SUNSET: 
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 20 – 29
In this dark-of-the-Moon week, the Cygnus Milky Way crosses the zenith, and Arcturus, Capella, and Fomalhaut come to a certain balance.
The Decade-long Hunt for Arrokoth, a Strange New World in the Outer Solar System
Almost 10 years ago, New Horizons finally zipped by Pluto, returning fantastic images. But then it needed a new destination.
Black Hole's Colossal Jets Pierce the Cosmic Void
A pair of black hole jets powered by a supermassive black hole span far beyond their host galaxy — potentially affecting the cosmic web around it.
Harvest Moon Takes a Quick Dip in Earth's Shadow for a Partial Lunar Eclipse
September's partial lunar eclipse will be the first and only time the Moon ducks into Earth's umbral shadow in 2024. The Moon also occults Saturn and hides members of the Pleiades this month.
Tiny Glass Beads Reveal Signs of Recent Volcanism on the Moon
Glass beads in samples from China’s Chang’e 5 mission show that volcanic eruptions occurred on the Moon within the past 120 million years or so.
See the Photos that Won the Royal Observatory Greenwich's Astronomy Photographer of the Year Awards
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has announced the winners of the 16th annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.
Jupiter’s Moon Io Has a Giant New Volcano
NASA’s Juno mission has spotted a new volcano on Jupiter’s pockmarked moon, Io.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 13 – 22
The Moon occults Saturn before dawn on Tuesday morning, then the Moon skims the edge of Earth's shadow for a partial lunar eclipse that evening. Meanwhile, Jupiter and Mars shine in fine view late at night.
Update: Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Might Outshine Predictions
A new brightness forecast for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS whets our hopes for a fine appearance in late September and early October.
Astronomers Watch a Giant Star Blow Bubbles
Astronomers can see hot gas boiling on the surface of the giant star R Doradus, 180 light-years away.
Astronomers and Starlink Partner for Quieter Radio Sky
Astronomers and Starlink engineers have developed a technique to significantly reduce satellite radio pollution affecting astronomical observations.
Solar Probe Duo Unravel Solar Wind Mystery
For decades, scientists have wondered what accelerates solar wind particles as they move away from the Sun. New evidence points to magnetic switchbacks.
Webb Telescope Images Massive Early Galaxies, Still Finding More Than Expected
Webb Telescope data are still turning up more massive galaxies in the early universe than astronomers expect.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, September 6 – 15
The Moon starts the week low in twilight with Venus and Spica, then steps eastward past Antares and the Sagittarius Teapot. Meanwhile, the recurrent nova in Corona Borealis is still keeping us waiting.
BepiColombo Mission Returns to Mercury for Best Flyby Views Yet
The BepiColombo mission has completed its fourth and closest pass yet of Mercury, giving us brand-new views of the planet's south pole region.
Solved: The Case of the Universe’s “Extra” Light
Astronomers may have finally solved the mystery of how dark space really is.
A Visiting Star Might Have Reshaped the Outer Solar System
Billions of years ago, the close pass of another star might have sculpted the outer regions of our solar system.
Partially Shredded Star Returns for a Second Go-round with Black Hole
A supermassive black hole has twice now grabbed gas from a passing star — and astronomers predict a third chance will come in early 2025.
September Podcast: Exploring Vega’s Neighborhood
Use this month’s Sky Tour podcast to check out a very special Harvest Moon, track down all five bright planets, explore some lesser-known constellations, and bounce around the Summer Triangle. It’s a great introduction to the late-summer sky, all in a friendly, informative narration that’s suitable for the whole family.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 30 – September 8
Low in twilight, climbing Venus and descending Spica prepare to pass each other. After dark Vega crosses the zenith, and Scorpius beds down. Mercury shines at dawn.
