Stars orbit black hole

The Black Hole Files with Camille Carlisle

Black Hole Scientists Win 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics

This year’s award goes to three researchers who played key roles in developing the theoretical and observational evidence for black holes.

Mars the magnificent

Explore the Night with Bob King

Behold Mars! The Best View Until 2035

After a two-years hiatus Mars returns big and bright at opposition on October 13th, its best apparition until September 2035.

Astrobotics

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Two Lunar Lander Missions for 2021

Two commercial landers are set to head to the Moon next year.

Caroline's Cluster

Explore the Night with Bob King

Explore Caroline Herschel's Celestial Showpieces

More than 200 years ago Caroline Herschel pointed her telescope at the heavens and discovered some of the finest deep-sky objects. Follow in her footsteps and see them for yourself.

Cassiopeia in Ha

Imaging Foundations with Richard Wright

Do Science With Your Astrophotography

Astrophotography can be its own reward, but there are ways to dig deeper. Here are some ways to do quantitative science with your images.

a small grey rock like object against a rocky terrain orange background

Cosmic Relief with David Grinspoon

Not From Around Here

NASA’s rovers have found meteorites on Mars that came from elsewhere. What secrets do they hold about Martian history and climate?

2020 QU6

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Amateur Astronomer Finds Kilometer-size Asteroid

A grant from the Planetary Society enabled an amateur astronomer's discovery of kilometer-size asteroid 2020 QU6.

NTB via Juno

Explore the Night with Bob King

Stormy Times on Jupiter, Comet Howell Steps Up, and More

Colder weather might be coming, but don't pack away that telescope! You'll miss a powerful storm that's remaking Jupiter's North Temperate Belt, a returning comet, Mira on the rise, and a bright supernova in the Great Bear.

Lick Observatory

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Historic Lick Observatory Survives California Fire

The Lick Observatory, a major astronomical institution outside San Jose, has survived a devastating California wildfire mostly unscathed.

OGO 1

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Half-ton OGO 1 Spacecraft Set to Reenter

NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory 1, a bus-sized relic of the early Space Age, is set to reenter in the coming week.

Algol

Explore the Night with Bob King

Take a Roller Coaster Ride with Algol, a Fast Eclipsing Binary

How would you like to see a star drop two magnitudes in the time it takes to eat dinner? Easy to do. Just check out one of these fast eclipsing binaries — they'll make your head spin.

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Iconic Arecibo Radio Dish Damaged

A broken support cable at the Arecibo radio observatory brings operations to a halt.

Supernova in a galaxy

Imaging Foundations with Richard Wright

The Scientific Value of "Pretty Pictures"

Even processed images still contain data that's of scientific value.

407 Perseid composite

Explore the Night with Bob King

Perseids Peak August 11–12 — Get Ready for the Show

The Perseid meteor shower is like no other. Every August it delivers up to 100 meteors an hour in pleasant weather conducive to getting outside and staying up late. What's more, most kids still aren't in school, making it possible for the entire family to enjoy the event.

Earth vs Hayabusa 2

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

Potential New Targets for Japan's Hayabusa 2 Mission

The Hayabusa 2 team has laid out a proposal for an extended mission to one of two asteroids after the spacecraft's sample return this December.

Perseverance launch

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

NASA Launches Perseverance Rover for Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover heads to the Red Planet.

Looking back at Pluto

Explore the Night with Bob King

Cool Off with Pluto This Summer

Pluto might be a challenging target but it's well worth the effort. Grab your telescope and see if you can spot this distant, chilly world.

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

China Launches Tianwen 1 Mars Mission

China launches its first Marsbound mission, Tianwen 1, which carries an ambitious orbiter, lander, and rover package.

Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson

United Arab Emirates Launches Mars Hope Orbiter

United Arab Emirates joins the "planetary space club" with an ambitious mission to Mars.

Sharing Comet NEOWISE

Explore the Night with Bob King

Comet NEOWISE Dazzles at Dusk

Comet NEOWISE has captivated skywatchers with its stunning tail. Now that it's moved into the evening sky and climbing higher each night even more people will get a chance to see it.