SUNSET: 
Asteroid Won't Hit Earth, But Might Hit Moon — a Potential Science Bonanza
2024 YR4 is no longer a danger for Earth, and a (small) chance of a lunar impact could provide great science data.
North to the Aurora!
If the aurora won't come to you, go to it. The story of my quest to see the polar lights.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Second Intuitive Machines Mission Heads to the Moon
The space company Intuitive Machines is making their second bid for the Moon, which includes the launch of the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1).
Why Is Mars Red?
Martian dust is red because of rust — but the rust on Mars is not the same iron oxide mineral found on Earth.
Record-breaking Ghost-like Particle Found in the Mediterranean Sea
A detector deep under the Mediterranean Sea has found the most energetic neutrino ever observed, igniting questions about the particle's origin.
Window into Hot Jupiter Reveals Multilayered Winds
The hot, inflated atmosphere of Jupiter-mass planet WASP-121b undergoes surprising changes under the close heat of its star, new data reveal.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 21 – March 2
Venus, after standing alone, is joined by the crescent Moon and low little Mercury in twilight late this week. Higher in the night, Jupiter and Mars continue in their distinctive triangles.
Euclid Discovers Einstein Ring Around Nearby Galaxy
The Euclid space telescope has uncovered an "Einstein ring" in an unexpected place — a nondescript galaxy we've known for more than a century.
Release of 4,000 Supernovae to Aid Cosmology
A new survey contains 3,628 Type Ia supernovae — the exploding white dwarfs that astronomers use as cosmological toeholds to gauge our expanding universe.
Meet Almaaz, the Billy Goat Star
Almaaz, also called Epsilon Aurigae, is among the weirder stars of the night sky — a supergiant with a dust-enshrouded companion.
Cracking Crusts Might Set Neutron Star Speed Limit
New research explores how the cracking of a neutron star’s crust might determine how fast these extreme stellar remnants can spin.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 14 – 23
Jupiter makes a triangle with Aldebaran and the Pleiades. Mars makes a nicer triangle with Pollux and Castor. The pre-dawn Moon hangs with Spica, then Antares.
A Rare Kind of White Dwarf Could Foster Habitable Worlds
Extra amounts of an uncommon element — neon-22 — could re-energize some white dwarfs, and potentially make the systems habitable.
See Crescent Venus This Valentine's Day
In a delightful cosmic coincidence, Venus will shine brightest on Valentine's Day.
Glenn Schneider, 1955–2025
Astronomy has lost one of its most passionate chasers of total solar eclipses with the passing of astronomer Glenn Schneider.
European Solar Orbiter Traces Origin of Solar Wind
Using the Solar Orbiter, scientists think they’ve pinpointed the locations near the Sun where particles are thrown into the solar wind.
New Rover Will Head to the Moon in VIPER's Place
The company Venturi Astrolab will take the slot left vacant on Griffin Mission One, which could head to the Moon later this year.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, February 7 – 16
Watch the bright Moon step past Mars, Castor, and Pollux. They bunch up on Sunday evening the 9th. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, "full moon" spans two evenings.
The Nine-Ringed, Record-Breaking Bullseye Galaxy
Serendipity led to astronomers finding a galaxy surrounded by an unprecedented number of star-filled rings.
Best Double Stars in the Pleiades Cluster
Like a gift that keeps on giving, the Pleiades is also home to several fine double and triple stars for small telescopes. Plus, details of a rare comet occultation on Feb. 5.
