Russell Deeks
Science writer
Russell Deeks is a freelance journalist specialising in science and technology. He has been an occasional contributor to BBC Sky at Night Magazine since 2006.
Recent articles by Russell Deeks
From the Cold War to Artemis – 20 of the bravest astronauts who ever donned a spacesuit
15 astronauts who had the right stuff, and more
To boldly go... The story of astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space
The story of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
Gravity in space? Despite what you may think, there's loads of it
The force we call gravity is everywhere and affecting everything.
Ever seen the 'spiders' on Mars? Strange features are as big as 35 basketball courts. Scientists have worked out what they are
It turns out David Bowie was right: there really are spiders on Mars! These ones, though, aren’t eight-legged creepy-crawlies, but rather a geological phenomenon. Spiders on Mars are really a geological phenomenon called ‘araneiform terrain’, if you want to get all technical about it. More on Mars All the same, look at pictures of the Martian surface by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter or Mars Express missions. These little black bobs do indeed look like dozens of spiders crawling around. What causes spiders on Mars The 'spiders' on Mars aren't really spiders, of course. Spiders on Mars are a seasonal feature
'What the heck is this?' Webb Telescope finds diamond-raining planet that defies explanation
Eggnog is out! Here's how astronauts really spend Christmas in space
Yes, your Christmas lights CAN be seen from space – just ask NASA
This strange butterfly-shaped cloud in space is what our Sun may look like in 5 billion years
Tonight the Moon is closer to Earth than at any other time. Here's why it happens
21 coolest things in space
Our pick of some of the coolest things in space that we know of.
A guide to the planets | Neptune
Despite being the farthest planet from the Sun, Neptune's winds blow stronger than any hurricane on Earth.
There's an ancient version of planet Earth hidden all around us. Here's how scientists found it
This mountaintop lab just fired a laser into the sky to talk to a distant spacecraft
Think you know where the Sun rises and sets? You may not have the full picture
A guide to the planets | Saturn
Saturn's rings make it the most eye-catching planet in the Solar System
How long it takes light from the Sun to reach Earth
The answer is either 8 minutes 20 seconds or thousands of years, depending on how you look at it!
Why Earth has seasons, and what causes them
How does Earth's orbit around the Sun cause the changes from spring to summer to autumn to winter?
Gallery | Venus
Facts about Venus and images of the hellish planet captured by astrophotographers.
Dark side of the Moon? There's no such thing. Here's why
Donut Earth
No, Jupiter isn't a failed star, despite what you may have heard. Here's why
10 closest stars to Earth, from red dwarfs to multi-systems and those invisible to the naked eye
Schumann resonances explained
