SUNSET: 
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.
No Intermediate-Mass Black Hole for Omega Centauri?
Last month, astronomers discovered a giant black hole in Omega Centauri. But it might contain a swarm of stellar-mass black holes instead.
Flight into Darkness — Observe the International Space Station in Earth's Shadow
Did you know you can see the International Space Station even when it's in Earth's shadow? We explore possible reasons why.
See the Surface of Polaris, the North Star
New data from an array of telescopes has enabled astronomers to visualize the surface of the North Star, Polaris.
Event Horizon Telescope Pushes Toward Sharper Images
The worldwide network of radio dishes has achieved the highest resolution ever obtained from Earth’s surface.
Observers’ Report: First Views of the Chinese “Thousand Sails” Satellites
Amateur astronomers have shown that the first satellites of the Chinese Qianfan (“Thousand Sails”) constellation are bright enough to be seen naked-eye.
Loosening the Hubble Tension
New James Webb Space Telescope observations may have done with one of the longest-standing tensions in cosmology.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 23 – September 1
We're in peak Milky Way season, and the evenings have become dark and moonless. Andromegasus is up. So is Saturn. Before dawn, the late-risen Moon passes over Jupiter and Mars.
See Amazing Images from First-Ever Earth-Moon Flyby
The European mission to Jupiter's icy moons provided us with some amazing views closer to home, of Earth and the Moon.
Young Astronomer Wins Stellafane Youth Outreach Award
A Westfield, Massachusetts, teenager is the recipient of an award in recognition of her multi-faceted outreach activities.
A Baby Planet Reveals Its Hiding Place
New analysis reveals evidence of a super-Earth-mass exoplanet forming in the disk surrounding the star TW Hydrae.
Visit Ara, the Celestial Altar
This far-southern constellation contains some delightful sights for small telescopes.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, August 16 – 25
Vega shines overhead as the zenith star at dusk. Jupiter and Mars are separating. When the Moon is just past full it poses next to Saturn — which, by no coincidence, is less than a month from opposition.
Dino-Era Asteroid Came from the Outer Solar System
A new chemical analysis confirms the Chicxulub impactor was a fragile type of asteroid that formed in the outer solar system, unlike several other ancient impactors.
Status Report and Expectations for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS
Is Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS falling apart? How bright will it likely get? We try to answer those questions and more.
How to Define a Planet – The Sequel
Hold your breath: astronomers are re-evaluating their definition of a planet. Spoiler: it won’t bring Pluto back into the family.
Did the Milky Way Form Faster Than We Thought?
New research suggests that our galaxy’s first stars might have come together within a billion years after the Big Bang.
Status Report: Gravitational Waves
Astronomers at the International Astronomical Union report that we have now detected more than 200 gravitational-wave events, most the merger of two black holes.
