4421–4440 of 6,715 results

Astronomy & Observing News

A Promising White-Dwarf Binary

A team of scientists has found two white dwarfs locked in a close mutual orbit, providing an excellent chance to test Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Space Missions

Next Mars Rover Targets Gale Crater

When NASA launches the multibillion-dollar Curiosity rover toward Mars in November, it'll make a beeline for the floor of a large crater that geologists say once brimmed with liquid water.

People, Places, and Events

Massive Meteorite Found in China

A team of Chinese researchers trekked to a remote mountaintop in the Xinjiang region and identified one of the largest meteorites known.

Astronomy & Observing News

Inside Sky & Telescope's September 2011 Issue

Sky & Telescope's September 2011 issue is now available to digital subscribers.

Astronomy & Observing News

Sky & Telescope October 2011

Sky & Telescope's October 2011 issue is now available to digital subscribers.

occulation of Delta Scorpii September 3, 2011

Celestial News & Events

Watch a Star Wink Out on September 3rd

On the evening of Saturday, September 3rd, the dark edge of the Moon will cover the 2.3-magnitude star Delta Scorpii from the eastern and southern U.S. to northern Venezuela.

Solar System

A Closer Peek at Vesta

This week, Earth was hit by a barrage of intriguing images of Vesta — all courtesy of Dawn, NASA's latest asteroid orbiter!

Solar System

Hubble Spots New Moon Orbiting Pluto

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a new moon orbiting the icy planet Pluto.

Spektr-R in orbit

Space Missions

A New Radio Observatory in Space

With the long-awaited (and long-overdue) launch of Russia's Spektr-R spacecraft, radio astronomers can look forward to resolving never-before-possible details in the dynamic cores of active galaxies and other exotic targets.

Solar System

Dawn Arrives at Vesta

NASA's spacecraft Dawn entered orbit around Vesta on July 16th and is preparing for a year's observation of the second-largest body in the asteroid belt.

Solar System

Does Air Pollution Alter Lunar Eclipses?

Observations of June 15th’s total lunar eclipse suggest that smoggy skies over China created unusual patterns in the umbral glow on the Moon.

Celestial News & Events

Rare Occultation by a Double Asteroid

Early on Tuesday, July 19th, lucky observers along a 120-mile-wide path from north-central California to central Saskatchewan have a chance to watch a big, enigmatic double asteroid briefly cover a relatively bright star in Aquarius.

Even if you're nowhere near the path, one enterprising observer plans a live webcast of the view through his telescopes during the event.

Professional Telescopes

Messy Cleanup Awaits Subaru Telescope

It's always bad news when your coolant line ruptures and spews antifreeze everywhere. It's really bad news when the stuff leaks all over one of the world's largest telescopes.

Animation of Neptune rotating on its axis

Celestial News & Events

Neptune in Motion

Sky and Telescope's editor Sean Walker puts together NASA's anniversary images of Neptune to create a movie that shows a day on the blue planet.

Solar System

More on Saturn's Thunderstorm

Two studies reveal that the white smear across Saturn's northern face was caused by a deep seated thunder storm that discharged powerful lightning bolts for days on end.

People, Places, and Events

Remembering Tom Gehrels (1925-2011)

Dutch-born planetary scientist and asteroid hunter Tom Gehrels passed away on July 11th. Sky & Telescope contributing editor Govert Schilling shares his memories of a unique person.

In this image, Karkoschka modified the colors and contrasts to emphasize the planet’s atmospheric features.

Solar System

The Truth About Neptune's Spin

By tracking two visible features in Neptune's atmosphere, a University of Arizona astronomer has clocked a new spin rate for the blue planet. But does this mean the Voyager results from 1989 are wrong?

People, Places, and Events

Hail and Farewell, Atlantis!

Sky & Telescope's veteran space-science reporter muses on his long association with the Space Shuttle after witnessing its final launch at 10:29 a.m. EDT on Friday, June 8, 2011.

Celestial News & Events

Happy Birthday, Neptune!

On July 12th, Neptune completed one full circuit around the Sun since its discovery on the night of Sept 23-24, 1846.

Science and Space Policy

Will the Webb Telescope Be Canceled?

NASA's next-generation space observatory is already woefully over budget and behind schedule. But if Congressional money-minders have their way, the project will be killed outright in the months ahead.