SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 27 – January 5
Jupiter, high in the east these evenings, highlights the Aldebaran region of Taurus. The crescent Moon pairs with Venus, then Saturn. Mercury is having its best dawn apparition of 2024.
60-second Astro News: Black Holes and Funding Woes
In this week’s roundup, astronomers wait for a decision about their next-generation megascopes, wonder if big black holes hibernated early on, and find a stellar binary in a challenging environment.
How To Get Started with that New Telescope
How to start successfully with your new telescope — a guide to what you need to know, how to set it up, and things you can start finding with it in tonight’s sky.
New Resource for Exploring All 88 Constellations
If you’d like to roam the entire celestial sphere virtually, check out a new collection of downloadable high-resolution images of all 88 constellations.
Parker Solar Probe Swings By Sun in Closest Approach Yet
A Christmas Eve pass will take the Parker Solar Probe closer to the Sun than ever before.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 20 – 29
Orion now rises in twilight, seemingly enlarged by the Moon illusion. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars span the evening sky. And here comes another weird pattern of Jupiter's moons.
No Magma Ocean For Io, Jupiter’s Volcano-Covered Moon
Io, the innermost of Jupiter’s four largest Galilean moons, is covered with hundreds of volcanoes, some shooting lava fountains dozens of miles high. But what kind of interior could drive this magma fury? After NASA’s Juno orbiter made two close flyovers of Io, planetary scientists now think they know. Ever…
Meet the Taurus Constellation: The Ancient Bull
Taurus, the Bull, is a constellation that has been around for centuries, possibly even millennia.
Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3) Kicks off the New Year — What to Expect
The Southern Hemisphere should get a good show of Comet ATLAS (C/2024 G3). Mid-northern latitude observers not so much.
Perseverance Reaches Rim of Jezero Crater
It’s been a long upward climb for NASA’s premier rover. But the commanding view — and the geology — were worth it.
The Webb Telescope Reveals a "Featherweight Giant" Planet
When JWST looked at what was supposed to be a hot Jupiter, it found something else instead: a fluffy, shrinking planet that’s more like Neptune.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 13 – 22
The full Moon will line up with Jupiter and Aldebaran . . . but how well for you? Saturn gets right (angled) with Fomalhaut and Venus. Saturn's two largest moons will form a double star, and three of Jupiter's moons will triangulate.
See NASA's Lucy Mission Fly Past Earth Tonight
NASA’s Lucy mission makes another visit to Earth Thursday night, en route to explore the Trojan asteroids.
Don't Let the Bright Moon Ruin Your Geminids
Strategies for making the most of this week's Moon-soaked Geminid meteor shower.
Webb Telescope Shows Unexpectedly Crowded Asteroid Belt
A new analysis of archival Webb telescope data reveals small asteroids in the main asteroid belt are far more numerous than thought.
You're Invited to Jupiter's Big, Bright Opposition Bash
Don't let the cold keep you inside — Jupiter beckons with a brand new storm!
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 6 – 15
The Moon this week shines with Saturn at first quarter, then with Jupiter when full. No surprise; the two giant planets are almost exactly 90° apart. Jupiter is at opposition, and Saturn is at quadrature.
More Unusual Jovian Satellite Lineups
In the coming weeks, Jupiter’s four Galilean satellites will arrange themselves in some unusual geometric patterns that will be fascinating to observe.
Proba 3 Mission Launches to See the Solar Corona
The pioneering observatory will use two spacecraft to create artificial solar eclipses from Earth orbit in order to study the solar corona.
Ancient Venus Didn’t Have Oceans After All
Astronomers have poured cold water on the idea that Venus once hosted oceans on its surface, suggesting instead that the planet's interior has been dry for most of its history.
