SUNSET: 
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.
Explore the Night with Bob King
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.
Baby Stars Found in Ancient Part of Our Galaxy
Ground- and space-based observations have revealed a group of stars at the head of the giant stream of gas burrowing its way through the Milky Way.
Mark Your Calendar: Stellar Fireworks Predicted for 2083
According to Bradley Schaefer (Louisiana State University), the 11th-magnitude variable star, V Sagittae, will outshine Sirius and maybe even Venus — despite its distance of some 7,500 light-years.
Gravitational Waves from Second Neutron-star Collision Observed
Scientists with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo collaborations have announced the detection of a second pair of neutron stars that went bump in the night.
Heavyweight Black Hole Find Mystifies Astronomers
Observations of a star have found it orbiting an unexpectedly massive black hole. If the discovery pans out, it would change our understanding of how massive stars die.
Astronomers See Extreme Photons from Collapsing Massive Stars
Astronomers have detected a long-sought signal from gamma-ray bursts — the highest-energy photons ever seen from these events.
Are There More Stars Like Boyajian’s Star?
Remember KIC 8462852, better known as Boyajian’s star (or you may have seen it referred to as the “alien megastructure” star)? We still don’t have a definitive explanation for this source’s odd behavior — in part because we thought that Boyajian’s star was one-of-a-kind.
The Supernova That Destroyed Its Star
Astronomers have discovered a real and unprecedented example of a type of supernova that was until now largely theoretical — a stellar explosion that leaves nothing behind.
Century of Amateur Observations Shed Light on Star's Evolution
The amateurs of the AAVSO monitored the star T Ursae Minoris for a century. Now, astronomers think they can explain the star's recent change in behavior.
A Nearby Stellar Stream Gets Carded
The stellar stream Pisces–Eridanus may try to pass itself off as a billion years old, but scientists are calling its bluff.
Beta Pic's New Planet, Jupiter’s Fuzzy Core & An Ancient Star
Astronomers announce another planet around Beta Pictoris, simulations explain Jupiter's large and fuzzy core, and observations reveal an ancient star.
An “Impossible” White Dwarf Identified in Kepler Data
Meet the white dwarf that defies all expectations.
