SUNSET: 
Masquerading Magnetars Make Short Brilliant Bursts
Giant flares emitted from the surface of highly magnetized neutron stars could explain some gamma-ray flashes astronomers have caught over the past few decades.
Astronomers Find Most Distant Gamma-ray Burst Yet
From the farthest-known galaxy in the observable universe comes the brightest and most energetic of events: a possible gamma-ray burst.
Gaia Makes Most Accurate 3D Map of the Milky Way Yet
Astronomers have released a new, extremely detailed three-dimensional census of our Milky Way galaxy.
The Decline of the Youngest Planetary Nebula
The youngest planetary nebula ever found is already fading, shedding light on its star's evolution.
The Eventual Fate of Our Solar System
Have you ever wondered about the future of our solar system? Astronomers have predicted the effect of the Sun's expansion on its planets.
Gamma-ray Flash Heralds Birth of a Magnetar
What happens when two neutron stars don't add up to a black hole?
The Case of the Blue Ring Nebula
After 16 years, astronomers have figured out the origin of a strange ring of ultraviolet light, and shed light on a common — but rarely observed — event.
How Big Is Betelgeuse Really?
Knowing Betelgeuse’s size is crucial to understanding its recent bizarre behavior — and predicting when it will go supernova. But it’s harder to figure out than you might think.
Magnetars Make Some — Maybe All — Mysterious Radio Flashes
In-depth analysis of a flash of radio waves coming from a Milky Way magnetar have convinced astronomers: Magnetars produce at least some fast radio bursts.
Taking Stock of Backyard Worlds
Scientists have used the Spitzer Space Telescope to confirm seventy-five new substars uncovered by the citizen science project Backyard Worlds: Planet 9.
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?