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Jupiter Uranus 12P comet

Astronomy & Observing News

Jupiter Meets Uranus in Twilight; Supernova Erupts in Nearby Spiral Galaxy

Jupiter aligns with distant Uranus before it exits the evening sky as a bright supernova flares in the southern galaxy NGC 3621.

Supernova 2023ixf in M101

Astronomy & Observing News

Bright Supernova Blazes in M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy

A supergiant star exploded as a supernova in the prominent galaxy M101 in Ursa Major. It's now bright enough to see in a 4.5-inch telescope!

Supernova fireworks

Astronomy & Observing News

White Dwarf Survived 850-year-old Supernova

A supernova that skywatchers in the Far East observed almost 850 years ago has produced the most unusual remnant astronomers have ever found

Three images show supernova in galactic outskirts brightening and then fading again

Astronomy & Observing News

A Supernova Hits a Cosmic Speed Bump

Why did a supernova abruptly change color? A recent study suggests a change in ejecta velocity — a cosmic speed bump — might be the culprit.

Artist's illustration of merger-triggered supernova

Astronomy & Observing News

New Kind of Supernova Implodes Stars Before Their Time

Astronomers have found the first circumstantial evidence for a supernova triggered by a merger with a neutron star or maybe even a black hole.

Doubles map east

Astronomy & Observing News

Dazzling Double Stars for Compromised Skies

For many, smoke from wildfires has transformed summer nights, blotting out stars and familiar deep-sky sights. But through it all double stars keep on shining.

M85 supernova

Astronomy & Observing News

Two Bright Supernovae Light Up Nearby Galaxies

Two bright new supernovae — 2020nlb in M85 and 2020nvb in NGC 4457 — are now within the range of amateur telescopes in the western sky at nightfall.

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Astronomy & Observing News

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.

Astronomy & Observing News

Supernovae Light Up in M61 and NGC 3643

Two new supernovae for amateur telescopes are keeping things lively this month.

Brightest supernova

Astronomy & Observing News

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.

A bright supernova

Comets

The Latest on Betelgeuse, Plus a Bright Supernova and New Comet Iwamoto

The sky provides. This winter, the fading of Betelgeuse caught us all by surprise. Now, as January wraps up, we can add a new comet discovery and a supernova bright enough to see in a 6-inch telescope to an ever-growing list of seasonal sky wonders.

Illustration of helium escaping exoplanet HAT-P-11b

Astronomy & Observing News

60-Second Astro News: Helium Exoplanets and a Supernova Surprise

This week in astronomy news: Inflated helium atmospheres surround two exoplanets, and the Kepler Space Telescope captures the moments around a supernova that hint at a companion star triggering the explosion.

Observing

Supernova Discovered in the Bright Galaxy M77

A new supernova in the bright galaxy M77 in Cetus is within range of amateur telescopes. Here's how to find it.

A star goes poof!

Observing

Seeking Cas A, the Ghostly Remains of a Mysterious Supernova

We still don't know for sure if anyone saw the supernova explosion in Cassiopeia around 1680, but there's no question we can observe what remains of it today.

Astronomy & Observing News

Low-key supernova marks possible birth of neutron star duo

A massive star lost most of its mass before exploding and creating a neutron star — and a second nearby neutron star might have been the thief.

The Crab Nebula

Astronomy & Observing News

Blast from the Past in Today’s Sky

Astronomers think they have identified the remnant of a supernova recorded by Chinese astronomers in AD 386.

Simply extraordinary

Explore the Night with Bob King

Explore the Veil Nebula

The Veil Nebula, the tattered remains of an ancient supernova explosion, is one of the most spectacular objects in the night sky. Did you know it has two dozen parts visible in amateur telescopes?

Storm on Saturn, Photo by Damian Peach

Observing

Big Scope Breakout: New Supernovae, Novae, Bright Spot on Saturn

The sky's been bursting with exploding stars this season. Plus there's a new storm on Saturn. What's a skywatcher to do? Haul out the scope!

white dwarf trigger supernova

Astronomy & Observing News

The White Dwarf That Survived

A peculiar white dwarf could be what’s left after a failed supernova explosion.

Celestial News & Events

Bright Supernova Discovered in "Fireworks Galaxy" NGC 6946

A brand new supernova in NGC 6946 is bright enough to see in modest-sized telescopes. Here's how to find it.