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More evidence for a 9th planet

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 2 hours ago

Is a hypothetical large planet – far beyond Neptune – causing a tilt in the sun? Plus, evidence for a 9th planet based on “extreme Kuiper Belt objects.”

Hot Jupiters’ cloudy nights, blistering days

By Eleanor Imster in Space | 6 hours ago

The distant exoplanets known as “hot Jupiters” orbit their stars so tightly that they’re perpetually charbroiled. Plus they keep one face toward their stars.

ESA’s Mars craft landed, but not softly

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 6 hours ago

“We have data coming back that allow us to fully understand the steps that did occur, and why the soft landing did not occur.” Meanwhile, the orbiter is A-OK.

Juno in safe mode for Jupiter flyby

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 18 hours ago

A sudden safe mode halted planned data collection during the spacecraft’s perijove – or closest point to Jupiter – on October 19. Next perijove December 11.

Small Magellanic Cloud orbits our galaxy

By Larry Sessions in Clusters Nebulae Galaxies | 2 days ago

Small Magellanic Cloud resembles a luminous cloud, but it’s really a dwarf galaxy, orbiting our Milky Way. Here’s how to see it, from Earth’s Southern Hemisphere.

EarthSky’s meteor shower guide for 2016

By Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | Space | 2 days ago

Look here for information about all the major meteor showers between now and the year’s end.

What did dinosaurs sound like?

By Eleanor Imster in Earth | 2 days ago

The discovery of the fossil vocal organ of an ancient Antarctic bird suggests that dinosaurs couldn’t sing, but maybe honked.

Where’s the moon? Waning gibbous

By Deborah Byrd in Moon Phases | 2 days ago

The Northern Hemisphere’s Hunter’s Moon – and the 1st of 3 supermoons in 2016 – has come and gone. The moon is now waning and rising later at night.

Animation: Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 3 days ago

Computer-generated animation of the descent of the Schiaparelli lander to the surface of Mars. Real one will happen this Wednesday, October 19.

Is asteroid 2016 HO3 a second moon?

By Deborah Byrd in Space | 3 days ago

No, it orbits the sun. But its orbit keeps it as a constant companion of Earth, and it’ll remain so for centuries to come.

The sound of climate change

By Deborah Byrd in Earth | 3 days ago

Two scientists have set the CO2 record at Mauna Loa – world’s longest-running measure of atmospheric carbon dioxide – to music.

What is the Brocken Spectre?

By Deborah Byrd in Earth | 4 days ago

The Brocken Spectre is your own shadow, cast on mists below you, when you are mountain climbing. The shadow may appear enormous and has a ring around it.

Asgardia, the nation state of space

By EarthSky Voices in Human World | Space | 4 days ago

Russian businessman Igor Ashurbeyli believes that an orbiting space station has the potential to become a sovereign nation in space.

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Tonight

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Tonight

Orionid meteor shower peak tonight!

Small Magellanic Cloud orbits our galaxy

EarthSky's meteor shower guide for 2016

Where's the moon? Waning gibbous

What's special about a full moon?

Space

EarthSky's meteor shower guide for 2016

More evidence for a 9th planet

Hot Jupiters' cloudy nights, blistering days

ESA's Mars craft landed, but not softly

Juno in safe mode for Jupiter flyby

EarthSky's meteor shower guide for 2016

Animation: Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars

Is asteroid 2016 HO3 a second moon?

Asgardia, the nation state of space

Earth

The sound of climate change

What did dinosaurs sound like?

The sound of climate change

What is the Brocken Spectre?

Why trees shed their leaves in the fall

Warm ocean currents are slowing down

Wildfires in US West doubled in 30 years

Our future doesn't have to be dismal

Lifeform of the week: Owls

Human World

China joins search for alien life

Asgardia, the nation state of space

China joins search for alien life

Do you have a 2nd brain ... in your gut?

Our future doesn't have to be dismal

Videos

ESA's Mars craft landed, but not softly

More evidence for a 9th planet

ESA's Mars craft landed, but not softly

What did dinosaurs sound like?

Animation: Schiaparelli’s descent to Mars

Is asteroid 2016 HO3 a second moon?

Do you have a 2nd brain ... in your gut?

Huge gas cloud headed for Milky Way

Our future doesn't have to be dismal