SUNSET: 
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
India Launches Aditya L1 Solar Observatory
India’s first dedicated solar science mission Aditya L1 heads spaceward.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 1 – 10
Vega culminates at the zenith around the end of twilight. Arcturus and the Dipper sink through the evening. Saturn and Jupiter rule the late-night hours, and Venus shines at dawn.
El Niño and the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
What will the ongoing El Niño event do to the chance of cloud cover along the 2024 total solar eclipse track?
The Moon Is "Blue" This Wednesday...Or Is It?
If skies are clear this Wednesday, you'll see the full Moon — but it's not the "true" Blue Moon.
Rubble-Pile Asteroid Bennu Has Layers
The asteroid Bennu is a so-called rubble pile, but new results from NASA's OSIRIS-Rex mission indicate this heap of rubble has layers.
Fast Radio Burst Roundup
They’re powerful, they’re fast, and we aren’t sure about what causes them, but astronomers are closer than ever to understanding the source of mysterious fast radio bursts.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 25 – September 3
Saturn comes to opposition. Vega crests at the zenith, while Arcturus declines in the west. Venus shines at dawn. Go out before dawn's very first light, and you get an Orion-starring preview of the evening sky at New Year's.
Solar Cycle May Trigger Clouds on Neptune
Nearly 30 years of observations indicate that Neptune’s clouds and brightness vary with the Sun’s activity.
New Comet Nishimura May Become Naked-Eye Bright
Comet Nishimura is quickly brightening in the morning sky and may be faintly visible with the naked eye next month. And on August 24th observers in North America will be treated to an occultation of Antares.
India’s Chandrayaan 3 Lands on the Moon; Russia's Luna 25 Crashes
In a first, India’s Chandrayaan 3 soft-lands in the lunar south pole region of the Moon.
2024 Total Solar Eclipse: 25 Events, Festivals, and Places to Stay
Some ideas for those who still need a place to go on April 8, 2024, to see the total solar eclipse.
Black Hole May Have Formed by Direct Collapse
Astronomers may have spotted a supermassive black hole in the early universe that formed when a gargantuan gas cloud imploded.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 18 – 27
The waxing Moon passes Spica and then will occult Antares for much of North America. Saturn reaches opposition this week. The Andromegasus Dipper scoops up as summer wanes.
Surf’s Up: Waves Might Be Breaking on This Star
An unusual star system that brightens and fades every month might have giant plasma waves breaking on its surface.
Astronomers Find Strange Star Is a Powerful Magnet
Astronomers have found a star that has a magnetic field rivaling the strongest magnet humans have ever built — and it might explain the origin of highly magnetic cinders known as magnetars.
How Rare Is a Solar Eclipse?
There are two solar eclipses every year — so why are they so rare?
What Mud Cracks Mean for Life on Mars
Mud cracks are evidence for sustained wet-dry cycles on ancient Mars, which might have provided conditions amenable to life (with caveats).
Explore the Night with Bob King
Get Ready for a Great Perseid Meteor Shower
The Perseids are here! With no Moon to spoil the show it's time to break out the lawn chairs, sit back, and watch the comet dust fly.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 11 – 20
The Perseid meteors come rushing in, and peak Perseid night ends with the waning crescent Moon triangulating Castor and Pollux. Vega and Sagittarius culminate after dark. Scorpius lays itself down.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Russia Heads for the Moon for the First Time Since 1976
The launch of Russia’s Luna 25 lander heralds the nation’s return to lunar and planetary exploration.
