SUNSET: 
Jupiter and Saturn Embrace in Solstice Conjunction
Jupiter and Saturn fashion the Great Conjunction of 2020 when they pair up on December 21st, the winter solstice. That evening they'll be closest in nearly 400 years.
Galileo: Work-from-home Wizard, and Other Tales from Lockdown
To give readers encouragement during difficult times, here are six moments in history when astronomers found themselves locked down with nowhere to go.
Celestial Cold Case: Why an Old Mystery Remains Unsolved
An amateur astronomer thought he had found the true identity of a mystery object identified — and then lost — in 1971.
Observing Earth from the Moon
Ever wondered what it would be like to see the Earth from the Moon? Join Bob King as he explores this from the perspective of the Apollo 17 astronauts.
Aboriginal Australians Observed Red Giant Stars’ Variability
New interpretations of oral accounts by Aboriginal Australians show that they included references to the variability of red giants Antares, Betelgeuse, and Aldebaran.
A Real Scorcher! — Sirius At Heliacal Rising
Make a connection to a time when stars were used to track seasons and predict natural events by watching the heliacal rising of Sirius.
The First Planetary Nebula Spectrum
Celebrate the anniversary of a revolutionary discovery by gathering with other astronomers to observe planetary nebulae in August's evening sky.
On the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 17
Forty years after the last human visitors departed the Moon aboard Apollo 17, space historian Andrew Chaikin talks about why we should return.
Transits of Venus: Deaths and Dilemmas
The colorful history of one of astronomy's rarest events — the transit of Venus — was discussed at the recent IAU conference in Beijing, China.
Running Around China and the IAU
Pluto, quasars, and total solar eclipses over Easter Island were just a few of the topics that came up at the close of the first week of the international astronomy conference in Beijing.
Transits of Venus in History: 1761
Read the next chapter in the history of the transit of Venus, the fantastic voyages in 1761.
Transits of Venus in History: 1769-today
Read the third and final chapter of transits of Venus in history, as the transits went from being a crucial scientific measurement to an observing curiosity.
Transits of Venus in History: 1631-1716
Read the full account — in three parts — of the history behind the upcoming transit of Venus.
Tom Johnson, 1923–2012
The genius who designed the modern Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and then shaped its role in changing the face of amateur astronomy, died on Tuesday.
In Memoriam, Star-style
Twenty-five years ago, a star exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The first easily seen supernova since before astronomers turned telescopes to study the heavens, the explosion heralded a new age of astronomy.
Closure for Copernicus
More than 4½ centuries after his death in 1543, Nicholas Copernicus received a hero's acclaim as his remains were interred in Frombork, Poland.
December 21, 2012
In case you haven't heard, there's a rumor going around that the world will end on December 21, 2012. Did the Mayans really predict the world would end then? Is the astronomy for real? Do we have anything to worry about? Not surprisingly, the answers are "no," "no," and "of course not."
The Case of the Stolen Sundial
During his time at Caltech in the 1930s, Russell Porter cast this beautiful sundial to adorn the campus. But it was stolen sometime during the 1970s — do you know where it is?
Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln
On February 12th, the United States celebrates the 200th birthday of the country's 16th president. Discover how celestial events highlighted his life.
NASA Turns 50: Take a Photo!
The U.S. space agency was founded 50 years ago today. You can celebrate by finding your favorite NASA photograph.
