SUNSET: 
Astronomers Detect One of the Most Luminous Supernovae Ever
One of the most luminous supernovae ever discovered provides evidence that such extremely bright explosions require exotic sources.
Space and Astronomy in the Time of COVID-19
The ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on spaceflight, science, and professional and amateur astronomy.
A Farewell to Orion
As winter transitions into spring, the mighty hunter is gradually slipping into evening twilight as new constellations rise in the east.
Is Earth's Mini-moon Still Here?
Reports of the loss of Earth's minimoon may have been somewhat exaggerated — new research suggests the moonlet will leave Earth orbit in early may.
BepiColombo's Flyby Past Earth
BepiColombo, the joint ESA/JAXA Mercury-bound mission, will swing by the Earth on Friday.
Oh No! Comet ATLAS Is Fragmenting
Find out when and where to see Comet ATLAS (C/2019 Y4) — and stay tuned to see how bright (or not) this comet gets.
Starlink and the Astronomers: An Update
As Starlink satellites continue to enter low-Earth orbit — there are 360 of them now — SpaceX is working to mitigate the serious problems they pose for astronomy.
Event Horizon Telescope Finds Bent Jet Near Black Hole
Observations from the worldwide network of radio telescopes show the fire hose of plasma shooting from a distant galaxy does something strange near its source.
Is the Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov Breaking Up?
New observations of the interstellar comet — which traveled unaltered for eons before arriving in the solar system — have revealed it's fragmenting
Celebrating Astronomer Margaret Burbidge, 1919–2020
The astronomer who taught us we are all made of stardust has passed away after celebrating her 100th birthday on August 12, 2019.
An Eclipse Globe for the 21st Century
Sky & Telescope, in partnership with Great American Eclipse, presents the first-ever solar eclipse globe — showing the paths of 75 total and hybrid solar eclipses through the year 2100.
Sunrise CubeSats Will Study Giant Solar Storms
NASA has selected a unique new mission to study the Sun, targeting a 2023 launch date.
Astronomers Make It Rain, Search for Gin and Vampires
As is customary on the first day of April, scientists posted research that breaks out of the box peer-review normally keeps it in.
Why Have Parts of Mercury's Landscape "Deflated"?
A type of landscape on Mercury known as “chaotic terrain” might have released materials stored underground for eons.
April 2020: Planets Aplenty
This month's Sky Tour astronomy podcast highlights how Venus flirts with the Pleiades star cluster after sunset, then leads you to views of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars together in the predawn sky.
The Pleiades Welcome Venus
You can renew your own cosmic connection on Friday night, April 3rd. That's when the planet Venus will skirt the Pleiades star cluster in a spectacular dusk conjunction visible across much of the planet.
How Amateurs Could Help Future Exoplanet Observations
Large observatories will require precise timing info to measure as many exoplanet atmospheres as possible. Backyard astronomers have the power to keep that intel fresh.
2020 Star Parties Update
Organizations have cancelled or rescheduled several star parties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases, organizers are still in the process of making a decision on how and when to hold a given event. Here is an updated calendar of upcoming North American star parties and events, with a…
A Mysterious X-ray Signal Has Gone Missing
The absence of a mysterious X-ray signal — which could have provided evidence of dark matter — is causing as much controversy as its detection did.
The Knife Edge Galaxy Throws Astronomers For a Loop
A 2008 image captured a stunning double loop of stars around an edge-on galaxy. Now, astronomers are questioning whether one of those loops exist.
