How cool is this? Someone “looking over photos of galaxies on the Internet” might have discovered a new type of object in space.

CNN.com

Van Arkel is a 25-year-old schoolteacher in Heerlen, The Netherlands, not an astrophysicist. But her startling find — a mysterious and unique object some observers are calling a “cosmic ghost” — has captivated astronomers and even caught the attention of the Hubble Space Telescope, which has agreed to take a closer look next year.

My favorite thing about reports like this is that we always assume life has to be like us.

CNN.com

NASA’s Phoenix lander has discovered a toxic chemical in soil near Mars’ north pole, dimming hopes for finding life on the Red Planet, the probe’s operators said Monday.

The chemical, perchlorate, is an oxidant widely used in solid rocket fuel. Researchers are still puzzling over the results and checking to make sure the perchlorate wasn’t carried to Mars from Earth, the University of Arizona-based science team said.

Sheesh!

NYTimes.com

Wondering what airlines will charge you for next? Try pillows and blankets.

JetBlue Airways said Monday that it would sell a pillow and blanket set for $7 on flights of two hours or more. The set, which passengers can take home, includes a 10-by-12 inch pillow and a fleece blanket, which fit into a carrying case.

The kits also come with a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond.

Now that it has begun selling the kit, JetBlue has done away with the pillows and blankets it used to distribute.