Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of Sept. 16, 2018.
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Most popular stories on GeekWire
Officials explain why they closed Sunspot Solar Observatory (and it wasn’t aliens)
After days of fighting rumors about alien visitations, the managers of the Sunspot Solar Observatory in New Mexico say they’re reopening the facility — and have shed more light on the reason for its 10-day security-related closure. … Read More
Japanese mini-rovers send back their first images as they hop around an asteroid
Two mini-rovers have sent their first pictures back from the surface of the asteroid Ryugu, a day after they were dropped off by Japan’s Hayabusa 2 spacecraft. … Read More
Nest’s digital health ambitions revealed in records from secretive purchase of Seattle startup Senosis
Google-owned Nest has been secretly laying the groundwork for a move into digital health products, a potential new line of business for a company that made its mark in smart thermostats and other connected home devices, according to previously confidential records obtained by GeekWire. … Read More
Bill and Melinda Gates warn ‘stunning progress’ toward reducing global poverty could stall for first time in decades
Since 1990, the percentage of people around the world living below the extreme poverty line has dropped from 36 to 9. … Read More
Financial analyst renews call for Amazon to spin off Amazon Web Services
With antitrust scrutiny growing around Amazon as it continues to impact nearly every sector of the economy, one financial analyst believes it is time for Amazon Web Services to become its own company. … Read More
Microsoft launches ‘groundbreaking’ Flagship School initiative with 17 schools globally
Microsoft is deepening its efforts in education by literally getting in on the ground floor. … Read More
Trucking startup Convoy reaches $1B valuation after huge $185M investment led by Google VC arm
After serving 14 years for the Royal Canadian Navy, Ira Lawrence was ready for a new adventure. … Read More
Here are more than 50 women VCs and angel investors backing startups in Seattle and Portland
Studies show that women-led startups outperform their male counterparts in revenue. … Read More
Here’s everything Amazon announced Thursday, from microwave to subwoofer to Alexa capabilities
Microwave. Subwoofer. Smart plug. In-car device. … Read More
Japan’s Hayabusa 2 probe drops off rovers at an asteroid and snaps a shadowy selfie
Japan’s Hayabusa 2 probe began the climactic phase of its mission overnight by sending out its first two rovers as it hovered less than 200 feet over an half-mile-wide asteroid, more than 180 million miles from Earth. … Read More