SUNSET: 
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.
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).
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.
Explore the Night with Bob King
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.
January Podcast: A Busy Start to 2024
If you’ve resolved to do more stargazing in the New Year, then 2024 will start you off with a bang! As told in this month’s Sky Tour astronomy podcast, you can look forward to some excellent celestial events.
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
First Launch of 2024: India Flies New X-Ray Satellite
ISROs XPoSat will unlock the secrets of the X-ray universe.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 29 – January 5
Scintillating Sirius rises ever earlier to scintillate in colors. The Quadrantid meteors in the Thursday-morning dark are well timed for Eastern North America. Two triangle constellations stack over Jupiter.
Top 10 Astronomy News Stories of 2023
This year, we heard the low hum of gravitational waves criss-crossing the cosmos, observed a "ring of fire" solar eclipse, and applauded the arrival of asteroid samples. Here are Sky & Telescope's picks for the top news stories in astronomy this year.
