SUNSET: 
How Planetary Nebulae Get Their Shapes
New research shows why these celestial gems range in shape from spirals to butterflies.
See the Invisible: A Gallery of Magnetic Fields
Magnetic fields affect everything from star formation to galaxy evolution. View a gallery of images that show magnetism's role.
Neutron Star Found in Supernova 1987A
After decades of searching, astronomers have finally found the collapsed core of the nearest supernova recorded in recent history.
An Infant Pulsar Defies Categorization
The discovery of the youngest pulsar yet has lead astronomers to question the current classification system of these objects.
Citizen Scientists Help Discover “Weird” Brown Dwarfs
Astronomers and citizen scientists have found two would-be stars lacking heavy elements. They’re most likely ancient survivors of our galaxy’s earliest days.
Astronomers Discover a Newborn Magnetar and a New Cosmic Beat
This week, astronomers announce a newborn magnetar and a fast radio burst that's bursting to a beat.
Two New Beasts for an Explosive Zoo
And that makes three: Astronomers are beginning to understand what may be causing a special kind of flare in the distant universe.
Astronomers Investigate Stellar Interiors
Astronomers have untangled the constantly changing brightness of variable stars known as Delta Scuti stars, yielding estimates for their ages.
Milky Way Magnetar Makes Fast Radio Burst
Fast radio bursts are mysterious — and powerful — flashes of radio waves. Now, we've found one of these flashes coming from a magnetar in our own galaxy.
How Lazy Is the Sun?
Astronomers studying hundreds of Sun-like stars were surprised to find that most of them are more active than the Sun. Why is the Sun different?
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.
Gravitational Waves Put Ruler to Neutron Stars
Scientists have combined observations of gravitational waves from a neutron star collision with nuclear theory to shed light on the size and nature of neutron stars.
The Fall and Rise of Betelgeuse
With its recent uptick in brightness, Betelgeuse appears to be slowly returning to normal. But will it? Astronomers urge us to keep watch.
Is Betelgeuse Approaching a Crossroads?
Astronomers all over are waiting with bated breath to see what Betelgeuse will do next. Is it going to start brightening again on February 21st? Or will it continue to surprise?
Faint Repetitions of an Extragalactic Burst
New evidence deepens the mystery of fast radio bursts (FRBs), the brief flashes of radio emission stemming from unknown sources beyond our galaxy.
Flapping "Bat Wing" Could Reveal Secrets of Planet Formation
The shadow cast by a protoplanetary disk takes the shape of a bat — and over time, flaps like one, too. The eery shadow could help astronomers understand the planet-forming material inside the disk.
White Dwarf’s Whirlwind Spin Drags Spacetime
Astronomers have used observations of a tight white dwarf-neutron star pair to confirm an aspect of Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Superluminous Supernova, Explained?
Some brilliant explosions at least 10 times more powerful than regular supernovae might come from a white dwarf merging with a massive companion star. But not everyone agrees on that explanation.
See Ancient “North Stars" Eclipse Each Other
The ancient pole star known as Thuban turns out to be an eclipsing binary. If you're up for a challenge, you can see the eclipses for yourself.
New Mysterious Radio Flash Pinned Down; Hundreds More Being Discovered
Recent observations have pinpointed the location of a fifth fast radio burst, shedding light on the environs that create these powerful sources.
