SUNSET: 
Gamma-Ray Bursts Size Up the Milky Way’s Spiral Arms
Observations of remote cosmic explosions reveal that the outer spiral arms of the Milky Way might extend farther out than previously thought.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 17 – 26
The crescent Moon visits Venus in twilight. After dark, we're in the peak month for "the Orion of Summer" with its Cat's Eyes. And cold-weather Cassiopeia is already poking up.
First Atmosphere Detected on a Terrestrial World
A team of astronomers have discovered helium escaping from a rocky planet, marking the first detection of an atmosphere on a rocky world.
Famous System Has a Third Planet: Beta Pictoris d
Two teams of astronomers independently discovered a third giant gas planet orbiting in the famous Beta Pictoris system.
Observers Beware: Reflect Orbital’s Space Mirrors Approved for Launch
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the launch of Reflect Orbital's Earendil 1 satellite — a space mirror 18 meters wide designed to reflect sunlight to the ground.
"Rogue" Neptunes Are Detached But Not Alone
"Rogue" Neptune-size worlds might not roam the galaxy totally on their own, just very far away from their parent stars.
Euclid Telescope Finds Quasars Within 700 Million Years of the Big Bang
The sharp-eyed and far-seeing Euclid space telescope has picked up 31 early quasars that have evaded detection until now.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 10 – 19
The bright, distinctive pattern of Upper Scorpius is on its best display in the south right after nightfall. Telescopic treasures await. In the west, Regulus now departs from Venus.
Tianwen 2 Arrives at Quasi-Moon Kamoʻoalewa, Returns Images
China’s Tianwen 2 mission returns its close view of Earth's tiny "quasi-moon" Kamoʻoalewa.
Steamy Nights at the Galactic Equator
Here's an observing guide to both familiar and lesser-known deep-sky objects that inhabit our galaxy's equatorial zone.
Did a Passing Star Shower Us with Comets?
We might be living through a comet shower created by a star that millions of years ago jostled the Oort Cloud surrounding the solar system.
Hayabusa 2 Completes Flyby Past Asteroid Torifune
Japan’s Hayabusa 2 mission has revealed another "snowman" asteroid — a pair of asteroids attached with a narrow neck. The contact binary could help shed light on planet formation.
Meet the Cygnus, the High-Flying Swan
Meet Cygnus, the Swan, a high-flying constellation that looks like its namesake and has a rich mythological history.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 3 – 12
Regulus creeps up to Venus in twilight this week. Vega and Arcturus balance across the zenith. And this being July, Scorpius decorates the south.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Mission Launches to Rescue Swift Observatory
A daring mission will attempt to reach and save a key astrophysics observatory in low Earth orbit.
Cotton-Candy Exoplanets: Two for the Price of One!
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite has found two “super-puff” planets in the same system, each one as light as cotton candy.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
NASA Announces Four New Lunar Lander Missions for 2028
NASA has awarded contracts to three aerospace companies for four lunar landers to launch in 2028.
July Podcast: Spotlight on Spica
This month’s episode highlights the bright star Spica, now prominent high in the southwest after evening twilight. It’s leading the parade of constellations, along with the brilliant planet Venus, that will grace the Northern Hemisphere’s summer skies. You'll also get to know other brights stars in Spica’s vicinity, along with excellent tips on how to be a better stargazer. So grab curiosity and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory Begins Its Long-Awaited All-Sky Survey
The telescope should spot billions of astronomical objects in the next 10 years.
Radio Astronomers Measure a Brighter Sky Than They Expected
Astronomers have underestimated just how bright the low-frequency radio sky is, new measurements show.
