SUNSET: 
Fourth Gravitational Wave Event Detected
Teaming up with LIGO, Europe’s Virgo detector has bagged its first gravitational waves. The three-observatory detection enabled scientists to better pinpoint the merging black holes’ location.
Osiris-REX Images Earth During Flyby
The asteroid-bound Osiris-REX mission took time during last Friday's gravity assist maneuver to look back at its homeworld.
Iconic Radio Telescope Begins 7-year Search for New Objects
A new survey promises the most complete map of radio-emitting celestial sources ever made. It will reveal thousands of new objects after seven years of observation.
Puffed-Up Hot Jupiter Is Surprisingly Dark
Researchers have found that a football-shaped, ultra-hot gas giant that’s being devoured by its host star is also one of the least reflective exoplanets ever found.
Some Cosmic Rays Come from Outside the Galaxy
Astronomers have detected more extremely energetic cosmic particles coming from one side of the sky than the other.
Osiris-REX to Fly by Earth on Friday
NASA's ambitious Osiris-REX asteroid sample return mission swings by Earth this Friday for a gravity assist en route to asteroid 101955 Bennu.
Supermassive Black Holes Discovered in Close Tango
Astronomers have found what could be the closest known pair of supermassive black holes detected via direct imaging, orbiting each other only a light-year apart.
The Seven Sister Stars of the Pleiades Are Pulsing, Kepler Finds
The Kepler satellite monitored thousands of stars, but the bright stars of the Pleiades largely remained out of its reach — until now.
An Atmosphere of Heavy Metals
Researchers have found strong evidence of titanium oxide in the atmosphere of a hot giant planet, adding new insights to the complex motions of these planets’ extreme atmospheres.
New Map of Water in Moon Dust
A new analysis maps out water across the lunar surface, revealing how its abundance changes with latitude.
Cassini Is Gone: Its Legacy and the Future
After 13 years of orbiting the Saturn system, and 4.9 billion miles logged, the Cassini mission has ended, vaporized on re-entry into the ringed planet.
Astrophotographer of the Year Awards
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the winners of the 9th annual Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.
Shockwaves Light up Stellar Explosions
Thermonuclear power sets off a type of stellar explosion known as a classical nova. Now, new research explains the mechanisms that cause these blasts to light up.
As Cassini Takes Its Final Plunge, What Will We Learn?
As Cassini dives into Saturn's atmosphere this Friday, ending 13 years of exploration, expect to probe the ringed planet's mysteries as never before.
First Pluto Features Officially Named
Two years after New Horizons captured the first high-resolution image of Pluto, the IAU releases official names for some of its features.
Eclipse Aftermath Brings Lawsuit Against Amazon
Counterfeit eclipse glasses created great confusion in the days prior to the solar eclipse. Luckily few cases of eye damage have been reported.
Giant Sunspots, Flares Presage Arrival of Solar Storm
Two big, naked-eye sunspot groups are putting on a splendid show this week. We're also in the crosshairs for a strong geomagnetic storm and possible auroras.
Nearby Stellar Traffic Twice as Heavy as Previously Thought
A new analysis shows that nearly 100 stars buzz our solar system every million years — an effect that can hurl regular cosmic hailstorms of comets toward Earth.
Cheers to 40 Years! Voyagers 1 and 2 Going Strong
Scientists and astronomy enthusiasts are coming together to celebrate two spacecraft, billions of miles beyond Earth, as they head for the stars.
Featured Image: The Cosmic Velocity Web
Have you ever considered the idea of a cosmic velocity web? Learn more about these intriguing visualizations from the study led by Daniel Pomarède.
