Asteroid Bennu Almost Swallowed Spacecraft Whole
Scientists knew the asteroid Bennu was likely a rubble pile rather than solid rock, but OSIRIS-REX's recent visit surprised them in showing just how loosely the asteroid really is.
What We See in the First Science Images from the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope released its first science images today. Here's what these images show us.
What the James Webb Space Telescope's First Year Will Reveal
The James Webb Space Telescope's first year of observations promises to reveal exoplanet atmospheres and surfaces, infant galaxies, and maybe even the first black holes.
Dark Matter Remains Elusive – For Now
The first run of a new dark matter experiment turns up nothing — but that still tells us something.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 8 – 16
July is Scorpius season. Maybe you know of the Cat's Eyes in the Scorpion's tail, but how about the Little Cat's Eyes in the Scorpion's body? The Sagittarius Teapot follows not far behind.
Where Did the First Quasars Come From?
New research shows how black holes with tens of thousands of Suns' worth of mass can form in the universe's early years.
Titan Occults a Bright Star, Mira Awakens, and Comet PanSTARRS Shines
Pick one or see them all. July offers a potpourri of celestial events for both naked-eye observers and telescope users that include a rare occultation by Saturn's moon Titan, a bright comet, and Mira at maximum.
Monstrous Black Holes Spin More Slowly — But Why?
X-ray observations add to growing evidence that the most massive black holes have a different past than their lightweight peers.
This Triplet of Stars Was Once a Quartet
Stellar mergers in quadruple systems might be common, a new study shows.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, July 1 – 9
The Moon waxes across the evening sky from Leo to Scorpius. The five-planet lineup in the dawn is now four. And amateur astronomers plan to be recording as Saturn's hazy moon Titan occult a star about as bright as Titan itself for most of North America.
July: Stars of the Summer Sky
July offers lots of pretty stars and constellations to check out, and you’ll get a personally guided tour of them by downloading this month’s Sky Tour astronomy podcast.
Citizen Scientists Detect Dusty Disks
Disk Detective, a citizen science project dedicated identifying planet-forming disks around young stars, reports their latest results.
Successful Launch of Capstone, the Lunar Gateway Pathfinder
Capstone, a small pathfinder spacecraft with a big mission, launched today to pave the way for crewed return to the Moon.
Found: Booster Impact Crater on the Farside of the Moon
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission has found the impact site created March 4th. The crater might help reveal the impactor's identity.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 24 – July 2
The crescent Moon returns to the evening, crossing Leo. The five-planet lineup continues at dawn; catch it while you still can. And for skywatchers at northern latitudes, we're entering noctilucent cloud season.
Supernovae Swept Out Barnard's Loop in Orion
Astronomers have mapped Orion in 3D to understand the origin of the large arc of Barnard’s Loop — and you can interact with the 3D image!
Wildfire Threatens Kitt Peak National Observatory
The Contreras wildfire has been threatening the historic Kitt Peak National Observatory in southern Arizona.
What we know about Light Pollution – and What We Don’t
The International Dark-Sky Association’s has summarized more than 300 peer-reviewed studies on the effects of artificial light at night in an effort to help dark-sky advocates.
Solar System Gets its Ducks in a Row
We'll have not one but many opportunities to enjoy a rare lineup of the bright planets over the next few weeks. Amazingly, they'll be aligned in order of their distance from the Sun.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 17 – 25
The five naked-eye planets form a diagonal line in the dawn this week — in order of their distance from the Sun, no less. And the waning Moon visits each one in turn, day by day.
