EarthSky - Earth, Space, Human World, Tonight

Has mystery of universe’s missing matter been solved?

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Space | 10 hours ago

Cosmologists have only been able to find half the matter that should exist in the universe. With the discovery of a new astronomical phenomenon and new telescopes, these researchers say they’ve just found the rest.

What’s a penumbral eclipse of the moon?

Posted by Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | 10 hours ago

Even as a penumbral eclipse is happening in your sky, you might not notice anything different about the moon. On the other hand, very observant people can detect a dark shading on the moon’s face during a penumbral eclipse.

June 2020 guide to the bright planets

Posted by Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd in Astronomy Essentials | 23 hours ago

See all 5 bright planets in June 2020. Spot Mercury as dusk gives way to darkness in early June. Venus emerges from the dawn glare before mid-month. Jupiter and Saturn – now nearly at their best – rise mid-to-late evening and shine until dawn. Mars lights up the predawn sky.

NOAA predicts a ‘busy’ 2020 Atlantic hurricane season

Posted by Eleanor Imster in Earth | 1 day ago

Multiple climate factors indicate above-normal activity is most likely, according to NOAA’s 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.

How do hurricanes get their names?

Posted by Deanna Conners in Earth | Human World | 1 day ago

The World Meteorological Organization manages the formal system by which hurricanes receive their names. Find hurricane names for 2020 here.

Farewell, Venus

Posted by Deborah Byrd and Claudia Crowley in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 2 days ago

Photos – taken through telescopes, or with other optical aid – from the EarthSky community. The brightest planet Venus is now in a thin crescent phase as viewed from Earth. Venus will go between us and the sun on June 3.

SpaceX Crew Dragon is docked with ISS

Posted by EarthSky in Human World | Space | 2 days ago

History was made again Sunday, with the successful docking of SpaceX Crew Dragon with the International Space Station. Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are aboard. There are more activities to come, which you can watch online. Links here.

Proxima Centauri b confirmed as nearest exoworld

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 2 days ago

Researchers at the University of Geneva have confirmed the existence of an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun.

How to spot ISS in your sky

Posted by Deanna Conners in Human World | Space | 3 days ago

Learn to watch ISS moving silently and steadily across your night sky, and think of the 2 astronauts currently making their way there.

AIM spots season’s 1st Arctic noctilucent clouds

Posted by EarthSky in Earth | Today's Image | 3 days ago

NASA’s AIM spacecraft spotted wisps of the 2020 season’s 1st noctilucent, or night-shining, clouds over the Arctic on May 17.

On Mars, mud flows like lava

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 4 days ago

Scientists in Europe have found that some features on Mars that were thought to be lava flows may actually have been flows of muddy water.

Curiosity rover finds evidence for ancient ice-covered lake on Mars

Posted by Paul Scott Anderson in Space | 5 days ago

Scientists studying data from the Curiosity rover have found evidence for an ancient ice-covered lake in Gale Crater on Mars. The findings support the theory of alternating warmer and colder climates on early Mars.

Why these astronomers now doubt there’s a Planet Nine

Posted by EarthSky Voices in Space | 5 days ago

In the search for the hypothetical 9th planet in our solar system, these scientists may have uncovered another explanation for the patterns in the orbits of Kuiper Belt objects.

Tonight

Today's Image

Tonight

Moon and Spica on June 1 and 2

Moon and Spica on June 1 and 2

Watch for the legendary green flash

Late May: Moon in Leo the Lion

Moon, in Gemini, points to Mercury and Venus

Space

SpaceX Crew Dragon is docked with ISS

Has mystery of universe’s missing matter been solved?

SpaceX Crew Dragon is docked with ISS

Proxima Centauri b confirmed as nearest exoworld

How to spot ISS in your sky

On Mars, mud flows like lava

Curiosity rover finds evidence for ancient ice-covered lake on Mars

Why these astronomers now doubt there’s a Planet Nine

ALMA spots the twinkling heart of our Milky Way

Astro Essentials

Farewell, Venus

What's a penumbral eclipse of the moon?

June 2020 guide to the bright planets

Farewell, Venus

What is an eclipse season?

Earth

AIM spots season’s 1st Arctic noctilucent clouds

NOAA predicts a 'busy' 2020 Atlantic hurricane season

How do hurricanes get their names?

AIM spots season’s 1st Arctic noctilucent clouds

Bees stab plants to make them flower

What are mammatus clouds? Stunning photos here

Study finds microplastics in Florida birds of prey for 1st time

Wolf spiders may turn to cannibalism in a warming Arctic

Global warming is making hurricanes stronger

Human World

How do hurricanes get their names?

How do hurricanes get their names?

SpaceX Crew Dragon is docked with ISS

How to spot ISS in your sky

How are zoo animals handling the coronavirus shutdown?

Videos

On Mars, mud flows like lava

NOAA predicts a 'busy' 2020 Atlantic hurricane season

On Mars, mud flows like lava

Bees stab plants to make them flower

Wolf spiders may turn to cannibalism in a warming Arctic

Why is Earth's magnetic north pole drifting so rapidly?

Seen from space: Covid-19 and the environment

These new maps show 16 years of ice sheet loss

First-ever comprehensive geologic map of the moon