SUNSET: 
Thermonuclear Blast
The Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals the aftermath of supernova.
Too Few Lunar Meteorites
We find as many chunks of Mars lying on Earth as chunks of the Moon — even though the Moon is closer and loses pieces more easily. Something is amiss.
Comet Juels-Holvorcem Visible at Dawn
The comet has brightened considerably since its discovery in late 2002 and is now an easy binocular object in the constellation Andromeda.
Radiation Dangers for Mars Astronauts Downgraded
An experiment onboard Mars Odyssey suggests that radiation isn't as big a concern for Mars astronauts as once thought.
Jupiter's Weather Gets Clearer
During its flyby of Jupiter, the Cassini spacecraft found that Jupiter's weather is far more complex than previously thought.
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in 2003
With our detailed charts, you'll be able to locate the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto the rest of the year.
Lumicon Returns
After closing its doors last year, Lumicon will be back in business in the coming months.
Astro News Briefs: March 10–16
Yet More Moons for Jupiter March 11, 2003 | Hot on the heels of last week's announcement, Scott Sheppard (University of Hawaii) has added to Jupiter's satellite tally yet again, having found four more, bringing the planet's moon count to 52. These latest moonlets were announced by the International Astronomical…
How Bright Was History's Brightest Supernova?
The dazzling supernova of the year 1006 amazed the medieval world. Now astronomers have pinned down its distance and brightness.
Lunar Flash Doesn't Pan Out
A fresh-looking crater on the Moon seemed to confirm that a bright "impact" on the Moon was seen firsthand in 1953 — but new evidence proves otherwise.
Goodbye, Galileo
The intrepid Galileo orbiter has been shut down permanently awaiting its burial into Jupiter's atmopshere.
Britain's Sir Patrick Moore at 80
British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore celebrates his 80th birthday with the launch of his long-awaited autobiography. Michèle Brown, director of publishing for Contender Books, holds a copy of 80 Not Out.Courtesy Adrian R. Ashford. During a party held at the prestigious Athenaeum Club in London's Pall Mall on the evening…
Astro News Briefs: March 3–9
An earthquake rattles Bib Bear's solar scopes.
Large Sunspot Visible
After being nearly featureless for several weeks, the solar face now sports a large sunspot.
Catching Ancient Stardust
Tiny grains blown off from stars that existed before the solar system formed are sifting down all around us.
Astro News Briefs: February 24–March 2
ALMA radio telescope gets green light, and a Mars rover "lands" in Florida.
Astronomy & Observing News
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Solving Mars's
Polar-Ice Puzzle
Although scientists have long suspected that the south polar cap of Mars was a giant reservoir of water ice, they've only recently had the evidence to prove it.
Martian Gullies Revisited
The 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft captured this image showing Martian gullies and a 'pasted-on' feature that has been interpreted to be snow on the shadowed sides of the crater.Courtesy NASA/JPL/ASU. Mars Odyssey, the latest orbiter to map the red planet, is continuing to earn its stripes. In a recent paper…
Astro News Briefs: February 10–16
An "interior" asteroid a new solar space telescope.