SUNSET: 
850-year-old Supernova Left "Zombie Star" Behind
A supernova that skywatchers in the Far East observed almost 850 years ago has produced the most unusual remnant astronomers have ever found
Astronomers Spot A Tiny Binary System
A tiny binary system is not only small but also ancient, billions of years older than other such systems, which raises questions about its origins.
Astronomers Discover Giant Blinking Star
A red giant star thousands of light-years away "blinked," dimming significantly for seven long years, before returning to normal.
Deep Dive Off the Cosmic Cliffs
The James Webb Space Telescope's early-release image of the Cosmic Cliffs is revealing growth spurts in young stars.
Gamma-ray Burst Surprise
Gamma-ray bursts are generally thought to come in two flavors — supernovae or neutron star mergers. But discoveries are blurring that line.
Four Stars, Many Eclipses
Stars are most often born as multiples. Now, the TESS telescope has caught one of these multiple systems in a unique setup.
A Supernova Hits a Cosmic Speed Bump
Why did a supernova abruptly change color? A recent study suggests a change in ejecta velocity — a cosmic speed bump — might be the culprit.
Webb Telescope Reveals Starbirth in a Riot of Colors
A riot of colors in this James Webb Space Telescope infrared image show the warm glow of a feeding infant star, representing a look back in time at a star very like the Sun.
Ancient White Dwarf Hosts Planetary Graveyard
Scientists have discovered one of the oldest planetary graveyards in the Milky Way: a cool white dwarf "polluted" with rocky debris.
Hubble Spies Supernova in Early Universe
Archival Hubble Space Telescope images taken more than a decade ago have revealed an ancient star in the act of exploding.
Lightest Neutron Star Ever? Maybe, Maybe Not
A team of astronomers claims to have measured the lightest neutron star, but others say extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst Yet Lights Up the Sky
A recently detected gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A was so intense that it temporarily blinded instruments and disturbed Earth’s atmosphere.
Tentative Evidence of the First Generation of Stars
Scientists have detected something unusual around a distant quasar — perhaps the first real evidence of a first-generation star.
Dance of Giant Stars Creates Ripples of Dust
Every time two giant stars swing around each other, they enrich the cosmos with complex organic molecules.
Astronomers Map the Milky Way's "Underworld"
A simulated map of the Milky Way shows the location of our galaxy's stellar corpses — and they're not where you might think they'd be.
New Observations Add Fuel to Fast Radio Burst Origin Debate
A peculiar repeating fast radio burst seems to be coming from a dynamic environment in an otherwise uninteresting region, leaving researchers scratching their heads as to the burst’s origin.
Webb's Dazzling Views of the Orion Nebula
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided its first views of the Orion Nebula, revealing infant stars and the filaments that feed them.
Explore the Night with Bob King
Vega, the Star at the Center of Everything
While we may quibble about how to pronounce its name, there's no denying that Vega is one of the most fascinating and useful stars in the heavens.
Betelgeuse's Great Dimming: The Aftermath
The Great Dimming occurred when Betelgeuse coughed out a huge chunk of material, and the ejection took a toll on the giant star.
Black Widow Pulsar Sets Mass Record
A pulsar has devoured enough of its stellar companion to grab the title for most massive known neutron star.