SUNSET: 
The Moon Deimos Might Be a Piece of Mars
Surprising new results from the United Arab Emirates' Hope probe call the origin of Mars's smaller moon into question.
The James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Fomalhaut's Disk In Unprecedented Detail
Continuing its run of ground-breaking discoveries, the James Webb Space Telescope has snapped the clearest images yet of the dusty disk around the young star Fomalhaut.
Second Ring Around Quaoar Puzzles Astronomers
There's a second ring around the far-out dwarf planet Quaoar, adding to the mystery of how this world hosts rings at such wide orbits.
Four of Uranus's Moons Might Contain Briny Oceans
Four of Uranus's five icy moons likely contain a thin layer of briny (or otherwise enriched) water, astronomers have concluded from Voyager 2 data.
Astronomers Find the Remains of the Universe’s First Stars
The first stars are too faint and far away to detect directly, but their gaseous remains can be seen absorbing the light of distant galaxies.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 5 – 14
Big, macho Venus is closing in on wimpy little Mars in the western sky at dusk. Venus says hi to M35 on the way. In early dawn, the waning Moon guides the way to Saturn.
The Sun's Ramping Up Activity — But Still Weaker Than in the Past
The Sun has recently experienced an uptick in activity, with lots of sunspots accompanied by flares, coronal mass ejections, and visible auroras — but experts still expect a mild solar cycle.
Star Caught Swallowing a Planet
For the first time, astronomers have witnessed a star eat an exoplanet.
Magnets Are Bad News for Meteorites
Common handheld magnets can erase crucial data in ancient meteorites.
Distorted Galaxy Hints at the Nature of Dark Matter
Astronomers analyzed the gravitationally lensed image of a distant galaxy to test the nature of dark matter.
May: Leo is King in Late Spring
This month’s episode takes you on a guided tour of the key stars and planets that you’ll see on May evenings — a fun and informative way to introduce yourself to the nighttime sky!
Where to Look for Life: Homing in on the Habitable Zone
Scientists are refining the definition of the habitable zone in an effort to aid future efforts at finding life.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 28 – May 7
The Arch of Spring across the west enfolds Mars and Venus. Wintry Sirius nears its heliacal setting low in the southwest. The Summer Triangle stars come into view one by one in the east.
Celebrate Astronomy Day This Weekend!
On Saturday, April 29, 2023, come out and celebrate Astronomy Day! Here are some easy ways that you can explore the sky.
Totality “Down Under”
When the Moon’s shadow swept across Earth on April 20th, tens of thousands traveled to Australia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia to witness the celestial spectacle.
First Image of Black Hole Shadow and Jet Together
For the first time, astronomers have seen how the big plasma jet shot out by a supermassive black hole connects to the material falling into the black hole.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Japanese Mission Attempts Moon Landing, Falls Silent (Update)
The Hakuto R lander, built by Tokyo-based iSpace, was to be a commercial mission to the Moon, but it has yet to phone home on landing day.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 21 – 30
The Moon hops past Venus and then Mars. Hydra snakes up, the Pointers point down, and the Arch of Spring spans the west.
Travel Diary: The Skies and Astronomical Sights of Hawai'i
Last March, S&T editor Diana Hannikainen accompanied a group of stargazers to the islands of Hawai'i on an astronomical adventure.
Explore the Night with Bob King
See the Young Moon and the Lyrid Meteor Shower
We have an exciting week ahead with a crescent Moon that might break your observing record followed by a well-timed Lyrid meteor shower.