I have a new post on my Across the Universe blog for the Guardian:

“Even if Nasa's Kepler space telescope is coming to the end of its mission, the search for other Earths will continue

The Kepler space telescope is in trouble. On Tuesday, during one of their regular twice-weekly communications slots, Nasa scientists found the telescope in "safe mode".

An investigation has now revealed that a stabilising wheel has broken. This led the telescope to place itself in the protective, low-power mode. Without this wheel, the telescope cannot point precisely at its targets.

Although it's a little early to be writing Kepler's obituary, the signs are not good. ...”

You can read the full article here.