SUNSET: 
Changes Urged for Astrobiology Effort
NASA's fledgling efforts to understand the origins and evolution of life are basically sound but have a few problems to work out.
Astro News Briefs: July 22–28
Moon rock thieves caught and a new asteroid threat.
Another One Bites the Dust
Comet 57P/du Toit-Neujmin-Delporte has broken apart into 20 fragments.
Hefty Asteroid to Sweep Near Earth
Astronomers have a month's advance notice for the close, but brief visit of asteroid 2002 NY40 on the night of August 17–18.
A Solar Source for Diamond Dust?
Microscopic diamonds, often found in primitive meteorites, may not have been forged in the fires of distant stars after all.
A Rare Look at a Dying Star
Hubble's cameras spy a star on its last legs as it creates a planetary nebula.
Naked-Eye Sunspot
A giant spot complex is crossing the Sun's face this week. You can see it with a safe solar filter — with or without a telescope.
Panel Airs Next Steps for Impact Protection
According to a panel of space experts, the time has come to up the ante in the worldwide effort to defend our planet from wayward asteroids and comets.
Review Board Endorses Pluto-Kuiper Mission
A major study by the National Research Committee concludes that sending a probe to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt should be NASA's top priority in solar-system exploration.
Amateur Astronomers Discover Dozens of Supernovae
The amateur astronomer run Puckett Observatory Supernova Search has uncovered more than 50 supernovae.
U.K. Joins European Southern Observatory Super-Club
Britain becomes the 10th member of ESO.
A New Test for Extrasolar Planets
Based on an unusual spectral fingerprint, a Jupiter-size planet may be forming aroung the young star HD 141569.
Comet Award Winners for 2002
Seven observers have won the 2002 Edgar Wilson Award for comet discoveries by amateur astronomers.
Launching a Comet Catcher
In the early morning of July 3rd, NASA's Comet Nucleus Tour launched from Cape Canaveral
An X-ray of the Whirlpool
The Chandra X-ray Observatory captured a stunning view of one of the classic objects in astronomy.
Celestron Reborn
Its parent company is liquidating its assets, and its chief competitor is taking it to court, but telescope manufacturer Celestron has new owners and a new lease on life.
Omega Centauri's Checkered Past
Signs of swallowed star groups have turned up in this great globular cluster. . . which may not really be a globular cluster at all.
The Case of the Missing Comets
It appears that 99 percent of all distant comets break apart into dust.
Venus Spokes: An Explanation at Last?
Percival Lowell's imfamous "spokes on Venus" may have simply been a reflection of structures in his own eye.
Astro News Briefs: June 24–30
Contour Set to Launch June 28, 2002 | On July 3rd, NASA’s Comet Nucleus Tour (Contour) is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The original launch date of July 1st was scrubbed due to the discovery of particulate matter on a solar panel. The mission will encounter at least…
