This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 19 – 28
Jupiter shines high, bright, and obvious after dusk. Mercury and Mars glimmer low, dim, and elusive for their close conjunction in the dawn.
The Black Hole Files with Camille Carlisle
The Black Hole Shadow in M87: One Year Later
The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration has released the image from its second major campaign, confirming the existence of a persistent black hole shadow and a potentially turbulent environment.
Solar and Lunar Eclipses in 2024
Although no total lunar eclipses occur this year, skywatchers can look forward to two “central” solar eclipses — including a much-awaited total eclipse that spans the U.S. from Texas to New England.
The Night I Met the Crab Pulsar
An account of my journey to the heart of one of most violent cosmic explosions witnessed on Earth. Plus, there's a bright supernova now visible in a Virgo Cluster galaxy.
Methane Icebergs Could Float in Titan’s Seas
The “magic islands” that appear and disappear in Titan’s methane-ethane seas could be hydrocarbon icebergs, a new study finds.
Clouds, Large and Small, of the Southern Sky
Jonathan Nally sets out to explore the Southern Hemisphere sky, starting with two uniquely southern sights: the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 12 – 21
The evening Moon passes Saturn, then Jupiter. Venus and Mercury march in lockstep in the eastern dawn. Capella, as always, paces Orion's bright foot. And who's winning the Sirius-Betelgeuse race?
Astronomers Discover “Invisible” Galaxy
A radio survey has serendipitously uncovered a galaxy with no visible stars.
Did Webb Detect an Atmosphere on Hot Super-Earth 55 Cancri e?
New Webb data suggests that the hot super-Earth 55 Cancri e has a thick atmosphere, perhaps maintained by the planet's magma ocean.
Unexplained Auroras Found on a Lonely Brown Dwarf
James Webb Space Telescope observations of a faint, giant world have revealed the signature of aurorae — even though the world has no star.
Black Holes in Early Universe Are Too Big
JWST observations of the universe as it was 12 to 13 billion years ago indicate that the black holes at the centers of small, early galaxies were more massive than expected.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
China Launches Einstein X-ray Observatory
China’s Einstein Probe, an X-ray astronomy mission, heads to orbit.
Astronomers Watch Another Giant Star Dim
Turns out, Betelgeuse isn't the only giant star to undergo a "Great Dimming."
Odd Radio Circles: The Remnants of Furious Galactic Winds
New evidence suggests extreme starbursts and furious galactic winds are at the heart of odd radio circles (ORCs).
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Peregrine Mission Launches Successfully, But Misses the Moon
The first launch of the United Launch Alliance Vulcan-Centaur rocket attempted to send Peregrine Mission One moonward, but a propulsion problem has likely stymied that goal.
The Best Meteor Showers in 2024
The beloved Perseid meteor shower of the August vacation season will evade the moonlight in 2024, at least during the best early morning meteor-watching hours. The Lyrids and Geminids aren't so lucky.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 5 – 14
How does the Sirius-Procyon balance, newly risen, tilt for you? Depends on your latitude! Meanwhile, Triangulum and Aries teeter in balance on Jupiter.
Top Space Missions to Watch for in 2024
Humans' return to cis-lunar space and a flagship spacecraft to Europa are among the missions to come in 2024.
Doubt Cast on Exomoon Candidates
Exomoon candidates are tantalizing but, according to new research, perhaps unfounded.
Catch Luyten's Star and the Quadrantid Meteor Shower
Relish the slow, steady pace of nearby Luyten's Star then switch things up with speedy meteors from a well-timed shower.