Science and Exploration
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Mateo Rojas

Contributing Editor, Deep Frontiers

Mateo Rojas is a contributing editor specializing in the 'Deep Frontiers' of our planet. His reporting is characterized by firsthand accounts from the world's most remote and challenging environments. He has embedded with scientific expeditions to the Marianas Trench, documented glacial retreat from the summit of Andean peaks, and chronicled the discovery of new extremophile species in volcanic vents. Prior to his work with Science and Exploration, Mateo was a correspondent for 'Global Explorer' magazine. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Expertise

OceanographyGeologyVolcanologyExtreme Environment ExplorationConservation Science

Coverage Areas

Deep Frontiers
Earth & Environment

Latest Articles

An artist's impression of an ancient supernova remnant glowing brightly in the dense, chaotic environment of the Milky Way's galactic center, as observed by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Space & Astronomy

NASA Chandra spots ancient supernova remnant in galactic center

In the heart of our galaxy, a region so dense it usually hides its ancient past, astronomers may have just found the ghostly remains of a supernova that exploded 10,000 years ago.

Jun 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse students and researchers collaborating on advanced space technology projects, with holographic displays of the Moon and Mars, symbolizing NASA's M-STAR initiative.
Space & Astronomy

NASA award boosts space tech research, forging new frontiers

NASA has just opened a new funding window specifically designed to empower minority universities, aiming to accelerate space technology development for missions to the Moon and Mars.

Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

The NASA Curiosity rover driving across the dusty Martian surface towards a formation of pale, wind-sculpted hills known as a yardang unit.
Earth & Environment

Curiosity Rover drives toward Martian Yardang unit

On Mars, the Curiosity rover is meticulously examining wind-sculpted hills and laminated bedrock.

Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Exterior view of a modern, advanced flight dynamics research facility with sleek architecture, symbolizing the future of aerospace innovation and exploration.
Deep Frontiers

New Flight Dynamics Research Facility characteristics unlock aerospace frontiers

In Denver, Colorado, a new era of flight dynamics has dawned.

Jun 10, 2026 · 4 min read

The SPHEREx space telescope in orbit, transmitting massive streams of data representing scientific discoveries from distant galaxies.
Space & Astronomy

Space telescope satellite generates overwhelming data streams

Every day in 2026, the newly launched SPHEREx telescope downlinks 20 gigabytes of science data, a torrent of information equivalent to hundreds of thousands of digital photos, all captured from galaxi

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

People silhouetted on a Spanish beach watching the sun begin to be eclipsed by the moon during a dramatic sunset.
Space & Astronomy

Top Spanish Beaches for 2026 Solar Eclipse Viewing

Barcelona, a major Spanish city, will only experience a 99% partial eclipse during the 2026 total solar event, missing the full spectacle.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

A high school student using an AI algorithm on a laptop to analyze cosmic radio burst data, with a backdrop of stars and nebulae.
Deep Frontiers

Student's AI pinpoints star system behind cosmic radio bursts

In 2026, a high school student’s AI algorithm, designed on his laptop, helped an international team of astronomers pinpoint the elusive source of mysterious long-period radio transients.

Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A visual representation of a cyclic universe, showing collapsing and expanding galaxies, with increasing lines of entropy making each cycle more disordered.
Deep Frontiers

Entropy Undermines Cyclic Universe Theory

Each subsequent cosmic cycle would be 'dirtier' and longer than the last, a profound challenge for cyclic universe models.

Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

Jason Momoa as Lobo in the Supergirl film, showcasing his character's newly added sharp metallic claws on his gloves.
Space & Astronomy

Jason Momoa Shapes Lobo's Look for Supergirl Film

Just weeks before the Supergirl movie's release, a whisper from the set became a roar: actor Jason Momoa, embodying the notorious Lobo, made a last-minute demand for claws on his character's gloves.

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

The damaged NASA Deep Space Station 14 antenna at Goldstone, showing buckled supports and shredded cabling after a catastrophic over-rotation.
Space & Astronomy

NASA Completes Goldstone Antenna Mishap Investigation Report

On September 16, 2025, a critical link to missions like Juno snapped.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

Organ chips containing bone marrow cells from Artemis II astronauts orbiting the Moon, with Earth visible in the background.
Deep Frontiers

Artemis II astronauts' organ chips orbit Moon

Organ chips containing bone marrow cells from Artemis II astronauts flew around the Moon.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read

NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft in flight, demonstrating its capability for quiet supersonic travel.
Space & Astronomy

NASA's X-59 aircraft achieves first supersonic flight

On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft shattered the sound barrier at Mach 1.

Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read

Satellite imagery showing elevated and warm ocean currents off the coast of Peru, indicating an El Niño precursor event.
Deep Frontiers

New Satellite Data Tracks 2026 El Niño Precursor Events

By mid-May 2026, satellite data revealed seas around Peru surged more than 5.

Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min read

NASA scientist analyzing a glowing meteorite sample, with a backdrop of stars and the cosmos, symbolizing the extraterrestrial origin of Earth's life-essential elements.
Earth & Environment

NASA scientists discover how Earth gained life's essential elements

Scientists have confirmed hexamethylenetetramine (HMT), a key precursor to complex organic molecules, in three carbon-rich meteorites.

Jun 4, 2026 · 4 min read

NASA's Curiosity rover drills into the Martian surface at a location named 'Campo Marte,' collecting its 47th rock sample.
Earth & Environment

Curiosity rover drills 'Campo Marte,' completing 47th sample on Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover recently zapped its laser for the 1 millionth time on Mars, a testament to its decade-long, relentless pursuit of Martian secrets.

Jun 4, 2026 · 2 min read

Astronauts in advanced lunar spacesuits conduct a simulated spacewalk training exercise on a lunar surface, with Earth visible in the background.
Space & Astronomy

Scott Wray Leads Artemis Spacewalk Training for Lunar Missions

In July 2013, a space station spacewalk abruptly terminated.

Jun 2, 2026 · 3 min read

The James Webb Space Telescope in orbit, focusing its instruments on the distant, temperate gas giant exoplanet TOI-199b, highlighting the detection of methane.
Deep Frontiers

JWST Detects Methane in Atmosphere of Temperate Exoplanet TOI-199b

On a world the size of Saturn, bathed in a balmy 79 degrees Celsius, the James Webb Space Telescope has pierced the veil of exoplanet TOI-199b, pinpointing methane, a fundamental organic molecule.

Jun 1, 2026 · 3 min read

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in orbit, its infrared mirror reflecting the vastness of space, with Earth in the background.
Space & Astronomy

Roman Telescope's infrared mirror is ready for flight

The average bump on the primary mirror surface for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is only 1.

Jun 1, 2026 · 4 min read

Two exoplanets with long orbital periods discovered around a very young star, challenging current models of planetary formation and migration.
Earth & Environment

Astronomers find longest period young transiting exoplanets

Around a star barely 15 million years old, two newly discovered exoplanets trace orbits of 225 and 314 days.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A Starship spacecraft lands on the lunar surface near a developing moon base, with Earth visible in the background.
Space & Astronomy

This Week In Space Podcast Discusses Starship Moon Base Plans

Blue Origin expects to spend over $7 billion developing its lunar lander, more than double the $3.

May 31, 2026 · 3 min read