Signal Found from Supermassive Duo's Second Black Hole
Astronomers have long suspected that a distant quasar harbors not one but two supermassive black holes. They've now detected OJ 287's second black hole.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 16 – 25
Venus and Mars are getting closer together in the western dusk. And why does Mars always turn so puny when it approaches Venus? The "Betelgeuse of Summer" is up, and the Little Dipper stands on end.
Eking Out Observing from under Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has made observing the night sky a challenge for many. Here are some ways you can make the best of a bad situation.
Parker Solar Probe Detects Source of Solar Wind
The Sun flings charged particles and accompanying magnetic fields into the solar system, but how? NASA's Parker Solar Probe dives in to find out.
Could Supermassive Stars Explain How This Galaxy Got Its Nitrogen?
Supermassive stars might explain the unusual amounts of nitrogen in one of the most distant known galaxies, GN-z11.
How Soon Will Betelgeuse Blow?
A new study making the rounds predicts that supergiant Betelgeuse will explode as a supernova sooner rather than later, but others are urging caution.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 9 – 18
Now it's Venus's turn to pass the Beehive, with Leo looming over. The Summer Triangle lofts high. And the supernova in M101, near the Big Dipper, remains 11th magnitude.
Where to See the Two Great North American Eclipses
The October 2023 and April 2024 solar eclipses will thrill millions of North Americans. These maps will enlighten and inspire viewers for the events to come.
Owen Jay Gingerich, 1930–2023
Owen Jay Gingerich, well-known historian of astronomy and contributor to Sky & Telescope for more than half a century, died on May 28, 2023.
James Webb Space Telescope Uncovers Hundreds of Galaxies in Early Universe
In the JWST version of the Hubble Deep Field, astronomers are discovering what galactic life was like in the earliest years of the universe.
We Could Soon “Hear” the Gravitational Waves of Dying Stars
Massive, dying stars — behemoths tens of times the Sun's mass — should emit gravitational waves that we can hear with LIGO.
Psyche on Track for October Launch to Metal-rich Asteroid
After a year's delay, NASA's Psyche mission to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name is on track for a launch in October 2023.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 2 – 11
Venus shining in the dusk says goodbye to Pollux, hello to Mars. . . which is busy crossing the Beehive Cluster. Arcturus stands straight over Spica after dark, and Kochab stands straight over Polaris, it's that time of year.
Find a Horizon and Savor the Bending of Light
The full Strawberry Moon on June 3rd invites us to experience the refractive power of Earth's atmosphere.
NASA Panel Talks Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
NASA has held its first public meeting with its panel investigating Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. The panel will publish a full report in July.
June: Solstice Nights & Summer Sights
June offers the shortest nights of the year for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere. So count on our monthly Sky Tour podcast to help you get the most out your casual stargazing. It’s a fun and informative way to introduce yourself to the nighttime sky!
Does This Star Cluster Host a Black Hole in Its Core?
The well-known star cluster Messier 4 might have an elusive, midsize black hole hidden at its center, but the evidence isn’t conclusive yet.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
United Arab Emirates Announces New Mission to the Asteroid Belt
An ambitious new mission from the United Arab Emirates would fly closely and speedily by seven main-belt asteroids.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 26 – June 4
Venus starts the week under Pollux and Castor, then lines up with them. Nearby, Mars steps on the Beehive. In the south the Bootes kite flies high.
Red Galaxies at Night, Astronomers' Delight: A Look at the “Hubble-Dark” Universe
JWST images of early galaxies have turned up a population of flat, red disks that may have been entirely missed by previous surveys.