SUNSET: 
The Amazing Somersaulting Satellite
A rising blob inside Saturn's moon Enceladus might be responsible for many of the satellite's bizarre aspects, including water geysers, an enigmatic "tiger stripe" pattern of warm ribbons, and perhaps even a planetary somersault, two researchers propose in the June 1st Nature. Planetary scientists have known since the Voyager flybys…
The Birth of Carbon Planets?
Exotic planets, dense with diamonds and graphite, might be forming around a nearby star. Astronomers announced this week that the disk around the young star Beta Pictoris is brimming with carbon, raising the possibility that abnormally carbon-rich planets might be forming there. The rocky planets in our solar system are…
Did Ancient Americans Record a Supernova?
Two astronomers have proposed that a rock carving found in the White Tanks Regional Park, north of Phoenix, Arizona, may represent the supernova of AD 1006. If true, the carving would be the oldest known Native American record of a supernova, and the only known record of Supernova 1006 in…
Astronomy & Observing News Saturn's Stunning Beauty"}'>
Astro Image in the News:
Saturn's Stunning Beauty
The Cassini orbiter releases another amazing view of the Saturnian System.
Sky Publishing Completes Sale to New Track Media LLC
Sky Publishing Corporation, the privately held publisher of astronomy periodicals and books, announced today that it has completed the sale of its business to New Track Media LLC, an entity formed in the fall of 2005 by Stephen J. Kent and Boston Ventures.
Big, Bright, Two-Spotted Jupiter Dominates the Evening Sky
May 1, 2006 Contacts: Alan M. MacRobert, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x151, [email protected] Marcy L. McCreary, VP Marketing & Business Dev. 855-638-5388 x143, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by publication-quality graphics; see details below. Look southeast after dark this month, and you'll see a bright white "star"…
Moon to Sweep Through the Pleiades
March 27, 2006 Contact: Alan MacRobert, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x151, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by publication-quality graphics; see details below. A special celestial event to watch is coming up on Saturday evening, April 1, 2006, for anyone who lives in the eastern or central part…
Ready for 2006? You'll Have to Wait a Second!
December 20, 2005 Contacts: Roger W. Sinnott, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x146, [email protected] Marcy McCreary, VP Mktg. & Business Dev. 855-638-5388 x143, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by a publication-quality graphic; see details below. The world's clocks are due to be reset on December 31st — by…
An Eclipse of the Sun for Europe, Africa, and Asia
March 20, 2006 Contact: Alan MacRobert, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x151, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by publication-quality graphics; see details below. On Wednesday, March 29, 2006, a total eclipse of the Sun will sweep across parts of West and North Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia. The…
April Showers: Lyrid Meteors Peak on the 22nd
April 18, 2006 Contacts: Alan M. MacRobert, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x151, [email protected] Marcy L. McCreary, VP Marketing & Business Dev. 855-638-5388 x143, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by a broadcast-quality animation; see details below. The annual Lyrid meteor shower should reach its peak activity late Friday…
Astro News Briefs: April 3–9
NASA's Dawn Mission Gets a Reprieve April 4, 2006 | After enduring weeks of outrage from space scientists and an official objection from the director of its Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA has reversed its decision to cancel the Dawn asteroid mission. NASA associate administrator Rex Geveden, who chaired a high-level…
Astro News Briefs: January 9–15
News from the 207th American Astronomical Society meeting in Washington, DC
Views of the March 29th Solar Eclipse
A round, symmetrical corona, characteristic of solar minimum, surrounded the Sun and Moon when they were aligned at totality.
Celestial Sleuths Unravel Munch's "Missing Moon" Mystery
March 20, 2006 Contacts: Don Olson, Texas State University 512-245-2131, [email protected] Kerri Williams, Sky & Telescope 855-638-5388 x127, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is being simultaneously issued by Sky & Telescope and Texas State University. Digital images suitable for print publication are available; see details below. Edvard Munch…
NASA Eludes Martian Ghoul, Again
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter began aerobreaking in the Martian atmosphere on March 10th.NASA / JPL Score one more round for humanity against the dreaded Martian Ghoul ... at least for now. At 5:16 p.m. EST (22:16 UT) today, NASA received a signal from its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) confirming that…
Astronomy & Observing News
Astro Image in the News:
Enceladus's Leaky Seas?"}'>
Astro Image in the News:
Enceladus's Leaky Seas?
In this week's Science scientists working with the Cassini orbiter published a suite of papers detailing the story behind the active volcanism on Saturn's moon Enceladus.
See Saturn at Its Best
January 25, 2006 Contacts: Alan MacRobert, Senior Editor 855-638-5388 x151, [email protected] Marcy McCreary, VP Mktg. & Business Dev. 855-638-5388 x143, [email protected] Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by several broadcast- and publication-quality graphics; see details below. No planet holds the fascination of ring-girdled Saturn — especially the first…
Stardust Science Begins
Astronomers have begun their analysis of the dust specks inside the Stardust return capsule.
Astro News Briefs: December 12–18
Hayabusa's return delayed for three years; astronomers "weigh" the closest white dwarf; Mars rovers celebrate an anniversary
