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Astronomy & Observing News
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Solving Mars's
Polar-Ice Puzzle
Although scientists have long suspected that the south polar cap of Mars was a giant reservoir of water ice, they've only recently had the evidence to prove it.
Titan's "Great Lakes"
Recent radar probings reveal that much of Titan's southern hemisphere is covered by large bodies of liquid ethane and methane.
Aussie Fires Destroy Mount Stromlo Observatory
One of Australia's premier astronomy facilities has been virtually wiped out by the worst wildfires in Australian history.
Io's Salty Secret
Volcanic activity on the Jovian moon Io stains the surface with red and yellow allotropes of sulfur. Recent observations show that the moon's frequent outpourings are seasoned with a little salt.Courtesy University of Arizona and NASA. It might not seem surprising that Io, the Jovian moon famous for its vigorous…
Storm Clouds on Titan
New infrared views of Saturn's biggest moon reveal towering, fast-moving storms in a murky, methane-laced atmosphere.
Martian Meteorites Made Easy
New simulations show that impacts on Mars should be blasting chunks of the Planet out into space — and eventually onto Earth — about once every 200,000 years.
Why Is Saturn Tipsy?
Astronomers now believe a long-distance relationship with Neptune has pushed Saturn's spin axis off to one side.
Pluto's Warming Wisps
Pluto seems to be getting warmer, despite moving away from the Sun.
Threatening Asteroids: Fewer Hits in our Future?
New studys suggest that asteroid impacts on Earth are more rare than preciously believed.
A New Kuiper Belt Kingpin
Even though it's even farther from the Sun than Pluto, a newly discoverd object named Quaoar is so big and so bright that astronomers should have spotted it 19 years ago.
Astronomical League Surges With Growth
From humble beginnings 55 years ago, the Astronomical League has a shiny new office and some big plans.
Pluto Events Perplex Astronomers
The ninth planet passed in front of two stars in mid-2002, providing new — and conflicting — details about the state of its atmosphere.
Contour's Fate Looks "Bleak"
No one has heard from the comet-bound Contour spacecraft since it left Earth orbit, and a new telescopic image suggests that it may now be in pieces.
Changes Urged for Astrobiology Effort
NASA's fledgling efforts to understand the origins and evolution of life are basically sound but have a few problems to work out.
A Solar Source for Diamond Dust?
Microscopic diamonds, often found in primitive meteorites, may not have been forged in the fires of distant stars after all.
Panel Airs Next Steps for Impact Protection
According to a panel of space experts, the time has come to up the ante in the worldwide effort to defend our planet from wayward asteroids and comets.
Review Board Endorses Pluto-Kuiper Mission
A major study by the National Research Committee concludes that sending a probe to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt should be NASA's top priority in solar-system exploration.
A New Test for Extrasolar Planets
Based on an unusual spectral fingerprint, a Jupiter-size planet may be forming aroung the young star HD 141569.
Unique Crater Swarm Disputed
The origin of the Rio Cuarto crater chain in Argentina is being hotly debated.
Asteroid Chasers Are Seeing Double
Once considered virtually impossible, binary asteroids are turning up everywhere — especially in Earth's vicinity.
