EarthSky - Earth, Space, Human World, Tonight

Why the moon’s near and far sides look different

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Space | 13 hours ago

New research suggests that a wayward dwarf planet collided with the moon in the early history of the solar system, causing the stark difference between the moon’s heavily-cratered far side and the lower-lying open basins of its near side.

What Chang’e 4 learned from the moon’s far side

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Space | 20 hours ago

Early results from China’s historic 1st landing on the moon’s far side. Chinese scientists have used in situ data from a far side crater to identify materials on the moon’s surface that originated deeper inside the moon.

Magnetic north is shifting fast. What’ll happen to the northern lights?

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Earth | 21 hours ago

As magnetic north shifts increasingly away from the geologic north pole – towards Siberia – studies suggest the northern lights could move with it.

See Beresheet spacecraft’s impact site on moon

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Human World | Space | 21 hours ago

NASA released before and after images of the spot on the moon where Israel’s Beresheet spacecraft crash-landed on April 11.

Scientists find new periodic water cycle on Mars

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 2 days ago

A new study shows that Mars has a unique water vapor cycle that occurs only once about every 2 years. The cycle might help explain how Mars lost most of its water.

Polaris is the North Star

Posted by Bruce McClure in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 2 days ago

Many people think Polaris is the sky’s brightest star. In fact, Polaris ranks only 50th in brightness. Still, Polaris is famous because the entire northern sky wheels around it.

Thuban is a former Pole Star

Posted by Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | Brightest Stars | 2 days ago

Thuban was the Pole Star some 5,000 years ago, when the Egyptians were building the pyramids.

Close encounter sets galaxy ablaze with new stars

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Space | 3 days ago

A cosmic collision in action. Read more about what happens when 2 galaxies sideswipe each other.

How some planets can survive their stars’ deaths

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 4 days ago

A new “survival guide for exoplanets” outlines how different kinds of planets fare when their host star dies. It suggests the smallest rocky worlds are the most likely to escape annihilation.

Lush underwater forests … in the Arctic

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Earth | 4 days ago

Did you know that there are hidden underwater forests of large brown seaweeds (kelps) in the Arctic? As temperatures warm, the forests are expanding.

Blue Moon: All you need to know

Posted by Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | 5 days ago

Isn’t a Blue Moon the 2nd full moon of a calendar month? Why isn’t that the case this month? How did Blue Moons become part of folklore, anyway? The story of Blue Moons, here.

Only 2 full moons in a season possible?

Posted by Bruce McClure in Astronomy Essentials | 5 days ago

We know it’s possible to squeeze 4 full moons into a single season. But can a season have just 2 full moons? Turns out it can.

Video: Fly over Curiosity’s route on Mars

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Space | 6 days ago

Follow the route of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover, as it moves to a new part of Mount Sharp, into an area scientists call the “clay-bearing unit”.

Tonight

Today's Image

Tonight

Look for the beautiful Northern Crown

Look for the beautiful Northern Crown

Meet Corvus the Crow

Moon and Saturn up around midnight May 21

Polaris is the North Star

Space

Close encounter sets galaxy ablaze with new stars

Why the moon's near and far sides look different

What Chang'e 4 learned from the moon's far side

See Beresheet spacecraft’s impact site on moon

Scientists find new periodic water cycle on Mars

Close encounter sets galaxy ablaze with new stars

How some planets can survive their stars' deaths

Video: Fly over Curiosity’s route on Mars

New insights about Haumea's enigmatic ring

Astro Essentials

Polaris is the North Star

Polaris is the North Star

Thuban is a former Pole Star

Blue Moon: All you need to know

Only 2 full moons in a season possible?

Earth

Lush underwater forests ... in the Arctic

Magnetic north is shifting fast. What’ll happen to the northern lights?

Lush underwater forests ... in the Arctic

How Venus and Mars can teach us about Earth

The oldest known tree in eastern North America

Giant devil rays' secret birthing zone?

Clouds that look like ocean waves

How do hurricanes get their names?

Asteroid strike simulation blasts New York City

Human World

Thuban is a former Pole Star

See Beresheet spacecraft’s impact site on moon

How do hurricanes get their names?

It's Hurricane Preparedness Week. Are you ready?

What you need to know about derechos

Videos

Video: Fly over Curiosity’s route on Mars

Video: Fly over Curiosity’s route on Mars

Shrinking moon might be generating moonquakes

The oldest known tree in eastern North America

Lightsail 2 set to launch in June

Simulating stars' sounds to reveal their secrets

Nature in Japan: Time travel

Was moon created from proto-Earth magma?

The strangest crab that has ever lived