Astronomy

Cool Finds

Chilean Telescope Takes Deepest Look Into the Cosmos Yet

In the process, researchers discovered 72 new galaxies and details on 1,600 more

December 4, 2017

New Research

The First Interstellar Object Seen Buzzing by Earth Is Pretty Weird

Roughly the size of a football field, the object is roughly 10 times longer than it is wide

November 20, 2017

Trending Today

In Attempt to Contact Intelligent Life, Group Sends Musical Signal Toward Planet GJ 273b

Though the chances are slim, the team hopes this latest transmission is just the first of many

November 17, 2017

Leonid Meteor Shower Will Streak Through Skies This Weekend

Expect 10 to 25 shooting stars per hour as the planet passes through the debris of comet Tempel-Tuttle

November 15, 2017

Cool Finds

Earth-Sized Planet Detected Just 11 Light Years Away

Orbiting the star Ross 128, our new planetary neighbor is thought to be temperate, with days up to a balmy 68 degrees Fahrenheit

November 15, 2017

New Research

A “Zombie” Star Is Refusing to Die

The supernova has been flaring for more than 600 days—and it may be the second time that the star has exploded

November 9, 2017

Three Things to Know About Benjamin Banneker’s Pioneering Career

Banneker was a successful almanac-maker and self-taught student of mathematics and astronomy

November 9, 2017

Astronomers Spot One of the Oldest Galaxies in the Universe

The dusty, star-forming galaxy is 12.8 billion years old

November 8, 2017

New Research

How Scientists Identified the Oldest Known Solar Eclipse … Using the Bible

The new research by two physicists adds to astronomical knowledge—and overturns previous Biblical interpretations

November 7, 2017

Here’s Why Washington’s Beloved Air and Space Museum Is Facing a Sweeping Seven-Year Upgrade

The museum will remain open as it works to enhance the visitor’s experience

November 7, 2017

New Research

Our Nearest Neighbor Might Harbor Its Own Solar System

New data from Proxima Centauri shows it has a ring of cold dust—a sign that many planets may orbit the distant star

November 6, 2017

New Research

Jupiter’s Auroras Are Surprisingly Out of Sync

X-ray bursts from the poles are expected to line up, but the south is regular while the north produces haphazard bursts

November 2, 2017

Cool Finds

Rare Mariner’s Astrolabe Found in Shipwreck Near Oman

Contrary to some reports, it may not be the earliest-known marine navigational tool—but it’s still a spectacular find

October 26, 2017

Trending Today

Look Up: The Orionid Meteor Shower Will Streak Through Skies This Weekend

Bits of Halley’s Comet are raining down on Earth, and the show will peak in the wee hours of Saturday morning

October 20, 2017

Scientists Spot the Spark From Ancient Collision of Neutron Stars

The chirp and flash from the event offers clues to the origin of Earth’s precious metals

October 16, 2017

New Research

Scientists Peek Across the Galaxy to the “Dark Side” of the Milky Way

Until now, researchers haven’t been able to map half of the galaxy we call home

October 13, 2017

Cool Finds

World’s Largest Radio Telescope Spies Its First Pulsars

Still in its trial run, the China’s FAST radio telescope has already identified two new pulsars and perhaps a dozen more

October 12, 2017

How a 1604 Supernova Presented a Challenge to Astronomers

The supernova provided proof to Galileo, Kepler and others that the heavens were not fixed–although they were wrong about what caused the bright star

October 9, 2017

Trending Today

An October Harvest Moon Rises Tonight

The full moon closest to the equinox rises soon after sunset, casting a glow early evening that helps farmers bring in their crops

October 5, 2017

Trending Today

Controversial Hawaiian Telescope Gets State Approval

The long-delayed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea faces opposition from native Hawaiian groups and environmentalists

October 3, 2017