SUNSET: 
Astronomy in Space with David Dickinson
Pandora Mission Launches to Explore Atmospheres on Alien Worlds
NASA's new, small observatory — launched successfully on January 11th — has a big mission: to characterize exoplanet atmospheres.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 9 – 18
Jupiter is at opposition. Evenings are moonless, and the winter Milky Way arches high over the world. Betelgeuse stands over Sirius.
Starless Gas Cloud Might Be a Failed Galaxy
Astronomers discovered a cloud of hydrogen gas that’s devoid of stars. Held together by an invisible halo of dark matter, the starless cloud may elucidate its nature.
An extremely rare Callisto event on January 10th
Observers across America may witness a special transit and shadow event of Jupiter’s moon on opposition day.
Big and Bright, Jupiter Beckons in January
Jupiter's having a special moment! Don't miss the giant planet at its best when it reaches opposition this week.
Rogue Saturn Discovered Floating Through the Milky Way
Astronomers have measured the mass of a free-floating planet for the first time. Comparable to Saturn, it’s surprisingly massive for such rogue worlds.
Not Every Galaxy Has a Central Black Hole
Many less massive galaxies appear to lack something astronomers thought was ubiquitous: a central, supermassive black hole.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, January 2 – 11
The bright Moon shines over Jupiter, Pollux and Castor on Friday evening the 2nd, then groups right up among them on Saturday the 3rd.
The Best Meteor Showers in 2026
The Quadrantids and Eta Aquariids will have Moon trouble in 2026, but the beloved Perseids and Geminids should be glorious.
January Podcast: Jupiter and Orion
In this month’s episode, start with one of the year’s best meteor showers, then spend some time with Jupiter, and check out a mythical queen and hunter who have ego problems. So bundle up, grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour.
Tour 15 of the Brightest Stars on New Year's Eve (VIDEO)
Tour 15 of the sky's brightest stars all in one night on this New Year's Eve! This interactive Worldwide Telescope video will show you the way.
Passing Baby Stars Lock Arms in Rare Astronomical Find
Astronomers have discovered a bridge of gas and dust between two protostars, the signature of a close encounter 15,000 years ago.
Spaceflight for Astronomy — A Look Back and Ahead
The highlights of spaceflight in 2025 have included missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and the Sun — and more is coming in the New Year.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 26 – January 4
Jupiter nears opposition. The waxing Moon pairs with Saturn, then guides the way to the fine telescopic double star Gamma Arietis. Later it passes the Pleiades.
How To Start with Your New Telescope
How to start sky exploring with that new telescope. How to set it up right, other key things to know -- and great cosmic immensities to start finding tonight.
Did Astronomers See a Star Explode Twice?
Astronomers are trying to determine if they've witnessed a complex stellar explosion or a relatively ordinary supernova.
Explore Orion's Massive New Stars with Binoculars
Waves of recent star formation have made Orion winter's most scintillating constellation. You can see how it all came to be.
This Week's Sky at a Glance, December 19 – 28
We greet the winter solstice. Jupiter nears opposition. Will the two Dog Stars balance for you? And meet the House in the Hyades.
Glowing Arc by Andromeda Might Be Remnants of a Dying Star
Discovered by amateur astronomers, a mysterious arc of gas might be the ghostly remains of a star shedding its outer layers. However, astronomers haven’t reached a consensus yet.
New Radar Data Chills Prospects of a Subglacial Lake on Mars
There could be liquid water trapped under the southern polar cap of Mars. But new observations suggest otherwise.
