's astronomical achievements and what scientists are eyeing in the year ahead.

Vesta

2011 marked the year the U.S. Space Shuttle program came to an end, but NASA's unmanned exploration of space remained at full throttle. We look at some of last year's astronomical achievements and what scientists are eyeing in the year ahead.